sharing experience of ChatterBox xBi2 : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Eugenio_SS · 07-01-2009, 01:36 PM

Hi,

I figured I'd share another piece of information.
I've been using the ChatterBox xBi2 (the new one w/ longer range).
And I'm very happy w/ it.
I usually have it synched w/ XM-radio and my phone... and it works very well.
ppl on the other end hear me well, even @ speeds ~140... they could hear a bit of background noise, but thought it was only the bluetooth... they didn't believe I was on the highway... lol
Anyways... works very well... and switches well from one to another application, while volume control allows to hear things even well over the speed limits.
The key thing is to really place the speakers well in the helmet... ie playing with it during installation... 1-2mm really make a big difference, at least that's what I found.

And it wasn't too bad to transfer from one helmet to another.
Just my 2 cents.

ps.: I'm really glad I chose that model and not others that I was contemplating. My friend now wants to get rid of his Scala Rider after hearing mine, saying that his is useless after 100 (~60mph for you guys)... and I can listen to everything in STEREO too... not MONO... I only had to get a Stereo bluetooth dungle for the XM unit... to avoid any issues, i got the one from ChatterBox, figuring it would give me the less issues w/ synching w/ the xBi2.

Oh well... that's all folks...

mad · 07-01-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks. Been considering that exact unit.

BearsZX72 · 07-02-2009, 03:29 PM

The wife and I HAD the xBi for about a week or so and we didn't like it at all. Returned them and order the xBi2. Just picked it up last week and have not installed the units into our helmets yet. Glad to hear that they work really well.

185EZ · 07-02-2009, 04:24 PM

We have the frsX2. I agree with everything you said. I just have to deal with cables for the ipod.

The VOX takes a bit getting used to.
I like the variety of channels. We live by a lake and the channels can get busy with boaters.
We also change the headsets from street riding to trail riding helmets easily.
The one issue I had was the bracket that attaches to the helmet is designed to break. They had a lawsuit where the bracket didn't break causing neck injury. They wouldn't replace mine even under warranty but finally caved in. I beefed up the brackets and all is good. just keep an eye on the bracket for cracks and a wobbly unit. Mine almost fell off.
Range is amazing even in the woods.
Talk time is great. Although there is no warning for low battery.
I heard alot about the scala rider but it doesn't have stereo, that would drive me nuts

and if the battery goes bad you can't replace it, so I've heard. It also has a large microphone that might interfere in a full face helmet.

Eugenio_SS · 07-07-2009, 09:37 AM

When battery is low it will beep.
as for the ipod, do like I did for my XM radio, get the ChatterBox iCombi AG12 (stereo bluetooth dongle)... so no wires and you listen to your music... put the iPod in your pocket or tankbag w/ the dongle and listen freely w/o wires.

185EZ · 07-07-2009, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the dongle idea.
I never heard a beep, it just goes dead. Now you have me wondering. I'll walk around all day with my helmet on waiting for the beep.

Eugenio_SS · 07-08-2009, 09:25 AM

If I recall... it does 2-beeps on a row... does that ~ 1minute apart until it dies.
3-beeps if for an incoming call.

185EZ · 07-09-2009, 10:17 AM

it died today and no beep. I'm not getting the time out of the battery anymore either. I'm lucky to get 3 hours and that's without any talk time.
What part of Montreal are you from? I have family in Toronto, St Laurrent and Beaconsfield.

Eugenio_SS · 07-10-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185EZ

it died today and no beep. I'm not getting the time out of the battery anymore either. I'm lucky to get 3 hours and that's without any talk time.
What part of Montreal are you from? I have family in Toronto, St Laurrent and Beaconsfield.

In the west island... close to Beaconsfield and ville St-Laurent...
so whenever you hit town, PM me.

JIMMYTITAN44 · 07-12-2009, 08:23 PM

THE CARDIO SCALLAS 2 ARE #1..THE BEST SERIOUS.....like 10 of have them and love em!

Eugenio_SS · 07-14-2009, 10:41 AM

that's a pretty blunt statement, provided you have no vented interest.
How you came out w/ #1 for Scala Rider Q2.
I've tested them and they're OK... but listening to radio in Mono is a pain in the @$$, that is if you want to listen to it through Bluetooth (wireless) since it's not even Bluetooth v.2
http://www.cardowireless.com/node/52/specifications which also means that the range is very little compared to hardware supporting BT v2, which has a range of ~500m, instead of 50m.
And the mic isn't as good on the Scala, cause @ double the speed limit, one can still have a conversation on the xBi2, while I can't at barely the speed limit.
So I don't know where you get the fact that it's #1... being fully satisfied and something being #1 is 2 different things.

185EZ · 07-14-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugenio_SS

In the west island... close to Beaconsfield and ville St-Laurent...
so whenever you hit town, PM me.

oui, tres bien.

185EZ · 07-14-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMMYTITAN44

THE CARDIO SCALLAS 2 ARE #1..THE BEST SERIOUS.....like 10 of have them and love em!

I think he's talking about a heart monitor headset?

Anyway, the CARDO SCALA is a "price" headset. You get what you pay for or don't get. I'll take a Porche over a Pinto anyday.

JIMMYTITAN44 · 07-14-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 185EZ

I think he's talking about a heart monitor headset?

Anyway, the CARDO SCALA is a "price" headset. You get what you pay for or don't get. I'll take a Porche over a Pinto anyday.

...BLABLABLAB.........What do you mean you get what you pay for? the scalas are like $450.00 a set- Chatter boxes are big, bold and Junk- I have had both also and the Chatter BOXES are Chatter Bunks -

Scalas- Great range, I am on the highway doing 90 and the people I am talking to dont even know I on a bike.....Oh-and by the way- Arent chatter boxes like walkie talkies? Meaning only one person can speak at one time right? GARBAGE !

JIMMYTITAN44 · 07-14-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMMYTITAN44

...BLABLABLAB.........What do you mean you get what you pay for? the scalas are like $450.00 a set- Chatter boxes are big, bold and Junk- I have had both also and the Chatter BOXES are Chatter Bunks -

Scalas- Great range, I am on the highway doing 90 and the people I am talking to dont even know I on a bike.....Oh-and by the way- Arent chatter boxes like walkie talkies? Meaning only one person can speak at one time right? GARBAGE !

btw- does ne body want to buy the chatter boxes i have? I am selling them

185EZ · 07-14-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMMYTITAN44

btw- does ne body want to buy the chatter boxes i have? I am selling them

How much? which ones are they?

Eugenio_SS · 07-15-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMMYTITAN44

...BLABLABLAB.........What do you mean you get what you pay for? the scalas are like $450.00 a set- Chatter boxes are big, bold and Junk- I have had both also and the Chatter BOXES are Chatter Bunks -

Scalas- Great range, I am on the highway doing 90 and the people I am talking to dont even know I on a bike.....Oh-and by the way- Arent chatter boxes like walkie talkies? Meaning only one person can speak at one time right? GARBAGE !

Show's how much you're informed.
There is a variety of products in the ChatterBox family, as there is in the Scala Riders too.
In this thread, we're talking about the new xBi2, which is not bigger than the Scala Rider q2 you are talking about... do a google search to learn something on it.
It's a bluetooth v.2 device (stereo + long range + better battery consumption) that allows to synch to 3 devices.
Most common configuration of 3 devices = another similar device, phone, music.
There is also priority implemented as well as auto-switching.

But since you know that Scala Rider Q2 is #1, that means that you know why it's number 1, and where other products fail in comparison to it.

185EZ · 07-15-2009, 06:33 PM

[quote=JIMMYTITAN44;172488Oh-and by the way- Arent chatter boxes like walkie talkies? Meaning only one person can speak at one time right? GARBAGE ![/QUOTE]

It sounds as if you've never had them or tried them but you're commenting on how bad they are?

Since you haven't replied to my pm, you don't have any for sale either.

Eugenio_SS · 07-16-2009, 10:07 AM

Makes me wounder if it's not the same person that has the 1 post in the web that the Scala are useless after certain speed, saying that it's the best thing on Earth... and Scala is using that thread to promote sales.
Anyways... I know people that have them and I lent them my helmet for a spin... and they can't believe the difference... @ high speeds, the only thing that I find is that I have sometimes a harder time hearing perfectly... but there is more windnoise, yet, they hear me clearly... although @ that high speed, I've asked ppl if they hear me well... some have told me that it's like talking to someone in a bluetooth... but @ lower speeds (even @ 60-80mph), that feeling goes away.
I guess the system isn;'t flawles... but at least works very well in the range of speeds one can be.

185EZ · 07-16-2009, 10:39 AM

I think the helmet has more to do with the function of the chatterbox. The chatterbox probably works great in a quiet helmet. I know that our Sparx helmets have alot of wind noise after about 70mph. I can hear the stereo fine but we eventually just turn the VOX all the way down and use the PTT button.
Same thing applies when I transfer everything over to our helmets when riding ATVs. The atv makes more noise and we're always turning down the sensitivity on the VOX. Other than that, we enjoy our rides alot more since we use the CB wherever we go, stop here, turn there, watch out for this or that..... great product.