Cb radio vs 2 way radio.

[Arr MiHardies]

Looking at something for bike to bike communication that actually works. These scala riders are no where near loud enough for passenger to driver, and even quieter on Bluetooth cell phone calls. I need to be able to talk to others in my group on rides. Also need to be able to talk to my passenger.
I have an RT-AC. From what I understand, for the can am factory cb, I'm looking at:
The cb & comm system ($830) and the entertainment harness ($115). Given I already have the am fm iPod radio, do I really need the entertainment harness. I'd have thought that would have been required for the radio. Can I use non cam-am headsets?
Are there other options that allow bike to bike and driver/passenger communication? I was looking at one of the smaller midland radios which is much less expensive, but that seems to lack the possibility of driver/passenger communication.
2 way radios are much less expensive... But I guess don't necessarily have an open "highway channel". Any reason I should go cb instead of 2 way radio or vice versa? It seems with the high cost of the cb equipment, can am really doesn't want you talking to other people.

 

[MarkLawson]

For the BRP CB/Intercom system, the Entertainment Harness is required. J&M makes headsets that work with the BRP setup. J&M also makes a CB/Intercom system I installed on my wife's '08 GS. I think it was called 2003 CASPY, or something like that. Anyway, it also has Weather Band and an Aux input to allow you to attach another audio source. Not certain is it is still available, but might be.

 

[OneBadPenny]

J&M

I just put the J&M Audio CB on 2 bikes, RT SE5 and SM5. I had to make the mounts but the intercom system works great on these. I have one on my RSS and the wife and I have no problem communicating. With the intercom it is fully adjustable for volume and it is a hot mike all the time. We ride with a group of 8 bikes and 6 of us have CB's so it is better when we need to stop or whatever. These RT's are using the BRP antenna's with J&M Audio CB's. Total cost with CB, antenna, headsets and connector cord was $675.

 

[MarkLawson]

I just put the J&M Audio CB on 2 bikes, RT SE5 and SM5. I had to make the mounts but the intercom system works great on these. I have one on my RSS and the wife and I have no problem communicating. With the intercom it is fully adjustable for volume and it is a hot mike all the time. We ride with a group of 8 bikes and 6 of us have CB's so it is better when we need to stop or whatever. These RT's are using the BRP antenna's with J&M Audio CB's. Total cost with CB, antenna, headsets and connector cord was $675.

Having installed the BRP system, I would guess the J&M system is much easier.

 

[flamingobabe]

I have the J&M set-up...works GREAT!!!!

 

[Huntindawg1962]

I will second the comment from the OP on the bluetooth communications being quiet. I just bought a set of Scala G9 and am totally unimpressed with their volume, performance, sound quality, etc., and the Cardo community website leaves a LOT to be desired IMO - very buggy. For some reason it just insists that I live in some town named with a P = I change it and then it just reverts back or even just selects another town altogether. Cant do anything else on the website at all on either a MAC or a PC. :banghead:

 

[Arr MiHardies]

On my scala riders the volume adjustment beeps are deafening but you can't hear a damn thing.

On the j&m cb radio mentioned above, I don't particularly relish the idea of mounting such a huge thing to my handlebars. Do any of the headsets have a push to talk button that will strap to the handlebars so I can mount the radio itself elsewhere?

 

[NancysToy]

Many times a low volume situation with a comm system is caused by improper placement of the headset earpieces. They need to be located right over the ear canal opening for best results. If you are having volume issues, check your headphone location and move them a bit if needed. Same goes for microphones, BTW. They need to be right ovber your lips, close, but not touching (or barely touching).

 

[MarkLawson]

Many times a low volume situation with a comm system is caused by improper placement of the headset earpieces. They need to be located right over the ear canal opening for best results. If you are having volume issues, check your headphone location and move them a bit if needed. Same goes for microphones, BTW. They need to be right ovber your lips, close, but not touching (or barely touching).

This is true. The best method is to hook everything up & attach to the audio source BEFORE mounting them in the helmet. You then hold the speakers directly against the ears, move them around until you find the "sweet spot", or the best placement for your ears. Then, when installing them in the helmet, you know what you're looking for as you make adjustments in speaker placement. No guess work.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

As I said, the volume beeps you get when adjusting the volume up and down are fine, and actually deafening at higher levels. This should tell me speaker placement is good. However, it doesn't matter how high I turn up the volume up on the headset or the audio sources, the audio sources are impossible to hear if the bike is moving at all, or even running. I am of the opinion something about Bluetooth limits the volume as I have the same problem on my in ear hands free set with multiple phones/audio sources.

 

[DR Buck]

Other Options

I am waiting on delivery of the new Scala Rider G9 headsets. They are supposed to resolve a lot of the issues the G4 and older sets had. I think the release date is around 10 May.

Another option would be FRS/GMRS radios. You would need to resolve the headset connection issue as I do not think they come available with bluetooth.

The 3rd option requires a license. Yaesu makes a very small VHF/UHF ham radio tranceiver that is bluetooth and designed for bikes & ATVs. I'm probably going to pick one of those up next week at the hamradio convention in Dayton. Both the wife and I are licensed hams.

 

[Charlie329]

Scala G4

I'm not sure why y'all are having problems with the G4s...:dontknow: I've had a set for 2 years and they work great. No system is perfect, and bluetooth is very limited in a group, but between rider & passenger these have been fantastic... the radio function sucks tho.

BTW, thanks for the tip on the non-BRP CB setup!!:2thumbs:

 

[bikeguy]

Many times a low volume situation with a comm system is caused by improper placement of the headset earpieces. They need to be located right over the ear canal opening for best results. If you are having volume issues, check your headphone location and move them a bit if needed. Same goes for microphones, BTW. They need to be right ovber your lips, close, but not touching (or barely touching).

I agree that the earpiece placement is critical. I have the Q2's and I've used them in two different helmets. I had to adjust and play with earpiece placement on both but when I got them right they had plenty of volume. I did have other problems with them, though, so I contacted Cardo, they e-mailed me a return authorization and when their tests found the units defective, they shipped me a new set. If you're sure the earpieces are properly placed, contact Cardo and I bet they'll replace them.

Cotton