Two way radios

[1tinindian]

http://www.starcom1.com/

Marsh, this system seems to sell itself quit well.
My question, are the amount of bike-bike communications limited to two, or are several bikes able to communicate at the same time?

I've been wanting some music while on the road also, and I like the features of the StarCom. and the optional equipment they offer.

Leon

[Marsh White]

http://www.starcom1.com/

Marsh, this system seems to sell itself quit well.
My question, are the amount of bike-bike communications limited to two, or are several bikes able to communicate at the same time?

Leon

The Starcom has inputs to plug into any radio - so yes - it can communicate with as many bikes as you choose depending on different radio compatibility you and others are using.  The Starcom does NOT come with a bike to bike radio built in.  Think of it as the AMP and mixer and brains for anything you want to plug into it.  These guys: http://www.bikeeffects.com/products.asp?cat=8559  give a good breakdown of every optional cable and thing that it does (there are also 3 different Starcom models).  Fjowners.com members also get a 10% discount via the info in this link through this vendor: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=92.0  As I explain in the link - this is a website client of mine - I turned them on to the Starcom (after I purchased it and tested it MANY years ago) as the ONLY Starcom importer in the US back in the day.  They stock everything in house and carry every option available I believe.  I have no idea if they are the cheapest now - so feel free to shop around - but they were the last time I checked.  FWIW.

[TRoy]

I was a musician

Marsh, what do you play?... we gotta jam! 

[ribbert]

Marsh,
I have no vested interest in promoting the Q2's or similar units, but can't fault mine, and it's the first generation model. However, it is absolutely critical that the speakers be mounted in the right spot. For example, twisting the helmet on your head ( not much movement ) can take it from loud and clear to almost no sound. This I have found is the single biggest problem encounted by users of this device. I have set mine up so that intercom is the base setting, overridden by phone, my phone contacts list show up on my GPS, or, without the GPS, I have voice activated phone directly through the Q2, and that is overridden by GPS alerts such as directions, speed camera's, school zones etc. and an Mp3 player can also be included in the mix. (The FJ engine is enough music for me!)  The only issue, as someone enquired recently, is that it's not practical for multiple users (ie more than 2). It can be done but requires manual switching between users.
It may not be everone's cup of tea, but I can't fault mine.

Noel

[Marsh White]

I was a musician

Marsh, what do you play?... we gotta jam!  

I have a BA in Music Performance on Trumpet - and a Minor in Jazz Piano (Blues mainly).  What do you play TRoy? (besides the Timpani of course)

[TRoy]

BA in Music Performance and a Minor in Jazz  What do you play TRoy? (besides the Timpani of course)

wow, I just beat on drums... but I do have brushes and I kinda know how to use them. 

I think we could have a really good time getting it on.

[racerrad8]

Well,
        After looking at options and cost of a bunch of different systems including all of those listed here, I have decided to bite the bullet. I bought a Cardo Scala G4 powerset system which will allow the bike to bike communication no matter which bike we are riding or if we are riding on one bike.

I read a ton of other reviews for all of the different products and for the price and simplicity of just having the helmet mounted system, I am going to start here.

If they do not work to our satisfaction, I will upgrade my bikes to accept the radios I use in my race car(s) and just switch them back & forth as needed.

I will give my impression as we get to riding after the first of the year.

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

Randy, good choice!
I'm sure you'll be pleased. In case you missed my post several days ago, what I discovered myself, and what I overheard the Cardo guy telling people at a recent motorcycle expo is that the placing of the speakers is critical. I tried several ways and the best was standing in front of a mirror with a torch to visibly position them.  Moving your helmet up and down and side to side is good for fine tuning and also realising how sensitive they are to positioning. Before earplugs I had them mounted under the liner, I now have them mounted on top of the liner. Once done it's a terrific system. If you're into really big rides ( approx. 12 hrs or more) take the chargers and give them a quick zap over lunch, nobody ever minds you plugging them in.
Noel

[paulfj03]

Just curious about anyones experiences with the Scala G4 radios. Are you happy with them? Or dissappointed?
I'm thinking of buying these and i have to git-r-done in time for the rally....

Thanks

[ribbert]

Just curious about anyones experiences with the Scala G4 radios. Are you happy with them? Or dissappointed?
I'm thinking of buying these and i have to git-r-done in time for the rally....

Thanks

I have the earlier Scala Q2,'s, they are fantastic. If you go to my "member profile"and read posts 39 - 43 it covers my experience with them in more detail. All that has changed since then is one set has now done 127,000 km's on original batteries over 3 and a half years, both have seen plenty of weather and I'm yet to see anything hit the market that seems to be an improvement - except of course, the G4 which should be even better than the Q2. If you have any specific questions about them, ask away.
Noel

[paulfj03]

Thanks Noel ,

I had read your previous posts in this thread and I see you have had alot of luck with the Scala Q2's....and like you say, the G4 should be even better.... the reviews generally seem to be good too...

Anyone have any problems or dislikes about the scala G4?

Thanks in advance

[mijohnso]

Randy,
How did the G4 work out for you?

Keep in mind that I have to try to keep up with Doug, which can on occasion force me to ride at high speeds. It would be nice to be able to talk him out of his insanity at those speeds...

Any other thoughts on this topic?

[racerrad8]

So far so good. The two-way function works very well. I am not sure about the 1 mile distance; that must be a mile on flat land with no obstructions.

Last weekend I notice the communications from my wife were getting scratchy and I could not see here behind me. We were in the hilly twisties so I pulled over, I was probably out 20-30 seconds ahead of her and as she came closer to range the transmissions became clearer.

I asked her if she heard any distorted signal from me and she said no, so I am not sure.

I do not use the blue-tooth portion via my phone as I;
        1) don't want to talk on my phone while enjoying the ride.
        2) don't usually have cell coverage in the mountains

I use the radio portion when I ride to & from work, the reception is better at 7:00am than it is a 7:00pm. The sound clarity for the radio is okay, but for the two-way communication is crisp & clear. I did not know and do not recall reading that is has an auto-volume adjust the adjusts to speed & noise. I like that because the volume would be deafening if it stayed the same and it would not be very rider friendly to adjust the volume every time you came to a stop and wanted to communicate.
       

So far, we are happy with them. It has taken some of the pressure off of both of us. I don't have to wait for her and she doesn't have to keep up with me when we are in the twisties as our riding experience is vastly different.

They only thing I notice is they work so good, that each of use hears the other one talking to themselves. I hear a lot of "woes, urrrghs, and oh shits"  but at least when shes talking I know she is still behind me.

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

Randy, good to hear you are pleased with the G4's.  I have been using the Q2's ( earlier version) for nearly 4 years  and love them.  1 set has done 45k and the other (my riding buddy) has done 100k, both still on original batteries.  I do have my phone connected but through my GPS so I can disable it if I want, it's a handy option if someone gets lost. If you have a compatible phone, the incoming call will be identified on the screen.  Sometimes I like or need to be contactable and sometimes I like spoken GPS directions eg. in the city. Regarding hills and twisties, they are "line of sight" transmission and as I have mentioned before it is critical that the speakers are positioned correctly. Being able to chat conversationally with your riding partner is great.  Ours are good for about 10hr./600km of reasonably constant chatter before going flat. If we plan a bigger day we take the chargers and give them a zap over lunch. I have done 900km in a day still going strong with just a short charge over lunch.  They have also been subjected to a lot of rain, been frozen solid and the heat and dust of 18k around Oz.
Noel
















































gps directions

[Dan Filetti]

The G4's require all bikes you are riding with to also have a g4?  Looking at their web site, it was not even clear it it would work even if everyone did, if was more than 1 other bike.  It said something about rider/ passenger and another bike.  I was not sure if that meant I could not have say, 5 bikes all using the same comm channel, or whether I would simply need to get my riding buddies to drink the G4 cool-aid.  Depending on the answer, this could be sort of limiting.  Otherwise they sure do sound attractive.

Dan