Motorcycle intercom systems

[Crazcnuk]

Wondering if anyone out there has bought, installed or used any of the modern motorcycle intercom systems.

Since I have no significant other, at this point, I would be interested in a system that allows me to communicate bike to bike with other riders, as well as listen to my stereo (xm satellite) and possibly answer my cell phone while riding.

There are a few systems out there that claim to do these things, but the explanations are quite lengthy and somewhat vague.

I know the newer touring HDs, and I assume Gold whales come with stereo systems, CB radio and comm systems. I would be interested in something similar, especially if it could be built in stages.

[Rubin]

I have been using a bluetooth communicator that clamps to the helmet. It can connect to my phone so I can make/receive calls if I need to while I am riding. Setup took about 10 min, and it is very easy to use.

The unit has bike to bike up to about 500', but I have not tried that function yet. I have ordered a second one, and will be trying the two together this weekend. I really like this unit, and so far highly recommend it. They run about $110 from newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...le%2bbluetooth

This is a pretty good review on another bike forum:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...hlight=blueant

[DiverRay]

If you have a fairing, try the Autocom unit. I have used the one on my bike for about two years, and been happy. It has the cables for most radios, and the "top of the line" has the automatic volume control so you don't blast your ears when you slow down!
They are NOT the cheapest, but I think they are one of the best. JMHO
The one I like

[skippy344]

Starecom intercom

I have a Starcom advance, and it works wonderfully!

You can add a transceiver that talk bike to bike.

You can hook in an audio source as well as a cell phone.

The noise cancelling electronics is fantastic! I can talk to my SWMBO at 100mph and we hear eachother clearly, without shouting.

They now sell a Starcom Digital that kicks the s%#t out of any other intercom system out there.

Both the rider and passenger can have their own audio source, and cell phone. The unit sets its own levels as you ride, so you always get the best performance. It also has a remote so you can make manual changes on the fly.

See the items here:

Starcom intercom

And no, I don't sell these items, I just like to let others know when I find a good product.

greg

[Crazcnuk]

Nice units, but a little pricy for me.

What I need is something that will allow me to listen to my stereo, and answer my phone.

If there was a unit that was available as a base unit, and then expandable would be ideal, but I doubt there is anything like that. They seem to be all or nothing.

[nezzer]

My phone came with a single in-ear headphone and on-wire microphone. I can also set the my phone to automatically answer after a set number of rings. Depending on your phone that might take care of half your request. You might even get one of those skull resonance mics so wind noise would not be a problem.

What type of connection will your stereo have for its output? Are we talking headphone, RCA, stereo headphone minijack?

I have a Collet Communication system from a few years ago. The unit sticks to the side of my helmet. It lets me talk to anyone else with one of these communicators within about 1/2 mile, maybe 1 mile. The passenger can either get their own complete communicator or get a passenger type communicator that connects to the main communicator used by the driver.

These is a VOX (voice activiated) system rather than PTT (push to talk). Volume level and VOX threshold is adjustable.

There is a stereo headphone type jack input on the communicator. I run a two ended headphone jack cable from my MP3 player to the collect communicator and listen to music while I ride. If I talk or someone else talks my communicator mutes my music. One problem though is that if I am playing music and I talk, I stop hearing my music, but everyone who I am talking to hears my voice AND my music. Thats very weird and I hope that fixed in newer models.

So far I have been happy with the performance for talking to other people. The kit comes with 2 speakers to stick in your helmet with velcro. These things have REALLY poor sound quality for music but work great for speech. You can always sub in your own headphones as the collet just uses a standard heaphone jack to connect up the included speakers.

The price for these things is about $200. Its a little more reasonable but then again, I have never used any of the other communicators recommended so far.

[Crazcnuk]

I have a standard auto cassette unit in the fairing. I am going to replace it with a marine CD head unit, as the weather cover is broken on the Cycle Sound unit.

They usually come with RCA outs on them, and, I assume, std speaker cabling.

Since it's almost impossible to listen to the stereo, through it's 2 speakers, while riding I was going to either get a com unit that has inputs for the stereo, or wire in some headphone jacks.

I can get a head unit that is bluetooth capable, and will handle the cell phone, but I would still need to run the mic on a cable to the helmet.

I can just run a bluetooth unit on my phone, but it's easier if the stereo controls it so that it will mute the music while on the phone.

I just thought, if it was doable, I might look at a COM unit to control the whole works, but it seems they want a fortune for them.

[Yahman]

I have a chatter box like the one in the link, I have not tried it with a cell phone but the rest of it works well.

http://www.chatterboxusa.com/cb_50.html

Larry