Bike to Bike Radios @ Maplin

[Glen]

Apologies for the somewhat blatant spam (yes I do work for maplin, but don't hold it against me ) but as it's biker related I thought I'd risk a Karma bashing in case anyone actually gets some use out of it.

Maplin are currently running an offer on a set of 2Way radios wherby you get two helmet kits for free when you purchase them so essentially a full two person radio kit for 80 quid which I don't think is a bad offer

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/radios.jpg

Cheers

[Polo]

Great minds and all that. I ordered a set earlier this morning!!
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My mum smells your fingers

[proximity]

Looks like a throat mic in that pic. Could be promising, i look forward to hearing how it performs.
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[njd27]

[proximity]

Ah i was looking at the PTT switch, never mind
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Serendipity]

I bought a set of these from Maplin way back in the mists of time. The radios are different, but the helmet kits look the same.

The radios themselves are pretty good as long as you are prepared for the limitations of the short range. If you’ve lost sight of the other rider they may already be out of range. My radios only had 8 channels, although I see that these ones have additional sub channels. Only having 8 meant the possibility of interference or eavesdropping from other users of PMR radios nearby.

The headsets worked ok with my only complaint being the push to talk button. It’s a fairly big, rubber coated unit that you Velcro somewhere convenient. If you use the system for a pillion then they can just hold the PTT button or Velcro it to a glove finger. I assumed that the best place for me to have the PTT was on the left hand grip, but I found it a pain to use at the same time as the clutch. I looked at the PTT arrangement on a Police bike and he had a much smaller button mounted on a bracket just below the left grip where the thumb could reach it while using the clutch.

As with any bike comms wind noise can be a problem. The PTT is a good way around that, but you can set the radios up for voice activation so they become completely hands free. The problem there is often missing the first syllable of someone’s sentence and the mic suddenly activating due to wind noise.

My radios mostly got used rider to pillion or rider to car and I was pretty happy with them. I still have the helmet kits, but I loaned my radios to a “mate” about five years ago and haven’t seen them since.

Looks like a good deal.
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2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[njd27]

[calyx]

Does "5km range" mean "500 meter range" ?
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Boris - London

[michael j]

Looks like a bargain.
Would be handy for offroading for the first and last bike. Don't ride often enough with the same people to justify buying them though.

[priestessuk20...]

[calyx]

[calyx]

Actually I am after an intercom.
What do you think about the fleabay item 400008409894 ?
Is it a better product or same? or even worse?
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Boris - London

[Flip]

For the people too lazy to C&P.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400008409894&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D400008409894%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[Grazoid]

Just gone for the Maplins deal, I think on a quick Google round that Cobras' MT600 do not seem to have as many recommendations for bike to bike more as a hiking tool .

Midland stuff is also branded in Europe and the RotW as Alan , and takes the same jacks for accessories , so a quick skim of the availability of charging kits and boom mikes etc has prompted me to pay the extra 10 squid for the Midland G7's.

Also they can use the Euro LPR bands , which is where we are most likely to use them.

However can't seem to find a page detailing the 3W mod in English... but not really bothered at the mo' as we need to play with them first to see if it is even needed.

[calyx]

I'm not after saving 10 quid really.
If you say "maplin stuff is better" I will go for it.
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Boris - London

[Grazoid]

[quik_d]

My parents got a very similar (might been the same) kit from Lidl for £50 a few months back and it was rubbish. The wind noise was too and the reception poor even though it was a rider and pillion setup.

They took them back. I'd be interested to hear updates from the people who bought them if these come up ok or not?
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LOOK AT DAT M8 WELL LUSH A PARROT INT IT

[lllN30lll]

PS If you use Quidco then you get an extra %4 off.

https://www.quidco.com/electricals/maplin-electronics/

So that knocks it down to 75 quid and you get free delivery too
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Turbo R1
CRF450R

[Grazoid]

[calyx]

any sunday ride reviews?
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Boris - London

[Grazoid]

[Polo]

[calyx]

looks like
BTW I hate sunday riders in full leathers.
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Boris - London

[Polo]

[Grazoid]