On Bike Amplifier - Boost Autocom volume

[rjsmith26]

Hi All,

I am looking to increase volume on bike. I use an Autocom Active7 system, paired up with a Zumo 660, including bluetooth to Iphone.

Problem - I have used this autocom system for the past 5 years and really have never been totally happy with top volume at speed. (I always ride with ear plugs in).

Options seem to be

Amplirider
Boostaroo
Fiio E5
etc?

main problem - I want something i can wire in and forget - no switching on/off, taking off bike to charge etc.

Some of options look so pricey - I almost wonder if I should on onto a starcom system with a ambient noise sensor?

Or do I go for a FiioE5 and then wire in a 5v usb charger?

Would welcome any thoughts on any of above or anything anyone else has done to increase volume on autocom?

 

[allthegearnoidea]

Boostaroo do a 12v version if you want the ultimate solution. The sound quality is perfectly decent given the likely sources and ambient noise level. Having said that the battery version of the boostaroo lasts ages on AA batteries. I use a battery powered one in my tankbag and am very happy.

 

[Bryn]

Just bought an Amplirider to replace my Boostaroo.... I got the one with the remote volume control , which is now mounted near to the screen...

Bloody heck you can't half get some volume with Autocom

www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html


It fits in the space under the tool tray on a 1200, and hard wires in. the extension to the volume control is plenty long enough to reach the screen area.

Got the volume control about half way and its plenty noisy enough up to 90

Good comms with the guy in Canada that sells them too.... he even put a hand written note in the box 'Enjoy the amp Bryn'

Personal service

 

[pablo666]

How about in-ear monitors? you get noise protection plus music etc direct to your ears? Saves getting an amplified sound outside your ear plugs?

 

[rjsmith26]

Thanks Guys

Bryn, only thing that put me off the ampli was a few people complaining about "buzz" but sounds like it works like a treat for you.
Did you get it delivered without customs shenanigans?

Cheers

Rob

 

[Bryn]

Thanks Guys

Bryn, only thing that put me off the ampli was a few people complaining about "buzz" but sounds like it works like a treat for you.
Did you get it delivered without customs shenanigans?

Cheers

Rob

Don't seem to have the buzz... although having just re fitted autocom to the new bike there was a whine, but that was there before the amplirider, and I've just made it a lot better by moving the earth from the battery to the frame nearby, using the front seat mount.

No customs problems, straight through.... and looking at the site Gary says he'll guarantee each unit against faults anyway...

I think it worked out around £43 posted... and took around a week to arrive from Canada..

I'm impressed with the volume to put it mildly

 

[rjsmith26]

Thanks Bryn,

will get one on order.

How did you wire it in? Into the back end of the under seat mini din socket?

Reason for asking - When I fitted by autocom and Zumo 660 - I have a/com wired into the back of the seat mini din and the Zumo into the beak canbus gps socket. I got a buzz!

So I rewired autocom and Zumo both off the beak canbus socket - perfect.

I am wondering if I will need to wire the amplirider also up to the front end of the bike to get power also from the canbus gps socket to keep everything consistent?

Would you mind advising what you have wired on your bike?

Cheers

Rob

 

[Bryn]

Thanks Bryn,

will get one on order.

How did you wire it in? Into the back end of the under seat mini din socket?

Reason for asking - When I fitted by autocom and Zumo 660 - I have a/com wired into the back of the seat mini din and the Zumo into the beak canbus gps socket. I got a buzz!

So I rewired autocom and Zumo both off the beak canbus socket - perfect.

I am wondering if I will need to wire the amplirider also up to the front end of the bike to get power also from the canbus gps socket to keep everything consistent?

Would you mind advising what you have wired on your bike?

Cheers

Rob

The Zumo is wired into the canbus socket below the headlight...

The Autocom +ve is spliced into the positive wire to the aux canbus socket under the tool tray... the negative to the Autocom is now on the rear of the two nuts holding the nearside front seat mount point...

I just wired in the Amplirider to the same supply as the Autocom so it switches off with the canbus...

The negative is to the offside seat mount at the back

The amplirider box is now in the space under the tool tray, and this is what the volume control knob looks like ...

 

[rjsmith26]

Bryn,

Your a star. Thanks for this.

I had probs when i wired autocom under seat and zumo from beak but sounds like its an earth issue.

One final question - hows the vol knob fastened on? Looks like a super neat install you have there?

Cheers

Rob

 

[Bryn]

Bryn,

Your a star. Thanks for this.

I had probs when i wired autocom under seat and zumo from beak but sounds like its an earth issue.

One final question - hows the vol knob fastened on? Looks like a super neat install you have there?

Cheers

Rob

Rob , I used the thin foam double sided tape that is used to fasten interior car mirrors on... a strip of that and its pretty firm.... the cable I've zip tied to a strut under the beak, and fed the rest along the top of the tank behind the panels

It says on the Amplirider site that the knob is water resistant, we'll have to see, but the ease of contact with Gary suggests to me that if there's ever a problem he'll sort it ..

When you order throw my name in

 

[rjsmith26]

Thanks Bryn, Will do. Thanks for all the help.

Cheers

Rob

 

[rjsmith26]

Bryn,

One final question. Are you autocom to zumo via wire or bluetooth or both? What have you plugged into where - assume you have either a bluetooth link or audio 3.5mm wire from zumo into amplirider and then the output from the amplirider going into the autocom?

 

[Bryn]

Bryn,

One final question. Are you autocom to zumo via wire or bluetooth or both? What have you plugged into where - assume you have either a bluetooth link or audio 3.5mm wire from zumo into amplirider and then the output from the amplirider going into the autocom?

Not Bluetooth.. wired, with as you say the amplirider between the zumo and the Autocom

 

[rjsmith26]

Cheers Bryn

Amplirider on order - Gary says hi. In post today, once I get it and sort out the install on the bike will post a few pics.

Cheers

Rob

 

[essjay]

Another recommendation for the amplirider. Had a boostaroo before but I prefer this setup.

I have the Zumo wired back to the autocom but only use the amplirider for my iPod. I still wanted the option of the autocom cutting the music when GPS commands came through. Very handy to have a handlebar volume knob when someone is trying to talk to you.

 

[its all poo]

I had volume prob with a older Auto autocom (big one about 8 years old Pro7 ?) and GSrich took the autocom apart and if I remember removed a soldered bit and it was much louder after. Asking him might be more help than me !

 

[rjsmith26]

Thanks for tips, is GSRich still about - not sure as I thought he became de-autocommed as part of them going bang? If he is still on the forums would be most interested on where to poke the soldering iron!