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need opinions on intercomms

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cowboyman

cowboyman

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Mar 4, 2007
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Granbury Texas
Howdy all. Im looking to purchase either driver/passenger intercoms or bike to bike intercoms and need to know which ones other riders have had the best luck with. Ive read up on the JandM and chatterbox intercoms. Would like to know the pros and cons of owners of these 2 brands and if there is another brand out there that you can recommend. appreciate it greatly and have a great day.
 
I've used Chatterbox, Autocom and Starcom1. I was never impressed with the Chatterbox, but the Autocomm and Starcom1 were both top-notch units for Rider/Pillion and Rider/Rider communications. They aren't cheap, but they work very, very well. Both of them allowed me to integrate my iPod, XM, cellphone and intercom. I usually only used the iPod or XM inputs, though. Something about using a cellphone on a motorcycle just doesn't seem right to me! ;)

The Baehr units are very well regarded, as well.
 
My autocomm has served me well for over 5 years. If I needed to replace it, it would be with another autocomm.
 
I have the Starcom1. Works very well. My only issue with it is getting the vox and volume controls set JUST right. It takes a lot of trial and error and the slightest turn of the dial can make a huge difference. But once you get it, it works great. And the unit is the size of a pack of cigarettes.
But if you have the cash to burn, Baer is supposed to be the best.
 
Thanks guys. Im looking at all of those brands. I'd rather pay a little more and be happy than with anything substandard. Ive hears the chatterbox VOX can be tricky to tune effectively. I dont have a windshield so I need something "wind" friendly. Also, if anyone has a good system for sale they dont need I'd be happy to consider it also. Have a great day.
 
I'll add another vote for the Starcom1.

The basic rider/pillion unit is actually pretty decently priced (something like $250) its in the accessories that the price starts going up.

I have a pair of PTTs, radio cable, and an iPod hooked up to mine and had great service out of it.

VOX is a highly over-rated feature IMO. I played with it for a bit, but I don't see how it would work with a pillion on-board.
Starcom1.com in case your interested.
CA Sport Touring carries them as well.
 
I was playing with the idea of GMRS radios for bike to bike and rider to passenger, Anyone else done this and can give there two cents?????
Mike
 
gsxrmike said:
I was playing with the idea of GMRS radios for bike to bike and rider to passenger, Anyone else done this and can give there two cents?????
Mike
Click to expand...
GMRS is roughly equivalent to FRS, just a more freqs/channels and higher power. Both of which are nice to have.

Technically you have to have a license to operate on GMRS freqs, but then your supposed to have a license to operate a CB too...

Its worth the upgrade cost if you ask me. the .5W of FRS is just plain lousy, and your not going to get their claimed 2mi unless your both on clear hill tops :yawn:
 
I cannot speak of the other brands of com systems; however, we have the chatterbox. It is lousy. If you have no windshield you do NOT want the Chatterbox. On our ST1300, above 60 mph, my wife and I cannot communicate with each other over the wind noise. At that point it becomes more of an emergency communication device.

I've heard very good things on both the Starcom and the Autocomm devices, although, I've got more friends with the Autocomm than anything else.
 
Yeah, I do not have a windshield and Im not sure if i'll be getting one anytime soon as I like to ride without it. I definately need a "wind" friendly intercomm. Think I'll look at the Autocomm and Starcomm systems. Thanks much guys, ya'll are a great help.
 
gsxrmike said:
I was playing with the idea of GMRS radios for bike to bike and rider to passenger, Anyone else done this and can give there two cents?????
Mike
Click to expand...

I have used an FRS radio (motorola) in attatchment with an Autocom and found it to work well, in fact I still have the radio and cable and transmit switch but no longer use it because I ride mostly alone. It might be for sale.
 
cmartin said:
My autocomm has served me well for over 5 years. If I needed to replace it, it would be with another autocomm.
Click to expand...

Great to hear this comment. I have purchased an autocomm and just waiting for the installation. I am going to let the dealer do the install. :eek2:
 
jettech01 said:
I have used an FRS radio (motorola) in attatchment with an Autocom and found it to work well, in fact I still have the radio and cable and transmit switch but no longer use it because I ride mostly alone. It might be for sale.
Click to expand...

How much might you be asking? What does FRS radio mean? Is it like a CB radio that can talk to the goldwing guys? I need to add a CB type radio to my soon to be installed autocom.

Thanks for any info you can give me.
 
ThirdCoast said:
How much might you be asking? What does FRS radio mean? Is it like a CB radio that can talk to the goldwing guys? I need to add a CB type radio to my soon to be installed autocom.

Thanks for any info you can give me.
Click to expand...
FRS = Family Radio Service
CB = Citizens Band

FRS uses the 450mhz frequency range
CB uses the 11mhz frequency range

FRS != CB in any way shape or form, other then their purpose as personal use radios.

CB is going to have a much lower audio quality level (AM vs FM) but will have a much longer range due to power and frequency.

Clear as mud? ;)

If you want real range w/o people walking on you during a conversation, get into amateur radio :trust:

I have my Yaesu VX-7R opened up to allow me to transmit on the FRS bands (This is illegal only if you transmit on those freqs. :wary: ) In theory, it would allow me to transmit on the CB band as well, but I doubt my little antenna nor the transmitter would take that very well
 
Thanks for the info, looks like the FRS won't work to talk to my goldwing friends. I'll have to look for another option.
 
I concur with the opinions about Chatterbox - had 2 different set-ups from Chatterbox on the ST1100 that I used to own. Above 30 MPH, it was useless as a driver/passenger intercom due to wind noise. The 2nd set-up that I bought from Chatterbox was their CB/intercom. Had to send it back twice for replacement and just gave up on it when it died the next time. Save your time and money and spend a little more the first time for a better quality set-up like the Auto-com.

Ed W.
Universal City, TX
'02 GL1800
 
ThirdCoast said:
Thanks for the info, looks like the FRS won't work to talk to my goldwing friends. I'll have to look for another option.
Click to expand...

A couple of buddies of mine were using cheap Cobra handheld CB's on their bikes with the Autocomm system. They have to replace the batteries but they seem to be happy with the setup. I actually prefer that option to the fancy CB setups with the antenna's attached to the back of the bikes. Everytime I see those pics, I think, 'isn't that cute, they have an r/c bike!'

I prefer the GMRS radio's over FRS but like you have discovered, the wingers mainly use CB's which isn't compatible.
 
tx-vfr said:
CB uses the 11mhz frequency range
Click to expand...
I think you mixed up the wavelength with the frequency:

40 channels within the single 27 MHz (11 meter) band.
Click to expand...
(from Wikipedia) CB has used the 27 mhz frequency since its inception. Originally 23 channels, it was expanded to 40 in the 80s.

GMRS = General Mobile Radio Service
Click to expand...
GMS and FRS channels overlap & can talk to each other if the proper channel is selected.

This is an interesting topic because I talked to my older son this week about bike communications. He is thinking about signing up for escort duty for some of these schedules bicycle races and they prefer CB communications. We were trying to come up with an inexpensive setup for him to use (haven't finalized it yet).
 
Gilk51 said:
GMS and FRS channels overlap & can talk to each other if the proper channel is selected.
Click to expand...

GMRS and FRS have seven shared channels. The rest of the GMRS channels are exclusive to GMRS. There are some radio's that do both FRS and GMRS but for bike to bike, it would be my personal choice to either use GMRS or CB. GMRS for the best clarity and CB for the most compatibility. Leave the FRS radios for the soccer moms and their kiddo's.
 
I guess I'll be the strange one and put my vote in for Chatterbox. Both the Wife and I have the GMRS X-1's and we love them. I have no clue how you guys have them mounted where you can't hear above 30mph. We can communicate up to around 90mph and still hear each other just fine. Chatterboxes are very sensitive to where you mount the mics for proper sound, maybe you guys just mounted them too far away from your mouth and they couldn't pick up the sound all that well. Both of us have fairly small windshields on our bikes too (DL-1000 and an SV-650). And of the two years we've had them, they have yet to malfunction one single time. Maybe we are just the lucky ones.

BTW, the VOX function on any motorcycle communicator is sub-par. None of them are really designed to handle that kind of outside noise and still switch the mic on and off when you want to.
 
No experience with motorcycle communicators. I have however had live audio experience. The general rule of thumb is you get what you pay for. If you want clarity and range plan on spending at least a couple of hundred for a unit and with many m/c communicators (that I have studied) you will have to pay more to expand from the basic comm functions.
Is it worth the extra bucks? well, to twist an old adage, Ask a man who owns a Bentley.

My .02... no extra charge.
 
lastsix said:
Just curious...why would you even want an intercomm?
Click to expand...
To talk between rider & pillion (backseater).

It doesn't stop the helmet slaps for stupid maneuvers, though... :doh:
 
+1 for the StarCom. I have the newer version (the advance?) and it works great. I never used the phone function or the intercom function but primarily as a method to listen to tunes while on trips on my ST1300. I ponied up for the remote volume control which sold the unit for me over the Autocom unit. It worked great with my mp3 player and my XM unit. I wasn't overly impressed with the CB function with my Cobra handheld unit.

Have you considered purchasing a J&M CB radio that has the intercom and aux input for mp3 etc.? It might be more cost effective, and that's what I ended up replacing my Starcom with. I installed it on my Road Glide recently and I think it works great. Adn don't sell the whole RC controlled look of the antenna short. Chicks really dig it! :trust:

Just a thought.
 
sped said:
+1 for the StarCom. I have the newer version (the advance?) and it works great. I never used the phone function or the intercom function but primarily as a method to listen to tunes while on trips on my ST1300. I ponied up for the remote volume control which sold the unit for me over the Autocom unit. It worked great with my mp3 player and my XM unit. I wasn't overly impressed with the CB function with my Cobra handheld unit.

Have you considered purchasing a J&M CB radio that has the intercom and aux input for mp3 etc.? It might be more cost effective, and that's what I ended up replacing my Starcom with. I installed it on my Road Glide recently and I think it works great. Adn don't sell the whole RC controlled look of the antenna short. Chicks really dig it! :trust:

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all that replied above. Following this thread I didn't answer each and every one of them since that only complicates things. Good post yours.

The JM Units seem to work well on Goldwings or Cruisers. Twice I have tried to get the JM people to set me up with their handlebar CB and audio booster for the GPS and XM radio. They flat out told me that they don't have anything for the BMW type motorcycles. They told me this twice over a six month period with two different phone calls. So I gave up on them for now.

I even have an hemet new helmet with factory installed JM speaker system because I used to have a goldwing. That system is useless to me because JM will not or can not make it adapt to other appications.

Motorcycles are so ******* expensive but I love them. :giveup:

I am going with the Autocom and have my bike in the shop for them to install, have two new helmets bought and being rigged. I still don't know how to plug a CB radio into it but working on that now.
 
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