Stephen Lee
I'm an unabashed Gadget Guy. I have a Autocom 7-pin Pro-7 Sport on my ST3, an older 5-pin 3000 on my newly-acquired RT1150, and have used the Cardo G4 Pro Set on 3 bikes. I'm waiting for a new "wired" mic upgrade for my Cardo G4 Pro Set to replace the boom mic system.
The Pro-7 Sport works well. SWMBO and I have used it at 100mph+ with success. The 5-pin shows its age, I recently had to replace a 5-pin helmet extension cord. Good luck finding one. I did find one but it took some diligent internet scrounging and some name-dropping to a US importer.
The 5-pins won't interface with the 7-pin systems...bummer since the helmet systems are a semi ass-pain to install. Correct placement of the speakers and mics are EXTREMELY important for Autocom VOX to properly function. They work less than perfectly if not done right.
Autocom VOX noise supression works quite well once the locations are dialed in.
My new favorite is the Cardo G4. It Bluetooths seamlessly with my Zumo 550 and would with my cell phone if the phone supported voice-dialing. Mine does not.
My favorite aspect of the Cardo system is the ability to "lock" the VOX on, eliminating the need to cue it with a loud first word.
It"s hard to beat the Cardo convenience since it is 100% helmet-mounted. Great since I have multiple bikes. No hassle installation. The Cardo installs in minutes while the Autocoms require hard-wiring and stashing of the central unit...plus the springy cords which can abrade paint if not secured. SWMBO continues to ocasionally dismount without unplugging. Cardo software can be upgraded by home PCs as improvements are developed. Sweet.
Both Autocom and Cardo work as advertised although the Cardo bike-bike range fell a bit short of their claims. Nice for short range however. Again, correct installation is paramount regardless of your choice. Spend some time to get best performance since neither systems are cheap.
Autocom, btw, claims to have no interest in Bluetooth until the technology improves. It is the future of comm gear, no denying that.
Bottom line for me? If you have only one bike, go for the Autocom and install it perfectly. If you have multiple rides, the helmet-mounted Cardo gets my money.
SWMBO and I are off on the RT1150 for 10 days around AZ and NM soon...hopefully, my Cardo system will arrive in time. Otherwise, it's gonna be the older 5-pin Autocom 3000.
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