Comparative Intercoms

[lunchbox]

The mic has just broken off my Cardo Scala Rider teamset (old mono model) which is a relief because it is the worst piece of kit I have bought in a long time. In France last year the Mrs Lunchbox and I had to scream ourselves hoarse to get the Vox to switch on then it would cut out as we were speaking, even freshly charged, regardless of speed, open or closed face on helmet (Shark Evoline).
Their customer service responded with reset this re-pair that but it made no difference. Has anyone else had problems with Cardos and are the new G4s any better. I am seriously thinking about giving up on bluetooth and going wired with Autocom, which is cheaper and has a good reputation. Any news/views?

 

[divelandy]

I've been very pleased with my Autocom...

 

[illumeo]

So far (not that long) my Autocom has been great, the pro one has adjustable vox and changes the vol with ambient noise. There was a cable missing from my kit and Autocom sent one first class no questions, great service. Only down side is the Bluetooth on my phone won’t send the sound from an incoming call, only outgoing. Not an Autocom problem an HTC Desire problem!

 

[ianran]

The other option id the Starcom system, they are owned by the same company. Had both and kept the Starcom. Others will have differing opinions, but for me the sound quality was better on Starcom and, with the aid of bar mount volume knob, was easier to control.

My top tip is if you want finger tip control music, the Apple shuffle with the controls on the front Velcroed into a handguard gives you all the features of very expensive music systems with finger tip control for very little money!!

 

[chrisjk]

I hate Bluetooth almost as much as I hate wires dangling from the helmet with the result that I have both sorts and don't really like any of them.

Having said that, the Shark (same as the helmets ) bluetooth is the best bluetooth intercom I have used but given the design of the thing you really need to be using a Shark helmet as the battery is mounted separately from the control unit in the back of the helmet shell - which has a special cut-out for it.

Autocoms work well and it's much easier to control what they are doing/supposed to do than bluetooth gadgets IMHO. It's just finding somewhere to fit them and then remembering to unplug etc. before getting off the bike...

 

[lunchbox]

Thanks for the tips chaps. No one has come out for the Cardo Scala yet so it may be wired for me. Is there any difference between the Autocom and the Starcom Ian? The brochures look suspiciously similar in style and product - perhaps just differents skin containing same internals?

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

Cardo Scala

My wife and I use Cardo Scala Q2 (predecessor to G4) and are happy with them. Sometimes the vox activation requires a bit of a shout, but we've found volume, sound quality and range to be pretty good. I believe the range is better on the G4 but haven't tried them.

Mine is paired to my Zumo 660, her to her Tom Tom, and they work fine with a cabled iPod (not tried pairing to a phone)

They aren't a perfect solution but we've found them to be very simple and work well.