Bike intercom systems

[mjac]

I have a Autocomm Pro M1 system on both my bikes for both rider and passenger and have never been especially pleased with them. The helmet speakers required upgrading with some others from rat shack and I seem to be forever replacing microphone and connection cords. I have a 2610 GPS and a Valentine talking to me butt I want to expand my antique systems to include a CB and telephone and to accomplish this Autocomm wants me to buy a bunch of other connectors, adapters and other related stuff to get it all running. If am going to spend a bundle to make a not so hot old system run all the goodies, why not upgrade to something else.

So, my question(s) is this; what works for you? Are there other choices out there that are running all your gadgets. Are the newer Autocomm systems better?

Any links to preferred vendors will be mucho appreciated.

 

[Ignacio]

Starcom. Talk to Jeff at Bikeeffects.com. He's a board contributor first....and a preferred vendor second.

...this is a regulary discussed thread with lots of HUGE discussions on the point if you were inclined to search for it.

 

[mjac]

Starcom. Talk to Jeff at Bikeeffects.com. He's a board contributor first....and a preferred vendor second.
...this is a regulary discussed thread with lots of HUGE discussions on the point if you were inclined to search for it.

Thanks.

Who would thought by searching for "autocomm" I would have found anything. My bad.

Feel free to remove this topic.

 

[Bob Hughes]

My Autocom Active Plus works great in all aspects. It has large cords that I can not see braking and good speakers in the helmet.

Autocom/Zumo Install

 

[snikr]

I wanted to know which "com" was best and it looks like I got my answer. Whithout having to do a search even. It just doesn't get any better.

Tom

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I have had two autocoms and have had no problem with either one. I had a little trouble getting the voice activated microphone on my daughters helmet to engage properly mostly because of wind noise , over the buck mark. But have found a fix and all is good. I have GPS, phone, music and intercom and have never had a problem getting anything to work correctly with the correct leads. I have a visual on the V1. Hated all the noise.

 

[rayban]

did a side-by-side comparo last year on two friends' machines while working in Minneapolis before deciding on the Autocom Pro AVi. The noise cancelling aspect of the Autocom made it superior to the Starcom. Puttering around a parking lot, both seem fine. On the open road, the volume adjustment on the Autocom, using the secondary "noise canceling" mic the driver adds to his helmet near the neck is a HUGE difference.

Everyone has personal tastes and biases that lean to one or the other to the point where I'm suprised this thread didn't end up in the NPRT bin, but there ya go, my vote a year+ later is still Autocom. I rarely find myself without either XM, Garmin mp3 or iPhone's iPod functionality cranking out SOME kind of audio distraction to pass the time when riding.

HOWEVER...

Your selection of helmet and how you get sound INTO your ears from whatever system you use is a bigger issue to consider. I avoid earbuds, but that's because my helmet is damn near silent. I used my passenger helmet the other night just to make sure it still worked (Shoei RF-100) and OH MY GOD I hated it, could hardly hear anything over the wind noise that thing generates compared to my Schuberth C2. I turned up the volume on my Garmin from 70% to 100% and it was still a struggle to make anything out, so I gave up and killed the music.

If you have a noisy lid, you almost have to go earbuds, both to preserve your hearing from the noise of that constant howl but also in order to get useable sound into your ear canal without blasting so loud as to damage your drums. If your lid is quiet enough, go with stock ear speakers set into the helmet. That way, you can still hear ambient sounds around you (like the engine, a siren, horn, revving engine or other urgently-important sounds) better than if your ears are plugged with earbuds.

 

[snikr]

I'm still looking in to with system to use. I've narrowed it down to the Autocom and Starcom. I'm planning on using it just for driver to rider. Looking at the Starcom Advanced and the Autocom Easi-Plus Duo (the Starcom Digital is nice but PRICEY). Now, who has experience with them and what do you think of them? And will I need to upgrade mic/earphones to go with our HJC full face helmets? The upgrades are what get pricey from what I can see. TIA

Tom

 

[snikr]

Come on people. I need your input before I order my intercom system! Speak up PLEASE! :huh:

Tom

 

[v65]

Sorry Tom, don't have experience with those units, only the Super Pro AVI. I can say that it has been tested up to near the ton and communication is clear. The setup is a PITA, and sometimes we have to repeat ourselves, but that is a volume issue not a clearness issue. I could fix this with some more fiddling, but it hasn't been big enough an issue to raise the seat if that tells you anything. I have a rather noisy HJC helmet and wear earplugs, but the system still works great IMO.

Will be seeing you in a couple of weeks on the NH ride, so you can demo it then.

 

[Randy]

I have the Starcom Advance. 95% of the time, I'm riding solo and it does everything great (audio piped in from my Garmin 2730 that has XM and MP3 built in). The speakers are more than adequate. When riding with the Mrs., it was a little difficult to find that sweet spot for the VOX. Too sensitive and a little bit of wind noise mutes the audio. Too non-sensitive and the VOX doesn't activate. Was able to compensate for this by boosting the volume controls on the Starcom unit, bringing down the volume level on the Garmin, and increasing the volume on the remote volume switch. Now the volume from rider-to-passenger is loud enough that I don't need the VOX to kick in. Other than that small tweak, I'm very satisfied with the performance of the unit and the support provided by Jeff at https://www.bikeeffects.com .

 

[Knifemaker]

I'm still looking in to with system to use. I've narrowed it down to the Autocom and Starcom. I'm planning on using it just for driver to rider. Looking at the Starcom Advanced and the Autocom Easi-Plus Duo (the Starcom Digital is nice but PRICEY). Now, who has experience with them and what do you think of them? And will I need to upgrade mic/earphones to go with our HJC full face helmets? The upgrades are what get pricey from what I can see. TIA
Tom

If all you want is a pilot to passenger intercom, I'd suggest looking at the Scala Rider Teamset, or the simular item called the Interphone?. These are blue tooth wireless headsets that allow you to answer your bluetooth cell phone, get bluetooth voice prompts from your GPS..but for your use, talk to your passneger without having to "plug in".

I have been told the Interphone works a bit better than the Teamset, which is what I have. I have some issues with hearing my passenger well 100% of the time, but for most of the time it works well.

Having my gps and phone link up to it automaticly and not having to plug anything in makes it very handy for us.

Scala headsets:

https://tinyurl.com/y8wakh

KM

 

[snikr]

OK...now that I've narrowed it down to Autocom or Starcom the only problem I can see is that I use ear plugs with my full face HJC helmet. Think I can get them to work with the ear plugs or should I go ear buds. I'm only using it for driver to passenger (nobody I ride with has a intercom yet). And I'm on a BUDGET!

Tom

 

[Randy]

OK...now that I've narrowed it down to Autocom or Starcom the only problem I can see is that I use ear plugs with my full face HJC helmet. Think I can get them to work with the ear plugs or should I go ear buds. I'm only using it for driver to passenger (nobody I ride with has a intercom yet). And I'm on a BUDGET!
Tom

See this thread it talks about ear plugs/buds with the Starcom.

 

[TestPilot]

Some info on noise-cancelling earplugs here: https://www.fjrowners.ws/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=40822#40822

 

[bramfrank]

There is no 'or', except perhaps the high end Baehr systems. But they cost big time.

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

I have a Autocomm Pro M1 system on both my bikes for both rider and passenger and have never been especially pleased with them. The helmet speakers required upgrading with some others from rat shack and I seem to be forever replacing microphone and connection cords. I have a 2610 GPS and a Valentine talking to me butt I want to expand my antique systems to include a CB and telephone and to accomplish this Autocomm wants me to buy a bunch of other connectors, adapters and other related stuff to get it all running. If am going to spend a bundle to make a not so hot old system run all the goodies, why not upgrade to something else.So, my question(s) is this; what works for you? Are there other choices out there that are running all your gadgets. Are the newer Autocomm systems better?

Any links to preferred vendors will be mucho appreciated.

Sorry to join the party Late. Starcom. Jeff at sportbikeeffects. Mine is in my tankbag and works like a charm!!!

 

[snikr]

Sorry to join the party Late. Starcom. Jeff at sportbikeeffects. Mine is in my tankbag and works like a charm!!!

Which model? I've e-mailed Jeff and he hasn't gotten back to me. Not good in my book.

Tom

 

[Randy]

Sorry to join the party Late. Starcom. Jeff at sportbikeeffects. Mine is in my tankbag and works like a charm!!!

Which model? I've e-mailed Jeff and he hasn't gotten back to me. Not good in my book.

Tom

When did you email him? He's given many people nothing but excellent service and guidance.