Need user input on communication sets...

[IWN2RYD]

Well here we are. Realizing that we actually communicate far more than I expected when ryding.:gaah: We still have the Can Am headsets/speakers on the shelf from our RT. But with no Can Am options for the RS they are just collecting dust.

So we have been reading off and on for the past year on what systems are good or better here and on the web.

We are trying to decide what is the best bang for our $$. We like to listen to music, conversations, a little GPS. and the phone is never used but you never know kind of thing. As far as communicating to other bikes... Never have on the road, but was off-road. So this may be an added bonus, just not a priority at this time.

However we would like to buy the right system the first time. Really grown tired of trying till we find the right one when it comes to electronics. We have read how the SMH10 was rated #1 last year, but a reviewer had five+ failures and that would not please me to much if it happened to me.

We drive in pretty much any weather and expect our communication choice to function regardless of conditions. :thumbup:

Your thoughts? And thank you for your time and efforts...

• Starcom1
• N-com
• SMH10
• Q2 (Corrected)
• G4
• Chatterbox XBi2
• BikerCom

 

[Y Rider]

I have two Nolan N43 helmets and purchased the N-Com Bluetooth 2.1 communications system. I really like how these work and how they fit flush with the helmet. Didn't want a large blob attached to my helmet. However, this system requires a Nolan N-Com compatable helmet. I also looked at other options but I decided on N-Com because of its ease of use and flush fit with the helmet.

 

[IWN2RYD]

I have two Nolan N43 helmets and purchased the N-Com Bluetooth 2.1 communications system. I really like how these work and how they fit flush with the helmet. Didn't want a large blob attached to my helmet. However, this system requires a Nolan N-Com compatable helmet. I also looked at other options but I decided on N-Com because of its ease of use and flush fit with the helmet.

That makes since. I like what I read about the SMH10 set, but haaaaaaaaaaaaaate the size. I also realize that a year in the world of electronics is a significant amount of time and the N-Com systems are 2-3 years old tech. So I am somewhat reserved from them because of that.

We are spoiled brats in tech and have the wants to match... Love clear close to real sound stuff...

 

[Bootie]

Headsets

I purchased a set of Scala Rider communication sets last year. The first time I got caught in the rain, the sets crapped out. and haven't worked since. I would not pay another penny for the Scala Rider sets. JMHO
bt

 

[NancysToy]

When the BMWMOA first published a glowing review of the Starcom1 in their magazine, I bought one. Now we have equipped more of the fleet. It is about the best wired comm system I have ever used. The noise reduction is excellent, the VOX works great and is adjustable, and it serves for intercom, mp3 player, GPS, and even occasionally the phone. A neat feature is that the GPS (aux) input does not transmit to the passenger...only the rider. Another nice feature is that it remains unpowered until the rider headset is plugged in. We have not had good success with bike-to-bike, using FRS/GMRS radios, but that may be the model of radio or the locations on the bikes.

I like the Starcom1 better than the Audiovox, and much, much better than the Chatterbox. I have ordered from both Starcom1 in England and from Spoiled Biker in the US. No problems with any order. No problems with the units, either, one of which is about 5-6 years old.

 

[wyliec]

scala Q2

I know you said G2; but, just in case you meant Scala Q2, I wouldn't buy another.

I bought it new and used it for 2 riding seasons. The first season it worked fine to communicate with passenger and pick up phone calls and listen to gps instructions. Toward the end of the second season (2010), it would take at least a 1/2 hr. before a communication link was established. Once it started working it was fine. Could never determine the 1/2 hr. lag.

 

[Schultzi]

check out this one, friend of mine just got one.
still waiting for feedback

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/motorcyclekits/parrotsk4000

 

[dancogan]

When the BMWMOA first published a glowing review of the Starcom1 in their magazine, I bought one. Now we have equipped more of the fleet. It is about the best wired comm system I have ever used. The noise reduction is excellent, the VOX works great and is adjustable, and it serves for intercom, mp3 player, GPS, and even occasionally the phone. A neat feature is that the GPS (aux) input does not transmit to the passenger...only the rider. Another nice feature is that it remains unpowered until the rider headset is plugged in. We have not had good success with bike-to-bike, using FRS/GMRS radios, but that may be the model of radio or the locations on the bikes.

I like the Starcom1 better than the Audiovox, and much, much better than the Chatterbox. I have ordered from both Starcom1 in England and from Spoiled Biker in the US. No problems with any order. No problems with the units, either, one of which is about 5-6 years old.

I just added the Starcom last July, but we are very pleased. The only other comm unit I've had is AutoCom which was really excellent. I could use it with an FRS walkie talkie and communicate easily with my wife in the motorhome. Like the Starcom, noise control was excellent and it was great with multiple inputs such as GPS, MP3/iPod or the bike radio. However, it's twice the cost of AutoCom. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Have used Cardo 2 with great success. Went to Nolan-n-com to use in my Nolan helmets. Have not yet checked these out.

 

[IWN2RYD]

check out this one, friend of mine just got one.
still waiting for feedback

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/motorcyclekits/parrotsk4000

Thank you for that... I looked it up and could not find any positive reviews on it.

$80 is a fantastic price though @ Amazon... [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-SK4000-Motorcycle-Bluetooth/dp/B001FZQ93Q/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296172159&sr=1-1-catcorr[/ame]

 

[IWN2RYD]

When the BMWMOA first published a glowing review of the Starcom1 in their magazine, I bought one. Now we have equipped more of the fleet. It is about the best wired comm system I have ever used. The noise reduction is excellent, the VOX works great and is adjustable, and it serves for intercom, mp3 player, GPS, and even occasionally the phone. A neat feature is that the GPS (aux) input does not transmit to the passenger...only the rider. Another nice feature is that it remains unpowered until the rider headset is plugged in. We have not had good success with bike-to-bike, using FRS/GMRS radios, but that may be the model of radio or the locations on the bikes.

I like the Starcom1 better than the Audiovox, and much, much better than the Chatterbox. I have ordered from both Starcom1 in England and from Spoiled Biker in the US. No problems with any order. No problems with the units, either, one of which is about 5-6 years old.

Gotcha... So what kit to get and where have folks mounted the connections on the RS's? I see I have to buy an optional volume control as well?

It seems you have to buy the bluetooth kit to connect to your phone or am I miss reading that?

 

[harddrive]

We drive in pretty much any weather and expect our communication choice to function regardless of conditions. :thumbup:

Your thoughts? And thank you for your time and efforts...

• Starcom1
• N-com
• SMH10
• Q2 (Corrected)
• G4
• Chatterbox XBi2
• BikerCom

I have the Sena SMH10 and love them. I originally bought them to listen to music on the GS and so we could communicate easier, then we traded for the RT Audio. They are easy to set up, but are bulky on the helmet...probably because of having the battery in the unit.

I had not had them in the rain and I have not used them for bike to bike. The bluetooth works great with my Iphone, GPS and as the intercomm...:shemademe_smilie:.

Got them from Amazon for 250 for the pair...

 

[teacherbob]

I sell and have used both Nolan-Com and the Scala Q2 and G4 sets. I think the Scala is the most user friendly and has the best options. It is also priced quite a bit lower.

 

[BajaRon]

I know you said G2; but, just in case you meant Scala Q2, I wouldn't buy another.

I bought it new and used it for 2 riding seasons. The first season it worked fine to communicate with passenger and pick up phone calls and listen to gps instructions. Toward the end of the second season (2010), it would take at least a 1/2 hr. before a communication link was established. Once it started working it was fine. Could never determine the 1/2 hr. lag.

If you have the older Orange dot unit, those were problematic.

The newer Blue Dot units are much improved.

The G4 gives you more distance and some additional features.

 

[wyliec]

If you have the older Orange dot unit, those were problematic.

The newer Blue Dot units are much improved.

The G4 gives you more distance and some additional features.

I have the orange dot. I take it there's nothing I can do except making another purchase?

 

[NancysToy]

Gotcha... So what kit to get and where have folks mounted the connections on the RS's? I see I have to buy an optional volume control as well?

It seems you have to buy the bluetooth kit to connect to your phone or am I miss reading that?

The kit you buy depends on which Starcom1 unit you prefer, and what you want to communicate with, as well as the headsets you require. We have bought different ones at different times, depending on our needs...as well as some extra cables and such. On Nancy's RS, I mounted the Starcom1 Advanced under the dash, with access available by removing the display. Power was from the auxiliary fuse block I added under the hood, but a harness to the battery works, too. Be careful where you run the power wire, lest you get electrical interference from the plug wires, etc. I had to reroute the power on my RT where it ran back past the engine. No problem except when I used the GPS...which also happens on my BMW, due to a looping problem, I think. An isolator might help. Volume control is not available for any of my units, so I have never used it, although I did add PTT switches for radio comms. My phone attaches via a plug in cable. Fossils do not do Bluetooth. Starcom1 has a number of different phone cables available...although I had to email them to determine which one to use.

 

[cjackg]

If you have the older Orange dot unit, those were problematic.

The newer Blue Dot units are much improved.

The G4 gives you more distance and some additional features.

I bought the Scala Q2, latest version with the Blue Dot units, and tried to use them on several rides, but never found them very effective. The volume was difficult to adjust and never strong enough even after moving the speakers around. The FM radio on the Q2 is worthless, and the Q2 is not A2DP/stereo capable so they really have limitations. I finally gave up, sold them on eBay and ordered the Sena which I am about to install.

 

[BajaRon]

I have the orange dot. I take it there's nothing I can do except making another purchase?

You can't do anything about the older units but there is a market for them on eBay.

cjackq didn't like his blue dot set. But feedback on the blue dot units are much better than the orange dot.

Gadget people seem to be happier with the G4 units. But then they cost more too.

 

[bone crusher]

I have the orange dot. I take it there's nothing I can do except making another purchase?

The G4 is greatly improved and is the ONLY one on the market (last I checked) that has periodic firmware upgrades...yup, the company can fix glitches unlike with other units.

I had the Q2 and forgot to plug in the top when in a rainstorm...well, the rest is history...battery got damaged and that is that.

The Q2 is not stereo whereas the G4 is...the G4 has larger and better speakers...the newest firmware update addressed bluetooth linking with the garmin 550/660...haven't used it since but I never really had any problems.

I really like my G4...it works, period...and the company is very good about support...again, those firmware updates help a lot to keep your product current.

Oh, as far as bluetooth music goes, you lose base and some sound when you go bluetooth, no matter what unit you use...far better music reproduction when you plug it in...just my 2 cents...

 

[IWN2RYD]

The G4 is greatly improved and is the ONLY one on the market (last I checked) that has periodic firmware upgrades...yup, the company can fix glitches unlike with other units.

I had the Q2 and forgot to plug in the top when in a rainstorm...well, the rest is history...battery got damaged and that is that.

The Q2 is not stereo whereas the G4 is...the G4 has larger and better speakers...the newest firmware update addressed bluetooth linking with the garmin 550/660...haven't used it since but I never really had any problems.

I really like my G4...it works, period...and the company is very good about support...again, those firmware updates help a lot to keep your product current.

Oh, as far as bluetooth music goes, you lose base and some sound when you go bluetooth, no matter what unit you use...far better music reproduction when you plug it in...just my 2 cents...

Good point... And one I would have realized the first time I used them. I need to narrow my search to those that allow plugging in the MP3's... Phone I can really careless about. But there are times in my travels (Like in Seattle) that I want to hear my GPS as I need all eyes on deck with all the pedestrian traffic and lights. I want to hear the lanes changes and turns rather than look down (Or what have you). So for me.. Only the GPS needs great connectivity to the bluetooth.

Love everyone's help. This is great!

I noticed tonight that the SMH10 seems to have a newer version this year 2011? I see it on Fleebay and one other site saying their version is the latest :dontknow:

Additionally I thought I read the SMH10 was software upgradable like the G4 is.

Right now I am leaning towards the Starcom1 or G4 because the darn SMH10 is so bloody bulky.