Intercoms - Do they actually sound good?

[colinpollock]

Hey all,

I'm shopping for an intercom system for two purposes.

1. To speak with my wife who is riding pinion
2. To listen to XM Radio in stereo(not just one ear)

Presently, I use Etymotic er6i headphones when I listen to my XM Radio. During my shopping, I notice that all the intercoms that I can find require the use of proprietary out-of-the-ear headphones, usually stuck to the inside of the helmet.

Do these headphones actually sound good? My er6i's doubled as ear plugs to kill alot of noise. How would these out of the ear headphones work?

Does anyone know of a intercom system that would allow me to use my own headphones, and listen in stereo? Shure makes a stereo headset (i2c) that includes a microphone. I would even consider using them, as I believe the in-the-ear models have added value as ear plugs.

I'd even consider changing helmets and going to an integrated model such as the Nolan N84 or N102.

Can anyone offer suggestions?

[R4R&R]

The Autocom system offers a standard headphone 'adapter', but then you'll have two tethers going to the helmet - one for the mic and one for the headphones. I too use the ER6i headphones and will someday buy an Autocom. One of my riding buddies has that exact setup and he likes it.

[Jorginho]

I have the autocom system. The microphone sounds really good and the earphones are o.k. They don't sound hifi but are decent enough. I have this system on a helmet Nolan N 102 and works great, everything fits nicely inside the helmet.

Jorge

[sjbmw]

Ditto Jorge.

I picked up a used Autocom Pro M1 for XM, GPS, and passenger communications, both using flip face Nolan helmets.

I use a volume control stereo jack from the XM radio to the Autocom input since the Roady2 has no volume control. This allows using a single volume control for both passenger and driver.

Works well, and the squelch feature works when talking.
High speed on a naked bike of course gives a little more wind noise and open face helmets are no good with this setup, too much wind noise forces the squelch into nuclear mode.

[Lion_Lady]

I've got the Autocom Pro7 set up with speakers mounted in my full face Arai helmet. I listen to XM (and my GPS) and both pillion and me can listen to the radio as well as talk to each other.

Since the general background noise of the road at highway speed is nearly impossible to eliminate, I have found the set up to be just fine.

I don't expect the music quality to be anywhere near as good as sitting in my living room.

P

[R4R&R]

Lion Lady - do you use ear plugs when riding? I've been trying to find someone that uses the original Autocom speakers with earplugs. Can you actually make out the music ok?

[DJ Downunder]

Great picture Herb...flip helmets are great aren't they.

Is that your son/daughter..if so how old is he/she?...My daughter is now 13 and I'd love to get her on the back one day.

DJ

[sjbmw]

That's my son Tom, he's 13.

He has been riding with me since he was 6 years old.

Made the Vermont and the Finger Lakes rally with me, and is always up for jumping on a LT when able

He loves the LT.

[colinpollock]

Thanks everyone.

I guess I'll be shopping for an Autocom system.

Anyone know where I could by Autocom stuff for a good price?

[Just-Beeming]

I traveled this summer with a couple who use autocom through thier custom ear plug/speakers....AND thier Ipod. They said it was awesome...they oculd even talk over the music clearly....sometimes they could hear the other singing along....they admit they need the 'push to talk' feature...

I am really tempted to try this set up. My husb on his own bike and mine on my own found the walkie talkie/chatterbox/ helmet speaker system to be awful....

Ears are funny little things...they feel ok for a while but when you have something pushing on them for a few hours it can be SEVERELY painful.

I really like custome ear buds with Ipod on long trips. I look forward to adding the communication as well....I already have Auto com....my husb will have to purchase one.

just some thoughts

[P_Jensen]

I use a Autocomm Pro 7 sport for talking to a passenger when I have one, and to listen to XM (MiFi) most of the time. The sound quality of the speakers in the helmet is very good, I use musican ear plugs which allows me to hear the passenger/music but block out the background wind noise. The autocomm automaticaly cuts the volume of the music by 50% when the driver or passenger speaks. The newer versions of the autocomm also allow adjustment of the volume for the passenger (mine does not). The Autocomm makes riding two up much more enjoyable, because you can talk with your passenger as you go. There is a short article in the Jan 2007 edition of Rider on comm systems.

[Lion_Lady]

Lion Lady - do you use ear plugs when riding? I've been trying to find someone that uses the original Autocom speakers with earplugs. Can you actually make out the music ok?

Yes, I wear earplugs. There is a setting on the Autocom unit that increases the base volume for use with earplugs...

Once you've got that set, don't EVER plug into the Autocom without earplugs. OUCH! Even breathing is painful to the ears. Did it once, for a short 'repark' and a gasp was loud enough to cause me to, "Yikes!" which was even MORE painful. Couldn't get unplugged fast enough.

Yes, music comes through clearly.

P

[jrh1230]

I also have an Autocomm, (last year's model). It works pretty well but there are some things to nitpick...

- the older model has no controls at all like the new version has. (The
newer version, with rider and passenger volume control, would be
far superior to what I have).

- the unit could do a bit better at blocking out the aux and music channels
when someone is talking. Volume controls would likely make that a moot
point.

- the helmet speakers are, not surprizingly, low quality in terms of frequency response.

- I have the battery powered model which saves some wiring but it sure eats the batteries!

Oh yeah... I had to add a Boosteroo to help with music volume also.

So, bottom line... it 'works' and is worth having but could be better.
(As long as I have XM available for my wife, she'll travel most anywhere and that makes a big difference!)