Starcom1 Adv., Zumo 550 and phone, then GMRS?

[Mr. Underhill]

1st real post, hoping for some clarification on bike communications. Going on a Colorado ride in a few weeks and trying to get geared up.

I just ordered a Zumo 550. In all likelihood going to order the Starcom1 Adv. this week. I have a Blackberry 8800 phone and I am going to get some sort of GRMS/FRS radio to talk with the rest of the riding group.

I have been lurking around here and read quite a bit about this spaghetti of devices and wires that it takes to be able to: 1)Talk to pillion 2)Get GPS announcements 3)talk to another bike 4)talk on the phone via Bluetooth. 5) MAYBE get radar detector to link in 6) (most important) Not throw all the said items in a big pile and stomp on them in frustration, and so far I have only gotten bits and pieces about how this all goes together.

My searches have not seemed to gain me much clarity however, and due to the short planning time I have, (two weeks) I don't have time to keep ordering cables, etc. to get everything to talk.

So if I could ask some specific questions to someone with experience on the subject? Please and thank you.

1. If I link the Starcom1 Adv to the Zumo, (yes I noticed there is a specific Starcom cable for the Zumo, I assume I need it?) can I get MP3, Bluetooth-connected phone conversations, and GPS announcements from the Zumo through this audio cable?

2. What are riders doing for GRMS/FRS radio? Is there one better than the rest? Does everyone just use batteries or is there a decent radio that can use 12v constant from the bike? I would think on a long ride the batteries would wear down pretty fast. Granted I am probably missing something here, but the whole thing seems a bit messy.

3 Where are FJR riders putting the Starcom unit, the phone, and the GRMS unit on the bike? I saw one pic of a tank bag stuffed with these items, but that does not appeal to my sensibility of cable management.

I know this is not rocket surgery here and if I had the luxury of time I would just fiddle with it until it worked, but being in a time crunch I don't want to play a hit and miss game, so any thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated.

 

[evilmedic13]

1st real post, hoping for some clarification on bike communications. Going on a Colorado ride in a few weeks and trying to get geared up.
I just ordered a Zumo 550. In all likelihood going to order the Starcom1 Adv. this week. I have a Blackberry 8800 phone and I am going to get some sort of GRMS/FRS radio to talk with the rest of the riding group.

I have been lurking around here and read quite a bit about this spaghetti of devices and wires that it takes to be able to: 1)Talk to pillion 2)Get GPS announcements 3)talk to another bike 4)talk on the phone via Bluetooth. 5) MAYBE get radar detector to link in 6) (most important) Not throw all the said items in a big pile and stomp on them in frustration, and so far I have only gotten bits and pieces about how this all goes together.

My searches have not seemed to gain me much clarity however, and due to the short planning time I have, (two weeks) I don't have time to keep ordering cables, etc. to get everything to talk.

So if I could ask some specific questions to someone with experience on the subject? Please and thank you.

1. If I link the Starcom1 Adv to the Zumo, (yes I noticed there is a specific Starcom cable for the Zumo, I assume I need it?) can I get MP3, Bluetooth-connected phone conversations, and GPS announcements from the Zumo through this audio cable?

2. What are riders doing for GRMS/FRS radio? Is there one better than the rest? Does everyone just use batteries or is there a decent radio that can use 12v constant from the bike? I would think on a long ride the batteries would wear down pretty fast. Granted I am probably missing something here, but the whole thing seems a bit messy.

3 Where are FJR riders putting the Starcom unit, the phone, and the GRMS unit on the bike? I saw one pic of a tank bag stuffed with these items, but that does not appeal to my sensibility of cable management.

I know this is not rocket surgery here and if I had the luxury of time I would just fiddle with it until it worked, but being in a time crunch I don't want to play a hit and miss game, so any thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated.

The zumo went on my sterring nut via a techmount from Bike effects. The starcom went under my seat, the phonewent wherever I felt like , as the BT hooked up to the Zumo w/o a problem and the MP3's played thru the Zumo>starcom w/o a problem. As far as Gmrs radio's everybody has their own preferences. I'd contact Bike Effects via email, he's a regular here and can answer all your questions better than most.

Also, if you want more answers I'd put this up in Gadgets seeing as that is what these are. As far as cable management get ready to do some work, it's not easy being clean

 

[ponyfool]

I have a similar setup as Evilmedic. I have the Zumo on the steering stem. I ran the audio and mic wires along the left side to a location under the seat where my Starcom is.

I use the Zumo as my MP3 player (I also run XM radio through the Zumo as well). The Zumo automatically mutes the music for navigation prompts. It also acts as an interface to my cell phone (Treo) and automatically connects to it via BlueTooth everytime it powers up, so I leave it in my tank bag or on my belt. When I make or receive a call, it mutes the music and navigation prompts.

The Starcom has the built in rider/pillion intercom. It automatically attenuates the Zumo's input when there is conversation. I don't have the bike to bike set up, so can't answer to that. I do know that the Starcom is capable of it, I just don't have it. However, Jeff at Bike Effects has this set up, so he can answer definitively.

If I were to add the bike to bike radio, I'd buy the bike powered Kenwood and leave it under my seat. If I needed to, I'd add an external antenna.

 

[Mr. Underhill]

I will give Jeff a call. Just ordered the techmount w/ 2" stem online from them today, so maybe get the Kenwood coming. Seems there must be a cheaper radio out there that has 12v option! I am going to use the GRMS very infrequently, so $160 is relatively expensive for duration of use. Guess a low end radio and batteries are cheaper, eh?

Evilmedic, I don't know how to move this topic to Gadgets or I would. I am a network systems engineer, but when it comes to web shtuff, I dunno my hole from a butt in the ground.

Thanks!

 

[evilmedic13]

when it comes to web shtuff, I dunno my hole from a butt in the ground.
Thanks!

I'm in the same club you are. If anything just copy and paste as new topic in gadgets, it sounds easy. Just suggested it so you get a better set of answers, nothing rude or otherwise insidious meant.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I cant comment on the Zumo,Starcom, or phone, But i can on the GMRS...

I use a chatterbox when i have the need for bike to bike coms and it works great for this purpose. Some guys dont like these, But it works for me!

No worries on the thread move, The Forum Gods will be along shortly to assist.

Maybe we can meet up for lunch sometime soon and share some farkle ideas!

Adam

 

[FJRay]

What ever happened to just riding the motorcycle????

 

[RonBB]

Maybe we can meet up for lunch sometime soon and share some farkle ideas!

Adam keep me in the loop too if you meet. Ron

 

[Neil San Diego]

Starcom is under the rider seat with a Blue Seas fuse box. The fuse box allows for switched power to the Starcom, as well as any other things I want to plug into the Starcom. Also have a bluetooth module plugged into the Starcom for my phone. The phone stays in my shirt pocket, where it always is. The phone automatically connects to the starcom unit as soon as the Starcom is powered up. Sattelite radio is pugged into the Starcom as well.

I already have some Motorola radios that I use for hunting trips, so one of those will be used for bike-to-bike if I ever get the chance to try it. It will go under the seat, plugged into the Starcom, along with a few extra batteries.

 

[Pjturbo]

I have the Kenwood radio. The battery lasts about 6 hours. Carry a spare. This year I went with the autocom pro in order to power the Kenwood from the bike. Works great. One of the guys I rider with has a cheapo GMRS using AAA batteries. They last about 7 hours if he dosen't talk much.

Phil

 

[Bike Effects]

I have the Kenwood radio. The battery lasts about 6 hours. Carry a spare. This year I went with the autocom pro in order to power the Kenwood from the bike. Works great. One of the guys I rider with has a cheapo GMRS using AAA batteries. They last about 7 hours if he dosen't talk much.
Phil

You can get DC power adapter kits for most Kenwoods from Bike Effects. No more batteries!

 

[mooniac]

Why not just get in your car if you want all that ? One of the leading causes of accidents on motorcycles is not paying attention to your environment. That split second you are looking at or adjusting your gadgets can make the difference in avoiding an accident. Riding requires all of your senses to keep safe. You are eliminating your hearing with the music and talk, your sight is compromised by the GPS and making adjustments, and you are further distracted with the chatter from your passenger or riding buddies. A leading cause of mid air crashes in aircraft is pilots not keeping thier heads out of the cockpit and fiddling with the gadgets on the panel. If you survive the accident on your gadget laden motorcycle, I guess the phone is a good idea so that you can call 911. Just my opinion.

 

[Mr. Underhill]

I my humble opinion, its' better to burn out than to rust out

Ya know, quietly cruising down the road in silence sounds a lot more like rusting out than burning out to me.

I know where you are coming from, I have been riding for 14 years and this is the first time I have ever entertained an array of electronics outside of my Passport 8500 with me, which is invaluable as it has kept me from getting too chummy with the po-po on many occasions.

However, on long trips I notice that while a modicum of peace and quiet is a blessing, after a while I tend to get bored. Hand signals to other riders work fine, but I can't count the time during a pit stop I have said, "Did you see that (tree,hottie,bike,etc.) back there about an hour ago."

Not to mention I know the fractured lyrics to just a few songs and that only keeps me busy for an hour or so.

I am going to try the wild wired world approach this time and will see how I like it. If I do not, then I will just sell it all and go back to how I was riding.

 

[6mmbr]

I keep the phone on my person.

Bluetooth connection to Zumo.

That way, say I'm in the ditch over here, and the bikes in the ditch over there....

 

[ponyfool]

Why not just get in your car if you want all that ? One of the leading causes of accidents on motorcycles is not paying attention to your environment. That split second you are looking at or adjusting your gadgets can make the difference in avoiding an accident. Riding requires all of your senses to keep safe. You are eliminating your hearing with the music and talk, your sight is compromised by the GPS and making adjustments, and you are further distracted with the chatter from your passenger or riding buddies. A leading cause of mid air crashes in aircraft is pilots not keeping thier heads out of the cockpit and fiddling with the gadgets on the panel. If you survive the accident on your gadget laden motorcycle, I guess the phone is a good idea so that you can call 911. Just my opinion.

I'm curious what statistics you are citing for your statement. The overwhelming number of accidents I have investigated involving motorcycles are single vehicle accidents, and the overwhelming majority of them are due to riding much too fast for the conditions. NHTSA also cites these statistics. In fact, music and GPS aren't even mentioned in their statistics.

However, I agree with you that there is an increased risk when adjusting gadgets. Which is the exact point of a product like the Zumo. It integrates many features into one and acts as an interface to reduce the amount of time taking your eyes off the road. I only use the GPS feature for places I haven't been to before, and even then, I don't have take my eyes off the road because it TELLS me where to turn.

As for the music. Again, I agree that there may be an increased risk, but again, the statistics don't bear that out. In fact, in my nearly 20 years as a cop, I can't remember ever seeing or hearing (no pun intended) of an accident where someone being able to hear was a major contributing factor in the accident. Please don't tell me that you think deaf people shouldn't drive or ride.

To relate riding to flying is also not even in the same ball field. In flying, it is common to take your eyes out of the sky for long periods of time. In fact, so much so, that when experienced pilots go into a cloud bank where visibility is 0, they don't panic. My point is, pilots that take their eyes off the sky can, and often do become complacent. Riders don't get in the habit of taking their eyes off the road, and many, including me, don't "adjust" my gadgets while moving unless I am in an area I can see up ahead.

What is clear however in your post is your disdain for people who like to hear music, or perhaps have connectivity to others while riding. Maybe you should just say that instead.

 

[mooniac]

Scott, I think you need a motorcycle ride asap. Don't forget to turn up the music!!!

 

[Herkypilot]

Can we agree then...to each his/her own?

Scott makes good points on general statements. I'm a Pilot with over 6K hours in large transports and TCAS works wonders for traffic avoidance. With that said, I try to look out of the cockpit when I can in busy traffic environments, WX permitting.

I plan on getting a Zumo & Starcom1 adv some day. As for now, I may just use the cheap radios for comms with pillion and other bikes. I've spent too much on Farkles lately just to get the both of us outfitted properly and the bike dressed up to make it comfortable for long rides.

Herkypilot

 

[Wolfhound]

Why not just get in your car if you want all that ? One of the leading causes of accidents on motorcycles is not paying attention to your environment. That split second you are looking at or adjusting your gadgets can make the difference in avoiding an accident. Riding requires all of your senses to keep safe. You are eliminating your hearing with the music and talk, your sight is compromised by the GPS and making adjustments, and you are further distracted with the chatter from your passenger or riding buddies. A leading cause of mid air crashes in aircraft is pilots not keeping thier heads out of the cockpit and fiddling with the gadgets on the panel. If you survive the accident on your gadget laden motorcycle, I guess the phone is a good idea so that you can call 911. Just my opinion.

Sorry to hear you are unable to chew gum & walk . . . . :lol2: k:

 

[Lake Powell]

Why not just get in your car if you want all that ? One of the leading causes of accidents on motorcycles is not paying attention to your environment. That split second you are looking at or adjusting your gadgets can make the difference in avoiding an accident. Riding requires all of your senses to keep safe. You are eliminating your hearing with the music and talk, your sight is compromised by the GPS and making adjustments, and you are further distracted with the chatter from your passenger or riding buddies. A leading cause of mid air crashes in aircraft is pilots not keeping thier heads out of the cockpit and fiddling with the gadgets on the panel. If you survive the accident on your gadget laden motorcycle, I guess the phone is a good idea so that you can call 911. Just my opinion.

On my aircraft if we get a TCAS alert (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) the first thing we do is go "inside" and look on the display to where the traffic might be.

I think the rider makes the difference, look at a GoldWing with all it's features, they're not dropping like flies.