IS CHATTERBOX REALLY THE BEST?

CBR629 · 03-04-2004, 5:49 PM

For high speed conversations?

ConqSoft · 03-04-2004, 5:53 PM

No. AutoCom is better, but more expensive too.

EatnAsphalt · 03-04-2004, 5:56 PM

Never tried Autocom but Collett Electronic's work great. VOX that works, even at speed.

TGZ13 · 03-04-2004, 10:17 PM

Can these be used together or are they only capable of talking to similar units from the same company?

Baketech · 03-04-2004, 10:32 PM

Collett and AutoComm outperform the Chatterbox.....but Chatterbox is the most widely used setup...

Jake · 03-05-2004, 6:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatnAsphalt

Never tried Autocom but Collett Electronic's work great. VOX that works, even at speed.

Good success with the Collett radios. A bit pricey (I think I paid around $260 per unit) but they work well.

Jake · 03-05-2004, 6:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGZ13

Can these be used together or are they only capable of talking to similar units from the same company?

The Collett's have their own frequency and can only be used with other Collett radio's. Not sure about the others.

AsianImage · 03-05-2004, 6:42 PM

Chatterbox here for me....

Maybe not the best...but they have kind of become an industry "standard."

Mine works fine...plug in the MP3 player and I am good to go. I find I used my chatterbox for music then yapping with my buddies on a ride...

Baketech · 03-05-2004, 8:36 PM

Yes....my Chatterbox works acceptable enough, but I plan to upgrade to an AutoComm one of these days....

cbr99xx · 03-05-2004, 9:02 PM

Haven't had much luck with my Chatterbox(GMRS X1), I have trouble with wind noise continually breaking open the mic. Adjusting the sensitivity only makes screaming necessary and the first word of any sentence is usually lost. I may need to adjust mic placement in my helmet, but I haven't fooled with it yet.

Personally I find the unit to be quite distracting. I suppose it would be fine for touring with someone but I find that a spirited run through my favorite stretch of pavement requires no narration. Who knows, if the VOX worked better my opinion might be different.

Baketech · 03-05-2004, 9:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

Haven't had much luck with my Chatterbox(GMRS X1), I have trouble with wind noise continually breaking open the mic. Adjusting the sensitivity only makes screaming necessary and the first word of any sentence is usually lost. I may need to adjust mic placement in my helmet, but I haven't fooled with it yet.

Personally I find the unit to be quite distracting. I suppose it would be fine for touring with someone but I find that a spirited run through my favorite stretch of pavement requires no narration. Who knows, if the VOX worked better my opinion might be different.

In a classic example of you get what you pay for, Vox only works well on the higher end stuff like A/C......ymmv.

For your Chatterbox, toss the fooking vox, get a PTT switch and be happy...

cbr99xx · 03-05-2004, 9:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

For your Chatterbox, toss the fooking vox, get a PTT switch and be happy...

Yep... That's what I figured. I have a PTT switch that came with the unit just need to mount the darn thing.

Baketech · 03-05-2004, 9:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

Yep... That's what I figured. I have a PTT switch that came with the unit just need to mount the darn thing.

You won't be sorry.....takes all the hassle out of it....plus you can sing in your helmet without setting the vox off....

Baketech · 03-05-2004, 9:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

No. AutoCom is better, but more expensive too.

FWIW....there is an AutoComm American site as well....
http://www.autocomamerica.com

HondaGalToo · 03-05-2004, 9:27 PM

The exclusive importers of Autocom in the US are located in NY...Topgear Accessories.
1-888-851-4327

They also used to sell some demo units for less $$$. I use an Autocom with the Kenwood family radios and it works well. You can also plug other things into it, like a tapeplayer, or XM radio.

TGZ13 · 03-05-2004, 10:15 PM

I like the autocom but I think I would stick to the chatterbox simply b/c thats what most of the guys I ride with have. As for the VOX... screw it I dont want every noise heard by everyone. PTT would work fine to be able to communicate when needed

Anyone use the passenger adapters for the chatterbox? How does it work out?

Baketech · 03-05-2004, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGZ13

I like the autocom but I think I would stick to the chatterbox simply b/c thats what most of the guys I ride with have. As for the VOX... screw it I dont want every noise heard by everyone. PTT would work fine to be able to communicate when needed

Anyone use the passenger adapters for the chatterbox? How does it work out?

I use my Chatterbox for B2B (bike to bike) and intercom for 2-up riding....it works fine for both. The only limitation is that it defaults to Vox when connected as an intercom. This means you must fiddle with mic position and sensitivity as mentioned before. Still, it works reasonably well, and I highly recommend it for adding to the enjoyment of 2-up riding....

Since I have the FRS version, I can talk with other riders that have either the Chatterbox, or the AutoComm/Kenwood type combo. But while I can talk, the range and clarity does not compare to those top shelf units.

CBR629 · 06-15-2004, 6:18 PM

Is the PTT good at high speeds? How clear is it?

PrplHaz4 · 06-15-2004, 6:27 PM

I'm curious to hear about the Motorola Talkabout/Noise Terminator combo....anyone used it?

i know the noise terminator works great for cell phones, and the talkabouts are great two way radios...
so it would follow that the combo would be very effective for its price....

Big Kahuna · 06-15-2004, 8:55 PM

All my friends us the Multi-sport Plus FRS Chatterbox as it seems to work better than even the ore expensive models.

I have had very little problems with the unit and it works well at speeds up to 90+. I don't have any problems with their VOX system either, you just have to teach yourself to raise your voice enough to trigger the mic.

http://www.streetbikereview.com/sbr_...c_msplus.shtml

My review is at the bottom.

ULEWZ · 06-15-2004, 10:23 PM

My buds and I use the Chatterbox X2s. The new ones like we have, do have better noise cancelling mics and work up to 80mph. It does crack the squelch above 80 when I wick it on, but works decient otherwise. Using a vox takes some practice. I say ahhhhhh until it opens the squelch, and then I talk. I like the convience of being able to leave my bike without having to unplug it. I also made a cable that I plug into the passenger port with a phono jack on the other end. I then plug my studio monitor earplugs into it. This is the best way to hear voices above 55mph. The rechargable batteries last about 1.5 months before wearing down.

We also had them at the track, but were too busy to use them much.

Calkidd · 06-15-2004, 11:19 PM

Instead of having that ugly velcro PTT swicth on the bike, just unplug the horn and wire in the PTT switch.

TheShowOff · 10-09-2004, 9:33 PM

are there any units that dont look so stupid on the side of the helmet

ConqSoft · 10-09-2004, 9:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShowOff

are there any units that dont look so stupid on the side of the helmet

You can mount it in your trunk, or on the handlbars, and just run the wire up to your helmet when you're on the bike.

TheShowOff · 10-10-2004, 1:07 AM

i think we are going to go with the autocom it looks like a better system and we dont have to mount it to our helmets