HELP Choosing intercom set

[JimC]

I miss not being able to talk with the Mrs while riding, on my last two wings I had a good intercom set but my Valk has nothing. I searched the archives but is seems that just as soon as a good evaluation starts to get going, the threads loose interest, or get dropped down on the board and buried.

Unless someone can give me a good reason why I should not buy a blue tooth set up, I am leaning that way. So far I have seen two types, the Scala Q2, and the Chatterbox XBi2 that seem to fit my price range and do what I want.

I mainly want it to talk to the passenger and listen to an MP3 player, but the bike to bike would be nice when traveling with a buddy that does not have one. I would probably not use the phone or GPS features, but it would be nice knowing they are there.

Is there a general consensus on which one is better?

Do you need a set of three to go bike to bike, or can another rider sync theirs up to yours?

I am quite challenged electronically, so if you dare to answer please keep it in laymans terms.  

What system do you have, and are you happy with its performance?

If you are talking bike to bike can the passenger listen or join in the conversation?

What stops a group of riders from syncing them up together? they never mention that in their write ups so I doubt it would work, at least with these two models.

Thanks, JIM

[Mike in AR]

Wife and I bought the Scala rider teamset(just driver to passenger with mp3 hookup)when we were at Americade last week. No complaints so far. It works as advertised. But there may be others who have had it longer than we have and can give you more info.

[Ghillie]

It was my understanding when I got mine that I could sync up with up to three individual units but I have not had the chance to test that yet.

[BeeSharp]

I have a Starcom1 that I picked up off ebay a year or so ago.

http://www.starcom1.com/

It works great for MP3 or Satellite radio to both headsets. I have the CB Radio cables for it, but haven't picked up a CB yet to try it. It has jacks for cell phone and GPS too. I was going to hoook up the GPS, but my cheapo GPS doesn't have an audio out jack. No desire for cell phone calls on the bike...

I don't think I've every got it set-up correctly. The communication from my wife to me is perfect, but at speed she can't understand anything I'm saying (slow speed or stopped is fine). It actually took awhile to notice there was a issue as she does most of the talking and I just nod. 

Jim

[Spirited-6]

JinC, thanks for posting. I ,also would like to have a driver to pass. for a reasonable price. I know the 29.95 units will not work , but if I wanted to spend the kind of bucks that some want I would buy a Wing.  I could care less about music , ect. when I`m riding. I just am tried of slaps on the head saying go left or right, stop, drinks, potty,ass hurts,hamburger. I hope someone will give some help. 

[Mike in AR]

Spirited-6, Ithink we paid $189 for our Scala. As I said, although we have had it only a short time, it beats the heck out of leaning back and shouting "What did you Say?" We put in about 1700 miles after we got it and it worked good.

[Gear Jammer]

I am not familiar with the Scala rider or the Starcom sets previously mentioned, so I have no opinion.  I used the BlueAnt Interphone setup on my bike.  It works fine between me and my back-seater.  The only drawback for us, is the relatively short battery life.  On rides of 5 hours or less, they seem to do OK, but any longer, and they cut off without warning.  If you're going to be going on any long trips ( Inzane IX) , they won't make the trip.  They have to be recharged on 110volt outlet.  I suppose you could get an inverter to charge them up while riding, but you wouldn't be able to use them while they're charging.   To answer one of your other quetions,,,As with all bluetooth devices, you can "pair"( meaning to make it recognize other bluetooth devices in its memory) it to more than just one other bluetooth device, usually 3-5 total.  BUT,, you can only "connect"  (meaning it actually picks out that other particluar bluetooth device in it's memory) to one other device at a time.  I.E.  you can have your bluetooth "paired" to your wife's and another 3 rider's bluetooths, but you can only talk to one or the other at a time.  Same goes for the back-seater, she can only be "connected" to one other device at a time, so she would have to switch over from you to your buddy to talk to him.  And there is no way to carry on a three-way conversation via bluetooth.   Although the cost is more, you may wish to consider going to a CB/intercom system like J&M's  CB2003DU .  This would be like that system you had on your Wing.   This is the one I bought. They are not cheap, but they are hardwired to your bike's electrical system, so no battery to go dead on you.  You can talk with back-seater via the intercom, and talk to your buddy via CB ( he also must have a CB radio) , and your back-seater can have an optional switch to "key" the CB radio and talk on the CB as well.  She also will be hearing the conversation between you and your buddy.  This is a good thing to remember if you and your buddy have any info she doesn't need to know!!         Hope this was helpful.     You can email me if you want the dealer from whom I bought my sytem.   They seem to be cheaper than the mfg, and the ebay sellers I found.   I'm Gear Jammer   email is  HrdDrvnMan  @  aol  dot  com

[John33 (France VRCC)]

Have a look here :
http://www.motoluxe.eu/products/Autocom-Super-Pro-Automatic-%252d-kit-intercom-duo-avanc%C3%A9.html
The seller speaks perfect english ...he is From UK !!!

It's what I have on my Valk, and I really enjoy the sysytem...and my wife as well.

[Medic]

I have had two Scala Q2's for a little over a year and have had no problems. Went with two Q2's versus the teamset for the ability to sync / talk with other bikes if wanted (A Q2 can sync / pair with any other Q2 on the spot, doesnt have to be yours). Also with both being Q2's...myself and the better half can both sync/pair to our cellphones individually. You pay a little more to get two Q2's versus the teamset...but have more options on the syncing/pairing(bike to bike / driver to rider to another bike / etc). Great battery life, good reception. Voice activation works good, but you may have to shout to get it active (this is on purpose so that the wind doesn't keep activating it)..or you can just hit the connect button. Sound transmission is good also...better half can call me when I'm on the bike and not even tell I'm ridin. Only two things that could be better in my oppinion 1) sound is not stereo 2) does not sync/pair to audio (music) devices. As far as 1 goes - Cardo has not upgraded to a stereo version yet and for 2 - they have not updated their software to do this yet...you can get around this by connecting a bluetooth dongle to your music device if wanted. Several folks have these paired w/ a Zumo 550 GPS and bluetooth dongle for a great setup (GPS/MP3/Satellite radio/FM/and Intercom). Scala Q2's do have the built in FM radio. Thats pretty much it about the Cardo Scala Q2's. The Teamset works the same, so should be just as good on the sound / reception..just not have the extra capabilities. Can advise on the other systems out there.

[JimL]

I have the Scala Rider Teamset and have had mixed feelings about it.  I have had times when the reception has a lot of static, other times it seems fine.  Since I have not used it that long, I will reserve judgment until I use it a bit longer.  Others on the board seem to be very please with them.  I think a lot of it has to do with learning how to use the system (ie. correct positioning of the mic, and the use of the controls).

The version of the Scala Rider Teamset I have is priced at 150.00 on eBay.

[JimC]

Thanks everyone for your input. You have answered a lot of my questions,

GearJammer, I appreciate the lay mans explanation on the way the bluetooth works, I actually think I (sort of) understand it now.

Right now I am leaning toward the team rider because it does most of what I want, and it seems to be priced fairly well for what it does. Unless someone wants to give some more input and talk me out of it that is.

I really like the idea of no wires, but If anyone has any input on another type of system it will be appreciated so please talk up, the more we learn from others mistakes, or success's the better off we are.

thanks again
Jim

[humshark]

Maybe for those of us with Interstates and Wings, we should contact Kennedy Technologies and see if they would consider engineering  / making a Bluetooth "LINK"

All I really want is to sever the CORD from my helmet to my bike.  I need:
Left audio
Right audio
Microphone     ( Is this any different from the wireless headsets for these MP3 / Phones ? )

I'll let the bike do the rest as it normally does!  That way there's no learning curve - rewiring etc.  Plug the one end into the port on the bike where we usually connect our helmet cables and then thrown on your helmet and "pair" the unit!

Anyone else looking for this?  It can't be that hard to do.  We probably just need enough interest!  Anybody?  I'll call Kennedy and see what they have to say about it!