Heavy Duty in-line volume controller and Mic for Helmet Audio? - Snowboarding Forum

hikeswithdogs · 01-15-2012, 01:50 PM

Fed up with the crap quality of audio in my last couple helmets(one Bluetooth one wired) I sewed in my own low profile speakers in my Smith helmet's ear pads and they work great.

My problem is finding a in-line 3.5 mic+controller(volume\mute\skip) that will last more than a month of mountain abuse, say what you want but when I'm on call for work and trying to hook up with riding buddies I really enjoy having music and phone call access while out riding.

I was using the one from SkullCandy pictured here

Broke in 1\2 a season and the volume and mute\skip\answer buttons are difficult to control with gloves on beyond those short comings it worked great.

Anyone aware of anything out there available that will solve my above issues and last more than a few months?

Thanks

hikeswithdogs · 01-16-2012, 09:37 AM

Really, no one?

snowklinger · 01-16-2012, 09:46 AM

Man there are just no good choices it seems. I dont use the +mic version, but my red's were like fisher price, traded up for skullcandies which are working great, I think your best bet is to just keep returning it for a new one when it breaks.

hikeswithdogs · 01-16-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowklinger

Man there are just no good choices it seems. I dont use the +mic version, but my red's were like fisher price, traded up for skullcandies which are working great, I think your best bet is to just keep returning it for a new one when it breaks.

Yea I might have to look into building something myself but in the time being I can't even find anywhere to buy the above piece without the entire kit(with speakers and everything) which I obviousness don't want.

Protec has a nice solution with their plantronics components but they don't sell anything separate from the helmet.

Just posted this question on the front page of Backcountry.com's facebook page, maybe they have some ideas.

hikeswithdogs · 01-23-2012, 08:10 PM

Found one, Shure makes high end headphones for musicians and audiophiles so you know they'll be no loss of quality and the mic will be good.
Shure Americas | Earphone Accessory Cables

Purchase here 49$(yea I know a little on the spendy side)
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-Accessor.../dp/B0043241X8

2 year warranty keep your receipt , I've personally had good luck with Shure products and they have great customer service

They make another model for "other" devices like maybe Android phones or generic MP3 players ect

spacemanspiff · 01-24-2012, 02:34 AM

anyone have any better quality version of the red phones? id like to put one in my red mutiny helmet but the red phones have such bad reviews.

snowklinger · 01-24-2012, 07:31 AM

there are skullcandy ones made for giro, and a couple other brands made for smith, etc. they are all basically the exact same, they are all (for the most part) compatible across brands, I have a red helm, but went through 4 pairs of red speakers before just giving up and going with the skullcandies - which get horrible review from everyone (as a brand) but for helmet dropins they work, which is alot more than i can say for the redphones i tried.

hikeswithdogs · 01-24-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspiff

anyone have any better quality version of the red phones? id like to put one in my red mutiny helmet but the red phones have such bad reviews.

I bought the smith single shot drop ins and just took the stitching out of my existing non audio ear pads put them in and just sewed them back up, worked perfect for me.

My issue was with the skullcandy connector I posted above not the speakers themselves.

miles1717 · 01-24-2012, 09:40 AM

I'm having the same problem with the Skullcandy Single Shot in-line controller. The speakers are great, but the button can be hard to use with gloves on. Even worse, the controller stops working after an hour on the mountain. It works great when I test it at home, but as soon as the cold moisture hits it, it craps out. I'm looking at just replacing the controller with a simple cord, and then buying the Burton MixMaster gloves. It would mean no microphone, but that's fine with me. I'm more interested in having easy control of the music--I want to be able to turn it off quickly when needed. Just feels safer that way.

hikeswithdogs · 01-24-2012, 11:57 AM

Not sure about their helmets(they look cool buddy has one) but their Audio system is built by Plantronics which is FAR FAR superior to any of the junk from skull Candy or Red.

01-15-2012, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
hikeswithdogs -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Summer--Utah Winter Posts: 958 Blog Entries: 1	Heavy Duty in-line volume controller and Mic for Helmet Audio? Fed up with the crap quality of audio in my last couple helmets(one Bluetooth one wired) I sewed in my own low profile speakers in my Smith helmet's ear pads and they work great. My problem is finding a in-line 3.5 mic+controller(volume\mute\skip) that will last more than a month of mountain abuse, say what you want but when I'm on call for work and trying to hook up with riding buddies I really enjoy having music and phone call access while out riding. I was using the one from SkullCandy pictured here Broke in 1\2 a season and the volume and mute\skip\answer buttons are difficult to control with gloves on beyond those short comings it worked great. Anyone aware of anything out there available that will solve my above issues and last more than a few months? Thanks __________________ makingfreshtracks.blogspot.com Last edited by hikeswithdogs; 01-15-2012 at 01:52 PM.

01-16-2012, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
hikeswithdogs -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Summer--Utah Winter Posts: 958 Blog Entries: 1	Really, no one? __________________ makingfreshtracks.blogspot.com

01-16-2012, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
snowklinger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: fuck boulder Posts: 2,834	Man there are just no good choices it seems. I dont use the +mic version, but my red's were like fisher price, traded up for skullcandies which are working great, I think your best bet is to just keep returning it for a new one when it breaks. __________________ is it late october yet?

01-23-2012, 08:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
hikeswithdogs -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Summer--Utah Winter Posts: 958 Blog Entries: 1	Found one, Shure makes high end headphones for musicians and audiophiles so you know they'll be no loss of quality and the mic will be good. Shure Americas \| Earphone Accessory Cables Purchase here 49$(yea I know a little on the spendy side) http://www.amazon.com/Shure-Accessor.../dp/B0043241X8 2 year warranty keep your receipt , I've personally had good luck with Shure products and they have great customer service They make another model for "other" devices like maybe Android phones or generic MP3 players ect __________________ makingfreshtracks.blogspot.com Last edited by hikeswithdogs; 01-23-2012 at 08:31 PM.

01-24-2012, 02:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
spacemanspiff Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 42	anyone have any better quality version of the red phones? id like to put one in my red mutiny helmet but the red phones have such bad reviews. Last edited by spacemanspiff; 01-24-2012 at 02:40 AM.

01-24-2012, 07:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
snowklinger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: fuck boulder Posts: 2,834	there are skullcandy ones made for giro, and a couple other brands made for smith, etc. they are all basically the exact same, they are all (for the most part) compatible across brands, I have a red helm, but went through 4 pairs of red speakers before just giving up and going with the skullcandies - which get horrible review from everyone (as a brand) but for helmet dropins they work, which is alot more than i can say for the redphones i tried. __________________ is it late october yet?

01-24-2012, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
miles1717 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NC ---> NYC Posts: 21	I'm having the same problem with the Skullcandy Single Shot in-line controller. The speakers are great, but the button can be hard to use with gloves on. Even worse, the controller stops working after an hour on the mountain. It works great when I test it at home, but as soon as the cold moisture hits it, it craps out. I'm looking at just replacing the controller with a simple cord, and then buying the Burton MixMaster gloves. It would mean no microphone, but that's fine with me. I'm more interested in having easy control of the music--I want to be able to turn it off quickly when needed. Just feels safer that way.

01-24-2012, 11:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
hikeswithdogs -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minnesota Summer--Utah Winter Posts: 958 Blog Entries: 1	Not sure about their helmets(they look cool buddy has one) but their Audio system is built by Plantronics which is FAR FAR superior to any of the junk from skull Candy or Red. __________________ makingfreshtracks.blogspot.com

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