Intercoms - Autocom? Nady? Two thumps to slow down?

[Me-109]

Thinking about hooking up an intercom for me and the missus, though as she doesn't actually get on all that much, I need it to do other things like connect to a radio/mp3 and phone.

Who uses / has used what, what's good/bad about it, what's plain cr4p, do they work with earplugs in as well, do they only work with certain helmets (my Arai is quite close fitting as it is)?? Give me info dudes! I want real experience here, not just a friend of a friend says his works ok. Can I hear a voice on the phone at 85, does vox operation cut half of the first word I say, do I have to shout, are they just a plain nuisance and I'm better off without one? Oh, and I want to be able to wire it into the bike for power - I use enough batteries on the kid's toys!

[conncarr]

I've played about with intercoms a bit and to answer some questions:

If you carry a pillion you need one - it really changes things in a very positive way.

Autocom stuff is really good with clear speech above the ton. Can't comment on gadgets other than GPS which is clear as a bell with special lead.

Bluetooth is good when it works (no wires either) but quality on the ones I have tried is not as good as autocom. Also need recharge after 8ish hours.

I believe that the new gen bluetooth is better. this might be the way to go.

Good luck

[boxerpan]

Autocom recommended

[JoeC]

Can't give any feed back as never used them but I understand that Autocom are best and are worth paying the extra money for.

Have a word with Headset Services (http://www.headsetservices.com/home.html). Although they are based in the SE they are suppliers to the military and commercial airlines etc and deal in ear protection aswell. Had them around once to my bike group for a chat and they seem to be very knowledgeable.

[Paul]

Autocom is the daddy. I also use some moulded earplug monitors from headset services which are dandy, if a little pricy, too. The standard Autocom in helmet speakers are too bulky for use with a close fitting helmet and they are hugely critical to positioning. A few milimeters out of the sweet spot, and you hear diddly squat.

Cheers,

Paul

[Ade B]

Autocom here also, although I found that I had to turn it up to cut through motorway speed wind noise and it was way too loud for my wife even wearing ear plugs..

Guess who got to listen to distant bass beats...

Speech works a treat though - its nice to talk.

Ade

[smiliebiker]

Hi Guys - following on from the above - Its Autocom - got the message - but which one - I want to be able to talk to the occasional pillion and more importantly bike to bike when on longer runs.

So the next question is which transceiver radio to go with - Oh and I need some money to spend after I've bought this kit

Thanks

[Rob B]

I have just upgraded to the Super pro AVi (Kit 300 duo) ver good. Active gain control (volume goes up as background noise (speed) increases) so far, s good.

Connected the Garmin Zumo in and MP3 and directions work a treat.

Rgds,

Rob

[smiliebiker]

I have just upgraded to the Super pro AVi (Kit 300 duo) ver good. Active gain control (volume goes up as background noise (speed) increases) so far, s good.

Connected the Garmin Zumo in and MP3 and directions work a treat.

Rgds,

Rob

Thanks Rob - did a bit more investigating and thats the one I'm going for - with a kenwood radio - I'll post an opinion when it fitted and I've had a go - upto Scotland for a week at the end of the month - should be a good test!

[andrew s]

I have an autocom on the RT, excellent bit of kit. Like Paul and Archie I have just bought the monitor ear plugs and they are superb I can listen to the radio (fitted radio/cassette) on the bike back and forth to work.

The speech is excellent between rider and pillion and fades the music down when talking and goes back up when you stop.

Andrew