rider to passenger intercom recomendations

[Spyder990cc]

First let me start with while this is my 1st post on the board. I really enjoy and have learned a lot from everyone on here. It is making the enjoyment of the spyder much better than if Lamonster hadn't put this togiether or if there wasnt so many good helpful people as members. So thanks to everyone.

Now to the reason for the post, I purchased a base SM spyder for the most part thinking I would do the adds and mods one by one on a which is the most needed time frame. I have added the hindel so far and find that the next add on needs to be rider to passenger communication. I have searched and read several threads and post already on here however I not being knowledgeable of the options have a hard time following most of them. I do not mind paying for a good product that will perform well however like everyone I do not want something that doesn't perfrom well or that is way over priced. The main thing i am looking for is dependablity, good service, easy to use, and easy to install, as I am not the best wrench around. The other thing I would ask is please be easy with the buzz words as I am not at all knowable of the options out there. We ride with full face helmets and the primary goal is to talk between us instead of her beating on my shoulders. The other thing I am wondering about is wired to the spyder vs wired to a thing on my belt vs wireless and how and what mounts where on the spyder vs having to remember to charge things up the night before a ride.

Now I turn it to you my fellow spyder lovers for thoughts, opinions, recomendations, and test results from your experince. Please go slow and detailed so this simple minded spyder rider will be able to follow you.:dontknow:

 

[crazycanuck]

welcome:congrats:

that is all....sorry I carry no passengers

 

[SSPSpyder]

How about those FRS radios, such as Motorola?
Most come with a speaker/microphone earpiece and no-hands talk capability.
They fit in your pocket so you won't rip the cord off getting off and on your bike, have a 2-18 mile range (depending on individual units) so you can talk to other riders in addition to your passenger, and you can pick-up a set for around $40-$50.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Dudley]

I can promise you, you are not the only simple minded Spyder rider. I am in that class also. I am not technical or mechanical. I can write about my experiences, but not much else. Chatterbox has been around a long while for rider/passenger communications. We personally don't have one but will be looking to purchase one before we do out Nova Scotia trip in July. If anyone on here has used one they could be more informative for you. So, welcome aboard and we hope you and yous have as much enjoyable time with your Spyder as we have with ours.

 

[aubierules]

welcome

 

[ataDude]

welcome

 

[dragonheart]

My husband I use the Scala Rider Q2 by Cardo. The Q2 is bike to bike but also works rider to passenger and is wireless. It attaches to any helmet. It has a battery life of approximately 10 hours if you keep it constantly on, longer if you only turn it on (voice activated) when you want to talk. It is blue tooth so we can use our cell phones. Recharges in 2-4 hours.

I can't remember what we paid but it seemed like with both headsets, it was under $200.

We don't leave home without them.

 

[tatt2r]

My husband I use the Scala Rider Q2 by Cardo. The Q2 is bike to bike but also works rider to passenger and is wireless. It attaches to any helmet. It has a battery life of approximately 10 hours if you keep it constantly on, longer if you only turn it on (voice activated) when you want to talk. It is blue tooth so we can use our cell phones. Recharges in 2-4 hours.

I can't remember what we paid but it seemed like with both headsets, it was under $200.

We don't leave home without them.

just ordered dual unit this morning my buddy owns a bike shop gave me cost around 300. retail was almost 400

 

[patches]

Best units I have used. I paid a little under 300 through an online place. I got the q2 Dual, you may only need the Q2 rider/passenger. The difference, the rider/Pass one can connect to two other units, the passenger can only connect to the rider. The Dual is two of the Q2 units, that simple. Both can connect to FM/bluetooth and 2 other riders.

 

[hawkiii]

I purchased the Autocom Active-Plus and have it temporarily tie-wrapped in place just behind the battery. I also just finished wiring both my wife's helmet and my own. I puchased a coiled extension for the passenger headset. My wife and I have done the preliminary testing... no engine running and a music source playing. We are able to speak and hear clearly and the voice activation works very well. Music volume comes back up after a few seconds of no speech.

I currently run a Micron exhaust but I have a guy fabricating a removable baffle for it so the can is at the shop...so I tried to see if we could hear music over the Spyder with no Micron attached to the 90. We are able to converse but the music source (even at full volume) cannot overcome the open exhaust. I am certain we will be fine once the Micron is back in place. Hope to get some test riding in this weekend and button it up so we are ready for the trip to the BRP event in Los Angeles.

You can check them out at www.autocomamerica.com hope that helps.

 

[dragonheart]

I can't remember what we paid but it seemed like with both headsets, it was under $200.

Checked with hubby and he bought it from an e-Bay store and paid $280 for both headsets.

 

[zzneonzz]

just ordered dual unit this morning my buddy owns a bike shop gave me cost around 300. retail was almost 400

Dang man guess you missed my post a while back about them for $240 for the pair http://www.jcmotors.com/p-13470-car...uetooth-motorcycle-intercom-communicator.aspx


I personally use the Chatterbox XBI and like it but thinking of trying out the Q2 at some point to see which i like better.

 

[fastfraser]

welcome I have the Multiset Cardio Scala Q2 Bluetooth. Its wireless clips on both your helmets with speakers and boom mike easily attatch to your helmet. It lets you talk rider to passenger or rider to rider. Because it is blue tooth [wireless ] you can answer your cell phone, listen to your G.P.S. or plug into your IPOD, comes with FM radio allthough FM radio not very good, short range. Got it on EBAY $249.95 delivered. If you only want a team set Scala Rider good for rider to passenger only $219.00. So for an extra 30 bucks get the better deal .:dontknow:

 

[quackerz]

welcome My husband and I also have the Scala Rider Q2 and have been using them constantly for 2 months. The only problems we have are the range, we start to go fuzzy and then loose each other around a half mile and when the engine is on the radio volume stays on high, you can't adjust it down. I know the range won't be an issue now but just think of it when your wife gets her own :spyder2:. We really like them and don't leave home without them either.

quackerz

 

[BRPjunkie]

Once you get connected with your passenger, you will never go back to the poke in the ribs morse code. Share the ride and extra set of eyes to watch for hazards. We use ChatterBox. Intercom unit, patch cord, and two full face headset/mics should be available for about $125 - $150 on line. Enjoy the ride.

 

[chuck58]

Scala Q2 Bluetooth works great

welcome I have the Multiset Cardio Scala Q2 Bluetooth. Its wireless clips on both your helmets with speakers and boom mike easily attatch to your helmet. It lets you talk rider to passenger or rider to rider. Because it is blue tooth [wireless ] you can answer your cell phone, listen to your G.P.S. or plug into your IPOD, comes with FM radio allthough FM radio not very good, short range. Got it on EBAY $249.95 delivered. If you only want a team set Scala Rider good for rider to passenger only $219.00. So for an extra 30 bucks get the better deal .:dontknow:

:agree:welcome

 

[SpyderGirl]

We use the BlueAnt system which is good for up to 1/4 mile if you want to do rider to rider communications. It's clear, loud, and has a long battery life. Also a pair can be had for about $250 shipped off eBay.

We've had ours for over a year with no complaints. It's very easy to set-up when compared to other similar systems. And best part - no wires.

It's also nice because we ride both two-up on the Spyder and on separate bikes and we don't have to have a separate system. Just connect and go.

welcome

 

[Longlegs]

I have the Collett communicator. Blue tooth for driver and passenger.

 

[bjt]

I'll speak up for the high priced, wired communicators. We got a J&M CB setup made for the Spyder. It comes with plugs for two helmets (rider - passenger) and a cable for connecting one external audio device (iPod, GPS, MP3 player, etc.) It uses a built in CB radio to communicate with other bikes, trucks, etc. and I think it allows full duplex, voice activated comms with a passenger (pillion) plugged into the other helmet plug. A wireless option would be nice but my main concern was audio quality (stereo music) as 99% of the time I'm listening to the music and only 1% of the time are we talking. It seems like the wired options have the best audio quality, or at least they were the best at the time we purchased our setup.

We had a J&M IntegratR but it was too complex with wires going to an Ipod, a GPS, the helmet, a FRS radio and the Push To Talk (PTT) button. It was very versatile but the cables going to all the separate devices could become a tangled mess. Plus, with some of the items being battery powered, we occasionally ran into the situation where the battery would get low and die during the ride. Sometimes that was our fault. A battery powered radio that lasts for 8 hours works good until you forget to turn the thing off during your lunch and dinner breaks on a 12 hour riding day. Or it does get you through that riding day but when your tired, hungry, checking into your motel, planning the next day's leg of the trip, etc. and recharging the battery on the radio slips your mind... :banghead:

We bought our comm system for the long trips we take, not for short jaunts around town. Having reliable (not battery powered) communications became the #1 priority for us and that's why we went with a wired system. I'm not saying that the J&M is the best of the wired systems out there (if money were no object, I'd try the Autocom and the Starcom as well) but it does an adequate job for our needs.

 

[Director]

Wired Systems May Still be the Best Option

I'll speak up for the high priced, wired communicators. We got a J&M CB setup made for the Spyder. It comes with plugs for two helmets (rider - passenger) and a cable for connecting one external audio device (iPod, GPS, MP3 player, etc.) It uses a built in CB radio to communicate with other bikes, trucks, etc. and I think it allows full duplex, voice activated comms with a passenger (pillion) plugged into the other helmet plug. A wireless option would be nice but my main concern was audio quality (stereo music) as 99% of the time I'm listening to the music and only 1% of the time are we talking. It seems like the wired options have the best audio quality, or at least they were the best at the time we purchased our setup.

We had a J&M IntegratR but it was too complex with wires going to an Ipod, a GPS, the helmet, a FRS radio and the Push To Talk (PTT) button. It was very versatile but the cables going to all the separate devices could become a tangled mess. Plus, with some of the items being battery powered, we occasionally ran into the situation where the battery would get low and die during the ride. Sometimes that was our fault. A battery powered radio that lasts for 8 hours works good until you forget to turn the thing off during your lunch and dinner breaks on a 12 hour riding day. Or it does get you through that riding day but when your tired, hungry, checking into your motel, planning the next day's leg of the trip, etc. and recharging the battery on the radio slips your mind... :banghead:

We bought our comm system for the long trips we take, not for short jaunts around town. Having reliable (not battery powered) communications became the #1 priority for us and that's why we went with a wired system. I'm not saying that the J&M is the best of the wired systems out there (if money were no object, I'd try the Autocom and the Starcom as well) but it does an adequate job for our needs.

:agree:For all the reasons mentioned by bjt, I agree that a wired system is still the best way to go. He has had great luck with J&M, and I have an Autocom, which works very well all speeds. I would also look at Starcom, as bjt suggested. :thumbup:

Bruce