Suggestions: Ear phones/Mic

[Indiana44]

I didn't have any luck with the search, but I believe I have seen this touched on here before and hope to get some suggestions. I have an Autocom system on my 05 LT and I believe it could work much better if I could improve the delivery of sound. Are there better ear speakers available, or, what seems would be best would be some kind of "plug" type, if they were comfortable. Perhaps an upgraded mic as well? My biggest challenge right now is getting the setting right for two-up riding. The sensitivity is dictated by the passenger as she is in the wind much more than I and causes the system to fade when there is a gust of wind or she turns her head. Riding alone I don't have the problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[jsciullo]

Hi used Radio Shack Part number 33-1182 Headphones and tore out the speakers out of the headphones and replaced the autocom speakers. Worked very well. Very easy job that even I could do.
Jim

[munson]

I didn't have any luck with the search, but I believe I have seen this touched on here before and hope to get some suggestions. I have an Autocom system on my 05 LT and I believe it could work much better if I could improve the delivery of sound. Are there better ear speakers available, or, what seems would be best would be some kind of "plug" type, if they were comfortable. Perhaps an upgraded mic as well? My biggest challenge right now is getting the setting right for two-up riding. The sensitivity is dictated by the passenger as she is in the wind much more than I and causes the system to fade when there is a gust of wind or she turns her head. Riding alone I don't have the problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
As mentioned before the drivers from the Rat Shack Titanium headphones work great. For the VOX issue, just adjust the sensitivity. The drawback is it will be harder to trip. My wife and I use HJC flip up helmets and when the flip is down the mics work great. I have noticed that lots of GW riders who use open face helmets have massive windsocks installed on the mics. Good luck! :)

[tomandrosie]

Using earphone speakers in lieu of helmet speakers will greatly improve sound quality. The difference is astounding.

We use earphones provided by Bob Weis at http://www.earplugco.com

AutoCom now has a lead that interfaces the plugs easily, or you can do as I have (being the cheapskate that I am), and modify the existing harness. Basicly, it involves maintaining the existing microphone connection, but eliminating the helmet speakers.....splicing the speaker wires to a 1/8 stereo jack, which is taped parallel to the esisting helmet lead. When you hook up your helmet lead, the earphone plug is inserted separately. This requires 1 more step when hooking up, but it is definitely worth it.

An added bonus is that a volume controller can be interposed between the helmet jack and the earphone plug, thus allowing each rider to independently controll volume.

You mentioned that your pillion had trouble with the mic vox because of wind. Could it be that the vox sensitivity is set too high?

-tom

[jhowdy]

Indiana44,
I'm assuming you are using open face helmets by the description of the wind gust, head turning, etc. Did you install your system or did the dealer? You should have received some "wind socks" for the mics with the headsets. If you have them and are not using them, it might help with the situation you are describing in addition to the vox adjustment. Sometimes it takes a awhile to fine tune everything and then you'll probably never touch it again. If you don't have them and want to try them, I'm sure I have some laying around since we use full face helmets and it's not an issue.

[charlieg]

The vox settings were always a problem for me and my s.o. We ride with flip-up HJC's and in the up position her mike was constantly keying. Mine also with any cross wind. I remedied this by installing mini rocker switches through the side of the helmets connected to the mike leads. Just flip the mikes off when not in use, no more false keying even when getting down with the tunes.

[autocomtom]

Autocom microphones are designed for full face helmets, but can be used in open face helmets or even opened up flip front helmets if you fit the optional (OPEN FACE CONVERSION KIT) wind sock and baffle.

Using our boom microphone without the purpose designed open face wind sock will case false VOX operation.

With the open face conversion kit fitted and the VOX properly adjusted the system can be used up to 140mph in an open face helmet WITHOUT a visor (if you are that brave. It may even work faster but I wasn’t going to try it any faster without my full face helmet and visor)

The standard Autocom speakers supplied not only sound very good if fitted in-line and just touching your ears, they are also almost indestructible and can take considerable punishment mores so than any other speaker we have tested.

Of course custom moulded in-ear-speaker plugs (also known as MONITOR earplugs will provide improved sound as the audio is delivered inside the protection of the plug and so lower volumes of sound can be heard clearly as they do not need to compete with so much helmet noise. It is important to wire these correctly and fit attenuation to protect both your ears and the speakers. See our lead part 26/27.

Our standard speakers are 32 ohms but you could try 16 or even 8 ohm speaker that should be a lot louder and this would help compensate if you cannot get the speaker positioning right. However the chances are that 16 or 8 ohm speakers with be far more lightly to over-drive, distort and blow, which is why we do not fit them as standard.

If anyone has good long term experience with other speakers that sound better than our standard speakers and prove reliable long term, then please let me know tom.beman@autocom.co.uk so that I can buy and try some myself.

All the best

Autocom-UK-Tom

[jwd98056]

The same speakers are in the Radio Shack 33-1222 headphones. They are cheaper ($10 less at retail, I got mine for $20 less when both models were on sale), the speakers pop right out of the headset with no other disassembly required and they already have the soft foam covers on them.

[messenger13]

The same speakers are in the Radio Shack 33-1222 headphones. They are cheaper ($10 less at retail, I got mine for $20 less when both models were on sale), the speakers pop right out of the headset with no other disassembly required and they already have the soft foam covers on them.I'm also VERY happy with them. The model number is PRO 35A...for anyone interested.

[ATLDB]

The same speakers are in the Radio Shack 33-1222 headphones. They are cheaper ($10 less at retail, I got mine for $20 less when both models were on sale), the speakers pop right out of the headset with no other disassembly required and they already have the soft foam covers on them.

Those are the ones I used, cheap and the difference is night and day, I used to have the BASS level at 6 with the autocomms, I know have to go between 1 and 2 depending on the type off music I am listening. As far as the voice is concerned my wife no says I sound like i should sound.

Radio Shack has the part number listed above in any store and sometimes on sale half the price. You can't go wrong. They pop right out of the casing, KEEP the same black foam all I had to do was dremel the little pointy end that is has in order for a perfect fit on my helmet. I actually used the same adhesive tape that the Autocomms were using.

Best change I made to/for my LT yet

[Russ]

This product www.windsockwinddeflector.com. is claimed to help cut wind noise from your intercomm.

regards

[messenger13]

This product www.windsockwinddeflector.com (http://www.windsockwinddeflector.com/). is claimed to help cut wind noise from from your intercomm.I just might have to order me one of them and give it a test. Looks interesting...

On a side note. There are several companies coming out with throat mics for cell phones and headsets. I have a feeling that one of these would do a lot of good for us riders.

[sanjaun2]

The same speakers are in the Radio Shack 33-1222 headphones. They are cheaper ($10 less at retail, I got mine for $20 less when both models were on sale), the speakers pop right out of the headset with no other disassembly required and they already have the soft foam covers on them.
__________________

In case anyone was thinking of getting these speaker from radio shack, They are currently on sale for 20 bucks. normally 40. Happy shopping.
And a added side note for UK tom. The above speakers are 60 ohm according to the box they came in.

[meese]

IIRC, someone here tried a few of the throat mics, but found the quality wasn't really good while riding. Maybe a search (http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/search.php?Cat=) of the old site would turn up some info?

[FredR]

For those of you who used the Radio Shack 13-1222 or Pro-35A, RS has discontinued them or went back to their original manufactor. The Pro-35A are Koss headsets, and are displayed that way in RS. According to RS they have always manufactored them for RS under the RS name.
1. In any case those of you who used them did they have an inline volume control? And did you use it or just cut the headset and resolder them to the autocomm pigtail.
2. Did you use Autocomms switched ground loop cable to switch between headset and bikes speakers or the non switched ground loop protected cable?

[munson]

For those of you who used the Radio Shack 13-1222 or Pro-35A, RS has discontinued them or went back to their original manufactor. The Pro-35A are Koss headsets, and are displayed that way in RS. According to RS they have always manufactored them for RS under the RS name.
1. In any case those of you who used them did they have an inline volume control? And did you use it or just cut the headset and resolder them to the autocomm pigtail.
2. Did you use Autocomms switched ground loop cable to switch between headset and bikes speakers or the non switched ground loop protected cable?
Hi Fred,
I tore them completely apart and soldered the headset wires to the speakers themselves. I have the cable that does not have a switch to turn off the bike speakers. They have worked well for over four years now. HTH!

[FredR]

Thanks. I am still thinking I might want to get a female plug and solder that to the pigtail and not cut up the new headset. Just wondering what I will do with that volume control(var resister) and extra cord. You suggestion is much much simpler though.

[meese]

I'm not sure what you're trying to save, Fred. The donor headsets can't be used with a helmet, and the speakers themselves are changed in seconds with a standard soldering iron without messing up the original cords. Note that I never used any sort of inline volume control, so that may be the complication. But I don't think it's necessary, as the volume will be controlled by the bike's handlebar controls, same as for the external speakers.

[FredR]

I know you guys are right, I am just to frugal for my own good. I just hate chopping up a perfectly good headset when it could be used for alternative purposes at a later date. Damn I hate myself sometimes.
Thanks again

[meese]

If you're careful, the mod is easily reversible. Don't cut any cords, just unsolder at the speakers themselves. But I give the bike helmets much more priority than home or travel headsets, for which I have alternate options. I may finally throw away my RS headset shells after more than two years.