Helmet audio?

[RachelV]

Am I the only one who was like “oh look, popping out this foam piece lets the Chip sit right inside like it was meant to be there all along??” Lol

fwiw I was checking out my helmet the other day (a Smith... Valence?) and the pads don't really come out without some peeling -- they're kind of glued in, but very weakly. So I think I'll see how the chips feel in there with the pads in place before I do anything more drastic, though I don't think it will be a problem to take the pads out if that seems better.

 

[Ski Sine Fine]

To be fair, it took me half a season to realize the ear foam inserts can be separated from the rest of the foam in the ear muffs (which appeared to be glued/attached to the inside in some way).

 

[contesstant]

I bought Eco Pucks last season and I had no idea how much music makes me ski better until I started using them! I keep the volume down enough that I can hear conversations and therefore what's going on around me. I use the phone function sometimes, but it's not the best for those on the other end of the call. Today was a powder day--I played the Foo Fighters and had a blast!

 

[MissySki]

I bought Eco Pucks last season and I had no idea how much music makes me ski better until I started using them! I keep the volume down enough that I can hear conversations and therefore what's going on around me. I use the phone function sometimes, but it's not the best for those on the other end of the call. Today was a powder day--I played the Foo Fighters and had a blast!

I agree! I think it has to do with focusing on the beat and getting out of my head, in my case.

 

[jthree]

Just ordered some headphones & looking forward to having them this season. Mainly because it will enable me to better handle my inevitable work calls. I hadn't really been thinking of playing music with them. But I'm intrigued at the better skiing with music. So now I want to know... does anyone have a skiing playlist?

 

[ski diva]

Just posted my review of the Cardo PackTalk Communicator System on TheSkiDiva blog, if anyone's interested.

 

[MissySki]

Just posted my review of the Cardo PackTalk Communicator System on TheSkiDiva blog, if anyone's interested.

I was just reading your blog post, very interesting! I don't think I have a need for the additional capabilities currently (I only use mine for music and choose not to take calls and such when skiing in general), but if friends I ski with had them it would potentially be an incentive to be able to communicate while skiing.

 

[Idahoskier]

I use BE Headwear from Amazon. I've used mine for 4 seasons and they are still going strong. They happen to be on sale for $39 right now but they've never been over $50. I have had 2 smith helmets in those 4 years and the BE Headwear speakers fit both helmets. I put the speakers on the outside of the foam that is in my helmet ear pockets so the foam sits on my ears not the speaker. For me there is a sweet spot where they do not put any pressure on my ears. I do sometimes have to adjust the speaker I pull out to charge if I'm getting some pressure.

A lot of people are anti speaker. I keep the volume low enough that I can hear people around me and have a conversation on the chairlift but just loud enough to hear skiing. I'm in a much better rhythm when I have music.

Here is an Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HSXKQ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[RachelV]

Used my new Chips for the first time this past weekend and they're great. I really should have gotten some years ago but was being a cranky old person about being unplugged while out in nature, or something. Can now confirm that skiing bumps to Lizzo is A+++.

The ear pads in my helmet (a Smith Valence I think) are in 3 sections but not removable, so I ended up cutting out the middle section so that the Chips could sit between the 2 edge pieces without squishing my ears. I can slide the middle piece of foam back in if needed, but unless I'm skiing on a very cold day without the Chips in I'm not sure I'll ever bother.

Anyways, I love them! Thanks all.

 

[Jilly]

I have 1 ear pad that has the cut, the other seems to be glued where it should be....So I'm cutting that one too, Smith helmet too. Fit fine in my Salomon.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Looking for updated information from anyone...

 

[MissySki]

Looking for updated information from anyone...

What about?

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Helmet Audio @MissySki

 

[MissySki]

Haha I know that, I just meant what specific questions you had. I thought most had good experiences with the chips to begin with.

 

[TNtoTaos]

What about?

Me too.Am wondering if I have also been stubbornly missing out on being able to enjoy some very quiet tunes in the background -- maybe will help me get in a groove better? So anyone with suggestions on "the latest and greatest" in helmet audio (Black Friday coming up...)?

 

[santacruz skier]

Kidding aside, I use Outdoor Tech chips - super easy to use in my Smith Liberty (I think) helmet....

 

[MissySki]

Me too.Am wondering if I have also been stubbornly missing out on being able to enjoy some very quiet tunes in the background -- maybe will help me get in a groove better? So anyone with suggestions on "the latest and greatest" in helmet audio (Black Friday coming up...)?

I believe the Outdoor chips are the best and most popular still. I don’t think that has changed. They are great, if you want tunes (even very quiet ones) they are a great option and I wouldn’t overthink it. I’ve had my first pair since 2015 and just bought a new pair at the end of last season on sale just because they have some different functionality that my old ones didn’t. The original ones still function perfectly. They are a great product I’ve used a ton.

 

[RachelV]

I still love the chips. Because of the way they sit outside your ear you can still chat on the chair no problem with music playing more quietly. I usually turn the volume down a few notches when getting on the chair. The charge also lasts a LONG time, like easily 15 days of skiing for me, though I don't usually ski full days.

 

[Bookworm]

Can you answer phone calls or tell Siri to text someone?

 

[santacruz skier]

Can you answer phone calls or tell Siri to text someone?

Yes you can definitely answer phone calls. However, i tried answering the phone and fell as I was skiing along..........oops.
Not sure about texting via Siri.
BTW, I'm on my second pair as they do get shorted out after a while. Mine are the older version more like $150.