J&M headset microphone fail

[Mh434]

Has anyone else had J&M headset microphone issues? My one-year-old headset's mike only works occasionally. It's a "performance series" for modular helmets (microphone isn't connected to the clamp - just the wiring connector, and the helmet's liner is supposed to hold it in place).

I tried all the obvious fixes - mixing & matching all the external cables, connecting it to the passenger's socket, etc., but when it doesn't work, it doesn't respond to any of these (my wife's identical set works perfectly, though). Moving the boom mike around sometimes causes it to work again, for a few minutes. When I take the helmet apart (moving the mike's wires in the process), it often starts working again, but when put back together...it doesn't. Just wiggling the tiny, hair-thin wire a millimeter or two causes it to work, & not work.

I looked at J&M's site. I considered sending it back & trying for a replacement, but the two-way cost of shipping (I'm in Canada) is virtually the same as buying a new complete set. Interestingly, the cost of a replacement microphone, alone, is MORE than the cost of an entire set (their microphones list from $90-$160USD - with shipping, taxes, brokerage fees, duty, etc., that comes in at around the $200-$300CDN range).

Has anyone found an "alternate" (aftermarket) manufacturer of J&M-compatible headset parts? Surely, there has GOT to be a cheaper way...

[FIREFIGHT100]

Not mine but look at this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goldwing-GL-Ser ... mr&vxp=mtr

[Mh434]

I did see that one, but unfortunately it won't work for modular helmets, as the microphone has to be on the inside of the helmet on a modular. Too bad, too - I bet I have 4 or 5 sets of the open-face ones "in stock".

[Wayne]

Unplug and plug the mic connector under the cheek pad. The small connectors for the mic are very susceptible to have a problem with making good contact. When we install the headsets we use dielectric to keep the moisture from sweating heads from corroding the connectors. The speakers use the same style connectors but the high output to the speakers keep this from happening. I hope this is will solve your problem as it is very common for this to happen.

[Mh434]

Thanks, Wayne! I do have some dialectric paste - I'll give that a try. I have noted that disconnecting & reconnecting the microphone plug has sometimes fixed the problem for a while in the past. The contacts inside that connector are VERY tiny...

[bob-c]

After going through many, many J&M mikes and headsets, I solved my intercom/audio problems completely, by going to Edsets mike and audio system but using J&M earpieces. The cords and plugs are much more robust. The mike is amazing in that it doesn't go ballistic in the wind. Try it. You'll like it. Cheers, Bob

[Mh434]

I tried Wayne's advice, and used dielectric paste. It did make quite a difference! It appears I have two problems - one is inside the mike itself, and the other is the connector, as Wayne suggested. With the paste, I was able to arrange the mike well enough that it kept working through our entire journey of the past few days.

J&M have responded to my email, and have asked for me to ship the mike back to them in exchange for a replacement. That's excellent, and I'll be shipping it off in the next couple of days.

I did look at the Edsets stuff, and it looks amazing, but being in Canada (anything ordered here from the US roughly doubles in price by the time it arrives), the end cost of nearly $1,000CDN for two sets is waaaay outside my (fixed-income) budget.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted!

[harvey01]

Have you contacted any of the J&M dealers in Canada? A list from J&M's website:
CANADA

Andre´s Motorcycle Accessory Centre
Calgary, Alberta
Ph 800-293-6453 (Canada only)
www.chrometoys.com

Hot Baggers Custom Motorcycles
130 Jewell Rd
Cornwall, PE C0A1H9
Canada
800-560-3963
www.hotbaggers.com

La Wing Shop
J&M Corp Trained Audio Installer On-Site
180 Grand Blvd
L'Île Perrot, Quebec
Ph 514-453-6222
www.lawingshop.com

Mega Moto Pieces
Longueuil, Quebec
Ph 450-463-0303

Radioworld
Toronto, Ontario
Ph 866-666-8600
www.radioworld.ca

Turple Brothers Limited
Red Deer County, Alberta
Ph 403-346-5238
www.turplebros.ca

Zdeno Cycles
Kitchener, Ontario
Ph 866-781-2826
www.zdenocycle.ca

[Mh434]

I didn't try Canadian J&M dealers, as I was looking for a warranty replacement. I did contact J&M retailers in the US - they advised they don't sell microphones separately, that I'd have to contact J&M for a replacement, and I figured that Canadian dealers would be the same.

The high-cost sets I was referring to (i.e., selling to Canada) was Edsets, not J&M...

[Wayne]

All J&M and IMC products carry a minimum 2 year warranty and if it was purchased thru Sierra we would have replaced it. Glad you got it handled.
Just did Wing Ding and replaced several EdSets and Nolan headsets. Most of the Nolan were due to bad cords and no one had any parts, not even Nolan who was there at Wing Ding.

[Scooter363y]

I would think it is time " to make a American friend just over the border" that you can meet for lunch every so often.

[Mh434]

Indeed! As it happens, my American friends are scattered in Wisconsin, North Carolina, New York, etc. - alas, too far to meet for lunch!

[Viking]

They have companies on the American side, who supply U.S. Addresses to which you can have things sent. Then when you can drop across the border, you can pick up your stuff. Most will hold your purchases for six weeks or so, and charge between $2 and $7 for the service. This can allow a Canadian to make use of free shipping within the lower 48, and take a bike trip every once in a while. I have made use of these receivers in three different places, Niagara, Sarnia and Sault Ste Marie. This way, I can almost always find a reason to visit or do something along the border and drop down to retrieve my purchases. I am totally honest when returning to Canada and pay the taxes, unless I can find a reason to stay in the States for one to three days, in which case I am usually exempt up to $800 value. This keeps me in good with Canada Revenue.