Autocom: Press comments

Just Ride.

Way cool product. It is a voice operated system (VOX) and the only thing we could hear through the ear pieces was each other.

Wind noise was not amplified at all. We thought the Autocom made the ride safer because there were now a second set of eyes on the road looking for signs and even possible danger objects on 4 legs and 4 wheels.

Another safety aspect is that the rider can announce to the passenger that they are setting up to pass a vehicle Do we recommend this product? Absolutely, yes.

American Rider.
	Our high-performance 103-inch twin cam is not the quietest running mill. We found our conversations are as easily spoken as heard at just about any legal road speed. The great news is we can enjoy radio and CDs now like we never could before, the fidelity of the headsets, and the sound-insulating qualities of the helmet, makes for great sound.

BMW ON.

On the road the difference in volume was immediately apparent. Without having to speak up I could carry on a more relaxed conversation with my passenger, even at speeds over 100mph. Wind noise is non-existent and intercom sound quality is excellent. And, like the (Pro) M1, after a little adjustment the VOX picked up immediately without cutting off words and without reacting to wind noise. I think Tom (Autocom Founder and Chief Engineer) will be happy to know that I continue to use cables I bought eight years ago - they¹ve held up against plenty of abuse and the coils are still tight.

Fast Bikes.
	Thanks to Autocom for the crystal clear communications at 180mph. Jamie Wilkins - Blindfolded Land Speed Record

Motorcycle Voyager: July 2004: Issue 11.

Autocom Pro-7-Sport and Active-7-Smart I have been using Autocom's range topping Pro-7-Sport on the Sprint ST for well over a month now; the main unit and Kenwood TK3101 radio fitted snugly under the seat. Power is taken directly from the bike, although the system is just as happy running on its own internal battery, enabling you to take this comms system with you if you have a number of different bikes or if you hire a bike abroad.

Bike to bike or rider to pillion the Pro-7 gives crystal clear sound quality thanks to Autocom's unique helmet-mounted microphone and speaker system. Installing these is nice and simple, but expect to fiddle the positioning of the headphones a little to get maximum performance. If in doubt, call Autocom direct and they will go through it with you over the phone, or visit their headquarters at Warwick, where the team will be happy to iron out any niggles with you. I found the effective range with the Kenwood radio to be an impressive 1.5 miles in built-up areas and around 2 miles on open A-roads.

One neat feature of the Pro-7-Sport is that you can plug your phone, GPS system and mini-disc player into the system at the same time. So now you can listen to that favourite Led Zep track, safe in the knowledge that you won't miss that important phone call. Speed rating a product like this is always contentious, and I didn't find its limit, but at high motorway speeds I was still able to maintain a clear conversation.

Meanwhile, the latest addition to the Autocom range is the Autocom Active-7-Smart. It's a much smaller unit than the Pro-7-Sport, largely due to the absence of an internal power supply, so it needs to be plumbed in to the bike's electrics.

It's really easy to fit, with all the relevant bits supplied: find your location under the seat, make sure the radio fits too, wire the power lead in, route the phone and headset leads, and presto, your ready to go - 30 minutes max. It works just as effectively as the Pro-7-Sport and is a real bargain, being supplied with phone lead, music lead, headset and mic.

Steve
MC Voyager

Ride magazine - September 2003 (tested to 150mph)

"Autocom has the most explicit instruction, in fact the information we learned here proved useful in setting up and testing all the other installations.

Once in place the sound quality was superb, no problems with discomfort and the microphone is the slimmest.

This is the only system to have orientation flats on the connectors which makes it quick and easier to use. They're big too so you don't have to fiddle.

The optional PTT mounts below rather than on the handlebar, making it much easier to use, with a positive action. But the best function is the VOX. The only time it false triggered was when we were first setting it up and learning how to use it. After that if was fine up to 150mph and we didn't need the optional PTT. The system was still working at 150mph but we didn't test any faster because we had no earplugs.

So on the basis that their systems were way ahead of their closest competition Autocom have again scooped both best buy and only system recommended. Best buy goes to Kit 6 because its both the best and easiest to use. The quality of the VOX not only makes it hands free, but brain free. Couple that with the ability to configure it exactly to your needs and its the ONLY system with no limitation. Kit 21 gets recommended. its nearly as good as the Kit 6 but the PTT function makes it a bit more involved than the VOX.

(Tested against: NADY MRC11, Oxford bike 2 bike, Acumen KTX800, Tecstar Starcom-1, Vixen, Chatterbox PMRX2.)"

London Biker

"We get stacks of correspondence on this - the quest for a decent bike audio system. Autocom's Pro-7 Sport is the only one we can recommend without hesitation. Its modular system means you buy only the elements you need, adding components, such as a bike-to-bike intercom later.

At its heart is a black box into which you plug your music and mobile phone. The unit can be wired into your bike's switched live or a PP3 battery and the CD-quality stereo headset and microphone are a breeze to fit and aren't just discreet - their wafer thin profile belies their quality and clarity. Everything connects through robust connectors, which you don't doubt will stand up to the rigours of daily use.

Receive a phone call and the system automatically cuts the music, restoring it when the call ends and callers will be genuinely pushed to know that you're riding, such is the clarity of comms. Conversation is not only possible but of startling clarity, even at speeds over the ton. If you carry a pillion, a second headset will enable you to converse normally. You can hear your own voice through your speakers, which helps you to speak at the correct volume, whatever your speed. It's difficult to compare Autocom's systems to any other because, quite simply, nothing else comes close."

Ride magazine
	"The audio is superb. What makes it special was the lack of amplified wind noise, coupled with stereo audio. Conversation was possible up to 130mph. Recommended."

Bike magazine
	"Sound quality is crisp, irrespective of speed. Price should be compared with a decent car stereo and not £40.00 intercoms. The Best*****"

Bike magazine
	"The Bang & Olufsen of intercoms... Autocom takes mobile communications seriously... After using the others this was like giving your ears a Radox bath... Not only are the speakers incredibly high quality, they are the slimmest of the lot... CD quality full blown stereo, can be expanded for bike to bike and be connected to a mobile phone. You won't be disappointed!"

Superbike
	"Aural intercourse at over 140 mph. The Autocom Pro is new and the bottom line is that it's very good indeed..." "...The Autocom system gives a whole new dimension to two-up touring. Behind the BMW's screen we could talk normally at any speed up to 120mph which is as fast as she'd let me go!"

Motorcycle News
	"This British built intercom system is among the best, if not the best available. Overall sound quality is excellent. All in all its hard to fault this excellent system" "...What the device has taught me is that you dont need a car to listen to high-quality music, chat to your passenger and even answer your phone, even if youre doing 80mph on the motorway"

Auto Express
	"The Pro system enables driver and passenger to talk while travelling at high speeds thanks to noise cancelling microphones which cut motorcycle and wind noise. We tested the system, and yes, it was good at twice the motorway limit..."

Ride magazine
	"The Autocom is well made with robust connectors. The headset is the best and fits neatly, easily and comfortably in our helmets, providing clear communication at 120mph. Of the six intercoms tested the choice is easy and Autocom is the best buy. There are no recommendations for any of the others because nothing else performed well enough."

BMW Owners' News USA

"On a two mile runway at Bruntingthorpe (England) Lee Parks of Motorcycle Consumer News and I armed ourselves with two Honda Blackbirds in an attempt to discover the limits of Autocom's Pro system. Amazingly, even though we could get 185mph on the clocks, the world's fastest production bikes were not fast enough, and we could still communicate clearly. Even more amazingly the price of Autocom gear is comparable to low end, fewer featured products from other companies."

What Mobile
	"If you need a cellular phone on your bike, Autocom is the only way to do it."

BMW Club Journal
	"We went to the 1993 Motorcycle Show and witnessed a demonstration by Autocom. The stand was so crowded that I didn't bother to buy one at the time, but now having used one, do we think it's worth the money? Well, if you like quality (and I presume that as you're riding a BMW, you do) you won't be disappointed."

Motorcycle International
	"Clear communication regardless of speed - the best."

Motorcycle News
	"The Autocom systems come out top, once fitted to the helmets they're fuss free to operate, the quality is excellent and they are safe to use."

Motorcycle Consumer News

"Bike to Bike intercom test: However all of the units became virtually useless above 60mph with the notable exception of the Autocoms. Unbelievably, the Procom and Eurocom allowed understandable communication at 160mph and 130mph respectively! For talking over long distances - or at speeds over 60mph - the Autocoms are the only viable choice. Autocom's speakers and microphones were the slimmest of the lot."

Motorcycle Consumer News
	"Autocom makes arguably the best systems whick provide clear, crisp sound at triple-digit speeds whether you have a fairing or not."

Warwickshire County Council

"I am writing on behalf of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services with regard to the communication system you devised for the driving school. After about one year of use I would like to commend Autocom for the unique system. It is extremely good in performance, manufacture and quality; and gives good hearing protection and communication for the instructor and candidates alike. We can now converse quite normally in extreme noise without the need to shout or be deafened."

Branson Taxis for Take Off
	"Tycoon Richard Branson joined a different kind of jet set to promote his latest brainwave yesterday. The taxibike is an alternative to the luxury limo Virgin normally lay on for Upper Class passengers. Travellers will even be able to tie up loose ends en route as they'll also have an Autocom mobile phone linked to their crash helmets."

Ascar

"When we first installed the Autocom equipment I was staggered by the clarity compared to other systems we'd tried. Believe me, when you're doing over 180mph an inch away from a concrete wall, clear and reliable communication is vital: Autocom delivers on both clarity and reliability. You won't get me out in the race car now without it. There's no doubt in my mind: Autocom was a significant contributor in winning the championship."

Two Wheels Only
	"If you want a seriously good intercom, look no further than Autocom. Conversation is not only possible but also amazingly clear at very illegal speeds. When using a mobile callers often don't even know you're on a bike. Simple to use and very versatile. I can't recommend it highly enough!"

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