Starcom1

[HRCRob]

StarCom1 is 1st on my xmas list (aside from the Ducati 999R of course);)
I need bike to bike, rider to pillion, bluetooth...etc

Pros v Cons?
Other options?
Where to buy (cheap *******)

thanks for playing:D

[crazykz]

Cheap *******s buy the IMC MIT-100 for $200 that includes everything you need including PTT and 4 headsets. It includes a hook-up for two-way, music, and cellphone. Also has intercom.

http://www.sierra-mc.com/products.asp?cat=160

Curt

[BeBeep]

Cheap *******s buy the IMC MIT-100 for $200 that includes everything you need including PTT and 4 headsets. It includes a hook-up for two-way, music, and cellphone. Also has intercom.

http://www.sierra-mc.com/products.asp?cat=160

Curt

Hey Curt, you say "Cheap *******s", does that mean the kit is not good or what? I am just curious because it comes with more than the Autocom I have.

[crazykz]

Hey Curt, you say "Cheap *******s", does that mean the kit is not good or what? I am just curious because it comes with more than the Autocom I have.

No it's great. I've been using mine for about a year now and love it. It's just so cheap I can't believe it works as well as it does for $200.

Curt

[BeBeep]

No it's great. I've been using mine for about a year now and love it. It's just so cheap I can't believe it works as well as it does for $200.

Curt

Damn I wish I would have talked to you before I ordered the Autocom. I like the feature of actually turning off the music signal when you receive a call. The Autocom only mutes it and that is annoying. I gotta have tunes so leaving the player off is not an option.

Does it interface with your GPS ok?

[crazykz]

Damn I wish I would have talked to you before I ordered the Autocom. I like the feature of actually turning off the music signal when you receive a call. The Autocom only mutes it and that is annoying. I gotta have tunes so leaving the player off is not an option.

Does it interface with your GPS ok?

It interfaces fine but I run all my audio through a Mix-It because I have a lot of audio sources but it would interface fine so long as you have the right audio cable. It's not an issue with the intercom unit it's with the Garmin but not a big deal.

I don't know if it shuts off the music or mutes it but I know that I don't hear it at all while I'm on the phone and I've had over an hour long tcons while riding.

Curt

[BeBeep]

It interfaces fine but I run all my audio through a Mix-It because I have a lot of audio sources but it would interface fine so long as you have the right audio cable. It's not an issue with the intercom unit it's with the Garmin but not a big deal.

I don't know if it shuts off the music or mutes it but I know that I don't hear it at all while I'm on the phone and I've had over an hour long tcons while riding.

Curt

Does anyone have a "Kick me in the ***" imoticon? I need it about right now.

I believe I have hijacked this thread long enough. You will now be returned to our regularly scheduled program. :D

[clmixon]

Al Landry and Liz Mrak both have the Starcom systems installed. Al uses allandry and Liz uses foxxyparamedic on this board. Drop them a line and see what they have to say. The feedback from them is very positive.

chris

[kingprawnokay]

I initially bought both an Autocom and a Starcom. They both have the same features but the Starcom system was much bigger so I sent it back. I have the Autocom in my right fairing pocket where the Starcom wouldn't fit. Size definitely matters on a bike.

In response to the "mute" problem: I have an IPOD so if someone calls while music is playing, I just use the remote to stop the music.

[tdeboeser]

The starcom1 fits nicely under the passenger seat without much trouble at all. All cords reach, although the phone cord needs to be longer.

The device works well, and I chose it because of the cost over the autocom. I had not heard good things, untill now, about the MT device.
I have a (soon to be defunct) blackberry phone and an cheapy mp3 player. Both do not have very strong audio output so I have the volume all the way up. If you'er old school computer guy, you can make your own cables - the plugs are old ps/2 style connectors.


The $120 for the bluetooth adaptor seems high, but these days everything costs too much! I still think I might get it. And I think I'll get the PTT, the VOX cuts in sometimes during high winds, and WFO acceleration :D . But it is nice to have the music muted when the phone rings.

There are pics on the net somewhere ( msn group i believe ), of the installation. Overall good solid product for the money.

Tom de

[crazykz]

Just as an FYI the MIT-100 does not come with a bluetooth setup. I'm waiting until products have this better integrated before I upgrade.

Size-wise the MIT-100 is slightly smaller than a deck of cards. I also wish the phone cord was a little longer but honestly it's not a big issue and because of the way the cables are designed you could make your own if you wanted.

The nice thing about the MIT-100 is that they use 1/8" connectors everywhere and then plug in whatever cable you need to adapt to your device. This is great on the two-way radio setup because with different adaptors I can go from a CB to different types of FRS/GMRS radios. The phone cable is a 2.5mm connector, the music is a 3.5mm (1/8") connector, and the two-way radio is a 1/8" female jack that you can plug one of 3 different adaptors that come with the unit into.

The other jacks are PS/2 style connectors for the headsets. The speakers are also very thin. Motorcycle Consumer News actually gave the headset a great review a few months back. IMC is only been out on the market a couple of years so they are not as well established. Their tech support is probably lacking compared to someone like Autocom but honestly I just figured everything out for myself. The biggest issue I had was watching for grounding loops but you're going to have that issue with any intercom unit where you're hooking up bike powered devices.

I've heard good things about the Starcom and the only negative thing I've heard really is the size issue but tdeboeser said if you have the room still it will fit nicely in the tail section of the bike. I have the cruise control module and a fuseblock there along with the ABS unit so that area is stuffed to the gills. I found a spot right under the drivers seat to put the MIT-100 but it did take a little bit of pushing things around to get it there just right. Things get pinched easy if you're not watching it. By putting it there I can get both headset cords to where they need to be and be able to feed all the other cables up onto the handlebars.

One thing I think the Starcom and Autocom have that the MIT doesn't is a VOX control and a volume control. The MIT doesn't have this. Now for me it's never been an issue because I use a Mix-It or the individual volume controls to adjust the volume. I have not had a good test of the VOX. The phone works great and people have told me there's no way they would have thought I was on a bike. I do wear a full face helmet and ride with the windsheild up though so take that FWIW.

I'm not saying the MIT-100 is the ultimate but because you get so much stuff for the $200 price tag and it gives you at least 80-90% of what the other units give you I think it's worth the money.

Here's a post to show the MIT-100 placement:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3167&highlight=MIT-100

Here's another post with some other links to threads on the comm-unit debate:
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5380&highlight=MIT-100

To be honest I haven't seen a lot of people get this unit and each have their own reasons. I guess if money was no object I would have gone with an Autocom and I think they are half-price right now. But even at half-price for the unit if you add in everything the MIT-100 comes with you're easily over the price of the MIT-100. Honestly if I hadn't seen this guys at the Chicago motorcycle show I probably never would have bought it simply because you can't get any opinions on the unit from people because no one owns one. Now that I have mine I'll never be without it.

I'm sure people are sick of me talking this thing up but I have to keep the company in business or I'll have no support at all. ;)

Curt

[tdeboeser]

I'm sure people are sick of me talking this thing up but I have to keep the company in business or I'll have no support at all. ;)

Curt

Ha! Had I seen your postings before I bought my starcom1 I might be an MT user :p:

Tom de

[jgilmore]

I have a Starcom, and like it.

But, just noticed today on the CA Sport Touring site that there is a brand new Starcom advance, with an additional input and 1/3 the size of the original.

-John

[crazykz]

Ha! Had I seen your postings before I bought my starcom1 I might be an MT user :p:

Tom de

You would have never found it though because it's MIT not MT. :eek: Sorry couldn't help it. If I can't get people to spell it right then I can't get them to buy it. :)

Their web site kind of sucks too which is too bad because you would hope that the manufacturer would have a better site. Actually the rumor is that the MIT-100 is actually OEM'd from Germany and that it is a lower end version of Baehr's stuff but all that is rumor. The guys I spoke to from IMC (the sellers/manufacturers) of the MIT told me that. Honestly from the quality of the unit I would believe it but it doesn't matter because you wouldn't get any support out of Baehr on it.

Here's a picture of the setup from their website and even this picture doesn't include everything that comes with the kit. It comes with 2 more headsets for full face helmets and a powerlet connector for the power that can be removed to use the bullet terminals that are shown. Plus it comes with, I believe, 3 adaptors for the two-way radio hookup. You have to dig a little to find it this on their site which is odd because it seems like their premier setup.
http://www.imc-electronics.com/images/MIT_100_L.jpg

Here's the page on the site:
http://www.imc-electronics.com/intercom.html

It's ironic that a company called International Marketing Concept isn't very good at marketing, IMO. ;)

Curt

[jgilmore]

Dug into this some more......

This is so new that it doesn't even show up on the Starcom website yet. But here's a nice writeup. CA Sport Touring is selling it now.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105385

Looks like they added pigtails to the inputs, it's WAY smaller (cell phone size, see above pics in the link), even better audio, and an additional input, and some other significant improvements.

Emailed Starcom and they will sell you just the unit if you already have one(works with the existing cables) for $175.00 (U.S. currency) + $10.00 shipping. CA Sport Touring can't see just the box yet, but they are going to try to get it that way.

-John

[crazykz]

Now that looks pretty cool. It certainly has a lot of new features.

Curt

[SpEd]

I PM'd PhilSpace on the ADVrider forum. He's going to send me a link of his review once he's had a chance to field test his Starcom1 Advance. I'll be sure to let everyone know when he does.

The Starcom1 Advance is on my short list of things to throw money away on at the moment.

[tricky_micky]

My Penneth

Here in the UK, we do not have the Starcom system readily available. There are other systems on the market but I went with Autocom about 15 years ago. I do a lot of motorcycle training from learner riders through to advanced levels, and I have never had any problems with the Autocom system.

I now run bike to bike, rider to pillion, Honda radio, GPS system, cell phone and everything else you can think of, and I have no problems. I live on a motorcycle and that is my 'Office'. If I get a call on the cell phone then the music or whatever is running closes down (mutes), and I can have a perfect conversation on the phone at speed well in excess of our national speed limits in the UK. Once the conversation is finished, the radio system comes back up automatically.

I also run live video on the bike, and through the Autocom system, I can record all comments and live commentary through it all. So Autocom is a very good system and will live alongside any other make you can name.

No I do not work for Autocom, but I have found that they are so helpful and quick to react to anything I ask or recommend. I cant see the difference where a system MUTES or you manually switch it off so you can speak on the phone or whatever.

I think it all boils down to price and what it does for you. Just thought I would add a comment.

Mick

[tdeboeser]

Not to be an *** ( well ok ), http://www.starcom1.com/ is a UK company.

Tom de

[tricky_micky]

Yes

But Starcom dont even hit the tops with quality and after service.

I have tested most of the units available here in the UK and I have always come back to Autocom. Perhaps it is just me and what I demand from the systems I use.

There is another system called Intaride. They came along to do a demonstration for us, and we had a number of trainee instructors with us that were open minded as to what to buy. The sales talk from the rep was very good until he did his demo.

I will say no more, I would stick with and also recommend Autocom after using that system for about 15 years.

Mick

[SpEd]

Hey Mick,

Doesn't the Starcom unit mute when the phone rings, or if someone calls in on the radio? Evidently the Autocom does, correct?

Anyone with an Autocom want to chime in here? I really like the Starcom, but I've also heard some good stuff with the Autocom, and with their sale prices going on...well I don't mind saving a couple bucks if I can as long as the quality is there.

Other than the reverse gear, the electronics on my Wing is the thing I miss the most. I'm set up with CB and tunes, but I have to choose one or the other and I'd like to set up my phone so I can be in touch.

I suck with the search function. Does anyone have a link of a comparo of the Starcom and Autocom units?

[tricky_micky]

All I can say is that when a call comes in, the phone takes over and there is no level of noise from the radio, it is completely quiet, except for the conversation of course.

If I am running two up and talking to wifey, then yes, the music dips by about 50%. But certainly, when the phone goes it takes over and there is no background noise from the radio, not on mine anyway.

Mick

[SpEd]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ride safe.

[Burger]

StarCom1 is 1st on my xmas list (aside from the Ducati 999R of course);)
I need bike to bike, rider to pillion, bluetooth...etc

Sorry, just saw this, so this response may be too late, but at the recent UK National Bike Show they were showing the Starcom 2. Half the size of the Starcom 1 with supposedly more features (such as remote volume control, balance volume between rider and pillion etc.).

Just thought you should be aware.

Regards,