Starcom1 Advanced
- Thread starter NJ609Eagle
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Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
While I agree that Jeff is the best, his excellent support has not (yet) been able to over-ride the poor design in this case.
tripntx
Well-known member
Very happy with my AutoCom which was purchased from Kieth @ Tulsa Truck Center ...918-446-2245
Have XM, Passport RD, and cell phone plugged into it. My wife and I can talk and hear fine.
Only problem I had, was following the directions for placement of autovolume mic in helmet, which caused VOX to be to sensitive. After talking to Keith, moved wind detector mic to the bottom of helmet, which allowed it to pick up more wind noise, which made the VOX less sensitive.
Have XM, Passport RD, and cell phone plugged into it. My wife and I can talk and hear fine.
Only problem I had, was following the directions for placement of autovolume mic in helmet, which caused VOX to be to sensitive. After talking to Keith, moved wind detector mic to the bottom of helmet, which allowed it to pick up more wind noise, which made the VOX less sensitive.
Greg E.
Well-known member
I bought my Starcom from Jeff (w/ assorted cables). I run my intercom, sat radio, R/D, cell phone and GMRS (w/ ptt) through this unit. Other than taking a while to tune the setup, I've had no major problems.
Do you use VOX to mute the music when you speak to your passenger?
Does it also key your GMRS transmitter at the same time?
See this thread: Thread linky
It has taken Jeff and me close to 5 weeks to diagnose a few problems with my starcom. It turned out to be a bad unit. The ptt-03 did not work as it should and starcom told me about the wrong resistor, but mine was correct. With new, loaner unit ptt-03 works as should. It looks like it wants to transmit when you speak, but no audio comes through. As above, tuning everything in takes some time and requires patience, but it works. The best...I don't know, but it accomplishes what I need at a fairly decent price.
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Aasland
Depleted
I have a friend with a starcomm, and it works well when it works - best audio quality and wind noise suppression I've heard. But right now it doesn't work - has a problem with the VOX, which we traced down to dirty adjusterthingies. Since he runs with a CB, and the CB unit isn't waterproof, he is considering a J&M. My wife and I have the J&M stuff - pricey, but doesn't have anywhere near the complexity of the starcomm, which is a plus for my wife's bike. I know she'll fiddle with any wires and plugs given half a chance, and I'd be spending half my time trying to figure out what she broke. So .. J&M it is for us.
Toecutter
What would DoG do?
2006FJR
Administrator of Transportation
I spent about $150 for 2 Motocomm units and 2 motorola units. I am not going to say it is perfect but it is a good low cost alternative for bike to bike and bike to passenger. I am trying to hold out to see what Garmin is going to come up with to replace the Zumo 550 before I make any major changes.
Bike Effects
Well-known member
I have to wonder what the thrill is in brand bashing?? I have sold hundreds of Starcom's and most have not had problems. I have used the system myself for over 3 years and it has been trouble free, except for some of the things connected to it made by another manufacturer. Sometimes when there is a problem, it is difficult to troubleshoot because you are not there yourself and can't see what is going on. There are some problems from time to time with our FJR's. Are you bashing that brand as well?
There are numerous comm systems and all have their strengths and weaknesses. I have seen lots of people having trouble with various brands of systems and have replaced many of them, including Autocom.
If you frequent forums, you have to notice that you freely hear of the complaints about various products, but few chime in without provocation and say "this or that product is great". One other thing....many times when a problem is solved, it has found to be operator error or installation error. You rarely see that follow up in posts, now do you?
Rant over.
NJ609Eagle
Well-known member
I agree with you many times over.
My original post here was out of pure frustration, trying to get things together on my bike for a trip. I spent a lot of money and replaced various parts quickly.
Now that My trip is over I have to reevaluate the components I havfe and determie how to proceed.
While the unit was working, before adding Bike-to-Bike, it was awesome to have the Zumo fully featured with phone, music, nav. All the time knowing I'll be able to add another person to listen to this with me. I think the system will work. i was just spoting off.
I removed all of it from the FJR before the trip, had the Zumo with ear buds, and borrowed CB headset with it's own PTT. Very uncomfortable to have both sets of speakers ni helmet. It also may appear that the CB heatset and teh StarCom have teh same plus pin configuratuion.
The trip was great down Blue Ridge Park way and the Smokey Mountains.
I have been struggling with a Starcom1 for two years. Jeff was cooperative for a few months, but stopped responding when the problems persisted. My issues with the product:
1. The full-helmet mics seem to fail over time. I suspect condensation from breath. You get a year, approximately.
2. The new PTT-03 works only intermittently.
3. There is horrendous interference from my two way radio and cell phone that makes the unit virtually worthless for those two functions. It is not ground loop interference because all my inputs are battery operated.
4. Mic directionality is poor and helmet noise overwhelms passenger voice with the stock windshield. I had to go to a bigger windshield to hear the music when I had a passenger plugged in.
After my negative experience with the reliabilty of British motorcycles and outboard motors, I suspected that the Brits are not good at making consumer products. This product confirms my suspicions: They are good at science but just can't get it together for the consumer market like the Japanese can.
This product is just not ready for prime time.
Ken C
1. The full-helmet mics seem to fail over time. I suspect condensation from breath. You get a year, approximately.
2. The new PTT-03 works only intermittently.
3. There is horrendous interference from my two way radio and cell phone that makes the unit virtually worthless for those two functions. It is not ground loop interference because all my inputs are battery operated.
4. Mic directionality is poor and helmet noise overwhelms passenger voice with the stock windshield. I had to go to a bigger windshield to hear the music when I had a passenger plugged in.
After my negative experience with the reliabilty of British motorcycles and outboard motors, I suspected that the Brits are not good at making consumer products. This product confirms my suspicions: They are good at science but just can't get it together for the consumer market like the Japanese can.
This product is just not ready for prime time.
Ken C
Greg E.
Well-known member
JUst saw this thread (sorry). I disabled the vox. The GMRS does not key until I hit the button. I agree with someone else; VOX w/ the GMRS is not a good idea. The PTT is the preferred method w/ the GMRS.
-GSE-
happyPuppy
Well-known member
Try the BlueAnt interphone ( Bluetooth) it is cheap and fantastic. I use it intercom, Zumo and Cell if needed I got it from Amazon for about $100.00 . The volume is good and I have a 30% hearing loss.
Thought I would chime in here, CBs are a problem for everyone, the frequency they operate on, and the inherent noise in the AM band are why most of us use FRS/GMRS. On Autocom units the CB interferes with the vox circuitry, I spent 2 weeks getting the CBs on 2 Harleys to work properly. With a Autocom here is what I did to make it work.
1. Use Cobra Road Trip, HH38WXST (on battery power only, 12 volt bike power cannot be used)
2. Must use the PTT/Privacy switch with switch on PTT. (In VOX mode the CB interferes and causes a feedback loop as soon as the mike is keyed by vox.)
3. Must add 2 RF Chokes to the coiled adapter cord Radio Shack part # 273-104
4. Use the quieting circuit on the Cobra Radio
5. Keep the antenna and the Autocom unit as far apart as possible. (if the autocom is under the seat, put the CB in the handle bars, If the Autocom is in a tank bag, use the remote magnetic mount antenna at the rear of the bike, putting the riders body between the autocom and the antenna.
6. Sprinkle Fairy dust on your head, spin around 3 times, and wiggle your nose........ :dribble:
Now the darn thing works If possible use FRS/GMRS or Ham............Kieth in Tulsa
Doing all of these things was the only way I got the CB to work................................All MFgs have issues with different peripherals. The biggest misconception Autocom has is that it is expensive..............Call me next time for pricing....918-446-2245 on autocom.......
It is getting harder to keep up with the explosion of new electronic devices, Just because someone makes a new device does not insure that it will work with a Communication system......it is best to check with someone who knows before assuming it will work.......... :yahoo:
1. Use Cobra Road Trip, HH38WXST (on battery power only, 12 volt bike power cannot be used)
2. Must use the PTT/Privacy switch with switch on PTT. (In VOX mode the CB interferes and causes a feedback loop as soon as the mike is keyed by vox.)
3. Must add 2 RF Chokes to the coiled adapter cord Radio Shack part # 273-104
4. Use the quieting circuit on the Cobra Radio
5. Keep the antenna and the Autocom unit as far apart as possible. (if the autocom is under the seat, put the CB in the handle bars, If the Autocom is in a tank bag, use the remote magnetic mount antenna at the rear of the bike, putting the riders body between the autocom and the antenna.
6. Sprinkle Fairy dust on your head, spin around 3 times, and wiggle your nose........ :dribble:
Now the darn thing works If possible use FRS/GMRS or Ham............Kieth in Tulsa
Doing all of these things was the only way I got the CB to work................................All MFgs have issues with different peripherals. The biggest misconception Autocom has is that it is expensive..............Call me next time for pricing....918-446-2245 on autocom.......
It is getting harder to keep up with the explosion of new electronic devices, Just because someone makes a new device does not insure that it will work with a Communication system......it is best to check with someone who knows before assuming it will work.......... :yahoo:
Aasland
Depleted
I've had no problems with the CB on the JMCB2003 + Firestick NGP. Installed it, ran the 18 feet of cable around the bike, tuned it with an SWR meter. Been working great on both of our bikes. I've used handheld FRS/GMRS before, and have not been happy with static and short distances.
As a side note, a buddy with his Starcom + cobra handheld figured out he had to turn the cobra volume down to nothing before turning on the starcom, or else the starcom wouldn't work. It was nice to be able to communicate with him until it started to rain .. and he had to put away his Cobra. What can I say .. the JMCB is expensive, but it works very well.
MCML
Not All Who Wander Are Lost
Ken C -
Do you use a magnetic tank bag, and, if so, does the wire that runs from your GMRS to the Starcom run anwhere near the tank bag?
Do you use a magnetic tank bag, and, if so, does the wire that runs from your GMRS to the Starcom run anwhere near the tank bag?
Hi.
SRI for the delay in reponding.
No. My tank bag is a 25-year-old Eclipse strap on. No magnets anywhere, AFAIK.
Since the unit is still in my tank bag, all the wires do run close to my tank. I have the GMRS radio clipped onto the tank bag opposite the pocket where the Starcom1 sits -- around 12" away. The radio is only around 6" from the MP3 player and its shielded audio cable.
Ken C
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