Comms for BMW System 7 Helmets

[AlanM]

Hi all,
I have a BMW System 7 but it is now getting end of life.
Probaly going for same again BUT the only comms unit that seems to fit is the own brand. I have it in old lid but it is only rider to pillion and as I do not carry a passenger but do ride with Daughter (on Tiger800) and in other small groups would like a bike to bike capability.
Problem is System 7 helmets have a concave section where most comms or cameras need to be fitted.
Does anybody have some ideas to fix this.

AlanM
PS got 150 miles Saturday in now that lockdown is eased. My 1250 is now at last over 2000 miles.

[Grumpy Goat]

Problem is System 7 helmets have a concave section where most comms or cameras need to be fitted.
Does anybody have some ideas to fix this.

Alan, where is this concave area you speak of? Outside on the left? I had a look at the web page on the BMW site and could not easily detect any concavity.

Any thoughts on going with a different helmet and better comm system?

[AlanM]

[attachment=615]Hi GG
The concave section is on all round from the black plastic at front and is 1 1/2” deep.
Re other makes have try several but the System7 fits my head shape best so far

[Grumpy Goat]

Hi GG
The concave section is on all round from the black plastic at front and is 1 1/2” deep.
Re other makes have try several but the System7 fits my head shape best so far

Thanks for clarifying, Alan.

So if you want to affix another comm system but are challenged by the concavity in the spot where the head unit of the comm system would go, then the solution is actually easy.

First of all, I recommend the Cardo PackTalk Bold with JBL speakers - it is the best comm unit on the market at the moment. If you do not need the top of the line, there are other models that have the JBL speakers, and the cheapest of the three would be the Cardo Freecom 4+.

That units typically come with two ways to mount the head unit to the exterior of the helmet - via a clip, and via a stick-on glue plate. I do not recommend using the clip for more that one reason.

The glue plate is flat so some compensation for the concavity would have to be made. You need to buy the same product I use to mount my much heavier GoPro to my helmet - Sugru (mouldable glue).

First remove the two sided tape from the back of the glue plate. Then you get the appropriate size packet of colour-appropriate Sugru (two-pack will do), and when ready to install, you roll it into an appropriate cylindrical shape and make a "gasket" around the edge of the glue plate. Then press the glue plate into the well=cleaned concavity making sure that Sugru material squeezes out all around, for you to smooth out evenly for a nice finish. let dry for 24 hours before using. Permanent fix for the concavity problem.

[AlanM]

Hi GG
The concave section is on all round from the black plastic at front and is 1 1/2” deep.
Re other makes have try several but the System7 fits my head shape best so far

Thanks for clarifying, Alan.

So if you want to affix another comm system but are challenged by the concavity in the spot where the head unit of the comm system would go, then the solution is actually easy.

First of all, I recommend the Cardo PackTalk Bold with JBL speakers - it is the best comm unit on the market at the moment. If you do not need the top of the line, there are other models that have the JBL speakers, and the cheapest of the three would be the Cardo Freecom 4+.

That units typically come with two ways to mount the head unit to the exterior of the helmet - via a clip, and via a stick-on glue plate. I do not recommend using the clip for more that one reason.

The glue plate is flat so some compensation for the concavity would have to be made. You need to buy the same product I use to mount my much heavier GoPro to my helmet - Sugru (mouldable glue).

First remove the two sided tape from the back of the glue plate. Then you get the appropriate size packet of colour-appropriate Sugru (two-pack will do), and when ready to install, you roll it into an appropriate cylindrical shape and make a "gasket" around the edge of the glue plate. Then press the glue plate into the well=cleaned concavity making sure that Sugru material squeezes out all around, for you to smooth out evenly for a nice finish. let dry for 24 hours before using. Permanent fix for the concavity problem.

That solution looks good, I will habe to give it a bit of research so thanks.
Will advise in due course, may try on current helmet for GoPro on left side.

[Grumpy Goat]

That solution looks good, I will habe to give it a bit of research so thanks.
Will advise in due course, may try on current helmet for GoPro on left side.

Have you had a GoPro mounted on the side of a helmet before?

[AlanM]

Morning,
No have not had camera on helmet before, same problem for mounting.
Did use a mount on my Lupin from the black plasic filler on left top of fairing, but lots of vibration. Just as lockdown started I finished a forward faceing mount on windsreen mounting screws as picture. Not tested on ride yet but does not show any of the bike in stills for lineup setting.

AlanM
   

[Grumpy Goat]

Thanks for resizing the photo Lee. I also did it in the original post since it still cause horizontal scrolling of the thread, so I will remove your update - hope you don't mind.

[Grumpy Goat]

Morning,
No have not had camera on helmet before, same problem for mounting.
Did use a mount on my Lupin from the black plasic filler on left top of fairing, but lots of vibration. Just as lockdown started I finished a forward faceing mount on windsreen mounting screws as picture. Not tested on ride yet but does not show any of the bike in stills for lineup setting.

AlanM

Hey Alan - Thanks for replying. I resized your photo since it was so large that it caused horizontal scrolling of the web page. Please see this post for some guidance.

Regarding the mounting of action cameras (e.g. Go Pros, etc.) - I do have some experience, and would be willing to share this in a separate thread if there is enough interest.

[Lee]

Thanks for resizing the photo Lee. I also did it in the original post since it still cause horizontal scrolling of the thread, so I will remove your update - hope you don't mind.

That's odd, it looked fine to me and mine looked smaller than your pic.
Your picture requires me to scroll up and down to see the picture on my 25" monitor.

[Grumpy Goat]

That's odd, it looked fine to me and mine looked smaller than your pic.
Your picture requires me to scroll up and down to see the picture on my 25" monitor.
[/quote]


Scrolling down is natural, but point well taken. Yes my resized image was larger than yours in case detail was needed to be seen.

I am using a 24” monitor at 1920px X 1080px HD resolution. If your resolution is set to a higher resolution then you’ll see a larger pixel image without scrolling sideways. The size of the monitor is immaterial; it’s the display resolution that matters. Both my monitors are capable of 4K resolution but at that size everything becomes too small for my aging eyes, hence sticking to regular HD.


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