[Tat_n_Telle]

I purchased a Starcom1 intercom system, with all the goodies to connect to the GPS, phone, and bike-to-bike radios (so we can keep in touch with our daughter when she rides the back roads with us on her Suzuki Burgman scooter).
I did get the optional bulkhead fittings for the helmet sets, so that gives me a bit more leeway as far as mounting location goes. Is there a "best" place to mount the unit? Obviously, it needs to be fairly well protected from possible water splash, and far enough away from the ignition system and other electrics to prevent interference.
Has anyone installed a system like this, and if so, any mounting location advice would be appreciated. I'd hate to wire everything up, only to find out I have to move everything later on.
Thanks!

Paul (Tat)

 

[meese]

Many folks have mounted their intercom on top of the left saddlebag, next to the frame rail. There is plenty of room, the location is pretty well protected from any weather, and is close to a good power feed for the rear seat heaters. The old site had several threads with pics of the various installations. Sorry that I don't have a direct link for those.

 

[Tat_n_Telle]

Meese, thank you! I'm going to be in the process of tearing off all the Tupperware this winter (if I can ever stop riding long enough) and really go through the bike. Tune up, valve adjustment, etc. I figured that would be the best time to do the installation, but sometimes it's hard to see any potential interferance issues with all the outer skins off. Now I know where to start looking!

 

[hammick]

Meese, thank you! I'm going to be in the process of tearing off all the Tupperware this winter (if I can ever stop riding long enough) and really go through the bike. Tune up, valve adjustment, etc. I figured that would be the best time to do the installation, but sometimes it's hard to see any potential interferance issues with all the outer skins off. Now I know where to start looking!

If you plan to route a GPS or any other bike powered device through the unit you will definately need the isolated wire to prevent ground loop. You can buy the Starcom cord or get a ground loop isolator from Rat Shack.

 

[rixchard]

I stuck mine in the space between the trunk and the back seat. Wired power to it from the rear seat heater .

 

[Tat_n_Telle]

If you plan to route a GPS or any other bike powered device through the unit you will definately need the isolated wire to prevent ground loop. You can buy the Starcom cord or get a ground loop isolator from Rat Shack.

The people at Starcom were very helpful. I told them what I wanted to plug into the unit (GPS, phone, 2-ways, rider and passenger) and they sent me everything I needed, including the isolated leads.

 

[kavatar]

Starcomm1

Wow... that is great to hear. Do you have the contact information from Starcomm. I would like to get them to send me the same stuff. I have just purchased a Starcomm 1 myself.
kavatar

 

[kavatar]

Starcomm1

Wow... that is great to hear. Do you have the contact information from Starcomm. I would like to get them to send me the same stuff. I have just purchased a Starcomm 1 myself.
you can also reach me at [email protected]
kavatar

 

[Rich_in_Tampa]

I stuck mine in the space between the trunk and the back seat. Wired power to it from the rear seat heater .

Can you upload a picture, esp as to where you wired it? Got one and have held off mounting it. Thanks in advance.

 

[messenger13]

Is there a "best" place to mount the unit?

I like where I mounted my IntaRide RP1...which is a VERY similar unit to yours. On top the right saddlebag. I mounted my fuse block on top the left one. Just personal preference, that's all. See pic below...hope it helps.

 

[Tat_n_Telle]

Just an update

Well, I did it. I got ambitious enough to tear off the outer skins and install the intercom and PIAA driving lights. It took a bit to snake the wiring up to the GPS and under the tank so everything would clear, but once installed, it works great!
The unit is mounted on top of the left saddlebag. I had to remove a bit of plastic to get it to fit properly, but it didn't seem critical. I have to remove the rear seat to get at the squelch and volume adjustments, but after a few trial runs, they are pretty much set up properly. My helmet plug socket mounted just to the left of the radio - hers is on the rear trunk, next to the accessory socket. I purposely did not hook the stereo input up to the intercom, because listening to stereo headphones while riding here in Mass is illegal. However, the cellphone input works incredibly well (with the phone in Auto Answer mode), and the rider to passenger clarity is truly incredible. When we ride out of state, I just plug the iPod into the music input cable and we can enjoy the tunes in the stereo helmet speakers if we want. I'm still trying to get used to "unplugging" myself when I get off the bike.
I would recommend this unit to anyone - but don't buy direct! There is an online shop in CA that stocks everything, and their prices are much less than ordering direct.

 

[mark_sat]

I have just purchased the Starcom 1 and started taking a look at fitting it this evening.
I decided to mount the unit on top of the right panier, purely because I have an alarm on the left.
I will fix a bulkhead fitting next to the rear power supply, but have yet to find an ideal way to route/place the front socket/tail.
Am I correct in thinking the radio has a 3.5mm jack socket on it somewhere, to run an isolated cable to the unit?
I also need to get a similar cable from front to back for my GPS.

Is it time to remove the plastics, or can I just remove one side?

 

[Texas42]

Starcom 1 Advanced

Mine is mounted on the top of the right saddle bag, connected to the rear speakers, my Sirius satellite radio is connected to the BMW Radio AUX port. My Garmin 2610 GPS and Escort Passport X50 Radar Detecter are connected to the Starcom. My cell phone is connected via the Starcom blue tooth adapter everything is switched on and off through a blue sea power panel that comes on with the key in the "R" position. I have it connected to a Motorola gmrs/frs radio in the glove box. My iPod connects to the BMW radio via an ice>Link that works most of the time, I removed the CD Changer. To connect the Starcom to the BMW radio I used the cable that you get for an Autocom it works fine. For the Escort you will need a ground loop isolator available from Escort. I bought most of the cables that I need from Fry's Electronics or they came with the Starcom. I changed the speakers on one of the headsets to see if they were better, they are better for music.

 

[mark_sat]

Thanks for the reply Texas42
I am going to have a better look today, hopefully it won't take too long.

I hate to miss out on valuable riding time!

 

[mark_sat]

I purchased a Starcom1 intercom system, with all the goodies to connect to the GPS, phone, and bike-to-bike radios (so we can keep in touch with our daughter when she rides the back roads with us on her Suzuki Burgman scooter).

Paul (Tat)

Did you buy two starcom units?
The reason I ask is that I have a Starcom Advance unit, and I would like to use the bike to bike. I have two way radios, but the guy I ride with has no starcom unit. We were contemplating just plugging a headset into a radio on his bike to see if this works.

 

[Junderwod]

I just joined the site and have a 2000 K 1200 LT. I installed a Starcom 1 last year. I had trouble jacking it into the radio and just spliced into the rear speaker wires. I see that Texas 42 had a complicated install but talks about a BMW Aux port. I now have crummy sound and feel that it has to do with the way I have it hooked into the bike system. I am thinking about getting rid of the 6 Disk Changer and just running iPod, Radar Detector, Cell phone. Any specifics on how to best wire this with photos would be appreciated. I would guess that I will need to tear the plastic off to get to stuff.
Thanks
junderwod

 

[Texas42]

I just joined the site and have a 2000 K 1200 LT. I installed a Starcom 1 last year. I had trouble jacking it into the radio and just spliced into the rear speaker wires. I see that Texas 42 had a complicated install but talks about a BMW Aux port. I now have crummy sound and feel that it has to do with the way I have it hooked into the bike system. I am thinking about getting rid of the 6 Disk Changer and just running iPod, Radar Detector, Cell phone. Any specifics on how to best wire this with photos would be appreciated. I would guess that I will need to tear the plastic off to get to stuff.
Thanks
junderwod

The Starcom is connected to the Rear speaker wires, it uses a cable that has a ground loop isolator.

My Sirius radio is connected to the AUX port on the radio.

My iPod is connected via an ice>Link to replace the CD Changer.

My Radar detector is connect to the Starcom via a special cable from Escort that has a ground loop isolator, I tried to build one but it didn't work as well as the one from escort.

My Zumo is connected via CAB-55 from Starcom to phone port.