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BOUGHT ONE
Last edited by Kazinator; 08-25-11 at 10:20 AM.
I have one of these:
http://chatterboxusa.com/cbxbiokit.html
Not bike to bike, but full Bluetooth.
$80 shipped.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
Meowkay.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
So is chatterbox the bike-to-bike set of choice 'round here. I ask because I just recently bought a Scala G4. Guy @ work (whom I never ride with) had one and it impressed me because it, well, works. Seen too many of these things that work for crap.
Then last weekend I noticed everyone at the Seacoast ride had Chatterboxes. At least I think they were.
I backed the wrong horse I guess.
We bought them together and have been using them all the time and they work very well. I'm not sure about the scala but I listen to music via bluetooth , take calls and have an app for my droid that reads text messages, oh and it also works with the navigation on my cell as well. The only issue is my bike is too loud so I have to use the push to talk button on the unit but I'll probably mount the bar switch this weekend.
Right now, GMRS/FRS is the only thing that can link a half dozen or more riders on the same channel and that's currently available with Chatterbox. If you're only wishing to talk to 3 other riders, Scala might be the better option.
Scala: Bike-to-bike intercom communications with 3 other headsets
I've never used a Scala but my guess is there's also some pairing that needs to be done with the other riders. We (Chatterbox users) have on multiple occasions just started talking to fellow riders as we've come within range without ever having to stop and pair.
Aahhh GMRS/FRS. Didn't realize they had that integrated. Neat.
I actually have a cheap FRS set. Maybe I'll hack up a wiring harness to listen in on group rides.
I don't talk to anyone (except myself) currently*. I bought it for the bluetooth integration with the iphone.. which is amazing.
*The missus has called a couple times. The guise of "you can get a hold of me" was how I managed to sneak this purchase past her.
Last edited by nhbubba; 08-25-11 at 12:38 PM.
Im planning on doing a lot of the group rides around here now so figured the chatterbox just made the most sense.
Normally I would just get a regular (and cheaper!) bluetooth kit just for gps and maybe some music, but I figured I would do it right and get the whole shabang.
Although, Im wondering if anyone here uses an extension cord and keeps it in their pocket/waistband? Or does everyone just mount it to their helmet?
If you're not trying to go wireless, any FRS/GMRS radio can be adapted to your helmet for a lot cheaper COMM option. The extra money is for wireless and Bluetooth connectivity to other devices.
When I introduced COMMs to the group that was riding Saturday I had a $50 Motorola radio like you'd find at Walmart in my tank bag. A push-to-talk switch was mounted on my left handlebar and I had a cable running from my tank bag to the headset in my helmet. This setup cost me about $110 and that included a spare radio as they usually come in pairs. I'd been using that original setup for probably 5 years before the suggestion came down to upgrade to Chatterbox.
The Scala sets only work with other bikes if the guys you ride with have them.
I normally research the crap out of stuff like this, but for some reason bought this on a bit of an impulse. The BT integration with the phone really sold me. Being able to skip to the next song in pandora has made my commutes 100x more enjoyable. It's such a little thing, but.
Dunno how the chatterbox BT integration is. But the scala does that really well.
I've really never done much group riding. Probably should have asked around with people I might actually ride with first.
Although with a hand held, maybe I can eat pie too.
Kaz, I'm guessing you got the X1? Looks like a helluva package. Bet you'll like it.
Everyone I know, that uses it, has it mounted to their helmet.
I do not see any reason why you couldn't put it anywhere.
Sam
Having sold my RT and the comm system with it, I was looking for an alternative to use on my new bike. Chatterboxes were everywhere on the Curtis Ribs ride, so I researched Chatterbox and competitor products and found the Chatterbox BT model was what I wanted (BT phone, audio, passenger intercom, bike-to-bike...)
Was delivered yesterday and plan to set-up this weekend.
Everybody's doin it doin it pickin their nose and chewin it chewin it! LOL!
So glad to see the comms are catching on!
Buy a spare battery too. Their like 5$ give or take. We all got spare ones on the group buy.