Thread: Compatible, affordable FRS-GMRS for Autocom?

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

Dave...any thoughts on the Acti Plus vs. Super Pro Avi?

No music fader, or automatic volume control on the Active Plus...

Originally Posted by Baketech

No music fader, or automatic volume control on the Active Plus...

Ok, it looked like there weren't any overrides but couldn't believe they charged more $$ for that small amount of feature-dom.

i was hoping the headsets were like, lifestyle changing different or something.

You may check about Bluetoof stuff too...is it available for the Active Plus?

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

Dave...any thoughts on the Acti Plus vs. Super Pro Avi?

I'm looking for justification here . The rider/passenger version of the SPA is 410$ (the headset is more expensive due to background noise sensor). The Acti Plus DUO kit (rider/passenger) is 270$.

The awesome Garmin cable I need is 6$

If I could find a way to get BT audio onto it...I'd be a heck of alot more interested.

I didn't think I'd need the Super Pro Avi - both music sources I would use ( GPS and MP3) will be easily accessible for muting, and either will automatically fade or cut for communications.

I never ride with a passenger, and I didn't think I'd be likely to use the speakers anyway - with the in-ear phones, I'd think the background noise sensor would be less important -

I think you are on point with that...the Super Pro is definitely aimed toward the 2-up set...

I am looking into a setup myself...but of course I am confused. So far everything I have heard about the Chatterboxes is bad. The Baehr systems get good reviews but are expensive. It seems that everyone is buying these FRS radios and plugging them into some headset with noise cancelling technology...correct? So two seperate purchases...the headset and the radio.

It was pretty confusing and involved - The J&M also seemed like a nice system, but by the time you got the integrator, headset, lower connector piece and all the other BS, it really added up to a lot more money. I finally got tired of screwing around and just pulled the trigger on one that several other VFR guys had recommended.

I've heard good things about the Starcom, too. I think they're in the Aerostich catalog as a full kit.

I'm just a simple caveman. Your world frightens and confuses me.

Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll stick to my music feed via etymotic research ER6-i's and Garmin GPS while using rudimentary hand signals for basic communication

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

It was pretty confusing and involved - The J&M also seemed like a nice system, but by the time you got the integrator, headset, lower connector piece and all the other BS, it really added up to a lot more money. I finally got tired of screwing around and just pulled the trigger on one that several other VFR guys had recommended.

I've heard good things about the Starcom, too. I think they're in the Aerostich catalog as a full kit.

Is this an answer to my question...

Uh, well -

You're right, Most of the companies sell different headset configurations that only work with their units - open helmets vs convertibles vs closed, In-ear vs speakers, BlueTooth vs wired. J&M further complicates this by selling separate connectors.

Chatterbox seems to have a simpler arrangement, but I haven't heard great things about it, especially for long term. Also, I think they lack the ability to connect a bunch of peripherals. Plus you have this thing on your head.

I see that some of the FRS/GMRS radios have their own version of motorcycle compatible noise canceling headphones, but I don't think those are very sophisticated, and the feature that reviewers kept emphasizing as most important was noise cancellation.


Does that help?

YES!!...I dont really need a bunch of other accessories that plug into it. I just need to talk to another rider on a different bike...so your opinion on the best solution for me would be a receiver such as the Autocom with the included noise cancelling headphones and an FRS radio...Correct?

I think so. That way you end up with a purpose-built, well regarded noise canceling system and at least some level of expandability if you ever want it.

Their base system contains

Kit Contents
• Easi-PLUS Control Unit (1001)
• Universal (Type A) Headset with Universal Boom (1153)
• Portable Stereo Lead 58"/1.5m (1307)
• Standard Cellular Phone Interface 58"/1.5m (1240)
• Cosmalon hook-and-loop for mounting
• Installation and Usage Manual

for $119.00, which isn't egregious. You could hook it up to the bike power or just run it off a 9 volt.

You'd need a lead compatible with whatever FRS radio you pick, so ask them first if they support that model before you buy it!

Easi-PLUS Solo Rider Kit - Autocom America

I don't think those systems are noise cancelling just fyi, until you get up to the Super Avi Pro...(?).


Devil's advocate...smooth, the new scala stuff is a different system but if going for B2B and its a greenfield setup (ie: none of your friends have em yet) I'd consider it, unless you need 25 mile range to your buds.
If longrange FRS is what you desire, disregard. I just like the Scala for its simplicity, 1 little box on the helmet - done deal, no wiring and fidgeting with all this other stuff.


..of course as cited, my problem is that I wanted the best AC system out there which easily gets over 500$ for a single human with all the toys.

Originally Posted by smoothrideronli

YES!!...I dont really need a bunch of other accessories that plug into it. I just need to talk to another rider on a different bike...so your opinion on the best solution for me would be a receiver such as the Autocom with the included noise cancelling headphones and an FRS radio...Correct?

I don't know anything about the noise cancelling head phones ... what you want, and the Autocom among others has, is a noise canceling microphone. it is effectively a dual microphone and then circuitry in the unit subtracts the noise (side facing away from your mouth) from what is going into the other side from your mouth. Microphone placement is critical (and usually not to difficult once you understand it) to keep from canceling out what you are saying.

My only experience was with the older Chatterbox units where it was difficult for me to make out what they were saying due to noise, and they commentend on how clear we (running old Autocoms) sounded. Note that there were 2 of them (bikes with Chatters) with passengers, and two of us (Autos), and even the passengers were shocked by the difference in sound quality.

As Bake said, the "lesser units" whet your mouth for one with good noise canceling circuitry.

Ahh yes...I am mixing up noise reduction with automatic volume

So the most important feature is the noise cancelling mic...(got headphone and mic mixed up). Ok I think I got it...thanks!!

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

I don't think those systems are noise cancelling just fyi, until you get up to the Super Avi Pro...(?).

Easi-PLUS Solo Rider Kit - Autocom America

According to this the Easi Plus Solo has noise cancelling.

My wife and I need person to person while 2-up but if that system can easily be built to also allow communication to other riders (all ya'll) then I don't want to waste money on something else first. I'd rather get a set-up that will take care of both needs. Do these systems allow rider to pillion?

Yes - if that's your main concern the duo kits might be a better value, but all of these are able to accomodate rider to pillion communication. Plus a sidecar, too.

Thanks to the help of Baketech, gt702, and CBRVFR, I recently place my orders for my communications setup.

Active-Plus (solo rider headset, mic, etc.)
Isolated Stereo Music Lead (Zumo/MP3)
Interface cable for Motorola MR350R FRS/GMRS radio
PTT/VOX button for B2B
Dual music input (to add Roady XT Sat radio)
Finally, a pair of Motorola MR350R radios (I have a Motorola USB charging cable)

Not sure if I want the Autocom BT adapter (about $139), or if I'll just upgrade my Zumo from a 450 to a 550 or 660 (thinking the latter so I have on-screen control for my Blackberry Curve).

All of it should be here by tomorrow. I'm going to assemble it all as a complete "bag unit" that can be used on any motorcycle, save the 12v. We'll see how it goes ...

Well, that's it then...I'm off to get a Scala Rider....

Good call bake!

Originally Posted by Baketech

Well, that's it then...I'm off to get a Scala Rider....

You're back on my shit list, Bake ...

Reviving this thread to Hijack, sry. You guys seem to really know your Radios, hoping you can help a noob. Im wondeing if there is a FRS/GMRS radio out there with Bluetooth headset compatibility?

Psy

Welcome, nice bike!

There are an increasing number of off-the-shelf, stand alone radios with BT capability, like these and the price will be coming down, for sure.

However, for a motorcycle specific application you might find the noise-reduction that is supposed to filter out the sound of the wind so you can actually be heard would be severely lacking on these. That's why people are more inclined to look at the Scala or the Chatterbox which come with BT capability, or might consider adding a BT adapter to an Autocomm or one of the more established MC radio brands that can also handle inputs for music, radar dectectors, GPS and stuff like that.

I guess I'm still waiting. I love the idea of the new generation BT intercoms coming to the market like the Scala Rider G4 over an integrated system like J&M or Autocom, but their limited number of sets that they can be paired to and the fact that they only allow 2 way with 1 other person at a time has me bummed. Ideally I'd love to have one of these BT headsets paired to a FRM/GRMS raido for Bike to bike while still taking advantage of the potability and Music/GPS pairing capabilities. A radio using the AVRCP protocol should be easy to come up with I would think.

Psy