Intercoms

I've been using an autocomm, active 7 unit for about 2 years and like most autocomm users are completely satisfied and your in luck if you hurry I think they have them on sale till the end of the year @ 50% off.I'm almost tempted to buy a backup unit at that price.

I bought an Autocom unit and am planning on installing this weekend. I've got to figure out someplace to mount the box, wiring, etc. The instructions are pretty good but suggest installing in the "tail section".
As far as the discount they were out of the "7" boxes when I ordered and I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to ship from the factory and were not sure when or if it would come. They were up-front that I may not be able to get the unit and suggested I look at another of their units on sale or try to wait, which I did.
The speakers and cable seem to be first class and others I know recommended it.
Sam

intercoms

Those are really cool inercoms, however I was looking for one that I didn't have to install into the bike. Anyone use any of the ones like the chatterbox? Thanks,

Sanman

I have been using a Chatterbox -HJC-50 for about 1 1/2 yrs. It works very well although the 50 is intercom only. I bought mine from CBXMan.com. They have a very good site for providing advice on what to buy and service is excellent. The first unit gave me trouble right away with a loose connection. They replaced it and even rebated my cost for shipping the bad unit back. This unit works very well. Holds a charge about 8 hours, but buy the power cord so you can run off the cycle battery if necessary. I also considered the Autocom which I'm sure is a great unit, but much more expensive for what I needed. (my EGC is radio equipped so tunes were not an need) Good luck.

sanman said:

Those are really cool inercoms, however I was looking for one that I didn't have to install into the bike. Anyone use any of the ones like the chatterbox? Thanks,

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I've used both the Chatterbox and Autocomm. DON'T GET THE CHATTERBOX. It's junk. I purchased a Chatterbox with intercom and CB so I could communicate with the Mrs. and other riders. Expensive and didn't work well. Poor quality sound.

Purchased the Autocom and never looked back. Had the complete unit in a small tank bib and could put it on and off as I wanted. Go with the Autocom, IMHO it's the best unit for the price.

YoDA said:

I've used both the Chatterbox and Autocomm. DON'T GET THE CHATTERBOX. It's junk. I purchased a Chatterbox with intercom and CB so I could communicate with the Mrs. and other riders. Expensive and didn't work well. Poor quality sound.

Purchased the Autocom and never looked back. Had the complete unit in a small tank bib and could put it on and off as I wanted. Go with the Autocom, IMHO it's the best unit for the price.

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Which Autocom did you get and with what add-ons? Looks like they are advertizing half price on units like the sport 7 which at $209 would probably be a good deal? At regular price of over $400 I couldn't justify it over the Chatterbox for simple rider/passenger intercom and the dealer couldn't get the Autocom to work with either of two cell phones we had brought in?

YoDA said:

I've used both the Chatterbox and Autocomm. DON'T GET THE CHATTERBOX. It's junk. I purchased a Chatterbox with intercom and CB so I could communicate with the Mrs. and other riders. Expensive and didn't work well. Poor quality sound.

Purchased the Autocom and never looked back. Had the complete unit in a small tank bib and could put it on and off as I wanted. Go with the Autocom, IMHO it's the best unit for the price.

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Respectfully disagree.

Maybe we are talking about a different model, but my HJC-50 has been dead reliable for 5 years now. Only problem I had was a short in one of the headset wires, replaced by dealer at no charge.

It has jacks for music or cell phone as well. Never used the music port, but tried the cell connection. Worked pretty slick, just hit the "turbo" button on the helmet mounted intercom, and it answers the phone. I rarely use it, as my personal opnion is cell phones and bikes are not the best idea...

Now, I have heard that the wireless Chatterbox unit has had problems, maybe that's what you're referring to

ZR1Dan said:

Respectfully disagree.

Maybe we are talking about a different model, but my HJC-50 has been dead reliable for 5 years now. Only problem I had was a short in one of the headset wires, replaced by dealer at no charge.

It has jacks for music or cell phone as well. Never used the music port, but tried the cell connection. Worked pretty slick, just hit the "turbo" button on the helmet mounted intercom, and it answers the phone. I rarely use it, as my personal opnion is cell phones and bikes are not the best idea...

Now, I have heard that the wireless Chatterbox unit has had problems, maybe that's what you're referring to

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I agree as my HJC-50 has been very good. The instruction sheet however was worthless, and I wasn't aware of being able to answer a cell. What did you use for a connector to your cell? Something available at Radio Shack? I would agree cells have no place on a moving motorcycle, but would be nice to have when stopped

3/32" to 1/8" stereo cord, male both ends.

I had to buy 1/8 male cord, and a 1/8 to 3/32 reducer at Radio Shack. It works well, but is kind of bulky. When I used it, I put the phone in the glove box (Road Glide) and ran the wire to the helmet.

Now that being said, your cell phone has to be compatible. If it's set up for one of those ear bud head sets, you should be good to go. It also has to have a method to answer it other than opening the flip, or hitting send. I scrolled through my phones menu, and found a selection labled "Turbo button active" or something like that.

Not only does it answer the phone, clicking on the HJC "call" button when the phone is not in use, brings back last number dialed, 2 clicks dials it...

I just bought my wife a Motorola RAZR phone for Christmas. One thing I noticed when I was helping her (read: playing with her gift) set it up was no output jack. It is a Bluetooth model, so I assume they got rid of the jack.

Hope this helps
Dan

Thanks Dan. Will do some checking. My phone is set up for the ear bud and is not a flip phone. Not sure yet whether it can be answered without hitting "send".

ZR1Dan said:

Respectfully disagree.

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Dan - Yes, we are speaking of the same unit, I had the HJC-50. However this was about 5 years back so perhaps their quality has changed. I never got clear reception with the Chatterbox, always had static and background noise in the head sets. The difference between the AutoComm and the Chatterbox were night and day. Absolutely loved the Autocomm from day 1 and never looked back. But then, perhaps the newer Chatterbox work better. Dunno.

simjue - I had the Sport 7 and the CB with PPT cable. I paid nearly $500 for the unit at the time, so if it's on sale for around $200 I'd jump at the price! One thing I liked about the Autocomm was that I could connect the CB. With the Chatterbox I couldn't do that. Perhaps now you can.