Intercoms?

Not sure if this is in the right place so if not feel free to move.

I'm going on a two week trip around France, Spain and Portugal with a mate. Think it would be a good idea to be able to discuss the route, speak about people we're passing and generally take the **** while we ride. I want to get a Tom Tom so we don't get as lost as last time . The Tom Tom has a bluetooth connection but have read the Scala which you buy with it isn't too good at bike to bike communication.

So most people recommend Autocom, but here's the problem, which kit do I need? I want to get the instructions form the Tom Tom, speak to my mate on another bike, perhaps listen to music not too bothered about phone calls but if it does it ok. Also will my mate need another Autocom or or will one do?

Really I need a list of the stuff I would need if anyone can help or suggestions of what else would be sufficient for my needs.

Thanks

[Nobbylad]

Ring Autocom or a stockist

[Luckypants]

Get a car and go in that with your mate sat next to you.

FWIW I used an autocom with a walkie talkie to contact my riding companion on a European trip, it was faultless and worked well. The cheaper headset and radio my companion had gave up the ghost after the first rainstorm and was a bit useless really. If you must have all the gubbins, Autocom is very good.

I have an autocom Active Duo (now discontinued). I have it connected to garmin and / or mobile. i have the bluetooth dongle for when I cant be asked to use the garmin and it answers calls for me. i also have a cheapy radio with PTT switch that I have butchered and connected to the autocom via the grey radio DIN lead. works very well once set up properly. second hand stuff can be had cheaper of course, but you need to do some research as to the best way to connect everything, eg do you want to use bluetooth or hardwire to the satnav. Google is your friend or ring a stockinst if you feel flush.

[Stu]

Review by a friend I trust

Interphone F4

Quick user review

I have been looking at bike to bike intercom for a while now but despite being encouraged by the positive Autocom performance story I was always disappointed by the number of parts involved and the number of wires. Cost was also an issue.

I finally decided to buy an “Interphone F4” twin set which Andrew and I road tested on our dash down to Le Mans last weekend.
This system encompasses a small unit attached to the side of the helmet, two speakers and a microphone. The unit is rechargeable and requires no external wires at all. The Interphone uses Bluetooth technology to link “bike to bike” as well as to your phone, SatNav and MP3 player. Not having to wire into the bike and not having to carry the Autocom unit as well as a separate two way radio was a huge advantage for me as I didn’t want all the clutter that goes with the usual Autocom set up.

I have to say the Interphone F4 system is fantastic!

Both Andrew and I wear the bespoke moulded earplugs and even with these in place at speeds up to 80 mph the stereo speakers are loud and clear. Over 100mph it's hard to hear but frankly at this speed we were concentrating on the bikes/roads so two way communication is not required.

The bike to bike Bluetooth connectivity is reliable up to about half a mile providing you have line of sight although significantly less if disappearing round corners either in the country or round town. If connectivity is lost it can be regained quickly and easily once you’re back in range. Battery power is not an issue, with the system in use for almost 12 hours without a recharge and still going strong. If you put the Interphone on standby during long road sections or if you fall out and don’t want to talk for a while it would easily survive a weekends riding!

Talking bike to bike on long trips was a revolution having always ridden in silence before. Being able to talk made navigation as well as general communication infinitely simpler and enjoyable. Being able to watch out for each other was also a bonus as well as advising on overtakes and the relevant behaviour of other drivers. Two pairs of eyes at busy junctions made interpreting signposts etc simpler as well as decisions on when to stop for food and comfort breaks. Also riding through small French villages on a hot May weekend being able to share the finer detail of the French female form was useful/essential/a pleasure!

The speakers and microphone were easily fitted inside the lining of my Arai Viper although getting the speakers in just the right place took a bit of adjustment. All in all at £299 for the two sets we think it was money well spent. In fact I can’t think of a negative, oh yes, for some reason it will not reach out to my Sony Ericsson phone. The Blackberry jumps in immediately but not the Sony which must be a soft ware problem but as I don’t want to take calls when riding it’s not an issue for me. (If you do use your phone it is voice activated and will override the music or the SatNav).

I suppose a longer operational range would be great but in practice whilst covering over 1,100 miles this weekend we lost connectivity maybe three times and that was because we were separated by traffic in long twisty sections and because Andrew is faster than me and won't wait for me to catch up because I make him lead all the time!

Just thought I’d share this with the group (not the bit about Andrew although public chastisement is very therapeutic) as we were delighted with the system and would encourage anyone looking for a simple bike to bike/pillion system to give it ago.

[Stu]

Review by a friend I trust

Interphone F4

Quick user review

I have been looking at bike to bike intercom for a while now but despite being encouraged by the positive Autocom performance story I was always disappointed by the number of parts involved and the number of wires. Cost was also an issue.

I finally decided to buy an “Interphone F4” twin set which Andrew and I road tested on our dash down to Le Mans last weekend.
This system encompasses a small unit attached to the side of the helmet, two speakers and a microphone. The unit is rechargeable and requires no external wires at all. The Interphone uses Bluetooth technology to link “bike to bike” as well as to your phone, SatNav and MP3 player. Not having to wire into the bike and not having to carry the Autocom unit as well as a separate two way radio was a huge advantage for me as I didn’t want all the clutter that goes with the usual Autocom set up.

I have to say the Interphone F4 system is fantastic!

Both Andrew and I wear the bespoke moulded earplugs and even with these in place at speeds up to 80 mph the stereo speakers are loud and clear. Over 100mph it's hard to hear but frankly at this speed we were concentrating on the bikes/roads so two way communication is not required.

The bike to bike Bluetooth connectivity is reliable up to about half a mile providing you have line of sight although significantly less if disappearing round corners either in the country or round town. If connectivity is lost it can be regained quickly and easily once you’re back in range. Battery power is not an issue, with the system in use for almost 12 hours without a recharge and still going strong. If you put the Interphone on standby during long road sections or if you fall out and don’t want to talk for a while it would easily survive a weekends riding!

Talking bike to bike on long trips was a revolution having always ridden in silence before. Being able to talk made navigation as well as general communication infinitely simpler and enjoyable. Being able to watch out for each other was also a bonus as well as advising on overtakes and the relevant behaviour of other drivers. Two pairs of eyes at busy junctions made interpreting signposts etc simpler as well as decisions on when to stop for food and comfort breaks. Also riding through small French villages on a hot May weekend being able to share the finer detail of the French female form was useful/essential/a pleasure!

The speakers and microphone were easily fitted inside the lining of my Arai Viper although getting the speakers in just the right place took a bit of adjustment. All in all at £299 for the two sets we think it was money well spent. In fact I can’t think of a negative, oh yes, for some reason it will not reach out to my Sony Ericsson phone. The Blackberry jumps in immediately but not the Sony which must be a soft ware problem but as I don’t want to take calls when riding it’s not an issue for me. (If you do use your phone it is voice activated and will override the music or the SatNav).

I suppose a longer operational range would be great but in practice whilst covering over 1,100 miles this weekend we lost connectivity maybe three times and that was because we were separated by traffic in long twisty sections and because Andrew is faster than me and won't wait for me to catch up because I make him lead all the time!

Just thought I’d share this with the group (not the bit about Andrew although public chastisement is very therapeutic) as we were delighted with the system and would encourage anyone looking for a simple bike to bike/pillion system to give it ago.

autocom - www.chainspeed.co.uk (could be .com) if you arent sure what you need, call them and they will point you in the right direction.

I think I'd just be happy with direct comms with the friend and have the mp3 player plugged in. Can't really see the need for having volume on the satnav. I never have the volume on in the car. Can't see a problem with just following the instructions visually.

My mate uses the scala g4. he reckons he took a wrong junction off a motorway but still managed to talk to his mate on the other bike who continued on the motorway. Its damn expensive though!!! I thinnk he got it off ebay (brand new) for 270 or so for the rider to pilliion. he's mate obviously got his own set.
check the website!!!

Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm going to go for a scala g4 or q2 depending how flush I'm feeling. Didn't know about the other product, Interphone F4, I'll have a look at them too. Decided against the Autocom because they are so expensive and all the wiring involved.

Thanks for the review of the F4. Does anyone have any previous knowledge of the Scala rider q2 or g4 themselves? If as suggested above you can take a wrong turn and they stay in range for some time still they must be quite good! I don't really want to fork out £250 for a product that doesn't work very well.

Thanks again Bunks.