Post by anon on Feb 21, 2007 12:56:03 GMT
From: Popsflynn1 Sent: 7/2/2006
All I have written below is my personal opinion, I have not received any discount or freebies.
For anyone considering a communication system for their bike, be it rider to pillion or bike to bike first have a look at the comparison page of the different systems on the following link,
www.autocom.co.uk/pages/compare.php
Before seeing this link, I personally went for Intarides RP1 along with an A80 radio, isolated GPS cable for my Quest, separate power supply, battery charger etc. etc. I ended up struggling for ages with the vox set up and could not get it set up right. At this point I have to give credit to Intaride for their help with fixing my RP1 units faulty volume control, free of charge when they didn’t have to, but unfortunately I am still unhappy with it. At any speed greater then 25mph the vox was opening the mike which resulted in the music, GPS or phone cutting out. I tried all sorts of things to improve it but to no avail. Now all this might be my fault in not having the headphones placed right or the unit not set up right but I gave up with it. Perhaps in case it has relevance, I should mention my helmet is a Caberg Justissimo.
After looking around I came across the above link to Autocoms website. I run the tests for the different sets on the page and thought this can't be right. How can one set be that much better then the rest? Anyway I rang the number I had and spoke to a chap called Sam who took great delight in telling me of the way they carried these tests out with the different units, Sam had taken part in the actual testing. He was very convincing as it turned out because with in a few minutes I had ordered an Active Plus kit 200 Duo. In case the Autocom unit was as good as it says, I enquired if a club discount might be possible. He was more then happy to consider a discount so bear this in mind because when you compare prices the Autocom may look dearer, but not by much, so with any discount should work out roughly the same price.
Anyway to cut a long story short, my Active plus arrived last week and was so easy to install. I have it connected to bike power but you can power it by a 9 volt battery if you wish, all you have to do is replace a small connector, which comes with it in the box.
The unit is smaller than the RP1. The difference in use of the two units is exactly like the test, I could not believe it at first. Now music, GPS, phone and conversation between rider and pillion are far better The clarity, the volume, the ease of the vox set up are truly great. Let us say this has been tested at speeds greater then the maximum speed limit, I was on a private road, honestly, with astounding results. My wife can now shout at me no matter what speed we are doing. (er what have I done)
I do not want to sway anyone from one system to another but just wanted to say before committing yourself to one system try the tests. you can believe the results on the website and it is as good as it says on the tin.
Regards
Keith
From: DD-FJR Sent: 7/2/2006
Nice write up Keith
BUT....................
Can I also put in a plug for the Starcom1 System.
I have had all 3 systems,
Autocom
Interide
Starcom
The Autocom would of been my choice as well but I have now used all 3 systems, the Starcom1 (that I have now) is Very Very good just as good as the Autocom and much better that the Interide.
Every one goes on to say what great "Aftercare service" they got from Interide but you shouldn't have to find out what there after sales / repair / fix service is like IMHO .
The Starcom1 was fitted to the bike "Out of the box" I ordered some extras and they fitted right away as well, no messing with any set-up, it worked right out of the box (Just like the Autocom system).
OldBiffer phoned me today and couldn't belive I was on the bike riding around Dorset while I was talking to him, clear, no hassle and like I said worked out of the box.
My own experience of the Interide was not a happy one due to the VOX and things not working when they should and working when they shouldn't.
I know of others that have had the same problems but then there are others that swear by the system.
As Keith says, you have to make your own choice, just don't go on how good there after sales service is
From: Juz_Krewzin Sent: 7/3/2006
Unlike Colin I've not tried the other units, but have been lucky enough to have bought the Starcom system 3 years ago.
Like Colin, I've never had to call Starcom except to order extra cables (as I use the unit on both bikes). It worked right out of the box and I've tried all the combinations of MP3,phone,GPS,BtoB and Rider to Pillion - no problems in any of the functions. Set it up and leave it alone!
I've recently stopped taking my radio units out on Divvy runs as the interference and poor quality transmissions caused by one or two of the other riders units (VOX operated mostly) is really annoying, so I'd rather not be bothered or deafened). Hint - get a PTT button and decent radio!
Since I bought my unit, Starcom have improved the system and it's now about half the size of my unit.
JK
From: Fiasco Sent: 7/3/2006
I've recently stopped taking my radio units out on Divvy runs as the interference and poor quality transmissions caused by one or two of the other riders units (VOX operated mostly) is really annoying, so I'd rather not be bothered or deafened). Hint - get a PTT button and decent radio!
My thoughts exactly JK, I turned my radio off whilst leading the Postcombe run as the interferance from someones radio being on permanent transmit was doing my head in and making it hard to remember where I was going !!
Maybe if the person concerned identified themselves we could have a whip round for a PTT button :-)
Seems a shame as club runs were the reason I bought my radio, is still useful when out with a couple of mates though.
Dave :-)
From: m40man Sent: 7/3/2006
interference and poor quality transmissions caused by one or two of the other riders units (VOX operated mostly) is really annoying,
............... I confess I assumed I was responsible, on the Scotland Run. I switched my kiy off for much of it after such annoyances.
Yesterday billywhizz & I had no such problems on the run from the Midlands over to the Fen Run. But then on the run itself the usual problems came along!
So - I think I'll ditch my hair shirt & repeat Fiasco's request that the person(s) concerned identify themselves!! PTT buttons avaialble form me on request ;-)
(I think some of the problems are local sources of inteference as we pass them - but mostly, it must be one of us!)
Martin.
From: Juz_Krewzin Sent: 7/3/2006
So - I think I'll ditch my hair shirt & repeat Fiasco's request that the person(s) concerned identify themselves!! PTT buttons avaialble form me on request ;-)
Unfortunately I don't think the person or person's responsible will know who they are as they will not be privvy to the 'entertaining' ear deafening noise that their units are transmitting! However, if you are operating on VOX (in other words, if you don't have a seperate PTT button on your handlebars) you are on the suspect list and will be hunted down and your equipment replaced with two cans and an piece of string.
JK
From: Biff Sent: 7/3/2006
So - I think I'll ditch my hair shirt & repeat Fiasco's request that the person(s) concerned identify themselves!! PTT buttons avaialble form me on request ;-)
As we operate on Ch 7.30, if this problem is happening why dont those that are experiencing the interference change channels to, say ch7.31 ??
The person not experiencing the interference will still stay on ch7.30...
hth
Biff
From: xtonthebrain Sent: 7/3/2006
well interesting conversation chaps
i recently bought a starcom advance which i had been promising myself for some time
fitted straight out of the box (well more thrown into the box under the saddle)
bought the phone bits and gps bits ect followed the instructions for set up and bobs yer uncle it works
i fitted two speaker set's boom types to open face type roof boxers which unless it rains never have the front down then went out to test. held a telephone conversation at 80 mph and while the noise in my hat was quite loud i could still hear and the caller could understand me considering it's open face how good is this system in a full face
i can only give my opinion on this system as i have never owned another and i have not tried it with the walkie talkieness yet but i suspect it will do well
and with the mp3 thingy plugged in the quality was superb
very pleased with my buy at present but will keep you posted if it starts to annoy me in anyway
cheers all stuart
From: molestrangler900 Sent: 7/18/2006
Interesting points raised. Does anyone have the web address of starcom please?
Ian
From: Fiasco Sent: 7/18/2006
Hi Merv
Try
www.starcom1.com/
HTH
Dave
From: DD-FJR Sent: 7/22/2006
Ho no
Dave is on commision from Starcom as well now
LOL
From: GhoulishRobert Sent: 2/4/2007
never used any other system, but i would recomend autocom to any body because it
do's what it say's it do's on the tin. my unit is the active-7. linked with gamin quest-jvc car radio/cd, cobra-m427 bike 2 bike + me phone,all go through to the helmet
and are perfectly clear at over 100mph. why not go to a autocom dealer and try a
demo, you will be suprised.
From: Duckies412 Sent: 2/4/2007
i have the autocom active 7 ( i think , long time since i have used the bike ) and found the quality for sound excellent when the wife and i talk but the thing i can't get to work is my phone with it . i put the phone onto auto answer , it rings but it won't answer the call . does anyone know what could be the problem ?
keiron.........
From: Dah-Dit Sent: 2/4/2007
Have you checked that you've set the auto-answer settings for when "accessories" or "handsfree" adapters are pluged in?
That may be the problem. There may be separate settings for when a base-adapter is plugged in and it senses that it is sourcing audio to/from a different source.
Just a thought.
Neil
From: Duckies412 Sent: 2/12/2007
thanks for that , i will have a look before i ride it down to essex at the weekend .
keiron,
france B&B/camping soon . 13 days to go