Which intercom for touring???

[JennyS]

We are doing a tour round Scotland at the end of next month and were thinking about buying a bike to bike intercom. We thought about spending say £250 on one - any adivce on what makes/models are best, and if you can get a decent one for around this price? Any help appreciated

[spursfc]

I use the Scala rider multiset which is good for up to 3 bikers. The basic set comes with two as standard

https://www.satnaveasy.co.uk/scala-rider-q2-multiset-i2989.html

It has bluetooth, radio and you can plug in an mp3 player

[willis1337]

[kitty kat]

We have just upgraded to the G4 which will allow connection of 4 headsets and has a range of up to 1 mile, but we used the Q2 last year for a couple of weekends in Scotland and 2 weeks in Europe with no problems.
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[barnhatter]

Hi
I used a Scala that came with my Tomtom. After coming back from France in heavy rain it gave up. I got a replacement from Ebay and after coming back from Cornwall in heavy rain it too gave up. Looking aroung for yet another module I found one for £80 which is a bit steep.
I contacted scala and the reply I got was.
Thank you for contacting the Cardo Systems Support Center.

The Scala Rider is a water-resistant device designed for safe use under rainy and snowy conditions. However the headset is* not waterproof and *is not recommended for use under *heavy* rain or snowfall conditions.
In any event, the silicone cover protecting the charging jack should always be tightly closed when exposed to any rain or snowfall.

The problem that you have experienced is a defect that warrants return. The two common options are:

1. Exchange/Return at the place of purchase, if convenient and within their return guidelines.
2. Perform the exchange through us.

If you would like to perform the exchange through Cardo Systems, please send the desired shipping address, phone number, and model of the phone with which the headset is being used. I will enter the RMA request and you should, within 48 hours, receive an e-mail with explicit instructions for return.

We ask that you send only the defective item, and keep all of the accessories. Please also verify that the address information has been entered correctly. You may use any shipping method you like, but we ask that you protect the unit, so as to avoid damage in transit.

Once we receive your item, it will be evaluated and if it is found to be defective per the terms of our 1 year Limited Warranty, a new item will be sent to you. Please refer to the Limited Warranty found in your product's User Guide for more details.

Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you with any other questions.

Best Regards,

Robert Wargo

Customer Service
www.cardosystems.com
1-800-488-0363

Sorry the minimum requirement is that it should be 100% waterproof for use on a motorcycle.
I have decided to not bother with Scala as they are not "fit for purpose" okay for the states in dry weather but not for "proper touring" where they will get wet.
I am looking at a Starcom system which although is more expensive I have been advised iis better.
The old saying of buying cheap buy twice I feel is true with Scala.
So I would advise after the reply from their customer relations is never bother with Scala.
I know that there are people who will have driven through bad weather with one but as Robert Wago from Scala said Its not waterproof and Dont use in heavy rain or snow.

[JennyS]

Thanks for your replies, they are appreciated. We have looked on a few websites and they all look fairly confusing to us! We are going to go and look at some in the shops, any suggestions of good places to go? Ideally around Essex / Herts?

Thanks again

[barnhatter]

Star com is at St Ives in Cambridgeshire. You will find that the majority of shope either don't stock them or have little knowledge.
I am not a fan of Starcom just see that they have a good but slightly more expensive product, also am dissapointed about Scala's admission that they are not waterproof so are not up to the job of being an externally fitted comm unit.
Best of luck in your quest.

[Grazoid]

I have to admit we are still using PMR radios... and I think you will still need them with a Starcom for Bike to Bike

Intek MT5050 is our current one of choice as it can "allegedly" ..ahem... be easily modified to full 4 watt power ....

Even at motorway speeds breaking squelch can be used as a signal when voice comms gets blasted out ... one push on th PTT to gain attention then two for stop ASAP or three for need fuel.

In town they are great as it gives you two pairs of eyes when navigating around a strange place and looking for signs. Also it means you can communicate at junctions without shouting and the inevitable... "Go left"..."What???" ..."Go Left" ..."What???" when you are both wearing earplugs

Rocket Radio in Letchworth seem to carry good stocks of PMRs

https://www.rocketradio.co.uk/index.asp
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It has a dark side and a light side and holds the Universe together!

[theopj]

Yea Starcom now own and sell all the Autocom stuff as well (which is what I use), along with a Kenwood PMR Radio. They work pretty good even at motorway speeds. You'd have to go down the ebay route to get all of that within your budget though as it ain't cheap, but its good stuff.
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[Grazoid]

[theopj]

Yea I hear you on the prices - I shopped around for mine and got good deals - Active Rider Duo for £90, Bluetooth Dongle for £50, The PTT Switch and PMR wire for £50 all new and got two old TK3101 Kenwoods off ebay for £45. I mainly use if for the Sat Nav and mp3 connections, but when I do take my radio I have to put it in my pocket (handily there is a pocket at the rear of my jacket that the radio fits in good), or use a tank bag.

I do remember Autocom do/did a kit which is just the headset and a connection to the radio without using an autocom unit itself - probably wouldn't be so good at high speed though. Having the radio on long boring motorway runs is pretty good fun if their is a group of you.
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[panamaniac]

I've been using Autocom for years and not only found it fit for purpose in an excellent way, but the service & support is second to none, there units don't seem any more expensive than the rest of the stuff you get out there, but the quality of the build and reception is infinitely better than other units I've heard (Only when hard wired).
(When I call people on the phone they don't realise I'm on a moving bike.)

as for fitting them to your bike,- have a word with Autocom and, believe me, they'll find somewhere to fit it!
I have dumped the speakers in the helmet now and use monitors made by 'ultimate ear' (expensive at £200 but well worth it) and even wearing a Caberg helmet, screen down, at 70++++++mph I can hear the phone, Satnav, MP3, Audible books and radio clear as a bell, as the monitors are as fitted earplugs with Bose speakers (small ones!?)
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[Skudd]

Autocom with Kenwood protalk radios. Have as many as you want on the system, does your satnav phone iplayer. I've had one for 6 years now brilliant bit of kit.
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[Marmalade]

Always use scala, 7 days, all year round in the most horrific of weather and never has one let water in
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[barnhatter]

You have been lucky, as they said they are not waterproof. I have had 2 stop working after being out in heavy rain which is rubbish for a motorcycle headset. My Tomtom now has no headset but I am not prepared to waste any more money on something that is not fit for the joband overpriced. Looking at a different idea now and the starcom unit looks a better option.

[Dex]

Heard good things about the interphone kit, Bluetooth music streaming, can connect to two phones, and Satnav, long standby and talk time etc.

[barnhatter]

Thinking of the starcom advanced with bluetooth adaptor for my Tomtom. As it is a perminant fit it does not require charging and can be left in the bike. Its small enough to fit in a safe hole on the bike. Bit exoensive though £156 for the kit and £65 for the bluetooth adaptor. Will be worth it as once got hopefully will last years.

[Grazoid]

[quik_d]

Another vote for scala headsets, worth the £150 i paid for my pair
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LOOK AT DAT M8 WELL LUSH A PARROT INT IT

[barnhatter]

When it stops working because you got caught in a rainstorm you wont be so happy. I thought mine was great so much so that when the 1st one stopped working after driving in rain that I got a replacemenr off ebay. It worked great untill I got caught in a big storm on the m4. Next day no more scala. Mailed the company who told me that they don't advise using in the rain as they are not waterproof WTF. and they fir on the outside of a helmet. I go diving and have a camera that is waterproof to 40m. A headset for wearing on a bike should be 100% waterproof and immersion proof.

[kitty kat]

We have used our Scala Headsets in all weather conditions and they did not fail even in the deluges we experienced in Poland. The G4 will work on a longer range than the 2 even up to a mile but the terrain has to be flat ie line of sight.
We found that it is very clear even in the mountains and works well
____________________
Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people