[hammick]

I am looking to buy and intercom for my '05 LT. I currently have a Starcom1 and it works fine with open faced helmets but I get a lot of wind noise from my wife's flip helmet so off to Ebay it goes.

I am willing to dish out the $1,200 for the Baehr fitted for the LT but at that price it better give me a lap dance. The Autocom will obviously save me some cash but I have seen some negative reports of the VOX.

My dealer showed me the Voice II today and I was impressed. The thought of being able to adjust it easily under the radio door is a big plus. I also like the fact that the music can be turned on or off for driver and passenger which is a big plus when my wife is listening to books on tape (some of them drive me insane). I also like the fact that the intercom can be turned off and she can still listen to her books on tape. The one negative I have seen is that the GPS will not play through the stereo (I wonder if there is a workaround for this)

The Voice II seems to be the most versatile but I would like to hear from people that have actually used them. I could probable get a Voice II for $750 and I found some headsets at Sierra Electronics for $80 a crack with the lower cords included.

Whatever route I go I will be installing myself and I know the Voice II will be the most difficult to install.

Thanks.

 

[dmatson]

I have the Voice II on my 05', actually this is my second one the first had some problems. The second one has worked good for about 6 months. I just got back from a 8 day trip and the first couple of days it was lousy, music would cut in and out through the helmet when you would hit a bump or just cause it wanted to, but the last day I rode home from Mt. Shasta a 9 hr trip and it worked great the whole way. I am still going to the dealer and have it replaced. When I plug my FRS in and don't have it turned on it mutes the music, the first one didn't do this. I like the unit so I hope they can get it sorted out.

 

[BLBantz]

I have the Baehr on my '03 and love it. Conversation is totally natural with the VOX kicking in immediately. It installs in under 1/2 hour and integrates with the stereo very well. I use my LG cell phone with it also. As far as settings, the unit is under the seat, however after the initial settings (and there weren't many) I have never touched the unit. When I was shopping I read a lot of good, but a lot of bad about the Autocom. I have never read anything bad about the Baehr. I feel that an intercom is one of those things that if it doesn't work well will frustrate the heck out of you.

 

[mneblett]

I'm very happy with the VOICE II. To save time, I'd suggest a brief search for Randy Prade's review on the old site, as well as my installation pics at the old site.

In short, besides cost, the primary difference between the VOICE II and the Baehr is integration -- both the unit into the oddments compartment, and the fact that the '05 already has plug-n-play wiring connectors in the harness. From an audio standpoint, the units are both excellent.

Last minor item: Something I've found to be very nice with the VOICE II is that the intercom automatically doesn't work when there's no passenger headset plugged in (the mic still works when there's a phone call, FRS, signal, etc.). This means no inadvertant mic activations from sneezes, wind noise, etc. -- a minor, but nice feature. Don't know whether the Baehr does the same.

 

[eljeffe]

I have the Autocom, but if I were to do it all over again, I'd go with the Baehr. Raffy is the expert on Baehr and can help you.

I just can't ever justify spending the money it takes to get into the BMW V.O.I.C.E. system. I could get Ohlins or Wilbers, a Rhine West chip and Remus exhaust, and HID installed for what it takes to get into the BMW communication system.

 

[mneblett]

I just can't ever justify spending the money it takes to get into the BMW V.O.I.C.E. system. I could get Ohlins or Wilbers, a Rhine West chip and Remus exhaust, and HID installed for what it takes to get into the BMW communication system.

Time's moved on, El Jeffe This is no longer a legitimate gripe with the BMW-supplied stuff. The VOICE II pricing is much lower than the ComSystem was. In fact, even with headsets, cables, etc., it's far more competitive (actooly may be lower total, IIRC).

You need to find a new reason to not go with the BMW stuff

 

[BLBantz]

>>>Last minor item: Something I've found to be very nice with the VOICE II is that the intercom automatically doesn't work when there's no passenger headset plugged in (the mic still works when there's a phone call, FRS, signal, etc.). This means no inadvertant mic activations from sneezes, wind noise, etc. -- a minor, but nice feature. Don't know whether the Baehr does the same.>>>



The Baehr has the same feature. When there is no passenger the microphone is shut off unless there is a cell call. It also allows you to sing along with the music!

 

[RMW]

My 05 has the Voice II system and I also am on my second one. It went in this past week after the first one had a problem with the FRS transmit self activating when the unit got hot.

New unit works fine and overall I am very pleased with it. Were I to have to choose again I would get the same unit. I am familiar with the AutoComm and think it is fine just no comparison in terms of integration.

 

[motorhead]

Baehr makes a SUPER unit, Had mine for over a year now using it to it's fullest !!

GMRS radio, Cell phone, GPS, & radar detection interfaces. Wife on back, so comm aspect is full time !

It is SOOOOOO adjustable, IMHO if you can't get it set specific to fit you need .... Your .. well ... needing to give up motorcycles all together. Lol

Regards.
Scott

 

[GPSmjs51]

Had a V.O.I.C.E. 1 on our '05 LT. It worked great except we couldn't integrate it with the Garmin 2610 (BMW Motorad Navigator II). Dealer got us the V.O.I.C.E. II system under a warranty claim. Now the GPS works just fine. We have Schuberth 1 helmets which are noisy. The only complaints with the II system is that the passengers volume could be a bit louder. Also,
I have my cell, (Kyocera) could be a bit louder; (yes the settings are at max).

 

[Triker]

All BMW gear w/V.O.I.C.E. II

My 05 LT being my first motorcycle and not having read ANY web sites about Beamers before getting it, I bought all BMW gear. VOICE II, GPS Nav II, no CD changer, just the single CD player that comes standard. My IPOD (60 GB) is hooked to AUX with the BMW IPOD cable. I have (on order) the BMW cable to connect my cell phone to the VOICE II. (As a side note, I searched the internet for an alternate to this cable and was unable to find one??) Since I also have the CB Communicator II (which I have since learned is not actually designed for the 05 [even though the literature says it is], ) the CB having an AUX volume control allows me to listen to my IPOD and control the volume only. I'd actually have to hit the next button if I wanted to skip a tune. However, keeping my eyes on the road is load enough on my 66 year old brain and so far, with my wife and I riding together, I've not even turned on the IPOD once.
We just returned from a 966 mile tour from Denver to Santa Fe and especially south of Pueblo, the wind noise is so great that I doubt that we'd be able to enjoy the music anyway. (Wind gusts are really violent on I25). The signs along the highway that say "wind gusts may exist" are a gross understatement.
Anyway, I have the BMW headsets and cables (had to have the driver cable replaced because the connector got a bent pin [bad design of connector to helmet pigtail]) in my Schuberth C2 and my wife's HJC concept. I personally dislike the way the headsets attach to the helmet. That was a real struggle to get them on in the first place. Had no real problems on the trip other than the wind noise triggering my wife's mic because of the open area under her chin. I'll have to come up with some kind of baffle to block that.
All in all, the BMW equipment seems to operate as advertised.

 

[nelson61]

I have the Baehr system and am very happy with it ..very easy and clean to install ..talk to Raffy if you have and questions.

 

[TandemCyclist]

I also have the Baehr and like it. Installed a week ago so I am still making some adjustments. The biggest issue I have is the loud pop I get when the wife plugs in if the bike ignition is anything other than off position. I have somewhat sensitive ears, having spent last 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller with a headset on. I can here static when the bike is not running. Wife can't here it but a fellow retired ATC noticed it. Does anyone have the pin outs? I want to hook my Kenwood dual band HT to it. Don't hijack the thread PM me.

 

[frankf]

Go with the Baehr. I've had it for 2.5 years and it's great. I reviewed it here
http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=reviews&Number=77231&page=&view=&sb=&o=