Which system -wire or wireless

[Sauners]

I have only just discovered the delights of the GS having bought one just before Xmas and have very little technical knowledge so apologies if this question has been asked many times before and please can I ask your answers to be in the very basic of terminology to allow for my ignorance.

I am going to Europe in the summer with three other guys, who all have radios for bike to bike comms (intaride is their system). As well as fitting a radio system I would also like to be able to listen to my ipod/iphone and eventually hook up sat nav (using my iphone with a decent app at the mo). In an ideal world I'd like the whole lot to be wireless, i.e. radio, sat nav, mp3 bluetoothed to a Bluetooth headset on the helmet. Is there such a system out there currently available? I've looked at autocom systems and adding the Bluetooth modules but that seems an expensive way of going about it.

If I have to go wired, how does the autocom/starcom system rate?

Many thanks

Sauners

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I would chose the Auto com option ! starcom is simmilar but the conections are less robust.

Autocom is as expandable as you seem to need and the sound quality is excellent once set up properly. I use mine connected to the Zummo for phone use and the Zumo as a music player but i know i pods can be linked in. as for radio i dont use one but know several that do through the autocom with no problems.

 

[jimbo]

I have tried wired Starcom and Autocom (both now owned by the same company). In my own experience, Autocom has been far more sucessful.

There was a RIDE magasine review recently (err well say within the year) and they voted Autocom the best for general quality for music etc over the wirelss systems, but as you say, its not the cheapest.

I'm never tried wireless, but they do exist that do what you want. (I think ...)

 

[Roadrash Rider]

Hi Sauners

Welcome aboard

Depends how much your going to use the system, if you want the best that will last, then as the other inmates have said Autocom is the best and its wired, that said you can now go Bluetooth with Autocom but it gets expensive.

I use the Autocom SPA system, been using it since 2009 and a logic system before that, the kit lasts, I have also had Bluetooth headsets since and traded them on, wireless is great for you and the pillion and for hooking up to maybe GPS but not good for bike to bike, unless you all have the same Bluetooth systems.

With hard wired and a good radio like kenwood Protalk you can connect with any rider using just about any other radio system. I go to France each April time and there's between 6 to 10 bikes all using different radios but all of them are connected to Autocom systems, and it works fine, the only time we struggle is if a rider is using Bluetooth.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I have used the starcom digital for 3 years now and never had a problem. High quality sound at all times from intercom, gps and music. The starcom in ear monitors are rubbish but I sorted that with some home made ones.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Well......

I have tried Autocom.....never worked properly
I have tried Starcom.....never worked properly

I have now got Sena SMH10.....works fine. By far the best.

 

[mcinlb]

I was using an Autocom unit with the GPS audio hard wired to the unit and worked great even with earplugs in.

Bought a Cardo 9 and tried that with my wireless gps, could hardly hear it in helmet with earplugs in. Now back with a hard wired system and happy again.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

+1 for Autocom

I use an Autocom Super Pro Automatic hard wired to my Zumo, a Kenwood TK-3310 radio for bike to bike and also have my iPhone connected to the Zumo via bluetooth. It's not cheap but the sound quality is excellent.
Work out exactly what you need before you jump in otherwise it can get expensive buying all the wrong cables (don't ask ).
I did try bluetooth for my Zumo to Autocom connection but the sound quality was very disappointing. I later swapped to the correct 2-way cable and it's fantastic. Also once everything is hard-wired to the bike there's no messing about charging a load of kit half way across Europe.

 

[stever1]

I don't think you will be able to add PMR radios to a Bluetooth system so you need to have a wired system. If you get an Intaride radio, use an external antenna for better output.

 

[Bumpkin]

I have an older Autocom Super ProAvi based system. Run GPS, phone and PMR bike-to-bike. Base unit was ought off eBay three years ago (had an Autocom Active Plus before that) and I haven't had any problems other than a bit of effort expended getting it set-up. You will need to invest in a variety of cables to connect everything effectively, these again can be had off eBay for considerably less than new.

My Zumo and PMR are hard wired, phone is via a separate Autocom Bluetooth dongle rather than through the Zumo. PMR works well with a BO external antenna kit. With helmet speakers correctly placed I can still hear the GPS at Autobahn speeds (i.e. 100+) but wind noise does make it harder to hear. Perfectly fine for 70-80 with music, directions, PMR and phone.

Autocom kit is so well made that buying 2nd hand hasn't been an issue for me. Systems are modular and repairable so fixing any breakages (not that I've had any, other than my home made PTT switch and a blown power supply for the PMR, neither of these were Autocom items) in those three years. Parts are still available for the older pre 2009 units.

My touring buddy has a Bluetooth Interphone BT headset, it works but is laden with compromises. More recent models go some way to addressing these. The only downside with a wired system is having to un-plug which becomes 2nd nature anyway.

 

[jeff]

I would chose the Auto com option ! starcom is simmilar but the conections are less robust.

Have Starcom. Good quality rider to pillion and Zumo 660. I agree the connection are not robust and I have had to replace three cables and headset at no small cost. Pity because it lets down what is a good system. Would buy Auto com in preference. Have had rechargeable Bluetooth kit but disappointed with reliability and battery life before recharging.

 

[Sauners]

Cheers for the reply people. Looks like a wire system with Autocom is the way to go. I can always add dongles and such as and way finances/improvements in technology allow. I've found a place in Bournemouth (Smart riders), who both sell and install Autocom so a visit to them is in order I think.

 

[chas820]

[QUOTE I agree the connection are not robust and I have had to replace three cables and headset at no small cost][/QUOTE]

If this happens again contact Intaride as they do a headset and extension lead to plug into a Starcom but with a police style jack plug which you won`t break.

 

[mw3230]

Well......

I have tried Autocom.....never worked properly
I have tried Starcom.....never worked properly

I have now got Sena SMH10.....works fine. By far the best.

Another vote for Sena SMH10 - it does what the adverts say it does and works without problem. Although the range isn't as far as I believe radio systems are this has never been too much of a problem - if the bike you want to talk to is out of range then it is a simple matter to use the phone. New Sena firmware is apparently about to be released which will enable the Sena to talk to other makes of bluetooth which will increase it's versatility. No wiring, all day battery life and easy to use control at about £150 per bike/rider. Had mine for three years and still happy with it

 

[DING-DONG]

Interphone f5xt and a set of ulitimate sound ears gets my vote, I've also got the interphone wireless remote attached to the bars.

 

[Wapping]

OP...

As one of the replies above said, it depends on how often you are going to use the whole schebang and why.

If the radio is to be for a one off trip with your mates, don't bother. Radios only work if you have someone else to speak to, preferably regularly. Other than that they are a lump of plastic. Most of the chatter that goes on is gibberish anyway, interspersed with one bloke telling everyone he wants fuel, followed twenty minutes later by some other fellow saying his wife MUST have a leak NOW or she's going home.

Phone? How many times do you get the pressing need to phone someone as you hoon about? Once a day? Twice? Never? Does it have to be whilst you are riding or can it wait until you attend to the inevitable stop for fuel or to let the fellow's wife squat behind a suitably high hedge (see above). Ditto receceiving calls; is there anything so important that you HAVE to take a call then and there as you hurtle towards the fifteenth hairpin with an oncoming truck and two of your mates an inch off your rear wheel? If so, why are you out riding your motorcycle?

Navigation instructions. Can you manage just by getting used to looking at the screen from time to time? Do you think that Emily whispering sweet nothings in your shell like will stop you from looking at the screen? It won't. Do you think that if the route looks like it goes left in three miles, that you might remember to look about you in say two and a half miles, anticipating that the turn will be coming up in about 30 seconds time? Yup, you might miss the odd turn over a three hundred mile day across France on A and B roads but it probably won't be life threatening.

Music? If your ride is so dull that you have to be entertained by Mantovani, Bucks Fizz or Death Slayer Troop, why are you bothering?

Work out which bits you really MUST have and buy the simplest cheapest most reliable equipment to suit. It will probably spend most of its life standing still in your garage anyway, if you are really truthful.

 

[jeff]

[QUOTE I agree the connection are not robust and I have had to replace three cables and headset at no small cost]

If this happens again contact Intaride as they do a headset and extension lead to plug into a Starcom but with a police style jack plug which you won`t break.[/QUOTE]

Many thanks for that. Will take that route if/when I have to replace cables or headset again