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(More customer reviews)Chatterbox XBi2 Intercom Communication Head Sets - Full Face Kit - Color: Black
After about two months of research looking for ways to become the voice in my girlfriends head while she is learning how to ride her new sportbike, I was almost ready to purchase the Chatterbox GMRS X1 with Bluetooth, when I saw on their website a .pdf download for their new 2009 product line.When comparing models, I saw that the new XBi2 had made the leap from just being an intercom for rider and passengers on the same bike, to a full blown communications hub for up to 3 bikes to talk to one another!Plus, you can make and receive calls from your Bluetooth enabled cellphone, listen to music from an iPhone, Zumo or GPS device, get talking direction from the GPS, even hear the radar detector go off when Johnny Law locks on you.The biggest bonus for me was that they claim it to be waterproof, which is a necessity here in Hawaii, where we get over 150 inches of rain a year.
I purchased 2 units from someone on ebay working out of a Yamaha dealership in North County, San Diego for $169.00 each plus nominal shipping here to Hawaii.They arrived with all the parts needed for a full face helmet.The installation is pretty straight forward, peeling off sticky back velcro and pressing the earphones and microphone into place, but the instruction manual is a little thin on hints and tricks for getting them to work with other devices, and the pairing process for just the units themselves was a little dicey. After about four attempts, I was able to figure it out.
The rider to rider intercom works like it should with very clear sound coming from the stereo earphones (although, the low end could be improved).The microphone has a wind sock on it that is a little large for my Scorpion EXO 400 helmet and rests right up against my lips.It manages to get knocked off every time I take the helmet off when my nose passes by it.The earphones take up the space where the interior padding is absent, and makes them press against my ears even as thin as they are (the earphones, not my ears).They were a little uncomfortable at first, but I'm getting used to it as time passes.The mic sock will need to be shaved and attached way better then it is now.
I use a Palm Treo 700p cell phone, and I've downloaded Softclick's Audio Gateway to enable the phone to send stereo audio using A2DP Bluetooth.Now I can leave my iPod at home, and just take my phone to kill two birds. No more cords!! I've gotten the XBI2 to mute the music when a call is detected, but I still haven't figured out how to get it to answer.Most higher end cellphones now have the A2DP Bluetooth standard built in them already which would make them good to go.One issue that we encountered is when my girlfriend turns on her headset that is paired with her HTC cellphone, it automatically dials out the last number called.We haven't figured out why that is.
I've been able to coach my girlfriend while on full day rides as well as chit chat about whatever pops into our heads.No more waiting until we pull over and stop, having to try and remember all the things that we were thinking along the route."Did you see that waterfall back at mile post 17?"The music mutes and the voices are transmitted crystal clear.I've never had to use the volume controls finding that when you power up the units, the default middle volume works just fine.I'm sure the camp that subscribes to "Loud pipes save lives" will need a notch or two louder.
The replaceable battery charges in about an hour or two depending on how drained it was, and seems to last all day for us to travel around the island (which takes over 5 hours non stop).With food breaks, wiz breaks stops for sight seeing or stretching, we're talking a full 8 hours of fun.The included wall charger is straight forward and plugs into the main unit.The same jack also doubles as an AUX in port for your non-Bluetooth enabled devices.
The main control unit can be mounted with a metal clip that tucks between the outer shell and the inner lining, or can be affixed with the supplied double stick foam tape.I chose to use the foam tape.Either way you mount it, the main unit can be unsnapped and placed in your pocket, or if you purchase additional earphones and mics, added to another helmet.I plan on doing this for my dirtbike helmets.I will then need to only transfer the XBI2 main unit from helmet to helmet depending on what I'm riding that day.
The range is fairly good, with about a quarter mile being about the max; line of sight, no solar flairs and the wind going in your direction.The range is more than adequate for two riders who stick together when they ride, but a 1/4 mile is about all you'll get.
Summery:
For bike to bike communications while riding in groups of 3 or less, this ranks up there with higher priced Autocom, Starcom, BlueAnt's etc.The ease of wireless communications and integration of other Bluetooth enabled devices makes this a must have addition to your equipment list.No more cryptic hand signals when one of you has to pull over to take a wiz or rehydrate.
Improvements could be an LCD display instead of the cryptic red and blue flashes of the Bluetooth icon.A smaller microphone is a must and a possible Bluetooth throat mic (zero wind noise) instead of their humongous foam windsock.
Rating:
4.5 Stars out of 5
*****
UPDATE: 10/25/10
I've lived with these units for about a year and a half now and have used them an average of 4-5 times a week.They are still going strong and I have not had any issues with them at all.My cell phone has been upgraded to a Motorola Droid that has A2DP and GPS built in, but the sound quality of my .mp3's is still very lack luster.The headset is not high fidelity in the least bit.Forget about making or receiving telephone calls with this unit unless you are at a dead stop or cruising through a parking lot.At highway or freeway speeds, the volume has to be turned up to the point that the tiny speakers distort, and then they become useless.Same thing for voice communication, which is why I bought these to begin with.I find that my girlfriend and I have to speak very slowly and distinctly with a certain degree of volume in our voice for one another to understand what is being said.But we can hear what each other is saying.I compare it to driving in a convertible corvette going down the freeway.You just gotta speak up to be heard.
For the intended purpose of why I bought these, they do their job.For a Swiss army knife that allows you to communicate bike to bike, through your cell phone, listen to turn by turn directions from your GPS or hear the bleeps from a radar detector, this unit falls pretty short.They are better than nothing, and after living with and using these as frequent as I have, I will definitely purchase them or some other type of in helmet communication device again if these were to go on the fritz.
I am happy with the build quality, size and minimal weight that they are.The battery lasts all day with constant "ON" communication between my girlfriend and I, and charging is so simple, it has become habit when we are done riding.
Buy these for the communication function only.All the other features really don't seem to work all that well.
Reducing the 5 star rating to a 3.
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Product Description:
Chatterbox is proud to introduce the all new XBi2 bike to bike intercom with A2DP Bluetooth 2.0 technology. It has all the features that the XBi has but with additional power that will allow simultaneous communications between 3 riders with up to 1,640ft (500 meters) in optimum conditions.
The XBi2 will allow you to stream audio signal from any source that already comes equipped with Bluetooth such as mobile telephones, MP3, GPS and even iPod/iPhone when hooked up to a Bluetooth adaptor such as our AP21 or AG12. After all, the whole point of Bluetooth is to eliminate that pesky cable that most intercoms are dependent on for receiving audio signals.
The XBi2 will allow for up to 6-8 hours of true talk time and 48 hours of standby time on one charge.
Kit Includes:
XBi2 unit
Microphone/Speakers
Rechargeable/Replaceable Li-Poly battery
Mounting Hardware
AC/DC Home Charger
Note:
Bluetooth Adapters are sold separately
This Unit will not stream music from rider to passenger as the XBi will
All riders must have the XBi2 to communicate
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