bike to bike for a euro trip...

[beertastic]

but hi all, I've been off the forum for a while...
I'm back and paid up again...

Anyhoo.. a little autocom/radio advice is needed.
I'm off on a Euro jaunt with a pal in Aug.
He's seconds away from getting a Zumo 550, I've got a 550 and an autocomrider too.
We wanna be able to talk to each other (from time to time) but still have our bliuetoothed phones and Zumo audio piped in.

What I wanna know is:
Scala Vs Autocom + radio for bike to bike.. thoughts, other than the limted range issue.
What's the cheapest anyone has seen an autocom uinit for?
and finally...
anyone have any good radio recommendations.. bike charged/powered and conectable to the autocome is required.

Unless someone wants to rent us their for Aug?

Anyhoo... feedback welcome...!

[Snaphappy]

You've missed the boat with all the good deals for Autocom, although if you shop around you may find some of their 2008 stock on someone's shelf.
Autocom have moved up another notch and are fully digital now, by all accounts better but I've not made a comparison.
I fitted the Autocom Pro AVI setup last year, that has 4 jackplug inlets and the main leads for Rider Pillion and 2way radio. to sum it up it was a tad expensive but well worth the investment.
Radios, I had a cheap set of lidl specials believe me they are kids toys, dont get cheap radios you'll be pulling your hair out. I got a pair of Midland G7s from Maplin (B-Grade) for just over £50, down side is I cant charge on the move but autocom have a charger cable that takes power straight from the box, that was not in stock at my local dealer and I was impatient, error.
You can hard wire a zumo into the unit and plug it in as a mobile phone then bluetooth your phone to the zumo and Bobs your uncle, or you can buy the Autocom bluetooth dongle, I believe the zumo can pair up with 2 units.
HTH

[DiverChris]

Hi,

I fitted the Starcom Advance unit to my Vara, my Zumo 550 is hard wired, and my phone uses bluetooth to connect to the Zumo, and finaly I have a Kenwood radio (for bike-2-bike) connected to the Starcom unit with a push to talk button for my left thumb. Fun to fit it all, but all works very well.

So don't know if the Starcom set-up works out any cheaper for your mate, but it may be worth a look.

As for the radio's range etc. it's fine for bike to bike. We found the location of the radio is the most important bit, I have mine located in my top box, as far away from the bike frame seems best.

I'm in Orpington, SE London, so your more than welcome to "try before you buy" if you'd like.

Regards
Chris