Headsets

[Bfromla]

For those more legally adept: how/why are the helmet headsets that play music in stereo
(both ears)
Legal but headphones that do the same are not?
FYI got a family member bout to start riding again & already planning on using a Bluetooth headphone set(they already own) as that.

[hypurone]

The law as I read it for here in Cali states in a nutshell that "the speaker device cannot completely seal out outside sounds". Earbuds and a lot of over-the-ear systems do and some even are noise cancelling.... It's a rather gray area on what passes in some stated... Shouldn't be an issue anyway as the system is not visible. And unless you have it blaring and don't turn it off if pulled over it wouldn't even be known that it plays music and is anything other than an intercom. This last bit being how the manufacturers side step the issue as their products are sold as "communication or intercom" devices.

[Motorcycledave]

You are correct.... you have to be able to hear outside sounds.....

The law as I read it for here in Cali states in a nutshell that "the speaker device cannot completely seal out outside sounds". Earbuds and a lot of over-the-ear systems do and some even are noise cancelling.... It's a rather gray area on what passes in some stated... Shouldn't be an issue anyway as the system is not visible. And unless you have it blaring and don't turn it off if pulled over it wouldn't even be known that it plays music and is anything other than an intercom. This last bit being how the manufacturers side step the issue as their products are sold as "communication or intercom" devices.

[Bfromla]

Thank you & figured had more to do with the wording "communication device" vs "personal sound system". & with the new Hands free school zones being implemented to keep drivers hands on the wheel not a device i can see it becoming a bigger issue. As far as seeing the unit. If it falls out when removing the helmet blaring or not, could possibly lead to extended conversations with an officer. I think, but again most of my experiences with LEO's were my high school days & our intimidating Bossier PD (that have been mentioned here before from visitors that had unfortunate experience here.) main thing is keeping the nose clean. : know I can ask some off duty officers working at casinos that may offer good alternatives to explore. Thanks again