| Author | Message | ||
     Lorazepam |
I do a lot of 2 up riding, and having an intercom ,makes it handy to know why she is hitting me in the ribs, and she lets me know about deer as well. Here is the unit, very compact and durable. This is it's 3rd bike. http://lorazepam.smugmug.com/photos/58111044-M.jpg I decided to mount it in the tail section, and used velcro, it holds well, and can be removed to access anything in the rear. http://lorazepam.smugmug.com/photos/58111046-M.jpg http://lorazepam.smugmug.com/photos/58111053-M.jpg I took the power for the unit from the rear power outlet. I used these nifty crimp connections, that allow you to to use a spade connector to attach your wire. http://lorazepam.smugmug.com/photos/58111059-M.jpg It took a total of about 20 minutes, and is out of sight, and the helmet connections stay under the seat until needed. | ||
| Cygnus_x1 |
I wanna know how well do they work? All I hear when driving down the freeway is wind noise. | ||
| Lorazepam |
they are a true vox system, and I dont have a problem with mine making a lot of wind noise when I try to talk. I also wear earplug speakers. It has provisions for radar detector, phone and a mobile radio for bike to bike. Also a music in put so you can listen to tunes if you wish. | ||
| Cygnus_x1 |
I would like to get one, I like the one with the FRS built in to chat with other bikers, (but I dont know any other bikers, but just in case) do both riders need to be plugged in to the thing, or are they wireless yet? | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I also wear earplug speakers. IMHO, this is key. I bought the autocom expecting it to solve a lot of my problems, but it didn't. Earplug speakers did. Even the cheapest dirtbag system will work well if you go the earplug speaker route. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I have lost about 30 percent of my hearing, and I do what I can to preserve what is left. Earplugs are a must as far as I am concerned. They take some of the fatigue out of the ride, they also make it more pleasant. I didnt like the isolation at first, but I got used to it and wont ride without them now. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I always wear earplugs. Earplugs + helmet speakers never worked well for me. Maybe my hearing is bad. I don't know. Earplug speakers are the answer. Keep the wind noise out, good noise in.  | ||
| Two_buells |
I use this set-up for my Street and Atv riding. http://www.collett.mb.ca/ The Platinum 900 is VOX only You can transmit bike to bike or your passenger intercom All my riding buddies have them and we communicate between each other. You can also use your Cell Phone or hook up your MP3 Player to another jack. When someone transmits the music volume goes down so you can hear bike to bike or your intercomm. I have my Sirius Satellite Radio hooked up to it. These units are very popular with snowmobilers and are hard to get.  | ||
| Lorazepam |
I tried using one of those style units, and I got a huge amount of noise from the air going by. I think it was limited to me and my bike combination though. I like the idea of bike to bike, though I dont ride with others that often. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I am actually working on a new design for helmet communicators. It will be wireless from rider to rider, but will also allow full-duplex communication, like talking on a telephone. I have the design mostly completed, but I moved recently and had to leave my research tools (the university) behind. If anyone wants more info, or would like to make a little investment in the project, shoot me a PM. I have been trying to get some feedback regarding this idea for a long time, but no-one seems to want to give me any opinions. Again, it is a combination of the best of both worlds a wireless intercomm that can be used rider-to-passenger or bike-to-bike. It has a few other nifty design features, but I'll save those for those that want to know. The reason I started this project was because nothing offered on the market combined wireless tech with full-duplex communication. I wanted the full-duplex offered by a wired set-up (think Chatterbox or NADY) but also wanted the convenience of wireless (think a walkie-talkie with a headset). So, mine has no PTT button, nor VOX technology, because they are not necessary. The absence of VOX tech keeps the cost (both development and purchase) and size down, and increases battery life. But, I've probably gone on long enough anyway. Let me know what you all think. Josh Davis Cedar Rapids, IA | ||
| Bosh |
"It will be wireless from rider to rider" This will be a handy feature! My old system was a pain in the butt when the wire gets tangled up when lane splitting  Sorry... I couldn't resist. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Yeah, plus you have to ride a really tight formation or you need a really long wire... <ggg> Jim in SB | ||
| Henrik |
Josh; I think it'd be great to not have to bother with wiring. I'd be interested in good sound quality of course. Personally I'd like to have a PTT option - I sing out loud to myself when riding long distances, and I'd hate to, unintentionally, submit passenger or fellow riders to that Otherwise I think you're on to a great idea. Just make sure your set-up will be compatible with the big names in supporting equipment: Autocom, Kenwood etc. etc. Henrik | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
OK, so where do I buy earplug speakers, cuz that's exactly what I'm looking for!!! Thanks | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I got mine from "Arizona Al" but there are quite a few folks who do em at bike shows and the like. Or you can go to a hearing aid shop, have them make impressions, then send em off yourself. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Cool, thanks Steven. I found the web page for Etymotic and I think I'll try those. They look great. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/epcomp.aspx | ||
| Jackbequick |
So "ear plug speakers" are earphones except that they block the external noises better? I see the Etymotic's at the link above give you about 35 dB of isolation. A question for those using ear plug speakers. If you're not hearing anything over the earphones (the music is off or turned full down), can you then still hear a reasonable amount of things that jump up above the ambient noise level? Like horns, tires screeching, or people yelling? I wear hearing aids (molded, in the ear type) and would probably like to try something like thin pancake style speakers that mount in the ear recesses in the helmet. Has anyone tried any of those? Jack | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I've got the ER4's and for me they would stick out too far for comfort with the helmet on. I've not tried the ER6s. The ER4Ps do sound GREAT. These are what I use for the bike: http://www.earplugco.com/prod01.htm They cost almost the same as the ER6s and are likley more comfortable. One nice thing about Bob Weiss is that you can buy the generic fit version, then if you want to upgrade to the customs, he gives you a full credit. I'm not sure if Al gives a similar deal, but he might be "local". | ||
| Lorazepam |
Bob Weiss is a good guy. He will treat you right, and has been making the in ear stuff for a long time. That said, I have the er6i earplugs, and they work great under the helmet. The block the wind noise great, but I cant vouch for sirens or horns or screeching tires yet. I can hear my horn when I blow it, it is muffled, but regular earplugs muffle it as well. I find the volume of the music and intercom can be set much lower, because you arent competing with the wind noise to hear it. I tend to keep music limited to rides across the great plains, and not so much in the twisties. | ||
| Bearly |
I borrowed one of my buddies units for a 3500 mile trip to Dallas from Northern VA for an 18 day trip. They work very well. I just ordered the new "Plus" BlueTooth version the other day. I should be able to hear the voice prompts from the Zumo 550, take cell phone calls and talk to my buddy. I can't wait. |
