ChatterBoxes

3258 Views 38 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Mojo, Oct 16, 2004

Becca_007

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2004

So...
I've never had one and never seen one is use either. Rider to rider communication is important to me, but it ties with being able to pump other audio into my helmet as well. Primarily I've been riding solo (since I got my license) but I'd also like to be able to talk to my mom and her boyfriend (my mom is always a passenger).

I think the FRS-X2 is the right model for me. I figure either the FRS-X2 or the HJC-FRS for mom's boyfriend. Would my mom need a unit as well, or can I just get her a headset and plug her into one of ours? If she can plug into ours, then how does the communication go? Typically she's behind him... could she hear me? Could I hear her? Or, is she only going to be able to communicate to the wearer of the main unit intercom style?

OR... is there some other product or other line that I shoudl be looking into?

21 - 39 of 39 Posts

Need4Speed

· #21 · Oct 12, 2004

Big Kahuna said:
http://www.streetbikereview.com/sbr_reviews/sbr_reviews_hjc_msplus.shtml

Thats a great review Kahuna! :thumbs:

Gas Man

· #22 · Oct 12, 2004

But ALOT of reading!!

Big Kahuna

· #23 · Oct 12, 2004

Gas Man said:
But ALOT of reading!!

Yeah, basically it's the best unit for the price and ease of use. It does take a bit to get used to the technique of raising your voice loud enough to trigger the mic. I set my vox adjustment on 3 and rarely have any troubles with it setting of the mic when I don't want it to.

If you're riding two up, you can switch to intercom mode and talk privately with each other. Or, you can both talk to other bikes if you're using one of the FRS channels.

Becca_007

Discussion Starter · #24 · Oct 12, 2004

I'm sold on getting a chatterbox. I believe the FRS-X2 is the model for me. Retail is 279.99 but I've seen seen around the net for slightly less than 200.00. I'm going to ask my local store what they can do with their price and then figure out who to make the order from. I will recommend the HJC-FRS and the FRS-X2 to my step-dad. I'm sure with me getting the X2, he/they will too.

Gas Man

· #25 · Oct 13, 2004

Big Kahuna said:
Yeah, basically it's the best unit for the price and ease of use. It does take a bit to get used to the technique of raising your voice loud enough to trigger the mic. I set my vox adjustment on 3 and rarely have any troubles with it setting of the mic when I don't want it to.

If you're riding two up, you can switch to intercom mode and talk privately with each other. Or, you can both talk to other bikes if you're using one of the FRS channels.

You don't have to tell me. I've been using one for about 5 years or so! :thumbs:

Big Kahuna

· #26 · Oct 13, 2004

Becca_007 said:
I'm sold on getting a chatterbox. I believe the FRS-X2 is the model for me. Retail is 279.99 but I've seen seen around the net for slightly less than 200.00. I'm going to ask my local store what they can do with their price and then figure out who to make the order from. I will recommend the HJC-FRS and the FRS-X2 to my step-dad. I'm sure with me getting the X2, he/they will too.

Just so you know, the accessories for the FRS-X2 model are twice the price of the Plus model. One of my buddies had and X2 and after spending much money on accessories never got it to work as well as our cheaper Plust models. He ending up getting rid of the X2 and buying a Plus.

He's hardware problems may have been just his unit, but nothing changes the fact that the accessories are twice the price.

Gas Man

· #27 · Oct 13, 2004

Big Kahuna said:
Just so you know, the accessories for the FRS-X2 model are twice the price of the Plus model. One of my buddies had and X2 and after spending much money on accessories never got it to work as well as our cheaper Plust models. He ending up getting rid of the X2 and buying a Plus.

He's hardware problems may have been just his unit, but nothing changes the fact that the accessories are twice the price.

There is some truth to that. I have a HJC-FRS Multi Sport and it seems to sound about 3 times better than the upper models. It is WAY clearer andis easier to use. The only down side is that it only has 2 channels and the intercome. But it has worked well for me for those 5+ years. You do have to change the battery about every 1.5 - 2 years. And you have to order it thru HJC for about $15...

:2cents:

Becca_007

Discussion Starter · #28 · Oct 13, 2004

Hmm... is the clearness an issue with the noise reducing units? I know the headsets are about $45 for 'em but I liked the idea of more channels and an input for my cell phone. The casing also says it's waterproof for the X2.

Big Kahuna

· #29 · Oct 13, 2004

Becca_007 said:
Hmm... is the clearness an issue with the noise reducing units? I know the headsets are about $45 for 'em but I liked the idea of more channels and an input for my cell phone. The casing also says it's waterproof for the X2.

Yeah, it is a clearness issue, at least for my friend. It just never sounded right no matter how much money he put into the noise canceling wires and headsets.

Two channels work well for us. We sometimes get others on the line but it only last for a few minutes and then we are out of range. I'm not big on talking on the cell while riding so that was not an issue for me either. More channels only works if you ride with others who have the same radio. Otherwise they are just wasted. :2cents:

I have the same battery for almost five years now and it still holds enough charge for a day's ride even while listening to music along the way.

Mudpuppy

· #30 · Oct 13, 2004

Becca_007 said:
I'm sold on getting a chatterbox. I believe the FRS-X2 is the model for me. Retail is 279.99 but I've seen seen around the net for slightly less than 200.00. I'm going to ask my local store what they can do with their price and then figure out who to make the order from. I will recommend the HJC-FRS and the FRS-X2 to my step-dad. I'm sure with me getting the X2, he/they will too.

I bought mine like new off ebay for $100.

Gas Man

· #31 · Oct 13, 2004

Becca_007 said:
Hmm... is the clearness an issue with the noise reducing units? I know the headsets are about $45 for 'em but I liked the idea of more channels and an input for my cell phone. The casing also says it's waterproof for the X2.

I heard that the cell phone hook up only works with a few Nokia's. Besides, REALLY do you need to talk on your cell.

And like BK said, the 2 channels work fine. It's not a big deal. Yes you will come along with some noise and other people. :helmet:

Mojo

· #32 · Oct 14, 2004

The two channels aren't a problem at all. The biggest problem is the general poor quality of the chatterboxes. I have four of them, and at any given time at least 2 of them are broken. The most common problem I have with them are broken potentiometers. Just this last weekend we lost 2 units over the course of 3 days. One lost a battery, the other started screeching like an angry monkey. I suppose it could have been a battery issue too. Of course, BK's was fine the whole trip. :smash:

Big Kahuna

· #33 · Oct 14, 2004

Mojo said:
The two channels aren't a problem at all. The biggest problem is the general poor quality of the chatterboxes. I have four of them, and at any given time at least 2 of them are broken. The most common problem I have with them are broken potentiometers. Just this last weekend we lost 2 units over the course of 3 days. One lost a battery, the other started screeching like an angry monkey. I suppose it could have been a battery issue too. Of course, BK's was fine the whole trip. :smash:

Wasn't the screeching problem fixed when the unit was moved away from the HID headlight transformer box which was mounted near the unit and the tank? We never found out if it was a problem with the unit or the charger.

Mojo

· #34 · Oct 14, 2004

The screeching came back on Monday. I don't think it charged. I'm really not sure if it was the charger or the battery, and Adrian still has it so I haven't had a chance to check it out. I have slightly under a million chargers, so if that's the problem, it's really no problem.

Gas Man

· #35 · Oct 14, 2004

mAYBE YOU GOT SOME PASTA JUNK IN YOUR CHATTERBOX SYSTEM....JUST AN IDEA.

Mojo

· #36 · Oct 14, 2004

Gas Man said:
mAYBE YOU GOT SOME PASTA JUNK IN YOUR CHATTERBOX SYSTEM....JUST AN IDEA.

Maybe... but the guy having the problem was on a Honda!

:

Becca_007

Discussion Starter · #37 · Oct 15, 2004

Well after hearing your opinions I decided to go with the HJC-FRS model. The cell phone input on the X2 is actually for Nokia and Motorolas, but the clarity issue had me concerned. I shoudl be able to see who's calling with my phone in my tank bag and I can call them back later.

Gas Man

· #38 · Oct 15, 2004

Yep. You won't be regret it! It will serve you just as good and it WILL be clearer.

Mojo

· #39 · Oct 16, 2004

BTW-

It turned out that Adrian was using the wrong charger for his Chatterbox. That's why it wouldn't charge.

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