Bike Audio System

[Stu McCurdy]

I want to install an audio system on my bike to integrate intercom, XM Radio, cell phone, GPS audio, and Bike to bike comm (CB or FRS) into my helmet. I have been looking at J&M Corp Integratr IV and a couple Chatterbox FRS/GMRS models. Does anyone have experience (pros/cons) with these units or have other suggestions?

Also, what is used more widely for bike to bike communication, CB or FRS?

[Squeaky]

I would think the group you are riding with will be the determining factor for FRS oe CB. If you ride with Goldwing-types, they tend to go CB. I would imagine Sport Touring would tend to go with FRS/GMRS.

I just have a chatterbox FRS with aux-in for my music, so I can't help ya there.

[fjrtom]

Don't forget autocom. I just ordered one for my christmas present. It's more expense but the best statement I've ever heard about intercomm systems for bikes was " the all suck but autocom sucks the least".

[RosscoB]

I'm using autocom and love it.

[Voltar]

+1

I'm using autocom and love it.

[DFW_Warrior]

I want to install an audio system on my bike to integrate intercom, XM Radio, cell phone, GPS audio, and Bike to bike comm (CB or FRS) into my helmet.

If you really are going to hook all those things up then I would stay away from the Chatterbox. You will have 4-5 different wires running up to the side of your helmet. That being said, I have the Chatterbox GMRS X-1 and love it. I wouldn't sell it for the world. But I don't care about GPS audio, intercom, and cell phone. I don't want to hear those things while I'm riding. As for the bike to bike stuff, I prefer the FRS because I've yet to see one other rider (other than Goldwings and Harleys) use the CB stuff. But I see riders all day long using the FRS coms.

[Gilk51]

If you really are going to hook all those things up then I would stay away from the Chatterbox. You will have 4-5 different wires running up to the side of your helmet.
You can get an extension and mount the box on your belt or in the tank bag.

Now, if you are interested in Chatterbox, see here (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13095).. :deal:

[bushwhacker]

I have StarCom and like it -

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=sc-adv-04&Category_Code=

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[DFW_Warrior]

You can get an extension and mount the box on your belt or in the tank bag.

Oh yeah, that's how we do ours on longer road trips. But even belt mounted would still have 5 or so cables running out of it and they would be a fairly large hassle every time I mounted and dismounted the bike. And the tank bag thing works okay, but we still have three or four wires running into and out of the tank bag. For simple bike to bike comm, there is nothing better than the Chatterbox IMHO, but for adding multiple audio inputs it has a lot to be desired. My tank bag ends up looking like a cable explosion after everything is wired up and installed.

[rocketbunny]

I have StarCom and like it -

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=sc-adv-04&Category_Code=

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+1

Cheaper than Autocom for an equivalent feature set.

I have several friends with mix of Autocoms and Starcoms. No one can tell the difference when riding.

[tjbrandt50]

I bought one of these at the Houston Show. I haven't permanently installed it yet, or gotten a chance to run it very thoroughly on the bike (gel-cell battery in tank bag, and testing on my family room bar), but it seems to work OK. Can't get an adapter for my four-conductor cell-phone jack, but probably wouldn't use cell phone connection anyway, may try GPS into that jack instead. Remote Push-to-talk with cheap Motorola Talk-Abouts works fine, and MP3 feed works too, but is blended to Monaural signal. Anyway, just wanted to make things a little more confusing with another choice.

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_187&products_id=5312

P.S. I think imc Motorcomm also makes one level up from this with integrated radio.

[Stu McCurdy]

I ordered this: http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=29 . I will see how it works and report.

[1TallTXn]

Count me as another happy StarCom customer. hands down the single best farkle I've put on so far

[Stu McCurdy]

I want to install an audio system on my bike to integrate intercom, XM Radio, cell phone, GPS audio, and Bike to bike comm (CB or FRS) into my helmet. I have been looking at J&M Corp Integratr IV and a couple Chatterbox FRS/GMRS models. Does anyone have experience (pros/cons) with these units or have other suggestions?


I ended up buying a J&M Integratr IV http://www.jmcorp.com... and a J&M helmet headset http://www.jmcorp.com... . It has in internal FM Radio and Intercom each with separate volume control, cord hookups for front and rear riders, and inputs for an Aux Audio (XM Radio in my case), cell phone, remote PTT, GPS voice, Radar Detector, and a Comm Radio (CB or FRS/GMRS). There are 4 levels of muting so the most important input gets in. Once you figure out how and where to mount it, it works very well. It is very easy to hear (quality and volume) at 65 mph. :rider:

Stu

[MeNWen]

I have an Autocomm Wen and I loved it. It's not a permanantly installed item. It uses a battery but it can be hard wired to bike power. Its one of the lower end ones. It has three ports for expantion. I have an mp3 chord and a chord to fit a cell phone (if you have the right phone). Its the Easi-Plus. I have headsets for rider and passenger.

We don't need it anymore since we bought the Goldwing with an intigrated system.

I'm selling it if your interested. $180.00 and its yours.

[1TallTXn]

I figured you were going to jump and just tell them to get a Goldwing Steve :lol2:

[MeNWen]

On second thought Nathan's right. Just get a Wing to go with the JM coms that you now have. :lol2:

[J&TAwbrey]

We are planning to get either the autocom or starcom. We havent been very happy with the chatterbox. My hubands hearing isn't great, chatterbox just wasnt loud or clear enough. Are there any dealers in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that carry audiocom or starcom?

[1TallTXn]

As far as I know, the only US dealer for Starcom is CA SportTouring (http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=STAR1)

I ordered direct from the company in the UK and had great service.

I'm sure there's somebody that sells Autocom in DFW but I don't know where its at

oh yeah, welcome! :wave:

[J&TAwbrey]

Thanks! Do any of ya'll have input on my volume concerns?

[bushwhacker]

Thanks! Do any of ya'll have input on my volume concerns?

I can not compare the Star Comm to the Autocomm or Chatterbox because I have never used either one of those, however, I have one helmet with a regular helmet speaker set that hooks directly to an audio device (cd player) and one helmet with the Star Comm headset.

The regular headset is ok around town but you get above 50 mph and you can not hear it even with the cd player volume on max.

When I run it thru the star comm I can hear it at most any speed with the cd player volume at around half or a little above.

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[Gilk51]

Are there any dealers in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that carry audiocom or starcom?
EuroSportCycle in Ft. Worth carries Autocom but it will be cheaper online.

[1TallTXn]

I ride with ear plugs and haven't had a problem hearing my passenger due to volume issues. If they start yelling into the mic it will start deviating, but thats not the systems fault.

I've still got plenty of room left on the volume as well.

If ya'll come down to one of our M&Gs I'll be happy to show you how mine is setup.

[J&TAwbrey]

Thank you, we'll try to do that. This has been a lot of helpful information.

[punk_emo_tx]

EuroSportCycle in Ft. Worth carries Autocom but it will be cheaper online.

A few years ago I stopped by to check out their Autocom. They weren't very helpful with info. Can't blame them too much 'cause not many people buy them. I wish the price would go down because I want one.

[MeNWen]

I have an Autocomm I'm trying to sell if anyone is interested. Don't need it with the Gold Wing. It has both rider and passenger head sets. A plug for a MP3. And one for a cell phone. The System can accept another out put if needed for either GPS or bike to bike radio.

$180.00 for anyone who wants it. I'll ship or meet.

I posted this before but forgot I had.

[TexasTri]

Is this the EasyPlus kit and are the headsets for full face or open face helemts?

[MeNWen]

Is this the EasyPlus kit and are the headsets for full face or open face helemts?
Yes on both.

[TexasTri]

MeNWen, sent you a PM.

[tjbrandt50]

I ended up buying a J&M Integratr IV .... It is very easy to hear (quality and volume) at 65 mph. :rider:

Stu

Still have it/feel good about it?

I finally sprung for XM radio, and I've decided my Motorcomm is not up to the amount of abuse I put it through. The headsets (three of them in three years) use mini-DIN connectors and even though the problem seems to be in the wiring above the connector, I'm not sure some strain relief would fix it. Anyway the J&M looks promising, but I was hoping for some feedback. Water resistance a problem? Any update would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[1TallTXn]

Still have it/feel good about it?

I finally sprung for XM radio, and I've decided my Motorcomm is not up to the amount of abuse I put it through. The headsets (three of them in three years) use mini-DIN connectors and even though the problem seems to be in the wiring above the connector, I'm not sure some strain relief would fix it. Anyway the J&M looks promising, but I was hoping for some feedback. Water resistance a problem? Any update would be appreciated.

Thanks,
I've heard that J&M is great for voices, but not so much for music.

I can't speak for sure, as I haven't used anything except my StarCom, thats just what I heard from a J&M dealer.

On the subject of the StarCom, i've been very happy with mine. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that its wired, but then I don't want to have to keep the helmet charged to be able to use it. So I'll take my wires.
Audio quality is good
Durability of components is great. The only troubles i've had with mine was user error and the components still lasted far longer then I expected.
Install is simple

I've used mine riding in the rain for hours and never had a problem with it.

www.starcom1.com