CBRVFR

I'm trying to get this Autocom system configured in a tankbag/ptt set up, and I thought I'd get a moderately priced, well-reviewed FRS/GMRS to hook up -

After some very boring research, I got a set of Midland GXT950 somethings, only to find out belatedly that Autocom doesn't make a pigtail for those, and the one they do have that looks like it will work for Midlands only works with the 350 series, which has nowhere near the power, positive feedback from users or range, plus it doesn't have weather info...

TopGearaccess is in the process of not being the autocom distributor anymore, so they keep referring me to the tech support email address in England. But that guy hasn't returned my multiple email entreaties in about a week. I want to finish this!


So -

I'd like a moderately priced FRS/GMRS (weather capability would be nice, but not strictly necessary) with usable range that is proven to be compatible with autocom so I can exchange these Midlands for compatible 2-ways and get the correct adapter from Autocom.


Can anyone help?

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

SomeStrangeGuy

You can give a search at advrider for the details...but the Kenwoods seem to be the fave for low cost pro grade units. If you're really after FRS GMRS the Motorola's seem to be pretty decent.

I haven't checked into autocom compatibility though with what models, I just know alot of the leads I see are for various Moto's.

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

HondaGal

I've used the now discontinued Kenwoods and the most recent radios being Motorola. Both were fine with the Autocom. I switched to the Moto's because we started having hardware issues with the Kenwoods but they were used alot so I'm chalking it up to that.

I noticed a trend from Moto to provide a USB charging port on the radios....pretty kewl so hopefully, they can also be used & charged at the same time. Found the Moto MR350R model which is new for 2009 that has some niceties including being glove friendly for what I think is a pretty reasonable price. Gonna give these a try this year, I think. They also have an extra capacity battery for those extra chatty rides.

HondaGalToo

Also, if you're looking to set all the stuff up in the tankbag, RKA makes a really nice electrified tankbag. Keeps everything nice and neat, has a ram mount thingie built in.

__________________
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

slickwill

Just googled those. We are talking a MUCH lower price range here than what I had expected. I assume if ya'll are talking about using them on rides that you can plug them into a headset of some sort?

Would they have bad interference if the two people using them were on the same bike?

My wife and I have an intercom system that was purchased at a price that's a lot higher than those radio's and it sucks. We can never hear each other, the mic gives way too much wind noise.

__________________
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG

SomeStrangeGuy

If you freaks are thinking of the Moto radios let me know before you buy them, mmkay? I may be able to find you an alternative source.


I recently bought some Moto stuff that has the M-usb cable and it seemed to charge and work to me just fine.

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

SomeStrangeGuy

Got link?


I have a marsee that I use on the GS that is not electrified but has a kickass mounting system (Marsee CORONA mount). I electrified the bag via my own methods but you'd think it's OEM.

twistedthrottle.com also sells an uber nice couple of bags from bags connection that has a locking horseshoe style hard mount, with conducting locking pins to pass volts inside the bag...also very nice and weather friendly.


I just want to know what everyone is about to do for helmet speakers...

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

gt702

Slick, the Autocom system provides the link to the headsets ... which includes a very capable noise reduction system. I've been in the tripple digits with mine with no wind noise in the mics. That is the real difference with paying more for the systems. I don't think the Chatterboxes have (maybe I should say had) the noise reduction capabilities which was a limit for them.

CBRetc's question is about what radios can connect to the limited number of pigtails that Autocom produced. I think the Motorola 2 plug system is one of them, and I would think someone savy with a solder iron could make up what is necessary.

Look into noise reducing microphones and what can be adapted ... or trade up to get living room quiet communications on the highway.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

Baketech

I have a set of Motorola T7400's....of which, one will be available the next time we ride. Assuming you already have the AutoCom unit with a PTT tether, then all you would need to do is pop for the AutoCom interface wire (Part 1440 - about $28) to try it out....

Shoot me an email and we'll work out the details...


Btw...
What's the scoop here...

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

HondaGalToo

Linkage:
Communications Main Page (Master Acessories Build Sheet)

__________________
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

CBRVFR

I got one of those horseshoe-mount bags and electrified it myself this weekend - it's a nice setup and will not contact my paint at all. the bag istself has an optional mount for an MP3, and a clear pouch for the phone so you can see who you don't want to talk to .

I'm inclined to go for those Motorola MR350R's as long as Autocom can give me a straight answer regarding the pigtail availability. If they can't, I'll get a 1440 as baketech suggests and worst case scenario, I can borrow one of his when we take this spring ride..

SSG, if you can do something there, I'd be interested..

These are rechargable, have NOAA stations, a built-in flashlight, and maximum wattage for FRS/GMRS.

As far as speakers for the autocom, I couldn't get them to fit in my helmet without a lot of discomfort, so I bought their optional connector that accomodates my Westone UM1 foam-tipped headphones, which are very comfortable and reasonably sound-isolating. I still use the Autocom boom mike. My PTT button is switchable for VOX, so I can use whichever works better.

The tech support woman at Top Gear told me that losing the Autocom distributorship was a contributing reason she couldn't get an answer on the Midland radio connectors. SHe said there would be an announcement from Autocom soon, but she couldn't say more.

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

SomeStrangeGuy

I will have my people call your people Dave

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

Baketech

[quote=CBRVFR;173251SHe said there would be an announcement from Autocom soon, but she couldn't say more.[/quote]


So no idea if someone else is picking up the distributorship?

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

CBRVFR

I was under the impression that someone would, she just couldn't say whom. Maybe the manufacturer will set up their own distribution..

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

gt702

He finally gets a universally cool bike, and now he has "people". I'm doing things all wrong here



If you want to try the Kenwoods, I can loan you one of those also ... with the hook up to the bike battery. No weather and I'm sure technology has improved, but they would give you a reference point in deciding on Moto, or other, radios.

I don't know what the big deal is with the radio connections, but in the past it seemed Autocom would not say something would work unless they had thoroughly tested it (or maybe got certain kickbacks or supply agreements). I would think that if a universal remote handset would work on the radio, so would the Autocom unit. So look at the handsets and see which plugs fit which radios. Should be good to go from there.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

Baketech

Sounds like you have a couple of loaner options now. All you need to do is pick up the appropriate interface cord, and you are ready to rock...

Here's what the Motorola T7400 setup looks like. The grey plug is the end of the AutoCom Part 1440, and plugs into your communicator unit.

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

gt702

Oh yeah, should have mentioned the interface cord is attached to the Kenwood.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

CBRVFR

You once described that unit as 'ghetto' - does that mean you're not happy with the performance, or just that you have to remove your belt in order to use it?



Cool - One way or the other I'll have something this spring so I can join in the "can you hear me now" or " is that wee I smell?" discussion.

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

Baketech

They aren't a commercial grade (mil-spec?) radio like the Kenwood... They are more of a consumer grade unit, however, they are rugged, with good range and clarity...

We've gotten very good performance from them for a reasonable price...

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

gt702

When I bought the Kenwoods, there wasn't a commercial grade radio of any quality or range. I would likely buy something more reasonably priced if I were doing it today.

__________________
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein

CBRVFR

OK, I talked with them this morning as I got the last 1440 from their rapidly depleting stock.

Topgear has decided not to continue their 11 year association with Autocom, and will concentrate more on their wholesale side of motorcycle dealership supply.

Autocom has not yet named a US distributor, but certainly intends to appoint one.

Autocom has a good rep for customer service in the US, and it's wholly based on Topgear as far as I can tell, since the British tech guy hasn't returned my multiple emails regarding the Midland radios YET, and it's been well over a week.

Laurie at Topgear, by way of contrast, called all over the country to find a retailer who had the Garmin lead I needed in stock. He put it aside for me and is shipping it today.

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

SomeStrangeGuy

So what is the total collection of autocom parts you're getting here?

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

Baketech

From the sound of it, he's getting enough bits to have a shot at that distributorship...

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

SomeStrangeGuy

Well every time I turn around he is buying more stuff for it and I noticed autocomadx.org was reserved as of the other day so I put two and two together.

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

CBRVFR

HA!

I bought an Active Rider kit for a single rider, includes the main box and a headset. Also a PTT switch, a lead that integrates the Autocom with a Garmin 2820 (GPS text to speech, Bluetooth and Mp3), and a lead that integrates a Motorola single-pin type 2-way radio. The kit contained another lead for a non-bluetooth-type phone and one for a separate MP3 player.

Also, I got an optional connector for the headset that bypasses the speakers with a jack that can be used for in-ear headphones.


...So far.

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

SomeStrangeGuy

Hmm, maybe I have to give up life and just try rocking the IEM's all the time to accomplish what I want.

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

slickwill

That's a long enough and confusing enough tech list to convince me that when the day comes that I want to talk to someone while I'm riding that I'll just have to send one of ya'll my cash and hope that I get a box back with the necessary bits.

__________________
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG

CBRVFR

Coincidentally, that's pretty much how we feel about surgeons....

__________________
Eigoga Mothafucku - Hanashimaska?

Godspeed, # 20 - Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

SomeStrangeGuy

__________________
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.

slickwill

Nicely played.:thumb:

__________________
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG