Motorcycle Headsets
Motorcycle Headsets
GPS Navigation for Motorcycles
An essential part of touring is knowing where you’re going – and if you’re not the type to trust your instincts when you’re on unfamiliar ground, some kind of navigational aid should be a vital part of your equipment. There’s nothing worse than getting lost in the middle of nowhere!
The days having your entire touring group pulling to a halt to gather around a cumbersome folding map are long gone – and it’s satellite navigation, also called global position system (GPS) units that have taken over. They’re lightweight, easy to use and you can have it right there in front of you as you ride. Too easy!
As with most things in life, there is a range of options when it comes to GPS units. From the bare-bones basic to top-shelf with all the bells and whistles. But what will you really need?
Three Styles of GPS
There are three types of GPS that are suitable for use on a motorcycle. For starters, there are the basic hand-held types used by hikers. These offer an easy-to-use interface, and can be linked up to a laptop computer to help you plan your trip. They can also be used while boating and off-roading, if that’s what you’re into.
The downsides to a hiker-style GPS are that the features and menus can be tricky, and you’ll need to sort out a mounting system if you want to keep one eye on the map and the other on the road.
Next up are the motorcycle-specific devices, such as the TomTom RIDER. The RIDER has been designed with motorcyclists in mind – it comes with a specialized mounting that the unit clips into when you need it, and has large touch-screen controls, ideal for plotting your way around, even with thick winter gloves on. The housing has been designed to handle the rigors of life on two wheels, and is weather-proof.
The RIDER also has a cool headset attachment, which rests inside your helmet and can relay spoken commands to the unit via Bluetooth, so you won’t even need to take your hands of the bars – just tell the GPS you want to head “Home” and it’ll plot you a route and lead you there.
The third type of GPS unit that motorcyclists tend to use are the GPS / PDA hybrids, such as a Blackberry with GPS software loaded on. The upsides are that it doubles as a communications device, has a large screen and is highly portable. The downsides… well, let’s just say that if you’re out cruising on a weekday, you probably don’t want the office to be able to email you!
Other Factors to Bear in Mind
Once you’ve decided what kind of GPS you want to look at, there are more factors that you’ll need to consider before making a purchase. Such as, how good is the battery life on the model you want? Can you have it wired into your bike’s electrical system so that it draws power while you’re on the road? Is the GPS accurate enough? Can it be updated?
They’re all good questions – and they’ll all need answering before you fork over your pay check. Good battery life is essential – on a long trip (six hours or more), you’ll need to consider a unit that has exceptional battery life. What could be worse than getting six hours from home, relying on the GPS for directions, only to have the batteries die when you need them the most? If you decide on a cheaper unit with lesser battery life, the lesson here is simple: carry spare batteries! Most handheld GPS units run on 4, 6 or 8 ‘AA’ size batteries, so they’re easy to source and carry.
To avoid the issue of battery life, consider having the GPS hard-wired into your bike’s electrical system. For the most part, GPS units draw very little current, and because the battery is being recharged by the alternator while the bike is running, your battery power will not be compromised.
As for accuracy, most road cruisers won’t need to have a super-accurate GPS. Most units on the market at the moment offer accuracy up to 26 feet. The more accurate models (which use a system called Wide Area Augmentation System) are good for accuracy within a 9-foot radius.
The final, and perhaps most important factor for many riders, is price. How much do you want to spend on a GPS, and how do you get the best bang for your buck?
Starter models, such as the Magellan Roadmate are available from $250. For the better models you can pay anything up to $1400. Widely regarded as the best value for money for motorcyclists is the TomTom RIDER, which retails around $700. It’s got all the features riders need, including door-to-door address route plotting anywhere in the United States – it’s a winner.
Things to Remember:
A GPS system is only as good as the maps it has loaded into its memory – an out of date map on the GPS is as bad as an outdated folding map. Make sure you keep your GPS maps as up to date as possible.
GPS units don’t work well undercover. They rely on being in line-of-sight contact with satellites outside earth’s atmosphere, and anything – including trees – can interfere with the signal. If you spend a lot of time on roads that run through forested areas, it’s worth considering one of the new SiRF Star III Chipset models. They offer superior coverage in leafy areas.
Security for GPS units is an issue – because of their portability, they’re very easy to steal. Make sure yours has a secure place to rest when you stop for lunch.
See how HaulBikes uses GPS to enhance its customers’ shipping experience.
About the Author
Ken Durik is the Co-Owner of Daily Direct-HaulBikes Motorcycle Shipping in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Motorcycle Headsets
Top Ten Bestselling Motorcycle Headsets of 2011
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Bluetooth Multi BT Interphone Headset 1000M Motorcycle Skiing Riding MP3 Media $96.99 |
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Motorcycle helmet bluetooth headset Headphone intercom $279.00 |
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Diamond Plate MOTORCYCLE BLUETOOTH HELMET SET HEADSET $58.99 |
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Motorcycle Handsfree Bluetooth Helmet Headset for Samsung FreeForm $45.95 |
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Motorcycle Handsfree Bluetooth Helmet Headset for Google Nexus 3 $45.95 |
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Motorcycle helmet bluetooth headset Headphone intercom $44.99 |
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Motorola Talkabout Radio Motorcycle Helmet Earpiece Headset (Single 2.5mm Jack) $23.51 |
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Two-Way Radio Headset Kit for Half-Face Motorcycle Helmets $34.38 |
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Noisehush N800 Interphone Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Headset New $80.97 |
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shark SHKL3KITXMBT388IL 3 Motorcycle Bluetooth Interphone receivers headsets $149.99 |
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Parrot SK4000 Bluetooth Motorcycle Headset Handsfree System New $179.97 |
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WHISTLER BT2200 iPOD CELLPHONE BLUETOOTH MOTORCYCLE HELMET HEADSET COMMUNICATOR $54.99 |
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new! Motorcycle Bluetooth Multi Interphone headsets $99.99 |
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set of Multi use Multiple user intercom headset motorcycle firefighting skiing $189.99 |
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Bluetooth Motorcycle Motorbike Sports Helmet Headset HM-508 $37.99 |
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Interphone Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Bluetooth Headset $49.99 |
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Lot of 10 Brand New NoiseHush N800 Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset $399.99 |
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2.5mm Single Earbud Headset w/ Mic for Motorcycle Training & GPS NAV $5.99 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset for Motorcycles (2nd Gen) $94.00 |
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2 Cardo Scala Rider Motorcycle Headset Pair $229.99 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset for Motorcycles $96.30 |
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Universal Motorbike Motorcycle Helmet Headset + Mic New Free Shipping $9.99 |
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BKI-300 Bluetooth Motorcycle Headset System $125.38 |
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2X Bluetooth Motorcycle Speaker Helmet Headset Intercom $118.95 |
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NoiseHush N800 Motorcycle Interphone Bluetooth Headset $119.00 |
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Motorcycle Interphone Bluetooth Multi Headset GPS DSP $80.99 |
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Rider Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet Headset Intercom New $59.95 |
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Motorcycle snowmobile skiing Bluetooth Multi Interphone headsets 3 riders 1000 f $109.99 |
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IMC MOTO IPHONE/SMARTPHONE MOTORCYCLE HELMET HEADSET $67.25 |
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GPS Motorcycle Wireless Rider Helmet Intercom Bluetooth Headset Interphone $89.99 |
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Naztech N800-Noisehush N800 Interphone Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset – Kit $70.69 |
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Motorcycle Bluetooth Multi Interphone headsets 3 rider $96.99 |
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Six Riders Motorcycle Bluetooth Multi Interphone headsets package.3 complete set $332.98 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset Motorcycle For Siemens Mobiles $51.73 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset Motorcycle For All HTC Mobiles $51.73 |
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BLUETOOTH HEMLET HEADSET FOR MOTORCYCLE AND MOTORBIKE BLACKBERRY 8520 GEMINI $51.73 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset Motorcycle For iPhone 3 3G 4 $51.73 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset Motorcycle For All Mobile Phones $51.73 |
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new Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Headset intercom 500M Embedded FM Radio system $74.99 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset + Mic for Motorcycles $18.95 |
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IMC MOTO IPHONE/SMARTPHONE MOTORCYCLE HELMET HEADSET $65.00 |
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Brand New NoiseHush N800 Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset $54.99 |
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2x Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Headset Intercom 500M $95.50 |
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Bluetooth Helmet Headset for Motorcycles (2nd Gen) $76.10 |
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Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet Headsets Intercom 100M FM $59.88 |
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Hottest Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmet Headset Intercom $59.88 |
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NEW CELLTRONIX #06-CE-BTH200H Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset $69.99 |
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NoiseHush Water Resistant N800 Motorcycle Interphone Bluetooth Headset v2.1 $109.99 |
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Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Bluetooth Headset for GPS $83.89 |
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2.5mm Single Boom Mic Earbud Headset for Motorcycle Training & GPS NAV $5.99 |
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Jawbone 2 II Bluetooth Wireless Headset $16.17 |
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7X Leather Headset Earloop Earbud for Jawbone II 2 Gen Aliph Bluetooth ipktg ess $0.95 |
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Motorola H17txt Wireless Bluetooth Headset With MotoSpeak H17 txt $39.90 |
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Universal Black Bluetooth V2.0 Handsfree Headset for iPhone Cell Phone PDA $1.00 |
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Universal Black Bluetooth V2.0 Handsfree Headset for iPhone Cell Phone PDA $1.00 |
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Plantronics Pulsar 260 Bluetooth Headset Music & Calls $24.99 |
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Rechargeable HiFi Multipoint Stereo Bluetooth Headset for Mobile Phone Laptop $15.01 |
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Super Mini Bluetooth Headsets for phone N8 I9100 I PHONE Perfect work Free Shipp $5.50 |
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Jawbone Icon Rogue Bluetooth Wireless Headset OEM plus NoiseAssassin $28.49 |
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Jawbone Icon Thinker Bluetooth Wireless Headset Aliph Black Noise Assassin $31.31 |
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Motorola HX550 Universal Bluetooth Headset Wireless Noise Cancellation OEM $29.74 |
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Jawbone ICON Gold Bombshell Bluetooth Wireless Headset Noise Assassin $35.79 |
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Licensed Star Wars Dark Vader Design Bluetooth Headset $39.95 |
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Licensed Star Wars Dark Duel Design Bluetooth Headset $39.95 |
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SAMSUNG HM6450 MODUS DUAL MIC STEREO BLUETOOTH HEADSET $58.99 |
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New Genuine H670 Motorola Bluetooth Wireless Headset Technology For Cell Phone $9.50 |
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USB CABLE FOR NEW OFFICIAL MICROSOFT XBOX 360 BLUETOOTH HEADSET MW3 CHARGER GC11 $7.99 |
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Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset Over-the-Ear Monaural Pink $19.99 |
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NEW Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset WHITE $69.99 |
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BlueAnt Q1 Original Voice Controlled Wireless Bluetooth Headset New $11.00 |
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Universal Bluetooth Headset Handfree for Cell Phone PDA $1.00 |
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Bluetooth Mini Keyboard Stereo Headset Controller for iPhone, Android and IPAD2 $49.99 |
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2012 newest Bluetooth Sunglasses wireless Headset For Motorola/Nokia iphone 4 4s $18.50 |
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JAWBONE ICON HERO NOISE ASSASSIN 2.5 WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADSET NEW $39.95 |
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7X Leather Headset Earloop Earbud for Jawbone II 2 Gen Aliph Bluetooth pmnak ess $0.95 |
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Car Charger + AC Wall Power Adapter Cord For Motorola Bluetooth Headset HT820 BT $8.63 |
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SAMSUNG WEP430 BLUETOOTH HEADSET $0.99 |
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FMX Bluetooth Headset for Blackberry Phones & Pearl 3G 9100 9105 +Charger mt $17.20 |
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Bose Bluetooth Headset Right Ear (USED) $55.89 |
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NEW MOTOROLA BLUETOOTH HEADSET H390 FOR LG COSMOS $28.99 |
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BLU Bluetooth Headset for Samsung Phones + Galaxy w/ Wall & Car Charger mt $17.95 |
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Motorola Finiti HZ800 Bluetooth Headset Elite Series Chrystal Talk-Good Conditon $30.95 |
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2012 newest Bluetooth Sunglasses wireless Headset For Motorola/Nokia iphone 4 4s $9.99 |
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New Nokia BH-503 BH 503 Bluetooth Stereo headset $8.99 |
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USB CHARGING CABLE FOR BLUEANT T1 RUGGED BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.97 |
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UNIDEN 2.1 & EDR BLUETOOTH HEADSET $24.88 |
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USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON HD BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.96 |
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2012 newest Bluetooth Sunglasses wireless Headset For Motorola/Nokia iphone 4 4s $16.50 |
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USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON ACE BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.95 |
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USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON HERO BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.94 |
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USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON MESH BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.93 |
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NEW USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON CATCH BLUETOOTH HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.92 |
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NEW iPhone 4s Bluetooth Stereo Headset – Motorola S10-HD -RED – FACTORY SEALED $61.99 |
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NEW USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON ROGUE BLUETOOTH HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.91 |
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Bluetooth wireless headset No reserve! $7.00 |
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Apple Bluetooth Headset Model A-68 v2.0 $0.99 |
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NEW USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON THINKER BLUETOOTH HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.90 |
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NEW USB CHARGING CABLE FOR JAWBONE ICON BOMBSHELL BLUETOOTH HEADSET CHARGER GC11 $7.89 |
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New Motorola COMMAND ONE HZ700 Wireless Bluetooth Headset 89420N $47.00 |
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BNIB Samsung HM3600 Bluetooth Wireless Headset for Apple,LG,Motorola,Blackberry $32.00 |
Amazon
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Radians CEP001-T Tan Custom Molded Earplugs $9.30 For your ears only: Radians Custom Molded Earplugs. USA MADE! A perfect fit for shooting sports, construction work, ATVing, and more! These easy do-it-yourself Plugs take about 10 minutes to mold to the exact shape of your ear for a soft, permanent custom fit like no other. Made from soft, non-toxic and hypoallergenic silicone that’s long-lasting and washable. Environmentally friendly, too. Noise … |
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Chatterbox CBXHSEX X1/X1Bluetooth/X2 Noise Reducing Headset Extension Cord $16.99 ChatterBox Noise Reducing Headset Extension Cord Replacement or additional noise reducing headset extension cord for the FRS X2 and GMRS X1 Communicators… |
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New-F4 Bluetooth Interphone Motorcycle Kit – DE7041 F4 MOTORCYCLE HELMET BLUETOOTHHEADSETTrue hands-freesimply say any word within 10 seconds to answer incoming callMultipoint technology allows seamless switching between 2 Bluetooth devicesBike-to-bike intercom mode for rider-to-passenger/separate rider up to 1,640′ awayStream stereo audio/music from A2DP Bluetooth phones and music playersMusic remote control using AVRCP allows user to play, pause,… |
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Plugable USB 2.0 2 Port Hub $9.20 Featuring a clean, compact design, this standard USB hub enables two devices to share a single available USB port with full USB 2.0 compatibility and performance.Common Uses Common uses include connecting both keyboard and mouse via a single USB cable, for industrial environments where space is a premium, and for any situation where a simple USB 2 port splitter is required. PowerThis bus-powered h… |
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Midland AVPH5 Behind-the-Head Headsets (Pair) $18.05 Works with all Midland GMRS/FRSSingle ear speakerBoom microphoneIn-line PTT switchDual pin connector… |
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Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (White) $99.99 6i Isolator Earphones are designed specifically for use with the Apple iPod and other small portable players, providing greater sound output and enhanced bass.In-the-ear secure fit for optimal performance Highly accurate music reproduction with greater sound output and enhanced bass Exceptional noise isolation… |
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Sony Ericsson Hi-Fi Bluetooth Stereo Headset with FM Radio $33.50 Rock to the radio. Groove to your tunes. Network. Gossip. While you’re hands are free to do as they please. Enjoy exceptional on-the-go audio. Join the wireless revolution. Discover MW600. Swap your headphones Your Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600 has a 3.5 mm plug built in so that you can swap the headphones to match how you listen to music in your phone. Customised comfort for your e… |
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JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds -Onyx Black $14.94 Looks to KillSleek, sexy lines, a smooth satin finish, and 12 show stopping color combinations take any MP3 player to the next level. A new, meticulously crafted sound chamber designed to perfectly resonate the wide range frequency response from our unparalleled Japanese Titanium drivers.Sound to ThrillYou will enjoy a rich, dynamic soundstage that accentuates every detail of your music, with cris… |
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Sony MDR-AS20J Active Style Headphones with Soft Loop Hangers – Black $19.99 Sony’s MDR-AS20J Active Style Headphones give you the freedom to enjoy your music and workout without any interference from bothersome cords. These headphones are great for athletes, personal trainers, fitness enthusiasts and those who are continuously involved in physical activity or on-the-go. Enjoy features such as a sweat resistant guard design, rich sound quality, and a cord clip to se… |
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Fiio E3 Headphone Amp $2.51 The E3 Portable Headphone Amplifier from Fiio is a compact and portable headphone amplifier that allows you to increase the play time of your music player and improve the audio quality. It also has a bass boost function for enhanced bass. The amplifier has standard 3.5mm input and output connectors, providing compatibility with a variety of headphones and music players. Simply place the amplifier … |
