Autocom/Intercom/voice activated helmet thingys!!

[Sparky]

who here has one?
are they clear in sound?
what brand/style do you recommend?

can 4 bikers be linked to have a four way chat when out and about?
All in all are they any good whats out there!

adding links if possible

A few mates are badgering me to find some info, but as always i dont have a clue so you guys are my bible of information!

money no object as far as £600 goes

im counting on ya!
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Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[feef]

autocom fan here.. although Starcom is good too.

Both can be fitted with a digital radio handset, so you can talk to other bikes with the same setup. You don't all have to have autocom, or all have the same radio, as they all use the same Digital frequencies now.

a GOOD bike powered radio isn't cheap tho.

https://www.autocom.co.uk

there's a load of info in there

a
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[map]

Autocom is good. My bike came with Autocom fitted that I've added to it. So it's been tried and tested.
Gets a from me.
However, I think you've just missed out on their sale as they were getting rid of a lot of stock to make way for new models.

Autocom is expensive and you need to work out what bits you need (certainly for the old kit). However, if your budget is £600 you'll get whatever you need (or is that for 4 bikes?).

Not sure how the prices match up but I've heard good things about IntaRide gear. Appears you get everything thrown in where the Autocom kit you need to buy all the extras. If I was buying from scratch then I'd seriously consider the IntaRide kit. If you don't like they've even got a 7 day return policy, it's almost try before you buy (but read the small print - e.g. you need to tell them in writing you're returning it and return it within 10 days).

IntaRide Info: https://www.intaride.com/

HTH
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[Sparky]

very helpful fellas!

£600 each as we are thinking if we are gonna do it, do it properly it will cost less in the long run!
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Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[natv4]

Autocom again here. I found it slightly better supported for extras than intaride, but that may have changed.

I've got the bluetooth module and bike 2 bike (cheap motorolla jobs). Also use an mp3 player. Everything is clear as a bell. Lovely volume, more than capable with earplugs at 100mph.

Starcom always appear to be slightly less capable at speed, there website indicates lower speeds than the autocom and the autocom website info is accurate (from my experience).

Not sure about intaride, supposedly the auto-squelch works upto around 100mph, after that its a bit chancey.

Autocom will work above 100mph, but you would have to change the squelch manually before a high speed ride, or shout all the time and keep it set high.

There are race teams I know who use the autocom and are very happy with it.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[Ted]

No need to go to the expense of £600!

Get some 2-way radios... like the ones people on building sites use, you can pick 8 channel ones up for £20 each (check out Argos, probably about £40 a pair), and either use the hands-free kit provided (in-line microphone and one in-ear headphone), or get the speakers you stick inside the helmets and wire in a microphone.

Might be able to sort out 4 people for £100, definitely for £150.

As you will most probably be biking in a group, the two mile reception should be more than enough.

If you don't want to pick up other people (including building sites) as you ride pass them, 98% of the radios have a function where if you all select the same code, other people tuned into the same channel can hear you, but you can't hear them (unless by chance they have selected the same code, but they only have a 1 in 99 chance of doing so!)

And there you go... cheap and practical.

…especially if you do what me and my brother did, and get a pair of NTL ones retailing at £45 for £20 at Northwield Market!

[Ted]

BTW... forgot to mention... the 2-way radios also have a voice activation function...

[natv4]

I would be surprised if they work very well on the voice activated side. I tried 2 of the cheap options. The best of the cheap ones (being able to communicate with other riders) were the Push to Talk headset (Maplin) with cobra PMR radios (set of 4 - £50).

The voice activated cheapies constantly keyed up at 50mph+ due to wind noise. The 3 VOX settings were not enough.

You will get much better range with proper (Kenwood - around £199) PMR units. I found the cheap (motorolla - £60 per pair) worked well enough for my needs.

Its all about clarity. The autocom, and others, are far clearer than the others I had. Also expandability wise you can easily add a phone, mp3 player, or GPS feed.

They (cheap kits) are good for a cheap option, but if you have the money and want the extra sound quality (like chatting above 60mph), autocom/intaride/starcom are definately the way to go. Also the cheap kits tend to be a little on the quiet side with earplugs (or above 60mph).

Try the intaride (with their 7 day guarantee) or ask to borrow a friends bike who has one, you will hear the difference straight away.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[DukeRed]

As said before.

Autocom is great but beware all the extras. Still haven't got everything for mine since a) I'm very confused as to what I need. b) There very expensive.
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[natv4]

Sorry, I just read your post again.

So if you just want full (VOX rated 120mph+) bike2bike for 4 people (1km range) you need:

4 autocom 150 kits - £390
4 Motorolla PMR radios (bike2bike) - £120
4 connector leads for above - £120

Total - £630

To get everything bike powered will cost a bit more, maybe an extra £40 for everyone. Also add an extra £40 for 4 leads to plug phone & mp3 players into each system. Bluetooth is about £120 per person. Rider2Pillion (extra headset) will cost an extra £30 per person.

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The full intaride (RP1) system is something like £258 per person (for a comprehensive kit - bike2bike, rider2pillion, music, & phone).
Total £1032

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If you don't mind having to press a button to talk (PTT), then intaride do these cheaper options:

https://www.intaride.com/xl_bike_to_bike_system.html
£109 per person - Pocket or tank bag mounted.
Total £436

https://www.intaride.com/xl_pro_bike_to_bike.html
£129 per person - Bike mounted.
Total £516

They should work well (sound quality wise), but pressing the button can end up being a pain.

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The Maplin's Way: (I wouldn't recommend)
1km range (even though they claim 5km)
4 Cobra PMRs (use any you want really) - £50
4 Bike2Bike headsets (Push2Talk) - £120

Total £170
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[Sparky]

Blimey fellas! good work thats a massive help!

cheers

il let ya know what we end up getting and post a report on my opinions as to how good it is here!

thanks again, thats more information than i was expecting, a great help!
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Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[Johnny GSX-R]

I just bought , at Chritmas, the' AutoCom Pro 7' which is ideal for rider to pillion. Simply add a radio to the system to go bike-bike.

Pro 7 was £150 complete

[DEN MONKEY]

Went for a cheaper option myself with 2 uhf handheld sets. They work quite well when you use a throat mic instead of the usual boom set up. Have been using it from my bike to a mates car without issue.
The vox works well and I've found a higher setting is needed. You just say something before you want to start talking to open the line.

Since they only work in half duplex, you have to wait for the other person to finish speaking before you can respond.

This seems to be their only downfall for me.

If Im right (feel free to correct me) the more expensive options still use a handset and simply route the signal to the headset and still utilise the handset to transmit. Which wouldnt improve on this downfall.

Not entirely sure how this would work with 4 people at once.
Is there an option which would improve on this out there ?
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meh

[natv4]

The more expensive units incorporate the vox unit. These are far better quality with far better mic and speakers (unless you go out of your way to look for a quality set). They use noise cancelling components to assist with removing wind noise.

Throat mics are an option, I didn't try that on the cheapies I had, do you have a link?

The vox controls are a twist pot, and the range (of the vox/squelch) is far better than on any PMR's I have seen (as in you can set it low so that a whisper triggers transmission, or you can set it high so that 120mph+ wind does not accidentally set it off.

They also usually include a small buffer, to catch the first words you say and transmit them, thus resolving the problem of cutting you off.

It is a lot of money, but it does make using them practical and simple. You are quite correct about the transmission range and the fact that all these systems are half duplex. I would say the big advantage is the extra volume and clarity they can provide.
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007