Any real world recommendations please? Have checked previous threads but they're all 10-15yrs old and tech has presumably advanced!
Android user and already have a nice pair of Cambridge Audio Ear buds . . .however worried about losing these whilst skiing so was after something that slipped securely into my helmet ear pads / are comfortable / has decent volume and battery life and with minimal connectivity issues . .
No desire to return to my yoof and listen to 'banging choons' as I smash moguls on a 45 degree chute (in my dreams). . .this is more about being able to answer work calls without the faff of stopping / taking off gloves / not being able to read the phone screen in blaring daylight / actually answering the phone before it goes into voicemail etc . . .I'm also possibly considering investing in Carv in the future so would need something to link effectively to that as well . . .
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I use Apple wired earphones EarPods… which stay seated all day, even in bumps. Phone is in my thigh pocket. Wire goes up from my thigh under top layer. I only use the one earbud - the right with the volume/start/stop call button controller. As I do up my top layer I keep the controller in my mouth so that it is on my chin - likewise when I fasten my helmet. I’ve been using Carv like this. I answer any calls via the controller hanging off my chin without taking off my chunky gloves - I’ve got B&W Bluetooth earphones and Apple AirPods - they’re less comfortable and neither stays seated as well as the wired earphones. Being wired there’s no battery life issues and if the EarPod does drop out then it’s saved by the wires - darn sight cheaper too
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I have zero intention of answering work calls while I'm skiing
But for Carv I use my Shokz openrun headphones which fit comfortably under my helmet and, being bone conducting, I can still hear normally.
Don't want to use ear buds (too much chance of losing / forgetting its in my ear etc) or wired affairs (too much agg) or running / swimming variants etc. . .def after some 'dedicated' helmet audio that I can charge / slip in and forget about
@narbs, If I was gainfully employed I would 100% agree and simply switch phone off. . .one of the few downsides of working for yourself is not getting paid to go on holiday and having to take some (not all) calls . . .millennial clients have microscopic attention spans and simply do not care these days
No real world experience with Outdoor Tech 3.0 / Alek Pro / Doheek?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I've looked at Bluetooth headbands previously. My teen wants one so he can listen to his choons whilst skiing and he worries about losung an earbud. I'm less keen as I think he needs all of his wits about him. I think it would be too easy to get wrapped up in the music, and not pay attention to your surroundings.
That said, I run with earbuds and have managed to stay alive, so I may be overthinking this...
One of their options. Also lets you stream music to another headset user
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Probably a bit pricier and bulkier than what you’re after, but I’ve just ordered myself a pair of Cardo Packtalk Outdoor units. Similar to Gored’s suggestion above, it comes with speakers that you fit to your helmet and then a unit that clips onto a cradle that you mount on the side. This connects to your phone via bluetooth, giving you all the usual headset functionality, with the added bonus of being able to communicate with other users with the same type of kit.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
narbs wrote:
I have zero intention of answering work calls while I'm skiing
But for Carv I use my Shokz openrun headphones which fit comfortably under my helmet and, being bone conducting, I can still hear normally.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I've bought two helmets with built in speakers. One, for cycling, was bluetooth but was pretty poor in terms of sound quality and broke anyway. In fairness cycling helmets don't go over the ear.
The skiing one is unfortunately wired, despite the add online referring to its bluetooth level, so is effectively useless now as phones rarely come with headphone jacks any more.
The times I used it the sound quality wasn't great and I think you are better off with bluetooth buds.
The more important thing is how to answer the phone etc.. Around 10 phones ago I had an android app that you could set to automatically answer calls after a given number of rings. It would also read you the caller ID and read out text messages. You could also, I think, reject calls with voice commands. Perfect to avoid lift glove faff which is invariably timed long enough to just miss the call by the time you get to it.
Unfortunately android updated its software shortly after I got the app and I haven't been able to find one similarly good since. A real testament to the extent to which "new tech" actually lead to a worse service for the consumer.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Shokz open run for me. Also good to avoid Xmas music in supermarkets. Modern Bluetooth so perfect integration with android. Functions easily operators through mitts, just bang a big button on the left hand side.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Bose qc wired headphones for me. In ear wired. Phone in breast pocket. Allows me to listen to tunes and carv feedback as I ski and on the chairlift. I do use a balaclava so the wireless ones get held in but press into my ears, so wired with the wingtips better.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Belch wrote:
Any real world recommendations please? Have checked previous threads but they're all 10-15yrs old and tech has presumably advanced!
Android user and already have a nice pair of Cambridge Audio Ear buds . . .however worried about losing these whilst skiing so was after something that slipped securely into my helmet ear pads / are comfortable / has decent volume and battery life and with minimal connectivity issues . .
No desire to return to my yoof and listen to 'banging choons' as I smash moguls on a 45 degree chute (in my dreams). . .this is more about being able to answer work calls without the faff of stopping / taking off gloves / not being able to read the phone screen in blaring daylight / actually answering the phone before it goes into voicemail etc . . .I'm also possibly considering investing in Carv in the future so would need something to link effectively to that as well . . .
Work calls while skiing? Or on any holiday for that matter!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
+1 for Shockz. I use mine when cycling and occasionally when snowboarding.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Shokz too, under helmet while skiing. Now I don't miss calls (and ski with music), even if I still need to stop to be properly heard.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Cardo, I have also taken the plunge and bought Cardo units this year. Mainly for better on-piste communication with ski group that is not dependent on mobile phone signal, minimising stops - and yelling!
@Belch, the Cardo system is Carve compatible and pairs with phone to answer / make calls easily (using voice commands) as well as stream music to the ear phones that you attach inside helmet. The audio quality is very good, but it is an investment so really hoping it performs well when skiing in a few weeks. The Skiers Lounge posted a video on YouTube if you want more info :
@K8TE, Cardo is £300 for 2?
My chinese ones are £90 for 2
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@narbs, @phil_w, @tomj, @patrick!
Are Shokz comfy and can you access the controls under a helmet with gloves etc? Band at rear also looks annoying and may catch on helmet BOA (unless you are using OpenFit versions) - What specific models do you all use?
@K8TE
Cardo does look comprehensive (and the most expensive solution) - not sure I need all the functionality and don't want to strap a massive module on the side of my head that could get smashed / damaged?
Are we saying the above two options are better than the 'slip in speaker disc' affairs?
@narbs, @phil_w, @tomj, @patrick!
Are Shokz comfy and can you access the controls under a helmet with gloves etc? Band at rear also looks annoying and may catch on helmet BOA?..
Well you can try them (and buy them!) in John Lewis.
The band is something to manage, but for me it works ok. It's probably user/helmet dependent.
Note too that they're just this week launching some more ear things, this time without the band, so you could have one thing per ear.
I like the band because I can wear the thing around my neck when I'm not listening. I can reach the controls fine with my mitts.
I've seen much more compact units than those "cardo" things, for peer-to-peer walkie-talkie type use. I don't think something that big is needed.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
If your helmet has pockets in the ear flaps these work really well:
I like them because they don’t isolate me from the environment I’m skiing in, letting in some local sounds, but still allowing the music to be heard. When fitted in to the helmet you can’t feel a thing, just hear your chosen music and a bit of what’s going on around you.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Belch,
Yes, I find that the Shockz are comfortable.
I have the basic model; the main control is a single stop/start button on the left temple. I can use that wearing cycling gloves; I just had a go with my helmet on and wearing my thick Hestra gloves - bit hit and miss prodding my finger into the earflap, but I could more or less start/stop music as I wanted so I'd guess the same would work to accept a call.
I loop the band (that piece which goes around the back of your head) over the boa adjuster dial, as that helps to pull the conductor pieces into a good position.
Take your helmet and gloves into John Lewis as @phil_w suggests and have a go. You might look a bit of a prat for 5 minutes, but it's worth a try!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@tomj, Lots of prats in JL anyway - Good idea - I'll blend right in!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
'Discovered' my Mountain Lab Helmet (older version) doesn't have pockets for audio anyway so Shockz seems to be the best solution - went into JL as advised and had a play - actually impressed with the audio for non in-ear devices and although two piece and infinitely more losable have decided to go with the Open Fit Air jobbies as they don't have a potentially BOA clashing band and have simple, single touch controls on each ear rather than additional mini buttons (found on some of the more expensive models) that would be impossible to press without helmet / glove removal etc . . .
They pair to the phone AND also to other Snowtalk headsets. Bought them as they were not expensive and I wasn't sure how well they would work.
After three trips with them I'm very impressed. I've not tried the intercom feature with more than one other headset but they work brilliantly paired with one other. Press button to talk simplicity and they deal with wind noise very well. I've found them surprisingly useful.
Big advantage over some others is that you just have the two 'chips' that fit in the ear pockets (plus cable between them) so it all fits inside the helmet with nothing on the side of the helmet that could get knocked off in a tumble.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
"Belch" before pushing button on the Shockz, you might want to read this...
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@philhitch, Too late - went for a refurb pair of A grade from CEX (half the price) of the Open Fit Air . . .sound is ok (with bass boost on) / mega light / more comfortable than in-ear buds etc . . . . . .BUT it transpires with this model the 'touch buttons' don't work with thick gloves as I'd assumed (they aren't physical buttons like the Open Run as per @phil_w recommendation) . . .bum.
Think I'll give em a real world ski test in March anyway - if nothing else, realistically I've got to stop to take a call anyway; at least this will alert me more directly and whilst I'll still have to remove a glove to answer, at least it will negate unzipping my jacket / digging around in the inside pocket to get the phone out etc.
Looks like it'll be banging choons after all then!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@rob@rar, do they ship to the uk? I got these off amazon which have been great but sadly discontinued and seem similar to those you’ve linked to.
@narbs, @phil_w, @tomj, @patrick!
Are Shokz comfy and can you access the controls under a helmet with gloves etc? Band at rear also looks annoying and may catch on helmet BOA (unless you are using OpenFit versions) - What specific models do you all use?
They are comfy, I have an Open run, ideally I'd have got the small version though so make sure you try both sizes. The controls are, for me at least, not that ideal (I have to remove a glove to access them under the helmet, and by then I might as well pick the phone up), but this headset is still the best solution when compared to other options I had access to. I used to own two Sena bands, from a time when we were all on two way radios they seemed a good alternative, but since then (and kids growing requiring their own set) the Sena stays somewhere at home, everybody sticks to mobile.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
kitenski wrote:
@rob@rar, do they ship to the uk? I got these off amazon which have been great but sadly discontinued and seem similar to those you’ve linked to.
Sorry, missed this question first time around. I bought mine secondhand on ebay, so not sure what the situation is with buying them new via retail channels.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Still searching - Shockz Open Air were comfy enough but a mild faff . . .thinking the only solution is a new helmet with pouches to accept the disc type jobbies (Outdoor Tech)
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I've got a couple of pairs of cheap juice ones with the neck band. I only use one when im using Carv, and its a good unobtrusive fit for me . The fact its attached to the neck band means no fear about it dropping out when removing helmet etc. Does the job just fine for me , and inexpensive .
Ive got some that now appear to be called Sweet Protection audio chips. Fit in the ear pads of my helmet, Bluetooth connection and will do about 2 or 3 days without a charge. Buttons on each side, one is playing/pause/Google assistant the other is volume and skip track etc. They're a bit more like speakers so can be heard on lifts apparently, but not loud. Tbh I tend to pause/play a lot during the day depending on who I'm skiing with.
I highly recommend the SENA Snowtalk 2. This works as an intercom with other Snowtalk users AND pairs with your phone. Microphone has very good noise cancelling and I've found I can ski relatively quickly and still hear and be heard. Benefit over the Cardo, which is similar functionality, is that the SENA fits fully within the helment (chips in the ear pockets and flat microphone velcros to the chinstrap).
I'll be at the EoSB and have a spare set so if someone wants to try before buying then you'd be welcome ...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Today (after following this post) I bought a pair of shokz open air. I’m a bit of a tech geek when it comes to earbuds. I use a set of Shure 846 for everyday listening / travel (the wife doesn’t know how much I paid for them lol.)
I don’t want 2 way communication but I need to hear what is happening around me when skiing.
So far they seem ideal and I’m surprised at the sound quality when above 1/2 volume.
For the money, they seem bang on. I’ll see how I get on at VT a week on Saturday.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I bought a pair of motorbike helmet headphones a few years ago for about 20 quid and they're still going strong. Just used them last week.
They slide into the pockets in your ear covers, if you have them. They're fine for me as they don't block out all the noise of the surroundings as they're over ear and not massively powerful. Good enough for some music as you ski though.
You have a little stalk sticking out withe vol control and charger port but you can tuck it up in the earpad.
I think this is the new version. Worth a try for 22 quid. Don't expect hifi sound and you'll be fine. Battery lasts all day in my experience.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Has anyone got a Poc helmet that they've tried putting helmet speakers into the ear pieces (Outdoor Tech Chips or similar)?
I've read that my helmet isn't 'audio ready' because Poc has their own audio solution for the helmet. It's €300 and I only want it for Carv not for music or calls so don't want to spend that much.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Big fan of the Outdoor Tech Chips. I have the ones wired together and they've worked flawlessly for several years. Keep good charge, good connection and the sound is good... I'm sure not audiophile quality but then why would you be on the slopes?
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Or on any holiday for that matter! 
The Skiers Lounge posted a video on YouTube if you want more info :
