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Topic: Chatterbox: Good or bad, which model? Or which other brand?  (Read 1481 times)
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« on: June 20, 2007, 03:08:59 PM »
Thinking about getting bike-to-bike communicators for the wife and myself but I don't know squat about them.  Can you help a brother out with some info please?  TIA   Cool
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« on: June 20, 2007, 03:08:59 PM »
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« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2007, 04:28:18 PM »
You just opened Pandora's box. Lol You will get lots of different opinions on the Chatterbox line of products.

Some hate Chatterbox and some have no problem with them. I got a GMRS X1 and like it. I use it mostly as an intercom ,to listen to music, and hear my GPS voice prompts. The only real problem I have with it is the mic will pick up wind noise above 70mph. It does come with a push to talk button if you would rather use that instead of the VOX feature.

A friend of mine put a small piece of microphone foam over the mic and he claims it solved the problem of the mic picking up wind noise at higher speeds.

The battery will usually last me a full day of riding. One of the things I like is it is attached to the helmet and not the bike. I have two bikes so this means I don't need a comm system for both bikes.

If you are unsure about buying the Chatterbox then go with something else. As for me, I'm happy with it. Check out the reviews at the site below. You'll see that opinions vary drastically.

http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=737

You can also check out reviews of other comm devices. Collett is supposed to be pretty good but since it works on 900mhz it's not compatible with most other motorcycle communications systems. Just something to think about.

http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/products.php?catID=27&heading=Electronics&catname=Communicators
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« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2007, 05:38:13 PM »
i have the gmrs x1 and well it dose everything I want it to.. When I am running at speed talking is the last thing I am worried about. they work good for 65 or slower. I use the ppt (strap to the bar) and  carry the unit in my tank bag (I do not care for the wind drag on the helmet.) I also have it powered to the off the bike so I don't have to think about running out of power.

It did help on our last trip that 4 or 5 of us had them to keep the group of 15 bike together for the 200 mile trip from TX to AR.

It dose what i want it to at a good price.
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« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2007, 06:08:20 PM »
The ear speakers wouldn't stay put. And I wish it took removable batteries for long trips when you stay at campgrounds without power. And now that my Razr cellphone doesn't have a standard cable but does have Bluetooth, I wish I had a Bluetooth unit. Someone does make one - but not Chatterbox.
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« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2007, 06:33:35 PM »
Quote from: Bodhi on June 20, 2007, 06:08:20 PM

The ear speakers wouldn't stay put. And I wish it took removable batteries for long trips when you stay at campgrounds without power. And now that my Razr cellphone doesn't have a standard cable but does have Bluetooth, I wish I had a Bluetooth unit. Someone does make one - but not Chatterbox.


I was just looking at their website, and they now have a bluetooth model - http://www.chatterboxusa.com/x1_bluetooth.html

I'm looking for a com set-up, too...  
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« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2007, 06:49:45 PM »
I was watching Epic Rides the other day and they use Chatterbox.  On the episode in Costa Rica they were including some of the bike to bike communications.  They sounded pretty decent.

A question for those of you that use them and if you saw that episode, does it accurately reflect your experience?

I am sorta looking for comms too.


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« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2007, 07:10:02 PM »
Quote from: Rincewind on June 20, 2007, 06:33:35 PM



I was just looking at their website, and they now have a bluetooth model - http://www.chatterboxusa.com/x1_bluetooth.html

I'm looking for a com set-up, too...  


$400??? Hard to swallow after shelling out $280 for the non-Bluetooth model a year ago.

And not to mention, with gloves on it's a bit difficult to know which button you're pressing since you can't see them.
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« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2007, 07:10:02 PM »

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« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2007, 07:26:11 PM »
Quote from: Bodhi on June 20, 2007, 07:10:02 PM



$400??? Hard to swallow after shelling out $280 for the non-Bluetooth model a year ago.


Yeah, that's pretty pricey, especially if you need a 2nd unit for your wife on back.

Plus, Chatterbox doesn't work with CB radio frequencies, so I think I'll keep looking.  Whatever I get, I'm gonna try to get bluetooth.
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« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2007, 07:33:13 PM »
Quote from: Green01SprintST on June 20, 2007, 03:08:59 PM

Thinking about getting bike-to-bike communicators for the wife and myself but I don't know squat about them.  Can you help a brother out with some info please?  TIA   Cool


I have a GMRS X1 and an FRS X2. Like 'em both (tho' my X1 does have issues but they may be due to my mucking around inside it trying to wire in remote buttons for some functions).
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« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2007, 09:54:37 PM »
Chatterbox =  Hurl

Much better units out there that don't cost that much more.
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« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2007, 12:41:52 AM »
Sorry to say it, just spend the money for an Autocom and be done with it.  It's pretty much the best of the units our there and it's quality makes it worth every penny.
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« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2007, 02:54:19 AM »
Quote from: Bodhi on June 20, 2007, 07:10:02 PM



$400??? Hard to swallow after shelling out $280 for the non-Bluetooth model a year ago.


You can buy just the unit without the headsets and cords at ridegear.com for $250. Still a lot of $$$ though.
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« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2007, 04:09:35 AM »
I have a pair of FRSX2s.  Absolutely lousy for bike-to-bike communication, at least above 50.  Plus, I get random feedback for no apparent reason.  Battery life is very short if you run music through it and you don't have it hardwired.   Never could tell the (aural) difference between the $20 standard headset and the $60 "Noise Reducing" headsets, either.


Works great to plug in my various audio sources (GPS, SAT, RD) so they can be fed to my helmet.

Spend the cash and get Autocom or Starcom or Baehr, if communicating is important to you.
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« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2007, 05:48:38 AM »
I have an old generation COLLETT COMMUNICATOR... (http://www.collett.mb.ca/) still works great... and i hear the new ones are kickass !!!  Thumbsup Thumbsup

Here;s a pic of it and me crusi'n on the old cruiser !

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/Raphy/P8051956.jpg
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« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2007, 05:48:38 AM »

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« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2007, 06:00:59 AM »
One of the local station news just did a piece of their 'consumer advocate' having to get involved to get someones money back for chatterboxes bought for someones parents.
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« Reply #15 on: June 21, 2007, 06:17:36 AM »
Simply put AUTOCOM now thats as easy as I can make it:cool:
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« Reply #16 on: June 21, 2007, 09:15:32 PM »
Here's a new one:

http://www.ixcessory.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=I&Category_Code=INS-RIDER

I know nothing about them though.  I have been checking in on their site for several months and they seem to be adding new accessories pretty rapidly.  Many options, low prices and expensive shipping.
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« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2007, 11:28:45 PM »
Quote from: Raphy on June 21, 2007, 05:48:38 AM

I have an old generation COLLETT COMMUNICATOR... (http://www.collett.mb.ca/) still works great... and i hear the new ones are kickass !!!  Thumbsup Thumbsup




Wow! The Collett's have gone up quite a bit. The downside to those units is that you can only communicate with other Colletts.
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« Reply #18 on: June 23, 2007, 08:36:45 PM »
Quote from: Albie on June 21, 2007, 11:28:45 PM



Wow! The Collett's have gone up quite a bit. The downside to those units is that you can only communicate with other Colletts.


Same with the Chatterboxes.

It's my understanding they broadcast on one frequency, and recieve on another.
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« Reply #19 on: June 23, 2007, 10:46:15 PM »
Nope, the Chatterboxes are either FRS for the X2  or GMRS for the X1. Either that or the reverse. Been a while since I had the piece of shit.
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