Bike to bike comms

[Rude_Rydah]

I am looking at two Chatterbox FRS X2's for my wife and I.
 
I know no one with a comm system on his or her bike so I would gladly take any advice on this subject including why NOT use Chatterbox and which system to use instead.
 
Price is always a consideration, the system has to be a bike to bike and rider to passenger because we force the kids to ride with us and really miss being able to yell at our children while enjoying a nice ride....

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

If money is a concern, buy the Chatterboxes.  If it's not, go Autocom or Starcom or whatever.
 
I have a pair of Chatterboxes.  They work OK, but I wish I'd never bought them.  Here's why:
[LIST=1]

• Worst owners manual ever printed.  I would have got more information out of it if it had been in Korean.  I still have no idea what the three power saver modes actually accomplish.
• Not waterproof.  I mounted mine on my bike and cover it when it rains.
• Lousy sound quality.  Fine in town.  At speeds above 50, you can forget about understanding what your someone is saying to you.
• Useless VOX.  We have to use the PTT buttons.  The VOX needs constant tweaking, and, as in #3, doesn't work very well at highway speeds.
• Non-intuitive controls.  Changing the volume level or channel is a pain to do if the thing is mounted on your helmet, and requires that change the channel (or volume), then push the PTT button.  It sounds small, but when your riding, and trying to fidget with some tiny buttons that you can't see, on a box on the side of your head, it's more difficult than it sounds.
• Cell phone interface sounds like crap.  I bought the cord, just to see how it worked.
• One audio input.  I had to build (or buy) an audio integrator so I could hear my Satellite, GPS, and radar detector.
• Both of my units came with rechargeable batteries.  Neither battery fit in the battery compartment.  I had to remove the plastic wrap holding the cells together to get the batteries to fit, and the covers still bulge a bit.
• I had problems with cords wearing out.  Not so bad now that I moved the unit form my head to my bars.
• Volume control only works for the intercom.  There is slight amplification of the audio from an mp3 player or such, but you must control the audio level from a music source from the music source.

On the other hand, I'm happy with it in the fact that it does work well when I ride solo to provide some amplification to my mixed audio signals.  It's (relatively) inexpensive.  Lots of people have them, so if you're going to be doing group rides, you'll probably have the same radio as everyone else.
 
In the end, you get what you pay for.  The Chatterbox is just adequate.  If could do it over, there's be an Autocom under my dash.

[Rosanne]

Mate by Autocom nothing else to say

[SuperHans]

I agree with some of the things TheRedOnesAreFaster mentioned but not all. I'm guessing he is using a different model Chatterbox from his response. I have a X1 myself.
 
The Chatterbox works well but not perfect. I'm happy with it for the most part. I use it mostly as an intercom and to listen to my MP3 player and GPS. It does the job and it's hard to find much in this price range.
 
Collett makes something but it works on 900mhz. Problem with that is most systems work on the FRS radio system. If you're only interested in talking between your wife and yourself you might want to look at them. If you might be communicating with others it might not be such a good idea.
 
1. Worst owners manual ever printed. I would have got more information out of it if it had been in Korean. I still have no idea what the three power saver modes actually accomplish.
 
It does have a terrible manual but the controls are pretty basic. It's not too hard to figure out. Not sure what the power saver modes are, don't remember them being mentioned.
 
2. Not waterproof. I mounted mine on my bike and cover it when it rains.
 
True, only capable of handling a very light rain at most.
 
3. Lousy sound quality. Fine in town. At speeds above 50, you can forget about understanding what your someone is saying to you.
 
I've never had any issues with sound quality while communicating or listening to music. I've always been able to understand anyone speaking to me.
 
4. Useless VOX. We have to use the PTT buttons. The VOX needs constant tweaking, and, as in #3, doesn't work very well at highway speeds.
 
The VOX does need to be tweaked while riding. A bike with a large fairing helps though. The VOX works much better on my FJR than it does on my FZ6. It's best to use PTT at higher speeds. I've heard some people have placed a microphone sock over the mic and it solved this problem. I've also heard the open face mic works better but can't confirm. I do know an open face mic will work on a full face helmet. I've seen it done.
 
5. Non-intuitive controls. Changing the volume level or channel is a pain to do if the thing is mounted on your helmet, and requires that change the channel (or volume), then push the PTT button. It sounds small, but when your riding, and trying to fidget with some tiny buttons that you can't see, on a box on the side of your head, it's more difficult than it sounds.
 
Not sure which model is being refered to. Changing the channel while riding can be a PITA but I've never found the need to. I've always set it before riding and not had to change it once moving. The volume button on the X1/X2 is a large rocker type switch on the top of the unit that is easy to access and manipulate with gloves on. Can't say I've had a problem adjusting volume. You can always mount the unit on the handlebars although I like it being on the helmet. That way I don't have wires all over the place.
 
6. Cell phone interface sounds like crap. I bought the cord, just to see how it worked.
 
I have the cord, I tried it one time, never really used it so I can't comment.
 
7. One audio input. I had to build (or buy) an audio integrator so I could hear my Satellite, GPS, and radar detector.
 
I believe the X1/X2 have two inputs.
 
8. Both of my units came with rechargeable batteries. Neither battery fit in the battery compartment. I had to remove the plastic wrap holding the cells together to get the batteries to fit, and the covers still bulge a bit.
 
I can't say I've had this problem. My batteries went right in without any issues. I've heard Chatterbox quality has gotten better the last couple of years. Maybe this has something to do with it.
 
9. I had problems with cords wearing out. Not so bad now that I moved the unit form my head to my bars.
 
I can't say I've had this problem but I may not use mine as much either.
 
10. Volume control only works for the intercom. There is slight amplification of the audio from an mp3 player or such, but you must control the audio level from a music source from the music source.
 
I find you must set the audio level at the music source but then your are able to control it with the Chatterbox. There may be a difference in models, hard to say since I don't know what model is referenced here.

[Ken]

Check out the IMC MIT-100. VOX intercom built-in, bike-to-bike capable with FRS radios (PTT button included). Music input. Four headsets included. Excellent sound quality. $200 at Sierra Electronics.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I should have mentioned I have the FRS X2
 

1. Worst owners manual ever printed. I would have got more information out of it if it had been in Korean. I still have no idea what the three power saver modes actually accomplish.
 
It does have a terrible manual but the controls are pretty basic. It's not too hard to figure out. Not sure what the power saver modes are, don't remember them being mentioned.

Oh, I figured the controls out. It's just that I shouldn't have had to. Every function and feature should be explained. They give two sentences to the power save feature, saying that you have power save off, normal power save, and high power save. I know I can "save" power, but what are the ramifications of using this feature? Please (HJC, not you) tell me about this stuff.
 
 

3. Lousy sound quality. Fine in town. At speeds above 50, you can forget about understanding what your someone is saying to you.
 
I've never had any issues with sound quality while communicating or listening to music. I've always been able to understand anyone speaking to me.

I only have the problem when in communication, both in understanding and in being understood. I might be more out in the wind than you are. The high end systems can filter out the wind noise.
 
 

5. Non-intuitive controls. Changing the volume level or channel is a pain to do if the thing is mounted on your helmet, and requires that change the channel (or volume), then push the PTT button. It sounds small, but when your riding, and trying to fidget with some tiny buttons that you can't see, on a box on the side of your head, it's more difficult than it sounds.
 
Not sure which model is being refereed to. Changing the channel while riding can be a PITA but I've never found the need to. I've always set it before riding and not had to change it once moving. The volume button on the X1/X2 is a large rocker type switch on the top of the unit that is easy to access and manipulate with gloves on. Can't say I've had a problem adjusting volume. You can always mount the unit on the handlebars although I like it being on the helmet. That way I don't have wires all over the place.

 
I've never had to change the channel either, but it has been done accidentally. The rocker switch is easy to use, but with gloves on it can be hard to figure out if you are pressing the PTT or channel up/down buttons.
I mounted mine on the bars precisely so I don't have wires running everywhere. I have one wire running to my helmet. When the unit was on my lid, I had wires running to my helmet for:
[LIST=1]

• External PTT (so my hands don't have to leave the bars and fidget for the one on the unit)
• External power (necessary if your going to use it for listening to music on a long trip. Listening to music drains my battery in a couple of hours).
• Audio.
• Cell phone.

HJC says you can mount it to your bike, but they don't offer a bracket or kit to do it. I had to come up with my own.
.
 

7. One audio input. I had to build (or buy) an audio integrator so I could hear my Satellite, GPS, and radar detector.
 
I believe the X1/X2 have two inputs.

 
FRS X2 has connections for rider and passenger headsets, external power, external PTT, cell phone, and one audio source.
 

8. Both of my units came with rechargeable batteries. Neither battery fit in the battery compartment. I had to remove the plastic wrap holding the cells together to get the batteries to fit, and the covers still bulge a bit.
 
I can't say I've had this problem. My batteries went right in without any issues. I've heard Chatterbox quality has gotten better the last couple of years. Maybe this has something to do with it.

 
Quite possible.
 

9. I had problems with cords wearing out. Not so bad now that I moved the unit form my head to my bars.
 
I can't say I've had this problem but I may not use mine as much either

.
 
Mine is hardwired and mounted to the bike and used every time I ride. For all the things about it that piss me off, I will say that the unit itself is rugged. I haven't had cords wear out since I mounted it, either. Part of that is that I solder my own audio and power cords. Everything I use except the intercom cords.

[Gixster]

Here's what I think from my personal experience with the Chatterbox FRS X2.

If you want to throw your money away, go ahead.  My best friend and I each bought one for a trip we took together a couple of years ago, and they were useless when a) we were moving, b) we were more than 30 feet apart, c) we got over 20 mph, and d) when it rained.

Basically, they didn't do anything as advertised or that we had intended for them.  We paid $150 apiece for them, and when I got home from that trip, promptly took a hammer to mine and chalked it up to a learning experience.

If money is no object, I know people have been pleased with the AutoCOM system.

When the time comes that I need another comm system, I'm not screwing around.  I'll be buying something from http://www.baehrusa.com/ and calling it a day.  Their stuff isn't cheap, but I won't waste money on *maybe this will be good enough* anymore.  

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

When the time comes that I need another comm system, I'm not screwing around. I'll be buying something from http://www.baehrusa.com/ and calling it a day. Their stuff isn't cheap, but I won't waste money on *maybe this will be good enough* anymore.

I've heard/read great stuff about them, too.  I was going to put them in my list of "money-is-no-object" systems until I remembered I had no idea how to spell Baehr.  Looking at the correct spelling, I wasn't even close.
 
I'm glad (and yet sad) that I'm not the only one who has the low opinion of HJC.  I love my HJC helmet.  Their electronics are another story.

[Oilhed]

I don't have comments about a particular model just bike to bike comms in general. First, I usually ride solo or with one close friend. A fwe times in a group of three. Years ago I was taking a trip to Canada with my best friend, the best man at my wedding. I did the same trip with him two years earlier and we had a great time. The only difference was this time we bought bike to bike comms. His chatting with me on the road just kept getting into my head and spoiling my ride. I don't know how many time I just shut it off. When I ride I don't want comms or music I just want me, my bike, the road and my thoughts. 'Nuff said.

[SuperHans]

It amazes me the amount of people that have had problems with Chatterbox products. I've had both the Mutli Sport+ and the X1 and can't say I've really had any problems. The only real issue I've noticed is the VOX picking up wind noise above 60 mph. If you're okay with using the PTT switch it's not a huge problem.
 
I have heard some of the older models have had more issues than more recent ones. It seems that product quality has improved although I'm just speculating.

[SuperHans]

Oh, I figured the controls out. It's just that I shouldn't have had to. Every function and feature should be explained. They give two sentences to the power save feature, saying that you have power save off, normal power save, and high power save. I know I can "save" power, but what are the ramifications of using this feature? Please (HJC, not you) tell me about this stuff.

I totaly agree, the instuctions suck.
 

I've never had to change the channel either, but it has been done accidentally. The rocker switch is easy to use, but with gloves on it can be hard to figure out if you are pressing the PTT or channel up/down buttons.

[/B]
 
True, the unit mounted PTT button is too close to the channel buttons.
 

FRS X2 has connections for rider and passenger headsets, external power, external PTT, cell phone, and one audio source.

I believe you can use the cell phone input as a second audio input.
 

HJC says you can mount it to your bike, but they don't offer a bracket or kit to do it. I had to come up with my own..

You have to use the belt clip that comes with the Chatterbox and then get a Ram-Mount belt clip adaptor. LINKY Probably the best way to do it without making something yourself.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I believe you can use the cell phone input as a second audio input.

Maybe if you made your own cable, and made sure the audio signal was sent only to the common and audio in contacts.  If you tried to hook up a stereo source, you'd be back feeding an audio signal into your condenser mike.  I'm not sure which contact is for the speaker and which is for the mic.
 

You have to use the belt clip that comes with the Chatterbox and then get a Ram-Mount belt clip adapter. LINKY Probably the best way to do it without making something yourself.

I couldn't find a mount like that when I was looking for one.  Thanks for the info.
I had tried mounting the helmet clip to a piece of aluminum angle stock.  The plastic broke after 120 miles.  Now, I've made several mounts out of 16 gauger stainless steel cut to the width of the helmet clip.  Some are as simple as a straight piece with a bend in the middle that goes between a mirror and a mirror mount; one mounts using the bolts & holes on a triple clamp, and the one I personally use goes between my Garmin cradle and the Triumph mounting bracket.  They all work pretty slick.

[OldBob]

I have not tried these, but I'm seriously considering them.  From the Aerostich catalog...
Kenwood GMRS radios  http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=17107&cat=263&page=1

Kenwood helmet headsets
http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=17102&cat=263&page=1

Bob

[av24me]

Love my Autocom unit, once adjusted, the girlfriend and I can talk just great and with a Kenwood FRS radio my buddy and I or all 4 of us can talk great. With this many people involved it's best to the PTT button for bike to bike and VOX rider to passenger though. Throw in the XM radio/Ipod and the voice driven GPS and 2 full seasons of ridding it's been very well worth it.

[FJRick]

I've had the Motocomm Audio-Boss Ab1 system for over two years and I really like it's versatility. It has a built in FM reciever so I just mount my Sirus sat. radio on the bike and don't even plug it in to hear it in the helmet speakers. I also plug in my cell phone and recieve calls automaticly,(when I want to). I can plug in FRS radios when I want to ride with buddies and use the supplied PTT buttons,(for rider and passenger). Check it out. It's the RiderLink ST-1 https://www.rflimited.com/Site.asp?CID=3

[rocketbunny]

A few years ago, everyone in my rather large riding group was sporting Chatterboxes, mostly X1s. We all used them with PTT, finding the vox pretty useless. However, communication was clear and easy between everyone in the group. We were all very happy with the Chatterboxes as communicators.

My riding interests and needs gradually changed and the group slowly fell apart as people moved on to other things. I eventually replaced my X1 with a Starcom so that I could have a "set it and forget it" set up for my music and gps with FRS communication being an afterthought.

I will admit that my old Chatterbox blows away both my Starcom set up and another friends Autocom setup for ease of communicating with others. We're always fiddling with our radios, and have to make a big production over setting them up for each ride. Friends who still use Chatterboxes just turn them on and make sure the right channel is set.

I guess I just got tired of dealing with all the wires (xm audio, bike power, headset) and wanted a permanent and waterproof install on my bike.

I still recommend Chatterbox X1s to people who are primarily interested in bike to bike communication. The only caveat with the X2s is that the range will be much lower. Figure that you'll have to stay within 1 mile (in sight) of each other to be able to talk on the radios.

[GRN]

Mate by Autocom nothing else to say

+1

[Tyrroneous]

What? Nobody's said anything about Collett communicators yet? http://www.collett.mb.ca/
 
I've had mine for several years now and have only had one minor problem and that was fixed for free under the excellent 3 yr. warranty. Mine has performed during extreme hot, cold, and wet weather and survived a wreck. Voice quality is fine even at insterstate speeds. Music quality is lacking though. The good news is that I have no problems with the fact that it is VOX only as the sensitivity is easily adjustable and it is not hard to find a setting that works well for a range of speeds suitable to public roads.  As is true with most other communicators though, the real life range of communication is nowhere near what is advertised unless you are in a desert somewhere with a long line-of-site.
 
I can't say enough good things about the Colletts.

[crispiegee1]

I guess I'll muddy up the waters by saying my Chatterbox GMRS X-1 has been just fine, although the speakers in my Shoei RF800 irritate my ears. I need to carve out better pockets or put them in another helmet.
 
I hardwired the X-1 to the bike battery because I was tired of the rechargeable battery going dead mid-ride.
 
The VOX feature has never been a big problem for me. You just adjust it a wee bit as you go from around-town riding to high speed. My friend and I have conversed at speeds up to about 80. After that, his open faced mic setup gets all garbled.
 
With no experience with other brands, I can't comment much, other than to say that I was impressed with the Baer unit at the Chicago bike show. But for $1000 PLUS the cost of a transmitter (the Baer is only a routing device), they can kiss my ass. Absolute highway robbery.

[ki-speed]

I've had a Chatterbox GMRX1 for 3 yrs and 40,000 miles on my VFR and I'm very satisfied.  Four of my riding buddies have the same and they been mostly trouble free.  We paid approx. $240 for each unit.
 
I have XM radio and Radar Detector piped into mine.  It really only has one audio input so I use a passive splitter.  Chatterbox is mounted to a Stemstand and hot wired to bike power.  I don't think I would like it mounted on my helmet.
 
I also like the Chatterbox because it combines the 2way radio and inputs into one unit.  On a sport bike there is NOT a lot of extra storage space.  To mount an Autocomm or Baher unit (and then you must also mount a GMRS/FRS radio) takes up to much space.
 
If you decide on Chatterbox get the X1.  You will want the extra range.  They never transmit as far as they say.
 
Good luck.
 
Mark