Bike to bike communication

[tnq5546]

Hey guys, I needed to get something for bike to bike communications. I need something that would have a 1/2 to one mile range in the city. Note: I intend to use them when me and my wife ride and for running funeral escorts, so at times the bikes ( 2 or 3) can be about 4 or 5 city blocks away from each other. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[gearbanger]

I've been looking into this myself. From what I've found the Midland GMRS radios are a pretty good choice for little initial investment. There are products like Autocomm, Chatterbox and Beryl (sp) that are nice but way out of my price range. From the reviews, it looks like the Midland GTX series with radio headset/mic combos work pretty well considering the low buy in.

Good luck,

[Ghost 26]

When I did an Iron Butt rally with my brother last year we both had Chatterbox GRMS radios. You said they were out of your price range, but in my opinion they were well worth the money. Main drawback? Not waterproof. We put them away during the lengthy rain storms.

Good luck...

G26

[knightrook]

cell phones with bluetooth headsets and voicedial works great...free mobile to mobile for most carriers, most phones are set up for voice dialing, and a good bluetooth headset is less than $50.
my wife uses hers on the back of the bike all the time. said most people are shocked to find out she is riding...said you cant tell it at all.

[twohearted1955]

I have the Chatterbox FMS X 2, works great and has a range up to 2 miles, voice activated, I have it RAM mounted on the handlebars.

[tnq5546]

Thanks for all the info. I will look at the midland and chatter box prices. I like the idea of using my cell phone. I will start at the Sprint store first to see what kind of earpieces they have.

[seajay]

I hope my wife doesn't read this but from my experience, women can't figure out the Chatterbox. Too many channels (2) and the voice activated thing doesn't work when one of you is singing.:D

[Matejj]

Thanks for all the info. I will look at the midland and chatter box prices. I like the idea of using my cell phone. I will start at the Sprint store first to see what kind of earpieces they have.


If you are considering the cell/phone bluetooth headset route, get the scala rider Q2...it has full bluetooth support to pair with your phone, bike to bike communications (about 1500 ft) and an fm radio...my brother and I use them all of the time and they work great....you riding alog talkting to one another then if you get a phone call it rings in your headset and beeps in the other persons to let him know that you ar getting a call....it then breaks the communication between the two bikes, enters the bluetooth mode, and all yo have to do to answer the phone is say hello....completly hands free....when your done with your phone call...it re-conects to the other bike.....

Or if your riding alone and listening to the radio ....it interrupts the radio and allows you to answer the phone then when the person hangs up it turns back on the radio.....pretty nifty device...look into them...

http://www.cardowireless.com/US/Q2

Joe

[twohearted1955]

Seajay, I don't have to worry about the wife, she is now an exwife so I can sing to myself and don't have to listen to her (or feel those taps on the shoulder).

[Ross]

I just picked up this unit at the show a couple weeks ago. Tested it in our shop ......worked great, dont know how it is on the bike,will find out in spring. For the money it has all the goodies.Cell phone hookup, MP3 /satradio input. and FRS for bike to bike as well as intercom. Seems good from what we tested in our noisy shop and only 200 cdn$.
http://www.imc-communication.com/produits.php

Worth checking them out.

[gsxrter1994]

well here is my 2cents my wife and i both have the Cardo scala 2 headsets and they work great.
We used them for over 8 hours a day in the Smokie mountains and they work great I could get at least 3/4 of a mile in front of her before they would start to break up.
They are work great and very easy to use.

[Matejj]

well here is my 2cents my wife and i both have the Cardo scala 2 headsets and they work great.
We used them for over 8 hours a day in the Smokie mountains and they work great I could get at least 3/4 of a mile in front of her before they would start to break up.
They are work great and very easy to use.

+1 ....I love mine...and your right...it Will work 8 hours of bike to bike comm b4 needing to be charged...

Joe

[tnq5546]

Thanks I will look into the Scala Q2 and compare.

[minihero]

Another big thumbs up for scala II.... :)

If you have several helmets...u can purchase extra boom mics & speakers for each helmet... for approx $30 bucks...

So all you need to do is move the scala hardware from helmet to helmet

Peace,
D

[captainkurt]

On the q 2 setup what kind of helmets are you using. Although they say it is not made for the 1/2 helmets I think it would be easy to adapt the ear piece to it. How well does it work going 60 MPH. Both me and the wife have big windshields. I tried the GMRS radios by Midland. The good ones w/the vox mike/earpiece. No good.. To much wind noise. Would like to here more about the Q2. I do think that is my next purchase...

[Matejj]

I have it on both a half helmet and a full face...

Here is the half...you need to have one of thoses that have the zip in neck warmer...

Joe

http://www.vtxcafe.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC08275a.JPG

[captainkurt]

ok looks good I have a large windshield and NO helmet shield do you think it will still work good at 50 or 60 mph?

[Matejj]

i still think you'd be fine....for bike to bike comms....i usually take off the visor in the heat of the summer and it wasn't affected

[captainkurt]

ok thanks
ps. I did the driving lights from walmart and installed them on the engine guard. They are bright and nice looking. I havent a chance to take it out on the road with the wx being a bit cold and working on call at night but Im suspecting this weekend I will be out... Looks like I will be putting a set on my wifes bike too !!!

[Matejj]

ok thanks
ps. I did the driving lights from walmart and installed them on the engine guard. They are bright and nice looking. I havent a chance to take it out on the road with the wx being a bit cold and working on call at night but Im suspecting this weekend I will be out... Looks like I will be putting a set on my wifes bike too !!!

Your very welcome on both accounts...now get to wiring the wifey's ride....;)

Joe

[Whisky_Burn]

Interesting thread here. I am liking what I am reading about the Q2 and would like to see a Q3 available somewhere as we typically have 4-5 bikes in a group.

I was wondering however, if anywone has tried the Nolan helmet line with the N-Com system of communications? I dunno much about it and was wondering how many it would supports?

[Ronw64]

Recently ordered the Scala Q2, but haven't received it. All the reviews I read on it were good. Scala has a new unit (the G4) coming out, but it won't be ready to ship until late summer. I needed something before then, so went with the Q2.

[canivito2000]

What kind of bluetooth cell earpiece are you guys using on a motorcycle? I have an Iphone, which will work for music and phone calls...if you have the correct headset.

[leaddawg]

cardo scala rider Q2 works great for myself and my wife. range is approx 500-800 yds
has fm radio and bluetooth. also voice activated intercom. have used them all day without charging.

[Derek Edwards]

No thanks to the headsets, If I want to hear my wife telling me what a bad driver I am, or that I should go this way not that way.........we will take the Avalanche!