[tomlando]

Hi guys! Now that I have had two weeks and a thousand miles (only dropped it once) on my 'new' '02 LT, I know I'm keeping it. I want to add a complete electronics package that includes intercom, bike to bike, Nav, MP3 and cell phone. I have the cell phone . I know everyone has there preferences and predjudices And I am not looking to start a war here! Being that I have never purchased these things before it can be a little confusing on what to get for a system that is compatable and reliable. I would like good quality at a fair price. I appreciate all input! - Thank, Tom

 

[mwnahas]

Hey congrats on your new to you LT.
I just ordered an intaride and the bike to bike from wirelessrider.
(see http://www.intaride.com/ and http://www.wirelessrider.com/ )
Very reasonable, I'll let you know how that works after I get it. The Nav of choice seems to be a Garmin something. I have the Quest but if I were buying now I would go with at least a 2720 or 2730.

 

[RVB1019]

Welcome to the forum

The Baehr system is the system of choice. Pricey but an easy install. The Baehr Ultima is plug and play. What you pay for the system you will save on time and labor. You can hook up a GPS, mp3, cell phone, cb and any thing else you can think of.

The Autocom is probably second best but you will need to do some of the wiring work. It is much cheaper but more labor intensive.

The BMW VOICE is a great system but it is both expensive and labor intensive.

If you go to the accessory section of the forums, you will find an intercom subsection. You will find many posts backing up my thoughts.

I decided to go with the Baehr system for my 03 LT. It installed in about 20 minutes and works flawlessly. You can get a great deal on the unit from Raffy, a fellow board member.

Good Luck,

 

[WirelessRider]

plug and play

The Intaride EVO intercom is normally all plug and play, but on the LT we have a connection to make to the rear speaker outputs and One power connection positive and negative to power lead.

Otherwise , not counting seat and tupperware removal it connects up in no time to everything.

Later Spike

 

[STARFIGHTER]

I use Autocom but agree that it takes a lot of special wiring to get everything connected.................................
if you can just plug into Behr, it's worth the price

 

[hschisler]

I use Autocom but agree that it takes a lot of special wiring to get everything connected.................................
if you can just plug into Behr, it's worth the price

That's pretty much where I was coming from when I purchased a unit. I'm sure the Autocomm quality is as good as Baehr, but when I found the K1200LT-specific Baehr unit I went that route. To paraphrase the Geico commercials: So simple, even a non-tech can do it. No wiring to run (other than from beneath the passenger seat to the unit), no splicing, and only one connection to make (a no-brainer modular connection beneath the rear seat).

 

[Nebish]

Gettin' Wired

I really do not like the prospect of being tethered to Tipsy while I enjoy the music/radio/GPS/CB experience.

I am about to spring for an Bluetooth approach: starting with the Scala-Rider Team Set which is a Bluetooth based driver/passenger intercom. It costs about $200 and gets rave reviews. (here is a link: http://www.bargainbikergear.com/store/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=283)

The unit will work with a Bluetooth enabled cell phone as well as Bluetooth enabled GPS units. I have confirmed that there Bluetooth based MP3/FM tuner equipped devices and there is a Bluetooth adapter for many Cobra and Midland CB units, among others: http://www.bb-shopping.com/products...-radio-GPS-&-MP3.htm?id=40&subid=&prodid=2163.

Being caught up in cables doesn't work for me and while I would prefer to have an integrated unit like Autocomm or Baehr, my planned approach will cost less than the dedicated units...and Look Ma! No Wires!!

 

[messenger13]

The way I see it, there's only two choices for an intercom system for the LT. If you can afford it, buy the LT-specific unit by Baehr. Click HERE to be sent to Raffy's page. He's a long-time forum member, and his customer support is second-to-none. An all-around good guy.

If that's out of your price range and you want to save some coin, I would suggest you go with an IntaRide Intercom system. I have owned 2 IntaRide intercoms and I love them. Currently on my '06 GT I use an older model IntaRide (the RP-1) to integrate my Garmin 2720 GPS, Cell phone, iPod, ICOM FRS/GMRS, and Valentine 1 radar detector. All of that piped into my Nolan, and it all works flawlessly.

The reason I suggest the Baehr first (over the IntaRide) is because it is simply the "BMW" of intercom systems. The Baehr's functionality and flexibility is pretty tough to beat, from what I've seen/heard. Also, I have yet to hear of an unhappy Baehr owner.

 

[tomlando]

This looks like it will take me a while to decide as there are a lot of things to consider. Plug and play is nice and simple, but I am quite capable of hard wiring. Bluetooth is good, but then there's noise and interference and batteries to keep charged. FRS vs GPRS? GPS w/ MP3 or seperate units? Reliability, sound quality, warranties, price, versatility. This is why I like this board...because I can talk to you'll with hands on experience. It definitely helps. Thank you for taking the time for the responses. And I will be monitering this thread daily.

 

[hschisler]

This looks like it will take me a while to decide as there are a lot of things to consider. Plug and play is nice and simple, but I am quite capable of hard wiring. Bluetooth is good, but then there's noise and interference and batteries to keep charged. FRS vs GPRS? ...

I'm guessing you meant "GMRS", correct? If so, go with both. Many radios have the FRS and the GMRS channels in them, and at not much more cost.

 

[tomlando]

Yes, My inexperience is showing. Thank you Howard

 

[hschisler]

Yes, My inexperience is showing. Thank you Howard

No worries. I thought maybe GPRS was some new set of radio channels or something, but wanted to make sure.

 

[tomlando]

Ok, Thanks Howard. That goes on the list!

 

[vstromboli]

I have a Baehr KLT system on my '05 and it has performed flawlessly for the two and a half years I've had it. I have cables running from the Baher to an FRS/GMRS radio (Icom) and a push to talk button for bike-to-bike communications, my helmet speakers and mic, the BMW Nav II GPS, and a wired hook up to my cell. All of this works nicely but I hated having to fiddle with my cell phone in my oddments box when I received calls so I recently purchased a Garmin Zumo. By replacing the Nav II with the Zumo I will now have the following integrated into one unit:

-GPS (of course)
-Bluetooth connection to my cell phone
-MP3 player
-Audio book player
-Picture viewer
-XM radio
-XM weather
-XM traffic

A super nice feature with the Zumo to cell phone (via Bluetooth) is that the Zumo will read your phone book from your phone, last dialed number log, recently received numbers and have all that info available on the screen of the Zumo. In addition to that, most, if not all the points of interests (POIs) on the GPS have the phone numbers included so a push of a button will call that restaurant or hotel you found! It pairs with my phone (Motorola L6) every time and never looses the BT connection. My helmet hetset is wired but if you have a Bluetooth headset it will also pair with that.

As I mentioned before, the Baehr comm system has been great for me and now the consolidation of multiple devices into one smart package has added even more value and enjoyment into the mix.

The latest issue of Motorcycle Consumer News has a good write up on the Zumo.

 

[tmgs]

Hi guys! Now that I have had two weeks and a thousand miles (only dropped it once) on my 'new' '02 LT, I know I'm keeping it. I want to add a complete electronics package that includes intercom, bike to bike, Nav, MP3 and cell phone. I have the cell phone . I know everyone has there preferences and predjudices And I am not looking to start a war here! Being that I have never purchased these things before it can be a little confusing on what to get for a system that is compatable and reliable. I would like good quality at a fair price. I appreciate all input! - Thank, Tom

dont go the autocom route if you use the bike all the time they just do not hold up well

this is just my experience on two motorcyles with two units (mine and my wifes)with over 200k miles in about 4 years

Drop the big bucks on Baehr (what about 1500 now with everything?) or change your plans go with with chatter box complete unit (no cell that i know of) for 300 that works perfectly all the time, or try intraride, which I havbe no personal experience with

 

[tomlando]

Okay!!!! now we're talking. I have been looking at the things Jacques has mentioned and don't want to be redundant in my purchase(s). So... let's see if I understand this correctly. The Zumo controls the cell and has an Mp3 & XM radio within the unit. The Zumo unit is then connected to the Baehr. The Icom radio is connected to the Baehr. The Baehr feeds the signal through existing CD/radio speakers or headsets. Which gets priority? Is there a setting(s) to assign the priority order? I am going to compare the Garmin ZUMO 550 vs StreetPilot 2820. It sure would be nice to find someone who would sell everything as a package at the best price, But I think I'm dreamin' there. - Tom

 

[vstromboli]

Tom,

As mentioned before, the Zumo has the ability to capture XM data, whether it be radio, traffic or weather, but it has to have the Garmin GXM30 antenna in order to do this. It's not cheap at $200 but it's my understanding that it's not just an antenna; it's the actual XM radio. It just feeds the data to the Zumo for the display interface.

The Baehr unit has selectable priorities so you can decide which device gets trumped in the way of audio.

N.B. You will NOT be able to hear your the Zumo's audio (GPS, MP3, etc.) on the LT's speakers. This is reserved only for your headset. I don't find this particularly problematic. I never use the LT speakers anymore. The LT's radio/CD audio is the only audio that still routes to the speakers when you unplug your headset from the Baehr unit.

I also considered the 2820 but ultimately bought the Zumo because I liked the ability to take the unit off the bike and run it on battery power. I also liked the motorcycle specific buttons on the left as I became very used to them on the Nav II.

Hope this helps.

 

[tomlando]

Thanks, Jacques. Yes it helps me a lot. One other thing about the Mp3 player in the ZUMO. I think I read that it has a 2GB memory card. If so, Is it easy to get to? I would like to have a few cards for different genres to appease my multiple personalities.

 

[vstromboli]

I would like to have a few cards for different genres to appease my multiple personalities.

Dear Sybil,

The Zumo does not come with a memory card.

The SD card slot is located on the underside of the unit. If mounted on the bike, you have to take the Zumo off and open the hinged protective cover.

An interesting thing to note is that on Garmin's latest firmware upgrade Zumo owners can now use SDHC type cards in addition to regular SD. I have an 8GB SDHC in mine. Got it at newegg.com for around $70.

 

[tomlando]

We all thank You, Dr Jacques - Tom & Friends