Autcom Pro AVI Intercom evaluation

[Penforhire]

If anyone is having a problem with not enough volume from an Ipod through an AutoCom I suggest you work on speaker location. I can hear my Pro7 just fine, with the 3 dB plug in place, at 80 MPH, with my silicone earplugs in! You've heard it before and you'll hear it again -- AutoCom speaker placement is very sensitive.

In another post on this site I posted an earplug adapter/master volume fader schematic (around $15 in parts). It would be child's play to use separate pots (instead of the dual-gang in the diagram) to adjust left and right channels separately if needed.

 

[git-r-dan]

Mogan, "Which setup is best if you want to protect your hearing?"

Shop around a little for ear molds made specifically for you at your local ear doctor ($15+) then consider a pair of these bad boys:

https://www.ultimateears.com/

The best pair they have are the UE 10's ($900). They boast of three drivers. Very efficient so you don't have to turn them up as loud. The ear molds cut out almost all outside noise. I would not recommend purchasing anything less than the UE 5's for lack of efficiency then you revert to turning up the volume and possibly damage some hearing.

 

[650cent]

Hey,

This is what I use to boost the power from my XM radio to my earplug speakers: https://www.electric-avenues.com/amplifiers.html

Works great and the rechargable batteries last a couple of days. You can find them on eBay but they are a popular item and it is hard to win the bid at a cheaper price. I would just buy it directly.

Bill

 

[Mark G]

I contacted the Ampli-Rider guy. He says his unit will work just fine with Autcoms...perhaps this will increase sound quality...I had noticed sound is "tinny" compared to running the Autocom through the Goldwing stereo system.

His suggestion is to plug ipod, XM, etc, into the Ampli-Rider, then plug it into one of the stereo inputs on the Autocom. Side advantage is a volume control to put somewhere.

I've asked another question, but intend to order a unit and give it a try. I like the idea of the volume control and the ability to hard wire it into the system.

 

[Fred H.]

I bought one of these a few years ago to use on an older Autocom (Pro 3000) before they increased the volume levels. It worked pretty good, and only cost $14.

It is based on the LM386, which is a bulletproof little amp.

https://www.hobbytron.com/CK122.html

 

[Mogan]

I don't need an amp. The new autocom provides plenty of power. And I don't think "efficiency" is relevant. This usually refers to how much power a speaker/driver requires to produce a given sound level (dbs). If it's inefficient you need more power. That doesn't mean it's louder.

My question related to what's the most hearing friendly way to get good music. I don't want to be deaf in 20 years because of my two-wheeled listening habits.

I think the answer is to use earspeakers so the drivers are not having to compete with wind and road noise to deliver the desired musical sound level. I think helmet speakers blasting over earplugs is the "inefficient" way to accomplish the same thing. No way the sound quality can be as good in that case. The acoustics of going through plastic can't be too good! And, I think helmet speakers alone are probably the worst. You get the full effect of wind/road noise PLUS the music.

 

[Fred H.]

I used the amp because I couldn't drive the older Autocom (1990's Pro 3000) loud enough due to the anemic output of minidisc and mp3 players. I had to boost them just to be able to drive the Autocom amp. Autocom has since made the input stage of their amps more sensitive so that modern MP3 players can drive the Autocom amps better, so the amp is no longer needed with the Pro M1, Pro M7, or new Super Pro AVi.

As for helmet speakers versus in-ear solutions, that is up to you, and is more of a personal preference for what you like best. I don't use them cause of the hassle factor, but I know lots of folks do and they love them. One pitfall I know that they have is that if there is any alternator whine or ignition noise in the system, that it will be much more noticable. You will really need to have a quiet system (electrically) for them to work well.

 

[Bearly Flying]

I have the Pro 7 Auto Comm, with my C/D player, everything is fine, it has enough power to drive the speakers properly so you don't have to jack the volume to hear. With my MP3 player, I have to crank the volume and end up with a lot more noise in order to hear the music. That little amp might be worth looking at.

 

[pawtracks]

Fred,

Thanks for the great review.

I just bought the system you reviewed ($390 shipped directly from autocom)

During the checkout survey I gave you a plug, maybe they will send you some more stuff to review?

I am going to be hooking up the following:

Garmin 2730 with XM (longer trips, no plans to use mp3 features)

Valentine 1 (daily use)

Ipod nano (music & podcasts, daily use)

Motorola Slvr L7 (longer rides only)

Haven't decided on helmet sound yet.

In-ear piece, in helmet, ear plugs/no ear plugs?

Helmet is a Shoei X-11 full face.

Currently ride 1-up, maybe she will ride someday

 

[Aviator]

Pawpacks. . . how is the new set up working? I want a Garmin 2730 or a 2820(has BT) and I wonder if you got it all working in the headset. I like that Garmin is making these gps units with everything now. I dont have to buy alot of various items, instead just buy 1 unit.

let me know. . .

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

there is a member who has the full line of Autocom products at huge discount to FJR forum member. Just a note to keep him in mind. He's the best. Keith @Tulsa Truck Center, 918-445-2245. Knocked over $80 off my Active Plus for my cruiser. I have the Pro 7 on the FJR.

 

[SpeedyR]

I have the autocom active 7 unit. I'll probably get one of the new units and give this one to my wife as she is starting to ride and it'll be nice to continue to communicate on separate bikes.

overall the autocom is the best I've used. in the past I used chatterbox but as someone said i'd rather just ride without anything.

if you are just listening to music, just plug earbuds into the ipod or music source and you'll be fine.

I always use earbud speakers. I have the entymotic ER6i's. they do cancel a lot of the outside noise. I use them on planes, when travelling and on the bike (and when mowing the yard). there's a great review of them over on the sport touring forum website.

https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63443

there are tricks that you will learn if you use the earbuds. Pull up on your ear when inserting the speakers. they go in easier. also before you put y our helmet on, wrap the cord up and over your ear (I do it from behind your ear to the front). then put the helmet on. this adds a bit of "strain relief" to the wiring and makes it to when the helmet pulls down on the cord it doesn't pull your earbuds out.

on the er6-i, there's a clip that I clip to my lapel of my shirt (collar) and that also keeps stress of the cords.

if i'm just listening to music, I plug straight into the ipod. I have the griffin RF remote on the bars so that will allow me to control the volume without having to touch the unit. I keep the ipod in my tank bag or inside pocket of my jacket.

if I want the phone, I connect it all to the autocom. I have connections for the radar, phone, and ipod for the autocom. Plus passenger headset. I don't like my GPS in the audio. I can see where I'm going and don't need someone yelling at me when I get off to get gas.

I do have the autocom adapter that lets me use the earbuds with the auto com. I don't like to ride without hearing protection and it just didn't make sense to put in my custom earplugs and then have to turn up the volume to hear the speakers. so I went with the noise reducing earbuds.