All Hooked Up & Connected

[Big-D]

I've seen many of you with a GPS, Radar Detector, Satellite Radio, Communications and who knows what all being run into your helmet. I need to know what you are running all of these devices through, where do you buy these and what can I expect to pay for it. Are there multiple choices?

Once connected, say you're listening to your favorite sounds and suddenly the Radar Detectors goes off or your riding companion says something, does the music automatically shut down. Or if your GPS iss trying to warn you your turn off is approaching, how do you set priority?

While I'm at it, I may as well ask about the hand guards some of you mount. Are they standard V-Strom hand guards that mount without modifications? Or perhaps some other type that requires modifications?

Thanks,

Big-D

 

[Ignacio]

V-strom handguards just like has been shared dozens of times before here.

I have a Starcom that mixes my V1, 2820, and potentially cell phone or other devices. Whatever device you plug into the first slot has priority and mutes the others.....most go with the radar detector.

If I had it to do over again I'd probably go Autocom.....or a Mix-It since I don't use the microphone part.

 

[Good2Go]

I use a Starcom Advance to connect the following: GPS+MP3+SAT+Cell Phone (integrated through a Zumo 550), Escort RADAR, bike-to-bike (either GMRS, FRS, or CB). Got mine from bikeeffects, but keep an eye on Craigslist etc.; I picked up a second Starcom system for $120 a couple of weeks ago.

NAV prompts mute MP3 or SAT in the Zumo. Radar alerts mute the Zumo

 

[Bogey907]

I use an Autocomm, but if I did it over again I would probably use a Mix-It:

https://www.mixitproducts.com/

It does everything except intercom, which I don't use anyway.

 

[Geezer]

I use an Ampli Rider as a mixer because I'm too cheap to buy a Starcom or Autocom. The Ampli Rider accepts three inputs and provides one output. If more than one device is sending audio at the same time they just get mixed together, but I can still tell when the radar detector goes off, so it is OK for me. I use a radar detector, GPS, and GMRS radio. The microphone for the radio is a separate cable and does not go through the mixer, so I have two cables to my helmet, one for the microphone and one for the speakers.

 

[juniorfjr]

I've got the Autocom and it works well. V1, gps, and Jensen am/fm radio. Mutes the radio when either the v1 or gps has something to say. I do ride two up some so really like it for that. I just unplug the mic inside the helmet when riding solo.

 

[tcfjr]

Using the plans from this post, I spent $7 and 30 minutes and built my own audio mixer. I plug in my Zumo and my V-1 as inputs, and my earphones as outputs; the circuitry protects everything. I just adjust the volume on the V-1 so I hear it over whatever's coming in on the Zumo. It works great for what I want and requires no power.

Here's the diagram. I bought a small project case, resistors, and three headphone jacks at Radio Shack, and soldered it all up.

 

[luvtoride]

I'm using a Chatterbox GMRS X1 radio. I use it primarily for bike to bike comm & to listen to my MP3 player. Recently, I hooked it up for intercom use, too. You can plug GPS into it, but I have not.

Anytime there is a bike to bike communication or intercom transmission, it mutes the music from the MP3.

A brand new Chatterbox is about $350ish but a smart buyer on Ebay can yield a unit for a much, much lower price. You could probably pick up a used unit for somewhere between $100 & $150.

 

[jwhite518]

If you need a microphone, Autocom is the way to go. If not, MixIt.

 

[Duster19]

I use Kennedy OverRide

https://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=KT-ROR

Works great for me (gps/iPod, radar)

 

[ynotride]

I use the Scala Rider Q2 for my GPS, Ipod, FM Radio and Bike to Bike with my wife. I also use the same set up for dirt riding and have one for the wife and son and it works good for the 3 of us. As for my Radar detector I have a second set of speakers tucked up high in my helmet so I can hear the beep and i just plug the wire in and let it fly in the wind.

While it is not the best set up for the Radar it works pretty good. I did try the visual alert for the radar but didnt really like it becasue I felt I had to keep an eye on it all of the time and with being blind in one eye I just didnt feel safe always having to look down.

One of these days I will spend the money to get the autocomm or starcomm but until then my set up works prety good for me.

 

[Auburn]

Had them all going through a Starcomm1.

Just switched to the J&M 2003CB. Sound quality and control works better with the intercom between me and the wife. We use Big Ear molded ear plugs with speakers on both systems. The J&B has better mic quality and clarity.

Use Zumm0 550, ipod, valentine1, FRS radio and bluetooth cell through the zumo. J&B adds the a CB to the mix.

 

[07fjrTom]

I use the Autocom and it's the stuff. Sound quality is good, and I like the volume adjust feature. It's a little spendy, but I'm glad I bought it.

 

[Patriot]

is it Friday...I guess not...not till tomorrow...so:

I use a Zumo bluetoothed to my IPhone and a Cardo Scaler (one helmet) or a Motorola HS830 headset (other helmet) which are one "speaker" in my left ear

the GPS directions and the cell phone talk there

Then I use an Adaptiv Radar Detector with visual led on dash and wireless audio one speaker headset which is in right ear

I use a wired J&M duel JMCB2003 system for CB, Weather Radio, intercom, and MP3/Ipod music.

that's a two speaker headset in my helmet.

 

[HaulinAshe]

Starcom1 Advance with the following inputs listed in priority from high to low...

* Escort Radar Detector

* Bike2Bike GMRS radio

* Zumo 660

-Connected to Bluetooth Cell Phone

-Playing MP3 music files

-Speaking NAV instructions

* Rider-Passenger intercom (always live)

If you plan to do a lot of 2-up, I'd recommend springing for the Starcom Digital because it's better at suppressing passenger wind noise than the Advance.

If you want to speak into a microphone at "FJR speeds" and have anyone understand you, a full communication system like Starcom or Autocomm is critical. There's lots of solutions that work 70 mph and below. Most were mentioned already.

Once you depart from "wired" systems, battery life is the BIG consideration. Nothing currently produced will get you more than 6-8 hours on a single charge (realistically). Some units like the Chatterbox aren't so bad to change batteries. Others, especially many of the current Bluetooth solutions, require you to own another complete unit to have more than one battery cycle per day.

Pick your poison and good luck.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

I have a lot of riding in the next three weeks and I'm running out of time to prepare.

(too many irons in the fire, too many fires to put out ...)

I was thinking about following Bounce's <Link> advice and ordering a Mix-It2 <Link>, but it would never get here in time.

I need to figure out how to hear the Beltronics warning that I'm about to get a ticket.

I went to Radio Shack today with jekirby's drawing <Link> in hand, but couldn't get what I needed. There is more than one 10Ω resistor to choose from. Each one also has a wattage rating. Plus, are resistors like diodes in that the orientation is is important? While I'm on the subject of diodes, why aren't diodes important in this set-up?

Plus, there is always motorcycle-ed's solution: <Link> He has two transformers instead of four resistors.

If all of this wasn't enough to sort out, Cycle Gadgets has a dire warning about amplified systems. <Link>