The new Generation of intercoms

[jimbo]

After an unsatifactory stint with StarCom, i've now been a happy user of Autocom for a few years.

I'm interested in the modern generation of blue tooth, but I'm nervous. The main problem with the starcom was how much extra wind and bike noise I was getting through the speakers. I never managed to sort it, so gave up and replaced it. Autocom kills this with an automatic VOX type control which turns off the mikes when no one is talking.

how do other newer/neater bluetooth com systems (Sena/Scarla etc) work. do they 'mute' when no one is talking. if not, do they pick up and amplify background noise?

 

[Flipfly]

After an unsatifactory stint with StarCom, i've now been a happy user of Autocom for a few years.

I'm interested in the modern generation of blue tooth, but I'm nervous. The main problem with the starcom was how much extra wind and bike noise I was getting through the speakers. I never managed to sort it, so gave up and replaced it. Autocom kills this with an automatic VOX type control which turns off the mikes when no one is talking.

how do other newer/neater bluetooth com systems (Sena/Scarla etc) work. do they 'mute' when no one is talking. if not, do they pick up and amplify background noise?

Never had that issue with my Starcom, I'd guess it is in the setting up.

Sounds to me that the vox rider sidetone was switched on (you have to take the end cover plate off to get to these switches).

Personally I like wired as it never runs out of batteries

 

[Pablo1]

After an unsatifactory stint with StarCom, i've now been a happy user of Autocom for a few years.

I'm interested in the modern generation of blue tooth, but I'm nervous. The main problem with the starcom was how much extra wind and bike noise I was getting through the speakers. I never managed to sort it, so gave up and replaced it. Autocom kills this with an automatic VOX type control which turns off the mikes when no one is talking.

how do other newer/neater bluetooth com systems (Sena/Scarla etc) work. do they 'mute' when no one is talking. if not, do they pick up and amplify background noise?

scala is voice activated and will switch off when not in use, either automatically or you can manually switch off with button on side. never had an issue with background noise. hth

 

[Coolcarbon]

No problem with wind noise using the Sena system.

It has VOX or manual, we use the latter together with custom monitors.

 

[Mort]

Another happy Sena user here, we use the SMH10 and just added a couple of SM10 units for wire free independent music to stop the bickering when we talk over each others tunes

 

[Packer]

Never had that issue with my Starcom, I'd guess it is in the setting up.

+1 although I don't bother with comms at all now, it just felt like a distraction and getting work related calls when I was riding, well the novelty soon wore off

 

[BikerBigTed]

Interphone F5XT

I have just upgraded to interphone F5XTs from the f4 units. Although the old units were a bit fiddled to connect they provided excellent sound quality. I upgraded only because I wanted the ability to talk to more than 1 other rider. This is the real advantage of pmr radios as the number on your network is unlimited and units Kenwood/Cobra/Midland et al will all talk to one another.

Bluetooth systems tend to be specific to manufacturer, i.e. Sena to Sena/Scala to Scala/ Interphone to Interphone etc. there is a bit of kit available on the American market which will act as a hub and allow differing makes to connect to one another.

The interphone F5XTs allow up to 6 riders to have full duplex (talking over one another) communications without the need for push to talk.. Pairing has been simplified for 1:1 connections and that feature alone is a real bonus. Pairing multiple units is still a little too complex but as things improve you can update over the Internet.

I enjoy the best of both worlds, as I use a Tribe radio linked to the headset which allows me to connect to the PMR network and speak to anyone connected through a standard Walkie talkie system.

I have no allegiance to any manufacturer, so I am not trying to push any particular system. PMR is less secure but unless you are an MI5 spook I doubt it will concern you that Boris has just heard you tell your best mate he is a spanker.

 

[GoldenGS]

BikerBigTed, how good is the VOX on the Tribe, am tempted but would like to know that I don't have too big a time lag before alerting the system that I want to speak - would prefer a PTT but I see the Tribe doesn't have this facility? Advice/experience gratefully received.

 

[bimmerboxer]

2 cts

To answer the OP's question, I guess it depends on your desired configuration. Solo, with Pillion, Bike to Bike, Groups or even Marshalls, lead and tail man?

I have had an autocom setup but that was too fiddly with wires. Perhaps I would be better off with a non bike powered (9V) Autocom unit in my jacket pocket, so I can leave the bike and still continue comms with the helmet on.
This is important if there's an accident and you want to call for help as well as assist.

But after going BT, I never turned back. Yes, there were issues with not having bike power, VOX and multiple aux inputs, but the newer BT systems are, IMHO, better for my needs.
Yes, sound quality, noise cancelling and auto speed sensing are lacking but I have had good clear conversations on my BT headsets. Besides, who can or should talk at a 120mph?

With a GPS app (Garmin or Sygic), music and calls on my smartphone (Iphone), I did away with an MP3 player and GPS, combining it all to a phone that's BT.

Some systems allow up to six riders to communicate with each other by BT but the range is limited. Some systems require you to switch manually between MP3 and Intercom with only phone calls cutting in as a first priority. Terms such as A2DP, AVRCP, BT3.0, EDR and HFP will tell you their capabilities.

A BT battery lasts 7 to 9 hours, so in my case, a full day's riding.

To be fully functional like with an Autocom, you'll need a BT hub, like that of Sena's SR10 or UClear WT300. This is especially so if you wish to use a two way radio. A wireless PTT is available on the UClear, but there's always a lag, just like VOX.

Some cheaper alternatives are out there like Lexin
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXINMOTO-M...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4ac510000d)
and
Dellking
(http://dellking.en.made-in-china.co...tooth-Remote-Control-Finger-Ptt-BTR-001-.html)

I have purchased several products from the Chinese Manufacturers and have not had a bad experience.

Lastly, new two way radios from Midlands and Motorola now have built in BT and wireless PTT, so that provides another alternative.

Or you could buy all the BT modules that Autocom has in their catalog and attach them to your unit. You do the math on costs.


I won't go on a long ride without music. And if an email or message comes in, there are applications like Drivesafe.ly, that turns text into speech and reads it out to you. How cool is that?

 

[stever1]

Never had that issue with my Starcom, I'd guess it is in the setting up.

Sounds to me that the vox rider sidetone was switched on (you have to take the end cover plate off to get to these switches).

Personally I like wired as it never runs out of batteries

+1for this.

I don't think you will ever beat a good quality wired system (such as Starcom digital)

 

[BikerBigTed]

Sorry for the delay in replying. There is a lag, usually overcome by saying a name or a "call sign". I usually start a transmission with "Name Name" and have not had any problems.