posted January 02, 2006 08:16 PM
Edited By: Editor on 3 Jan 2006 17:55
Tested: The HJC Chatterbox FRS-X2 There are so many things to say about the HJC Chatterbox that I don't even know where to begin, so I'll start by saying this so that it's totally clear how I feel...
I think the Chatterbox is by far one of the coolest, if not THE coolest motorcycle accessory ever invented.
It's an indispensable tool that has saved my hide hundreds of times; from cops to gravel in corners, from crazy stories to break the monotony of the Interstate to the standard "hey I have to go the bathroom now!" call. I like the Chatterbox so much I bought the guys who made it a case of beer. They deserve it. The Chatterbox has provided me with hours and hours on end of entertainment.
Some background for those who don't know what we're talking about; HJC, the helmet manufacturer, distributes bike-to-bike communicators under the Chatterbox brand name. The Chatterbox is essentially a FRS radio that mounts to your helmet. It comes with a headset and microphone equipped harness that you permanently mount inside your helmet's lining. The unit allows you to communicate with any other Chatterbox or FRS radio equipped motorcycles.
Transmitting is achieved by using a push-to-talk (PTT) button or the built in voice-activated (VOX) feature. Communication is "half duplex", in other words one person transmits at a time. The unit runs on rechargeable batteries. The Chatterbox is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It's relatively light and compact, and it mounts to the left side of your helmet.
Battery life is excellent, especially on the newer FRS-X2 models. My personal experience has been about 2 days of continuous use. The unit can be easily recharged off of your bike's battery if you are on a road trip using either the cord you buy from Chatterbox, or your own home made bastardization from your local Radio Shack (what I did).
The inexpensive "base model" FRS Multi Sport Chatterbox offers only 2 channels (FRS channels 2 and 9). The base model is very easy to use and relatively reliable, and I own two of these units as well.
The Chatterbox line has expanded to include the FRS-X2 and the GMRS-X1. The FRS-X2 offers 14 channels and 38 sub channels. The GMRS-X1 has 15 channels with 38 sub channels and also has an extended range of up to 5 miles. In my experience, using any of the two mile range units, the communication distance has been excellent. Similar to any CB radio, the distance is dependant on line of site. If you have a clear view for miles, say in a valley or a long straight, you will have the best performance. If you travel in the canyons or in the city your range will decrease. Either way the sound quality has always been excellent. Any out of range transmissions are simply squelched out, no static.
The Chatterbox offers compatibility with standard FRS radios available at any local electronics store (or grocery store nowadays!). On our last road trip our support vehicle carried an FRS radio and was able to stay in contact with our entire riding group. Very cool!
It was Bikeland's very own Dino who takes the credit for putting me onto the Chatterbox and convincing me that I HAD to try one. From day one Dino taught us a little trick that many people aren't aware of.
The units come with a VOX feature that in my opinion is okay, but simply ineffective for high speed sport riding. Instead of mounting the PTT button, which comes with the units, to the Bike's clipon as Chatterbox suggests, Dino had us Velcro the PTT to our left index finger. By running the PTT wire down the inside of the liner of our jackets, we are now able to leave the wire permanently woven into our clothing.
This allows the rider to leave all the necessary hardware mounted or built into the riding gear, and not the bike, and leaves the rider free to walk away from the bike and still be able to transmit via PTT. Using the units this way lets you easily push the PTT button either with your finger or by rolling it against the clipon.
The only drawback has been the hair thin wire HJC uses and the connectors that come with the Chatterbox. These fail repeatedly. If you plan on using the Chatterbox with this set-up expect to carry spare wires or a soldiering iron. The extra hassle is worth it in my opinion. A nice bonus with the newer generation of Chatterbox units is a built in PTT, so that you can reach up and push the button on the unit itself if your wired button fails.
The units have external inputs and allow you to plug in accessories such as a radar detector (another must!) an MP3 player (haven't tried yet) and even a cell phone.
The older FRS Multi Sport units are extremely easy to use. There are only a few switches that are simple to find with your riding gear on.
The newer FRS-X2 units take some getting used to. The extra buttons and functions mean that if you're used to the older models, you may make the odd mistake and end up on some bizarre sub channel when all you wanted to do was adjust the volume.
Once you're familiar with the locations of all the controls on the newer units, there really is no issue whatsoever. The added channels on the new FRS-X2 units mean that you have a better chance of finding some quiet airspace if you live in a built up area.
When we tested our FRS-X2 Chatterboxes what surprised us the most was the wide variety of sound quality from the different units. This summer's group ride, with up to 15 Chatterbox equipped riders, provided interesting results. Riders were equipped, for the most part, with the older FRS Multi Sport units. The sound quality from all of the radios varied enormously. Some were clearer than others and some were either louder or quieter than others. Some periodically buzzed or sounded raspy, while others were as clear as telephone. We later found out after an installation lesson from Chatterbox reps that the sound quality was directly related to the placement of the microphone in the helmet and also the type of microphone the units came with. The FRS X2 models came equipped with a noise cancellation microphone that, when place too far away from your mouth, cancelled out your own voice at higher speeds.
Sound quality seemed to depend on a combination of correct installation, and the "luck of the draw". Some units simply sounded much better than others, and we have no explanation for that phenomenon. We must report that most of the sound quality issues can be solved by ensuring that the microphone is installed correctly in your helmet. This requires actually reading the owner's manual, but hey, who does that! (Guilty as charged)
The problems we have run into after tens of thousands of miles of testing have not always been the fault of the Chatterbox. Water has been the Multi-Sport's worst enemy. They are what I like to call "California" waterproof (read: Not at all). Don't get them wet. If it starts to rain, do yourself a favour, pull over and take the unit off and hide it in a dry spot. We experimented with zip lock bags etc, but this really didn't work. Getting the unit soaking wet will leave you sounding like a space alien the next day. Better to save the hassle.
Chatterbox claims that the FRS-X2 and the GMRS-X1 units are "in a tough water resistant casing" but I'm certainly not going to be the one to test that theory. I'm fine playing it safe.
Many of you will read this and say what I said when Dino basically forced me to try the Chatterbox five years ago. "Riding is a personal experience. The last thing I want is to hear someone's voice inside my helmet when I ride". Those were my thoughts and you can't imagine how many times I've had those same words repeated to me when I recommend the Chatterbox to people.
To those of you reading this who feel that way. I was once like you! The Chatterbox changed the way I ride. It changed the whole experience of motorcycling, and definitely for the better.
I can't stress just how cool this product is! Looking to the future HJC plans to release a Bluetooth version of the Chatterbox, hopefully for 2006. This should mean the elimination of all wires and yet again another step into the future.
An important thing to keep in mind. The Chatterbox broadcasts on public airwaves. Anyone with a scanner or an FRS radio can listen in. This may seem like an obvious thing to state, but after using them for so many years, communication with them seems like second nature. You and your riding partners can become so engrossed in conversation that it is possible to forget that other people can hear you...
Is the technology perfect? No. Like the dropped call on the cell phone in the middle of a crucial conversation, the Chatterbox does have its issues. Can I live without the Chatterbox? If you ask my honest personal opinion, the answer is no. I can't live without this. I need it like I need my wireless internet, my cell phone and my radar detector. There is no doubt in my mind that the Chatterbox is an essential part of your riding kit.
posted January 03, 2006 12:46 AM
Bluetook has too much feed back into the ear piece at this time in it's life. I've owned about every brand of bluetooth ear bud out and they all have it so far. I love it when it works proper, BUT I couldn't imagine trying to go on a long ride with it with it echoing in my ear. It would be very distracting. Echoes and feedback don't happen all the time, but about 40% of the time you can bet on it.
I recently purchased Auto Com Pro 7 units and have so far only tested it in the shop, BUT it seems to work great with the Mp3, Cell, and intercom all working as promised. It will also cross over and connect with the folks with Chatterbox units.
posted January 03, 2006 04:55 AM
I just bought a set but have yet to install them. I've still got at least two more months of winter to get it done.
____________
Dan
04 ZX10r (Track only)
08 Concours14
posted January 03, 2006 02:31 PM
I have a GMRS-X1 that sits in a drawer. I was never satisfied with the ability to hear/understand through the noise that's typical at speed. My experience with dealing with the HJC support s that they weren't able to respond to some basic questions about the frequencies their radios used. The documentation was pretty crappy too. Maybe I was asking something too deep (I'm kind of a radio head too) or maybe they just didn't want to answer. I just looked up my emails to them and I played with them in August 2002 so maybe something has changed, but I doubt it.
Maybe with a good set of in ear pieces and a decent microphone it would work better. I know it was mentioned a while ago some investigation needed to be done with the throat mics but I didn't see anything after that.
I did wire up a standard Motorola FRS radio with remote ear, microphone and PTT and thought that worked better and was a lot less money. When I used either unit I did keep the radio in the vest pocket of my jacket because the helmet mount on my Shoei left it at a weird angle.
I remember watching the Honda crew at Daytona when they were first trying the radios with Miguel. He had his mounted in the aero hump on his leathers and a PTT in his fingertip. Cool setup, but still hard to understand anything at speed, especially rider to crew.
Oh god, I just typed an old racing story that has nothing to do with what the original post was about. I think I'm getting VH syndrome .
____________ DaytonaSportbikes Forum
posted January 03, 2006 05:57 PM
Dave... the GMRS unit has a noise cancellation mike as well. If it isnt placed close enough to your mouth it wont work properly. As for the frequencies, I believe they are listed on their website.
Maybe you need to try to reinstall it?
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted January 03, 2006 06:06 PM
Dave, i was also there when we chatted with them about htat very problem at Laguna Seca and the rep really stressed that your lips should pretty much be touching the mic (or rather the foam boot over the mic). voice quality among the group we had ranged hugely, and that appears to be a big part of the reason.
posted January 03, 2006 06:19 PM
also had to note that PK's unit's sound quality changed the most when we installed the correct mike, and then installed it correctly.
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted January 03, 2006 06:25 PM
I tried the Chatterbox system once. That was a major mistake. The voice activation was a joke. You had to say the first word in the sentance twice so that the passenger could hear all of what you said. Sometimes the system still wouldn't pick it up and the passenger wouldn't hear it at all. Adjusting the sensitivity didn't help either. If it was adjusted to be more sensitive then it would kick on from just the wind noise. We used the system for a couple of rides without being inpressed at all, then came the final ride. We got caught in a down pour and both sets stopped working. I think that it is unacceptable that something that is made for a motorcycle that is mounted on a helmet can't get wet from the rain or it will stop working. Also, as much as the system cost, you would think that they would make them more rain proof. After a week with my Chatterbox I took mine back to the dealer where I bought them. They wouldn't give me my money back but they did give me store credit luckily (which gave me an excuse to buy an exhaust for my bike). I went back to my cheap Nady system then and it worked much better for rider to passenger comunication. Since then the Nady system has bit the dust and I just got a Beahr system. I have not hooked it up yet but will report on it when I do.
____________
Don't show your stupidity, wear a helmet.
posted January 03, 2006 06:32 PM
Well, I agree that the VOX isn't very usefull. The PTT works perfectly, and if installed the way Dino suggests you cant go wrong with it. Which version did you have when you were caught in the rain?
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
posted January 03, 2006 07:11 PM
...I hot glued the PTT button on the left/front of the handlebar so that my left index finger presses it while my left hand is on the left grip....then ran the wire under the tank cover and out the back between the cover and the seat...then I connect/disconnect the jacks as needed...PTT works like a charm...VOX SUX...
____________ “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
posted January 03, 2006 07:26 PM
i got one of those quiet helmet things that goes under your chin, and that made a 10000% improvement in the VOX operation.
i also used the PTT button on my trip, works great lasts long time.
a standard PS2 extension cable works fine as an extension, so if i start getting rained on i just throw it in the tankbag with the extension. this also gives an excuse to put the charger on (ciggy lighter plug in tankbag)
quote:
a standard PS2 extension cable works fine as an extension, so if i start getting rained on i just throw it in the tankbag with the extension. this also gives an excuse to put the charger on (ciggy lighter plug in tankbag)
that's smart.. didnt think about that..
I did cut the harness apart on one unit and splice in a PS2 cable instead as the connector and socket were higher quality.
As for the bulk of the problems, like we said 90% of them can be addressed by proper installation.. the rest can be solved with some experimentation and smart thinking.
We never said the product was perfect... far from it...
BUT
the we still need it, crave it, want it...
cant wait to try the bluetooth version!
____________ What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
posted January 03, 2006 10:02 PM
Yup, I had that mic too, and even tried using it facing both ways. It was close enough to me that if I puckered I could touch it, and also tried some additional foam. I tried it by riding behind a car with a FRS radio for the testing so there could be a quiet partner to eliminate some of the variables. Also spent a lot of time with two other riders with the same gear Most of the issues were related to noise.
I also used the PS2 cables (I've got quite a few) for remote testing. I actually spent a few outings with the unit in the trunk, powered by the bike, with a cable coming out from under the rear seat. I didn't see a noticeable difference in range with that setup, especially to the rear. But like with all radios that operate in that range the distance estimates are greatly optimistic.
I like the Collett system better, but the choice of frequencies on those units doesn't work well for compatibility with other radios. The best seems to be the Autocom and the additional inputs for my Valentine One and GPS are good features of that unit. But you do pay for it. Right now the 2005's are 1/2 price which brings them in price range.
I think a more likely choice for me when I go to do it again will be a Rino with a custom speaker/mic/PTT setup. Should get communications on both FRS and GMRS, NOAA, along with A GPS. We'll see.
I do agree with this completely:
We never said the product was perfect... far from it...
BUT
the we still need it, crave it, want it...
posted January 04, 2006 05:14 AM
i have found when the batteries start to go flat that your ability to transmit to other chatterbox wearers diminishes sharply. You;ve got plenty of power for music and for intercom, but the rest goes to crap.
keep those batteries charged just make sure you run it dead befor ehooking hte power up ;P
HOME
NEW TOPIC
posted January 02, 2006 08:16 PM
Edited By: 
There are so many things to say about the HJC Chatterbox that I don't even know where to begin, so I'll start by saying this so that it's totally clear how I feel...
.
just make sure you run it dead befor ehooking hte power up ;P
