DIY Intercom / Bike-to-Bike ???

cifex · August 10th, 2009, 11:53 AM

I've been looking around at the different Intercom / Bike to Bike systems available such as the Scala / AutoCom / Chatterbox.

They all seemed to be priced insanely.

All I want to to be able to have a basic party line with my passenger and another rider or two. I don't want to listen to music or make phone calls or hear my GPS. I don't know why that should cost $329 with a single headset. FRS Radios are like $20 a pair. A flat speaker that can stick inside your helmet is not advanced engineering. If I can't find a cheap solution, I am going to piece one together myself and document it here.

Any ideas?

CANTFUNCTION · August 10th, 2009, 10:40 PM

You could try a throat mic with a two way radio. But you probably couldn't hear because of the wind.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Duty-VOX-T...d=p3286.c0.m14

Finder · August 11th, 2009, 12:06 AM

Use earbuds like the Etymotic ER6i. Great sound, and more importantly, good isolation from road/wind noise. Add a mic module in your chin bar, a push-to-talk button on your left handlebar, and any cheap FRS radio commonly available. The trick is to find a good mic.

cifex · August 11th, 2009, 08:39 AM

I'm thinking I'm going to get a set of BluAnt Interphone headsets. I could use the Bluetooth Walkie Talkie app for Iphone. My girlfriend and my buddy that I normally ride with both have iPhones.

addy126 · August 11th, 2009, 08:47 AM

I'm really sold on my Scala Multiset Q2! The bluetooth to my RZR cell from the Scala is impeccable and the MP3/FM is merely just a bonus. Got it for 299.00 @ the International Motorcycle Show last Nov in Dallas. Worth every hard earned penny.

b_eastep · August 11th, 2009, 03:11 PM

so howa bout a short review on the scala? btw you can find them on ebay new for as low as 240 for the two unit multiset. thats what im leaning toward now.

SpyderGirl · August 12th, 2009, 09:22 AM

I love my BlueAnt system! I actually have two pairs to use on long rides, one to use, one to charge to be ready once the first set runs out. We have been using ours for over a year now and we use the HELL outta of them. We originally got them just to communicate while riding two-up on the Spyder, but love having them when doing solo rides on seperate bikes. The range is terrific -- about 1/4 mile. The battery life is awesome - about 4 to 5 hours of continuous use. Set-up and installation is easy. I have no problem hearing my husband talk to me at freeway speed inside my full face Shoei on my Ninja (no fairing to block wind noise) with a Two Bros exhaust. Easy to use and cheap to buy. Get a pair of headsets on eBay for about $200.

SpyderGirl · August 12th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cifex

I'm thinking I'm going to get a set of BluAnt Interphone headsets. I could use the Bluetooth Walkie Talkie app for Iphone. My girlfriend and my buddy that I normally ride with both have iPhones.

Walkie Talkie app???? Tell me more!! I have the iPhone 2G.

cifex · August 12th, 2009, 09:32 AM

The Walkie Talkie App only works on 3G / 3GS. It uses bluetooth to talk phone to phone. It seems to work "OK", I'm not thrilled with tests. I think I may just have to man up and get that BlueAnt setup.

Which BluAnt do you have?

http://cgi.ebay.com/new-Motorcycle-B...d=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BlueA...Q5fAccessories

SpyderGirl · August 12th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cifex

The Walkie Talkie App only works on 3G / 3GS. It uses bluetooth to talk phone to phone. It seems to work "OK", I'm not thrilled with tests. I think I may just have to man up and get that BlueAnt setup.

Ah, I see. Yeah, I hear that crap all the time "works only on the 3G" to find out that it also works on the 2G and that it's all an advertising ploy to get you to upgrade. Thanks for the info though, I love getting cool new apps, this one doesn't sound so great after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cifex

Which BluAnt do you have?

http://cgi.ebay.com/new-Motorcycle-B...d=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BlueA...Q5fAccessories

I have the BlueAnt Interphone.

August 10th, 2009, 11:53 AM	#1
cifex ninjette.org guru Name: Z Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 356	DIY Intercom / Bike-to-Bike ??? I've been looking around at the different Intercom / Bike to Bike systems available such as the Scala / AutoCom / Chatterbox. They all seemed to be priced insanely. All I want to to be able to have a basic party line with my passenger and another rider or two. I don't want to listen to music or make phone calls or hear my GPS. I don't know why that should cost $329 with a single headset. FRS Radios are like $20 a pair. A flat speaker that can stick inside your helmet is not advanced engineering. If I can't find a cheap solution, I am going to piece one together myself and document it here. Any ideas?

August 12th, 2009, 09:22 AM	#7
SpyderGirl 3 for street, 2 for dirt Name: Katlyn Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California) Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586	I love my BlueAnt system! I actually have two pairs to use on long rides, one to use, one to charge to be ready once the first set runs out. We have been using ours for over a year now and we use the HELL outta of them. We originally got them just to communicate while riding two-up on the Spyder, but love having them when doing solo rides on seperate bikes. The range is terrific -- about 1/4 mile. The battery life is awesome - about 4 to 5 hours of continuous use. Set-up and installation is easy. I have no problem hearing my husband talk to me at freeway speed inside my full face Shoei on my Ninja (no fairing to block wind noise) with a Two Bros exhaust. Easy to use and cheap to buy. Get a pair of headsets on eBay for about $200. __________________________________________________ Feel free to look me up on facebook.

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August 10th, 2009, 10:40 PM	#2
CANTFUNCTION ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: Georgia Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250(red) Posts: 193	You could try a throat mic with a two way radio. But you probably couldn't hear because of the wind. http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Duty-VOX-T...d=p3286.c0.m14

August 11th, 2009, 12:06 AM	#3
Finder ninjette.org member Name: Mr. Location: SF Bay Area, California Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): F650GS Dakar, FJR1300, Ninja 250R Posts: 47	Use earbuds like the Etymotic ER6i. Great sound, and more importantly, good isolation from road/wind noise. Add a mic module in your chin bar, a push-to-talk button on your left handlebar, and any cheap FRS radio commonly available. The trick is to find a good mic.

August 11th, 2009, 08:39 AM	#4
cifex ninjette.org guru Name: Z Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 356	I'm thinking I'm going to get a set of BluAnt Interphone headsets. I could use the Bluetooth Walkie Talkie app for Iphone. My girlfriend and my buddy that I normally ride with both have iPhones.

August 11th, 2009, 08:47 AM	#5
addy126 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: addy126 Location: Tx Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki N-250 + '09 Vulcan 900 Classic Lt Posts: A lot.	I'm really sold on my Scala Multiset Q2! The bluetooth to my RZR cell from the Scala is impeccable and the MP3/FM is merely just a bonus. Got it for 299.00 @ the International Motorcycle Show last Nov in Dallas. Worth every hard earned penny.

August 11th, 2009, 03:11 PM	#6
b_eastep ninjette.org member Name: Brad Location: Elmore City Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 07 Z-1000, 07 Ninja 250, 04 Honda Aero Posts: 106	so howa bout a short review on the scala? btw you can find them on ebay new for as low as 240 for the two unit multiset. thats what im leaning toward now.

August 12th, 2009, 09:32 AM	#9
cifex ninjette.org guru Name: Z Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 356	The Walkie Talkie App only works on 3G / 3GS. It uses bluetooth to talk phone to phone. It seems to work "OK", I'm not thrilled with tests. I think I may just have to man up and get that BlueAnt setup. Which BluAnt do you have? http://cgi.ebay.com/new-Motorcycle-B...d=p3286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BlueA...Q5fAccessories