Wondering about communications setups

[Aasland]

I've been using and recommending the JMCB2003 for quite some time, but starting to wonder what else is out there. I have a friend getting outfitted for comm gear, and thinking, this could be a good time to upgrade.

I've ruled out the new bluetooth stuff since their bike-to-bike stuff doesn't broadcast - i.e. if there are ten riders in our group, we can't broadcast to them all at the same time.

A friend had Autocomm but ditched it due to the poor audio quality. Plus I think they went out of business.

Starcom looks like a flexible solution as it can use either CB or GMRS ... but in both cases, the CB/GMRS units aren't nicely integrated on the handlebars for easy access nor are they waterproof. Plus .. my experiences with the audio clarity in GMRS systems aren't good.

So it's back to the JMCB2003. Waterproof, mounts on the handlebars, don't have to deal with a bunch of wires, etc. At least we're seeing some new stuff that works with it, like the Edsets and the Kennedy Tech Group modules.

I'll boil it down to these questions:

1. Is there a bluetooth setup that broadcasts, has decent (1/4 mile) range, and just plain works?

2. What are the good comm devices for the starcoms?

 

[RaYzerman19]

As far as bluetooth, the new Scala G4 broadcasts a mile, full duplex, but you are limited to 4, and all must have G4's. I think you can do 3 if there are Q2's. However, if you want good audio for music, there's nothing like a wired system. I'm currently using a G4, and thinking of installing my old Autocom I kept from my ST1300. I want something for music that can provide enough power with earplugs. Not looking for audiophile quality, just good.

If memory serves, Autocom was good audio, and there is a new company that took them over, new models coming. Good noise cancelling mikes.

On the wing, I had Edsets too, had decent speakers for music/crappy mikes (not noise cancelling). I debated refitting the Autocom mike, but never did, may not be compatable.

I have no J&M experience, but some of the guys I ride with have them with their GMRS radios in the tank bag and a PTT switch to address the waterproof issue. GMRS is probably the best way to go if you have larger groups.

Hope that helps a little bit.

 

[BrettB]

Not answers to your concluding two questions, but I hadn't heard that Autocom was out of business, just some of their dealers. (??) I'd call Keith at Tulsa Truck Center to ask. He's great at helping with issues too.

Anyways, I have an Autocom Super Pro AVI - and I like it pretty well. Audio quality is good, both in listening and in talking. I did upgrade to the Super Pro AVI after starting with a cheaper model of Autocom and not liking the audio quality, but upgrading to the Pro AVI you get a second mic which the unit uses to sense and filter wind noise. I don't have Bike-to-bike comms, but the Autocoms will all interface with CB and/or GMRS, so that would be easy enough to add. I do have it wired to a Zumo, and the Zumo paired over BT to my phone. Mostly I just listen to MP3s on the Zumo, or am on the phone taking conference calls while commuting... the Zumo + Autocomm works great for that. YMMV.

-Brett

 

[Fairlaner]

Autocomm was sold to Starcom.....

As far as the audio quality goes I would say that it is only as good as the ear buds you wear.........

Autocom is by far the most versatile in my opinion.

R

 

[Duster19]

What's everyones take on this make and model?

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-int...mh10-part-2.htm

Could a perons put the Sony Bluetooth adapter between a Kennedy Over-Ride?

This is my current set up:

Garmin 2730 connected to Kennedy OverRide

Escort 8500 Connected to Kennedy OverRide

ER6's connected to Kennedy OverRide

I'd like to put a Bluetooth adapter between all of this and run the Sena's helmet speakers.

Does any of this makes sense?

Dave

 

[Aasland]

The G4 looks nice .. almost there .. jsut need replaceable batteries and earphone plugin ...

 

[jtnwevo]

Why no love for Chatterbox? I never see anyone on the forum mention Chatterbox when communication systems come up. I do not have any communication system, just curious...

 

[Ian Stephens]

All three of us in my family ride, and ride together often. In all three bikes there is a Starcom Advance (Starcom Digital in my FJR), and Yaesu FT-60 2-way radios. The Starcoms mount nice, but you're right about a lack of mounting options for 2-way radios on bikes. My son puts his radio under the seat on his Yamaha T-Max, my wife slips hers into the side pocket in the tunnel bag on her Suzuki Burgman 650, and I have a small tank bag for my radio.

I'm a VHF ham radio guy as well, and I've been following this particular radio - the Yaesu FTM-10R - it's specifically designed for motorsports with a removable head unit that is weather-resistant and a cable so the main unit can be located under the seat or where ever. Check it out at

https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Displ...mp;isArchived=0

Now that I've looked it up again, I think I might go buy it!!

 

[phroenips]

What's everyones take on this make and model?
https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-int...mh10-part-2.htm

I've got a set, and I really like them: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=126459

 

[phroenips]

Why no love for Chatterbox? I never see anyone on the forum mention Chatterbox when communication systems come up. I do not have any communication system, just curious...

I used to have the Chatterbox XBi2, and didn't like it. A lot of it may have been my helmet at the time (Scorpion EXO-400), but it was really uncomfortable, and seemed relatively cumbersome and confusing to use...particularly the mp3/audio functions. I have the Sena SMH10 and like them much better. My impressions can be found here: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=126459

 

[Auburn]

Why no love for Chatterbox? I never see anyone on the forum mention Chatterbox when communication systems come up. I do not have any communication system, just curious...

My first system was a chatterbox - it flat sucked. They probably have improved in the last 5 or so years. I don't know anyone that I ride with that currently uses one, they all had bad experiences when they tried them a few years ago.

 

[sportsguy]

Why no love for Chatterbox? I never see anyone on the forum mention Chatterbox when communication systems come up. I do not have any communication system, just curious...

My first system was a chatterbox - it flat sucked. ...

Oh Auburn, you need to learn to form an opinion man! I mean, really...

 

[Auburn]

Why no love for Chatterbox? I never see anyone on the forum mention Chatterbox when communication systems come up. I do not have any communication system, just curious...

My first system was a chatterbox - it flat sucked. ...

Oh Auburn, you need to learn to form an opinion man! I mean, really...

I don't want mislead anyone

 

[ahchiu]

I have the Autocom Super AVI and I like it , I got the Big Ears ear buds and that made a big difference in the sound quality, I have bike to bike GMRS and the option to switch to CB my Zumo550, XM and radar all goes through the Autocom.

 

[FJRScrewball]

I have the Starcom Advanced with GMRS, iPhone and TomTom GPS connected. It works for me.

When its just me and my bro riding together we use his Blue Ant bluetooth helmet setup. Doesn't work for more than a few hours though cause the batteries run down. I personally don't care for the "hot mike" way that all the bluetooth helmet systems use. Sometimes I don't want to be heard.

I Prefer the push when I want to talk method.

 

[Aasland]

For the G4 owners out there ...

have you found a way to charge it on the bike? Cig lighter USB socket or something?

 

[mike_123]

For the G4 owners out there ...
have you found a way to charge it on the bike? Cig lighter USB socket or something?

not to sure about the g4 but the q2 scala really has no need for charging

wife and i can leave the hosue at 7 am and return at 1000 pm leaving the scala on all day

in that tiem i can receive countless phone calls and have my wife jibber jabbering most of the day

now were not riding for the full day we usually make alot of stops but my guess would be the 8 hours of talk time is fairly accurate

the g4 apparently has a longer talk time

with the q2 weve been able to pair with another couple so four riders in total

my wife and the other lady are paired and my buddy and me are paired and we can toggle back and forth to our wives but i cant talk to his wife and he cant talk to my wife

weve also got the 12 volt cigarette lighter chargers but never have had to use them

charging time plugged into the wall seems to be about an hour on average

audio quality with music absolutley sucks but the quality of the audio with the intercom is quite impressive

ive tried several different speakers on my scala and they all sound like crap with music

im now debating some quality molded earplugs with quality speakers built into them that i can simply plug into my scala but after trying a few ifferent speakers im wondering if its not so much the speakers but the scala that amplifies the audio from the mp3 making the audio bad

 

[Aasland]

not to sure about the g4 but the q2 scala really has no need for charging

If I'm camping for the next, the only power source I have is the bike, hence, would need to be able to charge from the bike.

 

[bk000]

Chatterbox XBi2 here.

Works great. I pair my phone to my Zummo 660. XBi2 is the head set paired to the zummo. Works well with other XBi2s. don't leave home without it.