Autocom or Starcom with remote volume control

[sammachies]

I have a 1200 gs and would like to get an autocom or starcom. I spoke to an autocom dealer who said that autocom do not produce the system with remote control anymore. Is their a way to adapt a non remote control one to recieve a remote control or does anyone have any experience of starcom advance with volume remote control and is it any good.

 

[ChasMill]

does anyone have any experience of starcom advance with volume remote control and is it any good.

Yes I do and it is good. My only criticisms of Starcom products is that they are all supplied with far too much cabling and seem a bit on the flimsy side when compatred with Autocom.

 

[polecat]

Yes I do and it is good. My only criticisms of Starcom products is that they are all supplied with far too much cabling and seem a bit on the flimsy side when compatred with Autocom.

Better too much than too little

 

[knnelg]

Starcom & Autocom are now one in the same. Starcom bought Autocom.

My only criticisms of Starcom products is that they are all supplied with far too much cabling and seem a bit on the flimsy side when compatred with Autocom.

For what it's worth, I've had an original Starcom unit for over 6 years now, and when I got it I thought the same as you, that the connections seemed fragile. But 6 years on, and still working like a dream.

Regards,

Glenn

 

[ChasMill]

Better too much than too little

True ...

 

[sammachies]

I have been thinking about this a little further and is the remote control a usefull feature or a waste of time. Anybody had any experience of both and which was a better system to use.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Can't vouch for the remote control but the Starcom is a great little system.

Had mine for 4 years and it's been through the mill. Loads of off road, 3 trips to the US with huge temperature ranges and hell that is the Dalton Hwy!!

had one problem which was dealt with promptly and at no cost despite being out of warranty

 

[daesimps]

I use the Autocom 300 and can't say I've ever had a requirement for a volume control as the automatic background noise sensor works like a charm.

Actually, that's not strictly true. I have a DAB radio connected to the Autocom but it will only output at full volume when bike powered. I have an inline volume control in the top box with the radio to reduce the volume to a non painful level. I also fitted a switch to the handlebars to allow me to turn the radio off when needing to speak to people, for example when pulling up to the security barrier at work.

 

[ChasMill]

Since I swithced to Ultimate Ear in-ear monitors, I would say that the remote volume control is a must-have accessory!

 

[Bigrodders]

Hi,
I have a Starcom with the remote control and in my view the remote is a must, before I fitted the remote it was always too loud or too quite for me and the wife, but with the remote you can very quickly turn the control to get the level just how you want it.
Ride safe
Bigrodders

 

[rjsmith26]

You could just add an amplirider unit which has a remote volume control with it - I use it with an Autocom active 7 system - works a treat!

 

[Shredder]

Starcom Digital

Yes I do and it is good. My only criticisms of Starcom products is that they are all supplied with far too much cabling and seem a bit on the flimsy side when compatred with Autocom.

I have just brought a starcom digital and found that the unit comes with far too much cable. I have a R1200GS, where do you recommend placing the unit? I phoned Starcom and moaned about the length of cables and was told just tie them up neatly. They also stated there is room under the fuel tank plastics area and suggested putting it under there, what do you think? I was just going to put it in the area of the tool kit.
Any hints and tips before I start? I brought the professional fitting kit, but that makes the cable situation worse.
All advice gratefully received.

 

[ChasMill]

Mine is velcro'd to the bracket where the service book goes. I have fed quite a lot of cable behind the plastic farings on either side.

The most annoying cable is the power cable with the in-line fuse. The cable is about two metres long with the in-line fuse at the opposite end to the power plug

I have tried chopping off the cabling and powering via a fuse panel but according to the bloke at Starcom, this was the cause of the feedback I was getting so reverted to spagetti junction.

 

[Shredder]

Thanks for your comments, I agree about the power cable it's far too long. I'll have a go at fitting it this weekend. I just know it's going to be a complete pain in the arse.

 

[Rederic]

Thanks for your comments, I agree about the power cable it's far too long. I'll have a go at fitting it this weekend. I just know it's going to be a complete pain in the arse.

Fitted mine last month connected to a zumo 660 coiled the excess wiring behind r/h tank cover with small cable ties fitted the starcom at the back of the tank where the handbook was secured took the metal bracket off and used sticky velcro pads,
Got the power from the the back of the accessory socket i left the power lead long in case the next bike is different lost the excess in some 20 mm shrink complete job took less than 1 hour
It works great on the factory settings with a push to talk for bike to bike

 

[Shredder]

Fitted

It wasn't too bad, although there's a lot of cable tied up under the seat. What do people favour, speakers behind the helmet lining of next to your ears? I was told by Starcom that the speakers had sufficient volume to go behind the lining

 

[knnelg]

It wasn't too bad, although there's a lot of cable tied up under the seat. What do people favour, speakers behind the helmet lining of next to your ears? I was told by Starcom that the speakers had sufficient volume to go behind the lining

I have mine mounted on top of the lining. I use ear plugs ALL the time and have my Starcom volume turned way down to around 20-25% of max volume, and have no problems hearing the nagging comments from my other half as well as the nagging comments from the GPS .

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, is to make sure that the speakers are correctly aligned with your ears. The method I used, is to put your helmet on then stick a finger into the helmet and place the end of your finger on the lining, right next to your ear ole. Keeping your finger in exactly the same place, carefuly remove your helmet. The centre of the speaker has to go where the end of your finger is. Repeat for other side.

Hope this makes sense.

Regards,

Glenn

 

[Shredder]

Glenn,

Thanks for the advice. I fitted the speakers last night, to a Shoei XR1100 I brought. it has holes for the speakers so I hope there right.

Fingers crossed

Jamie

 

[MotorbikeAdventures]

I have a 1200 gs and would like to get an autocom or starcom. I spoke to an autocom dealer who said that autocom do not produce the system with remote control anymore. Is their a way to adapt a non remote control one to recieve a remote control or does anyone have any experience of starcom advance with volume remote control and is it any good.

TBH you dont really need a remote system on your handle bars as one the Autocom is set up correctly it should work just fine most of the time. A good starter kit from autocom is the logic L1 kit it can be portable i.e running of 3 AA batts or hard wired into the bike. Links with most phones and GPS systems and if hard wired into the GPS you get to control sound levels for music and phone via the GPS...... I like both Starcom and Autocom but lean towards Autocom mainly as i fit them but they are good units. If you have a certain set up in mind i'm happy to let you know what should work best IMHO....

Regards

Mick

 

[ianran]

TBH you dont really need a remote system on your handle bars as one the Autocom is set up correctly it should work just fine most of the time. A good starter kit from autocom is the logic L1 kit it can be portable i.e running of 3 AA batts or hard wired into the bike. Links with most phones and GPS systems and if hard wired into the GPS you get to control sound levels for music and phone via the GPS...... I like both Starcom and Autocom but lean towards Autocom mainly as i fit them but they are good units. If you have a certain set up in mind i'm happy to let you know what should work best IMHO....

Regards

Mick

The new bike I got had an Autocom fitted and I had a Starcom from my old bike. Luckily I didnt sell the Starcom before I tried the Autocom because I found the Starcom way better than the Autocom. I use a remote volume control on it for quick turn downs at Tolls and also to adjust for the variety of different recording volumes on my choice of music.

A quick an easy way to control music is using an Apple shuffle with the volume and track forwad and reverse on the casing. Velcro it inside your handguard and hey presto finger tip control!!
I suspect though that, akin to "best screens" and "best tyres" for your bike, its down to what floats your particular boat as to what is best.