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Rider to passenger intercom

flaggerphil

flaggerphil

New member
My wife and I have decided we really need an intercom when we're ryding, especially since we wear full faced helmets. We're looking at systems out there and wonder what others like. I've looked at Chatterbox, Scala and various gmrs/frs systems (we have two good gmrs/frs radios already). What do you all think or have experience in? I really don't want to spend the earth...
 
Scala G9 Powerset

We bought the G9, worked as expected first weekend. Next weekend, nothing. Contacted Cardo support, they identified one unit with a problem. Provided RMA#, sent them in for repairs yesterday. Looking forward to getting them back. Bought this brand based on multiple recommendations. Impressed with support and their no BS approach.
 
We had the typical wireless bluetooth setup for a while. Although it worked well, we found the controls to fidgety. Having to distinguish between tones and counting them to figure out where you are in the menu did not work well. IPods does not transmit to two bluetooth devices, so my wife listened to music while i had nothing and activating intercom took several seconds meaning that the moment has gone by the time the system links us. We have a starcom1 digital now, all wired though so we have to plug in to the system. You are connected by a curly wire to the control box. Been no problem for us because the benefit of instant vox intercom, and shared music is the best for us. It is hardwired to the spyder battery and no need need to recharge and never run out of juice. Price was decent and in same price range than high end bluetooth sets. Consider them......
 
My wife and I went the bluetooth route, wasted our money. We ended up spending the money and went with the Can-Am communication system. This system works way too good.
 
R30SHIRE said:
My wife and I went the bluetooth route, wasted our money. We ended up spending the money and went with the Can-Am communication system. This system works way too good.
Click to expand...

I tried an aftermarket system when I first got my RT. The music and intercom were OK, but I couldn't get the CB to work at all.
I also wound up getting the Can Am system integrated into the bikes electronics.

I'm sorry to say this, but you get what you pay for. Especially in bike intercom systems. I wish I had been able to get a better system for less money, but I wound up spending more money by getting the first system and then having to replace it.
 
We have also been searching for the perfect system, I want the features of a wired system with the portability of wireless. I've had goldwings in the past and love the integration of intercom and music, however we don't ride the same bike all the time so blue tooth to the helmet is our present choice works great when I'm by myself, music from cell along with incoming phone calls works perfect, however with intercom you start getting too many connections and I can't get anything but intercom and phone calls to work. I've been doing a little research on a chatterbox system that uses bluetooth to phone/music and the rider has the unit on his/her helmet with a wired connection to passenger, the problem I'm not finding any really good reviews on chatterbox systems. Sena just/or is coming out with SM10 that connects to two bluetooth headsets to share music, however I can't find out how the intercom works when using it. Maybe someday someone will come up with the perfect system.:roflblack:
 
We've got the Scala Rider Teamset Pro and have been very happy with it. The audio is real nice and clear, the batteries last for about three rides before the batteries start getting cranky (rechareable), and we've found nothing to complain about...

They are designed more strictly as an intercom system. There are other systems with more transmitting power that would work better for interbike communicaitons...
 
After many years of racing and working as a race official, I can't bring myself to attach anything to my helmets that could protrude or cause a broken neck if it snagged in a crash. I know it is not likely an issue, but you can't reprogram 50 years of experience in a dinosaur. As a result, I prefer wired systems. We use the Starcom1 on my Spyder, Nancy's Spyder, and my BMW. We have been very pleased with them. I have used them about 7 years now. I hooked my RTS audio system to mine via a PAC SNI-35 hi-lo converter hooked into my rear speaker wires, so I now get my RT audio in my helmet, too. Excellent VOX on the Starcom1, and about the best system I have ever seen for outside noise rejection. A little more complex to install, but once it is there, you just plug in and go. Plugging in the rider headset cable turns the system on, so you don't need to turn it on or off or pair it to anything.
 
Two months using the Scala G9, and I'm less than pleased with the results. The manual is terrible, the voice commands usually don't work, and after finally figuring out that when the manual says purple flashes it really means blue, we managed to get a four way voice hook up working, only to have it periodically drop either rider 1 or 3 for no apparent reason, cutting off all communication with that rider. If I had it to do over, I'd opt for the CB/intercom combo.
 
I haven't been able to get much info on the Can Am system online. Maybe I'm just missing something. How much does the system cost to have installed on the RT? I'm assuming one would go through one's dealer.
 
We decided to go with the can-am system on our 2012 RT-S as well. After having Goldwings for 30+ years I thought it best to go quality. I am glad we did. The clarity and quality is every bit as good as the goldwing system. Now if I could just mute Mrs Chief without her knowing....:D
 
I'm still getting parts together for my setup. But I'm using the shark Bluetooth headset. Which is the first bluetooth headset I've actually found usable. My other helmets have the scala g2 on them. And even though the volume beeps are deafening actual communication is so quiet that they are useless. I have a Sena sr10 on the way, which will let me connect wirelessly to my handheld midland cb radio which I'll mount on one of my ram mounts, or let me connect to a 2 way radio. I'll give the other two way radio to my passenger along with a headset for rider passenger communication. My cb came with a car adapter that can get power from a 12v outlet and connect to a vehicle mount antenna, so I have a Spyder cb antenna on the way to improve my handheld CBs range.
 
The Sena SMH10 bluetooth, wireless headsets is by far the best wireless helmet headset that we have ever owned. It pairs well with my cell phone and Garmin Zumo 550 GPS as well as my Ipad2.

Intercom clarity between driver and passenger is excellent and activating the intercom is easy with the use of the glove friendly jog wheel. Definitely the way to go if you are looking for a wireless headset with all the bells and whistles.

Although this is a stereo headset I find that music streaming through the headset tends to sound a tad tinny. I do not believe you will get any of these types of headsets to deliver great music clarity. Not an issue for me since I tend to rely on the Sena Headset for GPS instructions, intercom conversations and making and receiving cell calls.
 
Well, since I already have the HJC IS-MAX BT helmet, I'm going to give the ChatterBox XBi2-H a shot.

I've heard that since they've reworked the harness that sound level issues have been worked out.

I'll most likely order it from Amazon so that hopefully I can return it if it turns out to be trash.

We'll see.
 
I have been using Scala 2's since their inception and find them to work very well. Sent a pair of 4's back when they first came out because I could not get them to work. Have not tried the 9's for the same reason.

Also sent back a Chatterbox set because I did not like them either.

Whatever you get--get wireless--its no fun plugging in and unplugging every time you get on or off the bike.

Sena also seems to get good reviews on the site.
 
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