Autocom ideas

[terayon]

I know Rich spends some time on here every now and then, so I thought it might be a good idea for those with autocom units to maybe come up with ideas or improvements to accessories that autocom do.

I for one would love to have a bulkhead connection fitted to the bike. Where the lead from the autocom unit goes to a socket that is mounted on the fairing like the additional power socket that BMW do, then all you need to do is plug your headset lead into the socket. This would save having leads coming out of the gaps in panels and having to use the "P clips" to hold leads when not in use.

To give you an idea of what im talking about, pics taken from a competitors website

 

[SilverFish]

Thats a good idea.

Another could be to have some handlebar mounted controls. They already do a PTT switch for the radio - how about something which can mute the Autocom audio alltogether - such as when you want to talk to somebody at the side of the road but you cant because you've got Brittney Spears yelling down your ear drum...

I also think that PMR radio installs can be done better. Intaride do a remote antenna install kit, though they do stress its illegal in the UK. Can something be done, legally? Or how about a PMR radio which fits to the handlebar itself, like the CB radios on Goldwings..?

Mike

 

[Steve]

The best improvement for me would be independent audio inputs for rider and pillion.

My boy doesn't want the GPS interrupting his mp3 player, and I don't want to listen to what he's playing!

 

[Kritou]

I would like a "plug and play" class 1 Blutooth comms module along the Interphone lines - it would give short range (100 metres +) full duplex and interference free communiacation with one other bike. Could even have it's own PTT button incorporated - all in a weatherproof unit similar to the existing BT phone module so that it could be handlebar mounted and simply plugged into the pillion circuit when required

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

The best improvement for me would be independent audio inputs for rider and pillion.

My boy doesn't want the GPS interrupting his mp3 player, and I don't want to listen to what he's playing!

I'm with you there brother!

 

[DoctorZippy]

Smaller boxes...

As well as the suggestions above, I'd like to see the boxes get smaller - the last update seemed to increase their size significantly, just as bikes are getting smaller... this forum is full of folk asking where they can put theirs (and replies telling them )...

 

[Yellow Peril]

Personally Dr I don't agree with you on that one I rather see the current larger unit which is well made and up to the job, rather than a tiny thing that looks like it would break at the slightest touch and nothing fits properly.

Take ipods now too small to use with bike gloves on easily.

As to the rest I think I would definitely agree with most

 

[DoctorZippy]

Personally Dr I don't agree with you on that one I rather see the current larger unit which is well made and up to the job, rather than a tiny thing that looks like it would break at the slightest touch and nothing fits properly.

Take ipods now too small to use with bike gloves on easily.

As to the rest I think I would definitely agree with most

I was only referring to the unit, which tends to be fitted once, adjusted and left alone (I don't go twiddling my Vox or Volume controls once I've got them set up the way I like ). And I'd expect them to be robust and small, not small and flimsy...

Just meant the biggest problem I have is finding somewhere on the bike to mount the unit... but each to their own...

 

[Yellow Peril]

Sorry Dr I worded that a bit strong, I agree smaller would be better but having seen various small units I would prefer to keep the build quality of the current units

 

[GSrich]

Well where do I start....bulk head style fitting we do not recommend due to safty reasons. mainly due the angles needed to disconnect, only a flexibable plug you will always get this. Plus the cnages of water getting into the plugs and staying in there, again flexible is better so you can shake the plug.

Handle bar controls will need to be a good size due to not all handle bars having the room 1200LT's for example, also they would need to be waterproof...this is not cheap. Also what controls would we feature? External arials we promote something not suitable within the UK?

Kritou, Bluetooth comms are NOT worth touching, this has been proved many a time.......BMW for example how many recalls, Ive lost count now!

Doctor Zippy we can not make our systems any smaller, the boards need room for the componants also making the systems smaller would make them more prone to interference as the parts would be too close to each other. it has been looked at. The Easi Plus and Active Plus have grown in size due to extra room to huose the volume controls, the Active also to run a 9v battery if needed. the Super Pro is slimmer than any of our other Pro series

But thank you people as with any comments I will pass them onto the relevant people but hopefully ive filled you all on our reasons or my feedback to your Q's.

Rich

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

Here my big gripe one... why not have electrical suppression built in to all units????...


The units do after all power from the bike and the majority of users will have some of their MP3 players/phones/GPS/radio bike powered.

I don't want to have to buy an "extra" just so i don't get noise in my autocom while powering my GPS for instance ...that sort of thing i thought should be built in as standard

 

[Steve]

hopefully ive filled you all on our reasons or my feedback to your Q's.

Rich

And the independent rider/pillion audio inputs?

 

[Matt splat]

Here my big gripe one... why not have electrical suppression built in to all units????...


The units do after all power from the bike and the majority of users will have some of their MP3 players/phones/GPS/radio bike powered.

I don't want to have to buy an "extra" just so i don't get noise in my autocom while powering my GPS for instance ...that sort of thing i thought should be built in as standard

+1

 

[muppix]

Intaride do a remote antenna install kit, though they do stress its illegal in the UK.

I believe that's because part of the PMR license specifies a non-removable aerial.

Just my tuppence worth ...

Mup.

 

[brianmaslen]

Insufficient volume when listening to Ipod

I have a fairly old but serviceable Autocom and find the volume when listening to my Ipod too low to hear if I wear earplugs. Is this normal or is mine just knackered then?

 

[Womble]

Brian,

You're better off starting a new thread with requests like this, otherwise people scanning the forum might not see the new question being asked.

What model of Autocom do you have?

 

[GSrich]

Here my big gripe one... why not have electrical suppression built in to all units????...


The units do after all power from the bike and the majority of users will have some of their MP3 players/phones/GPS/radio bike powered.

I don't want to have to buy an "extra" just so i don't get noise in my autocom while powering my GPS for instance ...that sort of thing i thought should be built in as standard

It would be a good idea but due to the size of the isolation blocks adding these to the boards would make them rather large in size! Plus not everyone runs bike powered phone, music and not everyone can afford to run the kenwoods bike powered. So I would say where we are selling the sytems now makes them more universal, also a customer who is just wanting to run rider and pillion no phone or music etc is not having to spend extra money on a product they are only using 50% worth.

Steve, seperate music are you meaning or just so you do not have to listen to his music. Listening to his music our Super Pro already offers a music fader. GPS wise our systems are set up so GPS either takes full priority or a 50% music cut so no directions are missed.

Brianmaslen, the low volume will be down to the ipod itself nothing to do with out comms, this has been proved against a £4 mp3 player from s. the Ipod has got an ear guard setting which lowers the overall volume, I believe that this can be taken off via a web site.

Rich

 

[DoctorZippy]

Remote volume control / cut-off...

Think it's been mentioned before, but I'd really appreciate a simple control to increase / decrease / mute the volume on my Autocom from the handlebars. Ideally this would also cut the rider/pillion interface at the same time.

Situations where this would be useful include:

Paying at toll booths
Giving tickets to ferry operators
Giving instructions to friends at traffic lights when not bike-to-bike
Asking for directions (being a man, I never do this of course )

In all the above situatioms, I can't hear what's being said to me and then when I shout a reply I deafen my pillion!

Accept the point about smaller boxes being difficult for the controls, but not from an electronic perspective, as components always get smaller...

Paul

 

[Steve]

Steve, seperate music are you meaning or just so you do not have to listen to his music. Listening to his music our Super Pro already offers a music fader. GPS wise our systems are set up so GPS either takes full priority or a 50% music cut so no directions are missed.

I have the Super Pro Avi, which helps. But even with the fader fully over, I can still hear his music, albeit faintly. And when the GPS cuts in, he's not happy.

 

[snottywife]

I have put my complete AUTOCOM in a bumbag.

I HATE SEEING LOVELY BIKES WITH LEADS ALL OVER THEM!!

I have cut off the power supply socket and attached an aux socket plug.

This means that the phone and MP3 player are always with me,
There are no unsightly leads,
The missus can plug her lead into the bumbag behind me
I can unplug the power really easy,
The whole lot is sheltered from bad weather.

thought on this please.

Ah yes, I haven't got bike to bike!!