Autocom choice

[NorthernBoy]

OK, it looks like, for me, Autocom is going to be my preferred method of listening to music, and possibly even of talking to my wife. So, there is then a choice to be made.

I see that the (presumably outgoing model) Easi-Plus duo 150 is available for £75, and seems to offer what I need (two-way communication, two headsets, iPod input), for £75, or I can get the Logic - L1 for £160, and then buy a second headset for £35, for a total cost of £195.

That seems like quite a difference, and, as usual with me, I don't seem able to find enough information to let me know what the main differences are (I must be Google-challenged, I think). Can anyone who knows about this sort of stuff summarise for me? The first kit seems to do everything I'd want (and I assume that I can add bluetooth later for a Tomtom Rider), but I can't see why the replacement can be sold for so much more, unless it has some funky new features that I am not seeing.

Edited to add that there is also the active-plus, for £150, with the advantage that there is a shop in London open for another hour where I can buy it from. Hmmm, tough decisions.

Anyone want to chip in?

 

[pedro]

Autocom 150 Duo

I have one of these fitted to my bike and it seems to do everthing that I need. Comms are fine with the wife on the back, I have my Zumo and Ipod in through the Aux inputs and there is also an option of adding a bluetooth dongle, should you wish to go down that route. I can even get my phone or my bike to bike kit to work through it as well. I saw that the 150 Duo's were on special, and even thought of buying one for a spare. Great system, you may wish to invest in a couple of long leads and a power adaptor, which drops the 12 volt input down to 9 volts, so that you can wire it into the bike. As for the new ones, know nothing about them, but for the difference in price, i'd go for the 150 duo.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Thanks. I rang Autocom, and they suggested that battery life would be a problem if I was using it to listen to music. Is that something that you have experienced?

To be honest, I quite like the fact that the older ones run of batteries, as I can just dump it in the tank bag with the iPod that way, rather than having to arse around taking the seat off to put the music player in there, r having yet another lead sticking out form underneath.

 

[pedro]

Autocom

I've never ran my one on batteries, so couldn't say. I've hard wired it under the seat, with the electrics going in through the back of the power socket. The music lead runs up to a handlebar bag that houses my ipod and FM radio. The helmet lead just plugs in down by my left knee. All works just fine and never gets in the way.

 

[NorthernBoy]

OK, thanks very much. Hopefully they are still in stock, and I'll get one ordered tomorrow.

Was fitting it into the helmet easy enough?

 

[pedro]

yes

I've fitted headsets to all of my helmets with no problems. Had to cut away parts of the chinpiece in my Shoei, but otherwise no problems. The Autocom kit comes with instructions for Arai and Shoei.

 

[beemerboy9]

Hi Northern Boy,

An Autocom set will last for ages (I saw a 15-year old unit on eBay recently) so think of it as an investment.

1) The new Logic unit will go much louder without distortion than the older model.
2) It has digital power management which will compensate for loss of battery voltage as they run down (6 times the battery life compared to old model).
3) The bluetooth module will integrate well with the TomTom.
4) Have a look at the new 2091 headset with intgrated stereo jack for in-ear speakers.

Regards,

John

P.S. The old units were reduced to half-price prior to the introduction of the new range. Try to spot a bargain if you go that way.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Thanks very much. I can get one of the old versions for £75, which seems pretty good for a setup with both headsets, and a lead for the phone and iPod, too.

I'd probably be as happy paying extra to get the newer one, but they are not available yet, and I am heading off for the Alps on Tuesday, with no idea when I'll be back, so I'd like my kit all installed before then.

 

[beemerboy9]

If you ring the factory, you might find that Richard is on duty this weekend. you could have a factory instal of the latest product and be 100% certain that you know how to use it before your trip. There is a smashing road from J16/M1 to the factory.

 

[chapsworth]

Bought the 200 Duo kit recently at half price. Does everything it says - I can hear my pillion as clear as anything at 80 mph, I've got the BT dongle so that I can take phone calls. Bike to bike works well with the Midland G7. All in all a bit of a bargain.

In fact at that price I bought two so that I've got them wired up on both bikes.

Comes with the part that allows you to power it from the bike.

Simon