First ride with new Autocom installed

[TazzyTazzy]

(Full Album)

In preparations for my Vancouver ride in 1.2 weeks, last friday I installed the XM receiver to the Zumo 550, and then installed the new Autocom SP-A.

 

I ventured out to SF Saturday, then Sunday explored Mount Tamalpais and Muir woods.

 

First, the good stuff. The ride doesn't really get any better! Amazing views, sweet turns, and plenty of corners. The whole area is a riders dream - just have to get rid of some of the cagers. Also, avoid the main pass and take the less travels ones, but still have nice nice roads (see pictures).

 

So, the autocom install was pretty simple and cake. I installed it under seat and ran the wires under the fuel tank (no need to remove tank to do this). I did a simple twisting of the stereo and microphone wires to avoid any EMI. I did about 1 twist per 2-2.5 inches just after where you stop seeing the wires go down from the zumo (sort of ugly seeing the twists). Not sure if this was needed in this application, but I did it anyways. There's no hissing or static when listening to MP3. Typical XM quality otherwise.

 

I have two helmets. The passenger, seven-zero-seven isn't used much, but the install was pretty simple. I installed the speakers per my ears. This took bout 40-45 minutes. Should get pretty close for other passengers.

 

_My_ helmet is a Shoei RF-1000. It's not the friendliest helmet to do an install on. I spent 3 hrs on it...and it still "sucks". I couldn't place the speakers where I get optimal sound - just hurts my ears to much. I had to move them forward, so I'm missing most my sound. I even removed some of the foam in the padding. It worked enough and allowed about 15hrs of use this weekend, but my ears were not too happy.

 

Tonight/tomorrow, I'm going to tear apart the helmet, remove the chin liner, and extra liners and do a better install. I'm also going to cut into the plastic and foam (I know, a no no, but there's no other way). I want to get the speakers down into the helmet since they are pretty thick.

 

Also, I found out I placed the ambient noise sensor, or the background noise sensor (depending on what autocom document you read) in the wrong spot. This might account for the seemingly random volume fluxuations and the super sensitive VOX (even when using the adjuster).

 

At this point, my first generation Scala teamset bluetooth is WAY WAY better. It's old, but works! Install was only a few minutes for each helmet.

 

I did ride two up for about 5 hours, and the communications was better than the scala, and generally everything worked out pretty good. We were able to talk to each other and listen to some XM tunes, so this is great.

 

I'll report back in a few days on how the helmet reconfiguration goes.

 

[TazzyTazzy]

Oh. I forgot to post a pic of my helper when I was doing the autocom install.

[hopz]

OK, I'll bite... where is the "wrong" place for the ambient noise sensor and where is the "right" place?

 

Mine either works so well I can not tell it is dong anything, or is is not working at all.

 

and... my VOX cuts in/out if the wind flow gets just right...

[TazzyTazzy]

Hopz,

Sorry for this missing information. I had it between the neck skirt and the rubber trim around the outside of the helmet. Apparently, it should be inside the helmet. So, I'm mounting it just where the padding stops at eye level. Like as if you were wearing glasses, and they come out from your ears towards to the visor. I'll mount mine a little higher then where glasses would go so that I can actually wear sun glasses for those times of day where tinted visor is just not enough.

 

[RayD]

Mine cuts in and out also!! For $600+ dollars I thought it would be much better. Its the super pro auto

 

Anyone have better luck??

[RideOregon]

I have mine tucked right where the Autocom directions show--just peeking out about the left cheekpad and it works real nice. Slow down and the volume gets lower, speed up and the volume goes up. It if reacts too quickly, you need to bury it a little deeper or cover it with a small cloth or foam. If it reacts too slowly, then you need to expose the sensor a little more.

 

I left my VOX pretty much right at the factory default and it does a reasonable job. Occasionally if I get a strong side gust of wind it will trigger the VOX especially if I have my faceshield up.

[TazzyTazzy]

Finished putting my Shoie RF-1000 back together.

 

I removed everything from the previous install and back to "factory". Removed the semi-removable chin/side insert. Dunked the remainder in a sink with shampoo & rinsed. Washed the non-removable padding and let it all dry out for a day with a fan blowing around. Washed the cheek pads, etc.

 

Redid everything, it came out really nice and clean install. I did trim a couple mm thick lines of foam for the mic boom and wire mgmt. I know, a no-no. I also cut holes out for the speakers, about the thickness of the speaker itself. I had to.

 

Anyways. Got it put back together. Seems to be working now - using a phone near the sensor and the speakers get louder. I'll take another test ride this weekend - down to SF - San Jose - Sacramento loop. Not the best loop, but "need" to visit a couple friends before I leave for Vancouver. I'm sure I'll stop a few tims to fine tune the dials.

 

Will give better report on monday. Leaving next wed for vancouver.

 

[KDeline]

Mine cuts in and out also!! For $600+ dollars I thought it would be much better. Its the super pro auto

 

Anyone have better luck??

 

 

I don't even want to get started........

[RayD]

Mine cuts in and out also!! For $600+ dollars I thought it would be much better. Its the super pro auto

 

Anyone have better luck??

 

 

I don't even want to get started........

 

So I guess I'm not alone...

 

[KDeline]

Mine cuts in and out also!! For $600+ dollars I thought it would be much better. Its the super pro auto

 

Anyone have better luck??

 

 

I don't even want to get started........

 

So I guess I'm not alone...

 

 

 

I would go to something else if my wife and I were not so heavily invested in Autocom as she has her own unit also. Spent $1700.00 to date and still cannot hear the GPS or the phone well. Lose words bike to bike, and the range is 1/4 mile line of site at best, though to be fair that is not a Autocom issue. Yea you are not alone.

 

 

[tallman]

Mine cuts in and out also!! For $600+ dollars I thought it would be much better. Its the super pro auto

 

Anyone have better luck??

 

Why, yes.

 

Tens of thousands of miles, rain, snow, heat, sleet, hurricane winds, and it keeps on ticking.

Set up and position are critical.

But some folks have problems and can't sort them out.

Hope you do.

[KDeline]

But some folks have problems and can't sort them out.

Hope you do.

 

 

Top Gear that sold it to me could not sort it out also, at their booth at the national, and at their dealorship. Interesting that they stopped selling them, before Autocom went under. Hmmm...Autocom went under........

[tallman]

Right before Pontiac I think.

Not sure that was the reason, time will tell.

Most folks have + expereinces, but not all, as I said.

Yours is well documented and frustrating for sure.

Our experience isn't and I'm grateful for that.

Maybe because ours is an old model?

Who knows?

Ours is hard wired, no bluetooth.

XM, mp3, audio books, GPS, cell, intercom, cell phone (and previously B2B) all work.

I wish everyone had had the same result.

We'll see what OP has on next ride...

[hopz]

My experience is more like tallman's then the op's.

 

I spent a good bit of time talking with my very competent dealer, and chatting with people on this site who have experience. I gathered all the parts, which was the hardest part in two ways. One is figuring out what I really needed and the other was finding it.

 

The install went well. Only glitch was taking the Tupperware on and off several times too many. The helmet install in my HJC Symax-2 was smooth and straightforward.

 

The system has worked since the first time I turned it on. Except for the last Torrey where I lost my outgoing speech, but that was due to the cable coming unplugged which I caused. Since remedied by plugging it back in and fixing it so it won't happen again.

 

I should give kudos to Autocom Tom- previous owner of Autocom for his coaching me through the process. During that phase it became clear that there were several forces in play that had to do with the business difficulties... none of which had to do with the quality of the product... perhaps quality of some persons near him, and that is all I feel I can say on the matter.

 

The products work. The process of specifying the set up needs improvement. I predict they will continue to exist into the future.

 

I have Autocom Pro 7 AVI. Intercom, GPS with mp3/telephone/navigation prompts, AM/FM/Weather band radio, bike-to-bike FRS/GMRS band radio.

 

Good luck in sorting your system.

 

 

[KDeline]

PM to Tallman and Hopz.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

...and the range is 1/4 mile line of site at best, though to be fair that is not a Autocom issue.

 

If you're looking for more range, ditch your FRS radios and pick up a pair of GMRS radios; range on those is typically better than two miles, often more.

[marcopolo]

I installed an Autocom in 2007 and since that time I've been nothing but completely satisfied with how it has performed with one exception -- I could not stand the feel of the in-helmet speakers, so I quickly ditched those and started using in-ear speakers from Arizona Al (of this Board). Mine, too, is all hard wired, with no Bluetooth. I use it for: intercom with pillion; GPS; and iPod. I have never tried a phone, or bike-to-bike. There's no in-helmet noise sensor on mine and I have to say that I can't see why I'd ever want/need one. I've also never adjusted the VOX from the factory setting, so it's worked well too. My wife and I have full-face helmets.