Wired or wireless intercom?

[jamone13]

Hello, I just picked up a 2008 1200GS and know I need an intercom to ensure the girl friend likes riding as much as I do. I can't decide which intercom I should get. I need phone connections but if that's bluetooth or wired I don't care, music input would be nice but not a deal breaker. I have a iPhone so if its a wired phone jack I will have music in. Ability to do bike to bike would be nice but again not a deal breaker. I have a Garmin 396 GPS I'm attaching to the bike but I don't mind not having its audio prompting.

I guess the bigest question in my mind is does having a wire bug yall? Never having to bother charging the intercom does apeal some but not if the wire is a pain.

If I go wired I'm prettysure its going to be an Autocom, as for the wireless I'm not sure yet. The models that have support for bike to bike as well as rider to pylon typically cost $700+ and that is getting a bit much. I would like to stay around $500 or less.

[StuWG]

Hi,

I use a "wired" Autocom system. It's very clear at any speed and it's hooked up to my mobile (cell) phone & GPS (and MP3 player when on a long motorway stint).

I do have to admit the cables are a bit of a pain and if I could find a wireless system that was equally as clear I would swap, but to date I haven't found one. I keep all the gubbins in a bum-bag, so it's quite liveable (not sure that's a word!) with.

Our system runs for weeks (ie a two week ride round europe, 400 miles a day nattering away and listening to MP3, 2 batteries and I only changed battery on the second to last day) on a 9volt battery, so charging etc is not an issue, it's completely free from the bike.

[PotatoHead]

I use a "wired" Starcom Advance system, and through it can hear (in addition to conversation with the passenger) bluetooth connected phone, GPS directions, and MP3s in stereo. I never notice the wire, except when connecting or disconnecting it.

[Happy Flat Twin User]

I use a Super tooth / blue ant system. it is great for bike to bike in line of sight and no more than 150 metres apart, rider to pillion is great. the only draw back is the duration of the battery life we ride for periods longer than the six hours life span, and there is no charge while you use connection.


Other than that it is worth it if you don't want all the frills of the MP3's and GPS's etc. It is also a lot less expensive.

[jamone13]

I ended up getting the Scala Rider Q2. I'm quite pleased with it, connecting to 3rd headset isn't as simple as 2nd but othewise I love it. Reasonably priced also.

http://www.cardowireless.com/Q2

[Fudmucker]

I use a Scala Rider-FM. I ride solo and I only need to hear the local radio station for traffic reports and that lovely girl in the Zumo telling me when to turn...and to MP3's when the road gets boring.

My mobile phone is not linked in, even though I can.
Who wants your boss calling you in the middle of a nice ride...?

If I rode with a S.O. I would go for the S2. A riding couple I know has had great service with them.

I always thought that one of the attractions of riding motorcycles was to be alone with your thoughts inside your helmet....!?

[bdezz]

Went around the block on which ones to get last year. Settled on a Collett system (out of Winnipeg, Manitoba; international). These attach to the side of your helmet, wire in what you like. Check out the site (no affiliation, etc.). reasonable price (cheaper than many products out there), battery lasts a looooong time between charges, works just fine, and I don't mind the wires, as was said, until disconnecting time, but really it's a non-issue.

[epm96]

I have been using a J & M wireless unit for about a year and love it! I dont think there is any other solution that is as fully integrated as this one. Features include wireless music from XM & SD card - wireless phone calls, wired intercom to passenger (she plugs into the back of my helmet) - wireless Navigation instructions (including spoken traffic and weather alerts).

I am hard wired to my passenger when she decides to tag along but in generally i am fully wireless. I achieve all of this with a few pieces. I have a Garmin Zumo 550 with Sat Radio integrated, a J & M Bluetooth (see link) and a J & M Bluetooth dongle which enables the Zumo to transmit XM & NAV using wireless bluetooth stereo.

Everything works flawlessly, i just get on and go. I can dial my phone through the Zumo screen, it pauses music automatically etc. Calls come in through the screen too, amazing! This is all achieved because the zumo acts as a go between from the headset and the phone, first device i have ever seen that does this. You start by pairing your phone to the zumo, then pairing the J &M headset to the Zumo, then the Zumo does the rest. Since the Zumo doesnt transmit bluetooth stereo audio J & M developed a dongle which plugs into the back of the zumo headset jack then transmits back to the headset wirelessly.

Battery is great, i think it will go for about 6-8 hours without a charge, and i have a backup so i can charge it from the bike (cant use intercom and charge, same plug so if your riding more than 6-8 hours a day this could be an issue).

I dont think the audio quality of any other headset can compare, J & M did a great job with the speakers in the helmet and they are quite comfortable. I can also carry on a conversation at 60 MPH no problem. I had a Scala before and i must admit the phone call quality was probably a tad better for the person on the other end, thier noise cancellation cannot be beat but without the audio features being as good it had to go. J & M all the way.
I ride using a full face quantum II Arai helmet.

http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=30

[dec]

All - if you are looking for true wireless bluetooth and "stereo" audio, I'd wait 6-8 months. All the makers will soon be moving to the stereo technology that allows this (Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) or Audio Video Remote Control (AVRCP)) . . . your starting to see this in a few of the makers.

I've used Chatterbox for years and have been real happy, but look forward to the days of no wires, clear communications and the quality of products which the "wired" system are producing today.

[ca1ic0cat]

And it works well enough. The battery life is an issue though.

I am presently modifying the earspeaker to take a jack for a pair of earbud sound attenuating earphones. That should make the system a lot easier to hear. They were kind enough to send me the wiring diagram, so that's one for them, IMHO.