Bike to Bike Communications

[Wolfjack]

I'm considering the "Chatterbox X-Series" for bike to bike communications. Thanks for any feedback you might have.

[CB750F]

I have a Chatterbox GMRS X1 system. I know a lot of folks who use that system and they all say they work great. I got mine from solomotoparts.com .

[BestMaps]

My wife and I use the Chatterbox GMRS as well and are quite happy with it. We both wear full face helmets. Installation of the speakers, mic, and wires and mounting the unit was not difficult. I don't notice any weight or wind drag from it in use. It quickly unclips from the helmet when you want to leave it on the bike and grab a bite to eat and slip the radio into your pocket. There is a learning curve to make the occasional adjustment to the sensitivity of the VOX system on the fly, but you quickly get accustomed to it, and you'll find it works well at almost any speed. As the wind noise increases at higher speeds, reduce the sensitivty by reaching up and making a small twist of the dial - easily done even with gloves on. You'll also learn to trigger the VOX by making a quick blow before you speak, so the conversation ends up sounding like those you hear of fighter pilots or astronauts. I find setting the VOX sensitivity at a level that requires the blow to trigger it requires the least tending - typically I set it before the ride and never have to touch it again. I like having the bluetooth interface with my GPS, though I have little interest in using my cell phone while riding. The speakers do not provide the best sound quality for listening to music, but then I use earplugs and prefer the sound of the bike and the road anyway. In researching them I came across some comments about the batteries not lasting long, though we've never had the problem in a year of use. Just to be sure we've always run them dead before recharging so they don't develop a short memory. I use the Chatterbox even when riding solo to hear my GPS. There is also a push-to-talk button that mounts quickly with a velcro strap to the bars that my wife likes to use. By using it, she doesn't have to mess with setting the VOX level, though it does have a wire that runs to it from the unit. At first she used it a lot, but now has become comfortable with setting the VOX level just right and rarely bothers with it anymore. I'd imagine if you had a bike with really loud pipes that would trigger the VOX, it would be the better way to go. While I've not had any experience with other units, we're happy with the Chatterbox and glad to have it. - Wayne

[gt500lw]

I have been through four chatterbox's. The performance is unreliable at best. When it works it is awsome, but the units are unreliable.

[Hogrider]

We used the chatter boxes for communication in the dune buggies when out in the Mojave desert and they worked great. The secret seems to be in the VOX setting as it can be so sensitive the exhaust from hard acceleration can open the mic. Dialed in, they were beautiful.

[kslater123]

They work great!

[Doris Liu]

chatterbox is worthwhile. It's lucky for a guy to get such kind of bikes.

[redlinedave]

just use your cell phone

[krautburner]

StarCom1, a company located in Britain makes some really good integrated radio products. Looks like they make really good bike to bike communications with inputs from your phone and ipod

unfortunately i cant post links yet

but the website is starcom1 . com

if you google the company you should be able to find some great reviews from bikers that have put them on their rides.

[JeffC]

Anybody know who has the best price for the Chatter-boxes?

[moto201]

You might want to look into a Scala Rider Q2 system. They are bluetooth, smaller, and less expensive. The Q2 multiset comes with 2 complete headsets for $395

[Sam]

I was looking at the Scala Rider q2 also. Found it on Amazon for $258. Lots of mixed reviews on all the different comm systems. I was using a Auto Com Pro Duo but now its for sale and want something wireless.

[moto201]

Check out the new scala rider G4

[QuantumMechanic]

I have been through four chatterbox's. The performance is unreliable at best. When it works it is awsome, but the units are unreliable.

+1 on this. Went through 3 units. Absolute junk, IMO.

My recommendation is to spend your money on something like an Autocom (What I have), a Starcom, or a Baehr and save money in the long run. I have installed my Autocom Pro AVI system on three different bikes now and it just keeps on ticking. Almost 10 yrs of use and NO problems and I mean use in EXTREME conditions of heat and moisture.

The Autocom has nice features like an extra tiny microphone in your brain bucket that adjusts the volume for ambient loise levels. The new ones are much better than the one I have.

I have hooked into the Autocom, an iCom F-6061 GMRS radio. This radio has 45 watts of transmit power and I am running an Antennex, no-ground-plane +5 db antenna. I can hit my base station from Sealy Texas to Houston which about 30 miles and the audio is clear as a bell. GMRS is FM and the bands are very quiet if you have a good radio. You must license your radio but there is no test; you just pay $85 for a 5 year license. I am WQEW468 and I live at 462.575 Mhz.

Talk to me on the road!

-QM-

[QuantumMechanic]

CB's the best way to go I think.

Well, if you do decide to go CB, stay off channel 19. If you listen there long you may suffer serious brain damage. It's where retards and cretins live.

[R100jte]

i recently received an Interphone F4 which uses blue tooth technology to plug you into other riders, iphone, ipod etc. i've been impressed so far. the volume lowers itself as you get slower and gets a little louder upon speeding up. easy to use. radio unit detaches off of your helmet when needed. nice product. i would buy one for my lady.

[yarongev]

From 5 years experience on scala rider
Had the FM, Q2 set and now I'm using the schuberth SRC which is the G4
excellent product, good audio and reliable.
I use it to communicate with my wife and co riders.
Yaron
:thumbsup:

[trixter]

just use your cell phone

That depends on where you ride. If you were to come out to my house you would lose coverage and with it your communications.

[moto201]

There's more people out there to ride with that have the scala rider and chatterbox systems. These people you can link up with and there are way fewer with the autocom and baehr systems. These systems are harder to install and hard to get parts for when you need them. Baehr lost most of thier U.S. distributors because of their crappy customer service. I would go with scala rider or look at the sena smh10 system.

[frank11]

I've heard good things about the Sena SMH10 system.
I found these headsets on this web site bluevisionwireless.com