Mix-it2

[McRide]

I'm wiring up helmet speakers, mp3 and talking GPS... Does anyone have comments on the Mix-It2 audio mixer and amplifier?

The iPod Nano can't get 'Delta Women' quite loud enough and I want to boost that! The other Mix-It outlets will work great for the GPS, etc. Is this product similar to an Autocom? Comments much appreciated.

 

[FJR@DTS]

Well when you enter a search like:

mix-it2 site:fjrforum.com

you get results like:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=7961

:blink:

 

[Groo]

My personal experience... YMMV.

I had a Mixit2 for about 2 years... It was a serviceable mixer for my XM, GPS, and Valentine inputs, but it always seemed to have some issue crop up about every 3-4 months. I'd get static on a particular signal, or would lose volume when accelerating, or something. I kept it for far longer than I probably should have, until my recent Starcom purchase from Jeff at Bikeeffects,com. I'm very happy with the results after the switch. The audio quality is great, no static to speak of, and the unit is actually more compact than the Mixit2.

The only thing I preferred on the Mixit2 was the LACK of audio muting when the V1 or GPS sound off. I liked the way the Mixit2 meshed the audio streams without muting unless you wanted it to (by using the priority override input connector). I could set the volume on each so that I could hear the V1 or GPS without the music having to fade away. In town, when the radar detector is going off frequently, it sucks that the music gets muted so often.

 

[sporto]

I tried the route your are going down with Helmet Speakers and a Mix-It2 for my Sansa MP3 player w/FM receiver and Valentine 1 in my SHOEI-RF1000 and CalSci Large windshield. The Mix-It2 was not able to drive my helmet speakers much louder than my Sansa/IPod so I scrapped that setup and went with Etymotic ER-6i earbuds along with the Mix-It2. Plenty of volume and clarity now.

The only issue I have is that when I power my Mix-It2 from the bike's battery -vs- 9volt battery, my Sansa integrated digital FM Radio does not receive any stations with clarity. I talked to John Brown about this and he duplicated the issue in his lab and is trying to develop a fix.

 

[Duster19]

Tried it and could not keep it from having static feedback. I was using the 9volt battery only. I sent mine back and got a Kennedy over-ride. Works great with my iPhone and Escort 8500. I plan on using the Kennedy with either a Zumo 550 or 2730 (as they both will play Mp3's) along with my 8500. I never used the iPhone as a phone. I run all of this through a pair of ER6's.

Dave

 

[JBad]

I'm wiring up helmet speakers, mp3 and talking GPS... Does anyone have comments on the Mix-It2 audio mixer and amplifier?The iPod Nano can't get 'Delta Women' quite loud enough and I want to boost that! The other Mix-It outlets will work great for the GPS, etc. Is this product similar to an Autocom? Comments much appreciated.

I use the Mix-It2 together with an Autocom Pro-7. The Autocom drives the helmet speakers and handles the intercom and bike-to-bike. The Mix-It2 integrates the radar detector and satellite radio/Ipod. I really like the setup. The Mix-It2 mutes the music when the radar detector goes off and allows me to adjust the volume as conditions change. The volume can be completely cut back when you need to talk to someone off the bike. I power the Mix-It2, Autocom and satellite radio through a switched power source and have never had any problems with the unit. I'm happy with it.

 

[mdisher]

I had a MixIt-2 as well, and while it worked, it wasn't really road worth in the long haul.

Lots of connector/connectivity issues. Audio dropping of one side or the other, static, etc. Keeping the contacts clean is paramount.

I noticed in St. Louis last year that IB riders that were using it had them all duct-taped up to keep the connectors out of the weather.

For me it just put too many cables into and out of my tank bag. My dad had one which is why I ended up with with one. Sold it to a buddy who may likely never forgive me.

I don't think he's using it anymore either.

 

[Bounce]

I've use the mixit as a way to pre-mix the audio into a aux-in of this:

https://www.fjr-tips.org/acc/cb/cb.html

and then feed them into ear monitors: https://www.fjr-tips.org/acc/ear/ear.html

but i've also simply feed all the audio from the various MP3 players/iPod Touch/Sirius receiver/music source + GPS + V1 into the MixIt (and later the MixIt2) and then feed out to the ear monitors (when not needing bike-to-bike comm). Been working great for many tens of thousands of miles under all types of weather. No taping. No Jerry-rigging. The MixIt simply works and works and works.

 

[McRide]

Thanks for the feedback..

I'll assume that the Mix-It2 and Autocom are the same thing then? Aside from a few quality issues with the Mix-It2, does one have more usefull, bike friendly features than the other? ... Why yes, I am electronically challenged.

 

[SkooterG]

I am using a Mix-It2 after also using the original Mix-It. I really like mine. No duct tape here, and only the occasional issue with the connectors needing some cleaning. Have use mine MANY miles.

It is NOT the same as the Autocomm! Depending on your needs, you can use one, or the other, or both at the same time, but they are not the same. I use the Mix-it to combine my Garmin 2730 (voice prompts, Xm radio, MP3) and the Escort radar detector. I have it in the side of my tank bag with the volume knob readily available to mute all inputs when needed. VERY convienant. When I want to run my cell phone, I then output my Mix-It to the Autocomm so I can run the mic and cell phone. Bike power is the way to go if you use it much, as replacing batteries is a PITA.

 

[McRide]

I am using a Mix-It2 after also using the original Mix-It. I really like mine. No duct tape here, and only the occasional issue with the connectors needing some cleaning. Have use mine MANY miles.
It is NOT the same as the Autocomm! Depending on your needs, you can use one, or the other, or both at the same time, but they are not the same. I use the Mix-it to combine my Garmin 2730 (voice prompts, Xm radio, MP3) and the Escort radar detector. I have it in the side of my tank bag with the volume knob readily available to mute all inputs when needed. VERY convienant. When I want to run my cell phone, I then output my Mix-It to the Autocomm so I can run the mic and cell phone. Bike power is the way to go if you use it much, as replacing batteries is a PITA.

SkooterG

You're getting me very close to the answer... wait, wait...Devices will only be the talking GPS, an iPod and maybe, probably XM. Mix-It2 or Autocom? You da' man!

 

[gr8eyes]

KIeth would be the guy you want to talk to. He knows bike electronics.

Glenn

 

[McRide]

Thanks all for your comments, and especially Jeff at Bikeefects.com and Keith the Autocom dude. For right or wrong, this is how I'm going:

Fuzeblock $79, it's somewhat smaller than the Bluesea and has integral relay.

Garmin 2730 including GXM30 antenna, $179 from eBay.

MixIt2 since it has the same audio jacks (standard 3.5 mm) for my killer helmet speakers and I don't need intercom and push to talk.

Sony 'Extra Bass' helmet speakers from Best Buy (sorry I don't have the packaging for the model #), actually a typical set of headphones ( Sensitivity: 106dB/mW) which I carefully disassembled down to the encased speakers and exposed wires, chopped off the headband, etc. Installed with a little carving into the helmet foam and concealed the wires, they are awesome at 85 mph, at least with the iPod.

Other upgrades:

Throttlemeister, Grip Puppies, 90 deg. valve stems (finally get to fill the tires at home with the air compressor) and SuperBrace, all from Cal Sport Touring.

MagnumBlasters. I got to RandyFJR for the horn wire loom on the last day before he indefinetly shuts down, thanks Randy