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Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through July 30, 2006 » Bike to Bike Intercoms? Can You Recommed? « Previous Next »

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Tommy_k
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Looking for some personal reviews of any decent bike to bike comm.s out there. Chatterboxes any good? Also, I currently ride with earplugs, but I assume using an intercom will kill that...at least one of them. Thoughts and opinions please.
TIA,
TK
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Darthane
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I own a pair of Chatterboxes, and like them just fine. They have good range, the audio quality is decent, and they've got a wide frequency range as well as the ability to hook your MP3 player/cell phone into them.

I also ride with earplugs. Ironically enough, it is EASIER to hear what people are saying when I'm wearing them. Wind noise is what makes it difficult to make words out, and the plugs largely remove that from the equation.

I took the speakers that came with them and removed my helmet cheek padding, sliced the cover off, and then carved a niche in the styrafoam to house the speakers. Glued them in, buttoned up the covering and then put the pads back in the helmet. Voila, stealth speakers.

Things I don't like about them:

1) If you don't do something similar with your helmet, the speakers are a PITA. The little velcro piece never holds the speakers in place when you put the helmet ON.

2) The VOX function is very difficult to adjust properly to account for differing riding conditions. As such, I prefer to simply use the PTT button.

3) I wish you could use regular old headphones/microphones with it, but the connection port for the damned things appears to be proprietary.

The only problem I seem to have with understanding people is when we're all on the highway cruising at speed...but there's not really anything you can do about that short of sealing your entire helmet. ; )
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Dmextreme
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 02:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree. The Chatterbox is a great item to be using. I have the GMRS-X1 with a few accessories and manual. If you would like, i can sell to you for 250 bucks. :P I think retail is around 329.99 or so. It's in fantastic shape. no broken pieces and helmet clip. 5 mile distance.

http://www.hjc-chatterbox.com/freetalk.htm

Check it.
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Beachbuell
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 02:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have been checking into the Chatterbox and similar type systems for months now. From what I have been seeing and hearing from people that have and use them is that they are Ok. Lots of static, clumsy to handle when riding (push to talk), also the hands free is iffy at highway speeds (wind noise activates it) and they are also hard to hear at speed. Again, from what people have told me with first hand experience. Last month one of the sport bike magazines also reviewed the new Chatterbox and had issues with it also. I'm not sure if I want to spend that kind of money on so so communications IMHO.
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Gowindward
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 04:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Take a look at Autocom.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 09:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have a pair of chatterboxes also. with the louder pipes they can be hard to operate
on the vox at highway speeds. they do work well with the ptt there. Around town
they work fine with the vox. with a noisier helmet (I wear an arai astral-x) that may
not be the case so as usual YMMV.
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Ride365
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 03:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can always find a good deal on some Chatterboxes on Ebay! Brand new =$379ish, Ebay usually around $150-200 for the newest and best
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Curtyd
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 08:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Why would I want to "chatter" while riding?

Recent Divided attention tests says that folks talking on cell phones, etc. and driving have as many errors from divided attention as do folks that are DUI.

Dangerous business when even one error in this past-time can have drastic consequences

But heck, it's up to you, after all, but thought you might want to consider this first.
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Tommy_k
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 09:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't think the object of these is to be "chatting" away mid corner or while lane-splitting at high speeds. It would be a huge benefit when needing to refuel on the highway, engine problems and need to pull over, missed a turn...etc. Or just so I don't have to YELL at my friends who don't have flip up helmets while stopped. The PTT can't be any more distracting at the right place than say hitting the trip meter, or checking the time. I'm sure everyone has done that at least once while moving.
TK
btw, thanks for the comments
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Diablobrian
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 09:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It is nice to be able to say:

hey, I have a problem if you are the bike to the rear.

the next turn is the one we need to take

your tail light is out....etc.
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Darthane
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 08:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What Diablo said...and when not saying something relavent to bike operation or directions, it's nice to have the MP3 player going. ; )
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Pinball
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I`ve heard good things about "Collett Electronics" !
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Bake
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 12:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Our Chatterboxes have been so much trouble I don't know if I will ever bother with them again!
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Morgans
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 01:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

At my shop, we have been selling a lot of the Firefox voice box mikes. They hook up to a set of small walkie talkies and have a push to talk button on a velcro strap. Most of our customers mount the button on their bars or wrap them around the gloves for easy access. The throat mikes work great and aren't affected by wind noise. You can get them out of the Parts Unlimited catalog.
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Pisymbol
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Can you use any headphone you want with the Chatterboxes? i.e. if I have an IEM or custom fitted ear piece, can I plug in via a standard mini-jack etc.
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Rubdoggy
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

a little off subject,

i'm pretty stoked for the $93 total new off ebay.

http://www.cardowireless.com/scala_rider/specs_and_features.php

it's all about the bluetooth baby!
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