by "Burn" for webBikeWorld
More: wBW
Reviews Home
| Owner Comments (Below)
I've been searching for a wireless motorcycle intercom
system for some time now, and I remain amazed that apparently no one has yet
exploited Bluetooth technology to make this happen. When they do,
we'll be there.
But in the meantime, I still needed a motorcycle intercom,
preferably without any of the fancy features and electronics that add cost
and complexity.
As I was looking through one of the British bike magazines
we get, I found an advert for the BackChat Vixen intercom system that seemed
to be too good to be true.
The system sure hit all the hot buttons, with a marketing
pitch that promises an "acoustic intercom" that is an "incredible value for
(the) money. Although my eyes skipped over the "acoustic intercom" bit
(more later), the "incredible value" line got my attention!
I'm also a big fan of the British RIDE magazine
motorcycle product recommendations, and the BackChat Vixen system has kept
its RIDE "Best Buy" (see comments from BackChat Intercoms
below) rating for some time. So I figured we'd
give it a try.
As it turns out, an acoustic intercom is a modern term for
the old style "bridge to engine room" tube used in steamships of old.
The BackChat Vixen system has, as advertised, no wires, no batteries and no
electronics.
So how does it work?
To be honest, it took me a while to figure out how to get
everything installed, and I wasn't even completely sure how the system
worked until it arrived in the mail and I read through the instructions a
couple of times.
My feeling is that the BackChat Vixen website and
printed info could probably do a better job of describing the system, and it
would be nice to have better photos illustrating the mounting directions.
But the BackChat Vixen folks were very helpful, even placing a couple of
overseas calls to me to make sure my order included the parts I was looking
for.
I'm not saying I can describe how it works any better than
the manufacturer, but in most basic terms, the system consists of two
"junction boxes" (my term for them) that are made from some type of plastic
or Nylon. One junction box is installed on the rider's helmet and one
is installed on the passenger's helmet.
Each junction box has four tubes sprouting out the bottom.
One tube runs up to the rider's mouth, another tube runs from the rider back
to the passenger, the third tube runs from the passenger back to the rider
and the fourth splits into two tubes which are plugged into the rider's
ears.
The junction boxes have a thick plastic "hook and loop
type" (see Alan's comments below) material permanently mounted inside. Two matching pieces of
hook-and-loop material with double-sided tape are provided with the kit for
mounting on the helmets.
Once the protective film is peeled off, the
hook-and-loop is placed on the lower part of the helmet (pre-locate
everything first with the helmets on) and the junction box can them be
attached or removed as desired by pulling it off the hook-and-loop.
The instructions recommend mounting the junction box for the
rider on the right side of the helmet for riders in countries that drive on
the left and the left side of the helmet for riders in countries who drive
on the right-hand side.
The passenger's junction box always goes on
the opposite side. This is supposed to keep the tubes out of the wind
and it also allows enough slack for over-the-shoulder traffic checks.
It's easy enough to get everything installed. I
recommend laying everything out first with the helmets on. By moving
the junction box around on the side of the helmet, the best location for
mounting can be found, which is the spot where the microphone tube can be
routed up underneath the chin bar until it is just in front of the lips.
We then marked the location on the side of the helmet with a permanent
marker (not recommended, use an erasable marker or grease pencil instead!).
After removing the helmets, we then peeled the backing off of the
hook-and-loop and stuck it on the helmet.
Once the junction boxes are mounted on the helmets, all
there is left to do is to plug the two tubes together and start talking!
Very easy once you get the hang of it. I had to read the instructions
about 4-5 times to make sure I understood everything, but it's easier than
it sounds.
Conclusion
The BackChat Vixen motorcycle intercom system is actually pretty amazing --
I had my doubts about how well a couple of simple tubes would conduct sound
back and forth, but it works well. I've only used it as the rider, and
when the passenger talks, it sounds like the sound is coming from slightly
in the distance in back of me. Kind of eerie actually, and maybe some
sort of psychological illusion, but it sounds just like it would if a person
is sitting behind me and talking.
That said, I do have a couple of complaints. I wish
the tubes were all just a bit longer -- maybe about 2" or so. Since
the tubes can be cut and the silicone ear tips and the foam-tipped
"microphone" can be plugged in to the tube no matter how long or short, a
few extra inches would allow more options.
For example, I wish the speaker tube was about 2" longer,
because it's just barely long enough to fit under the chin bar. Also,
it's not always possible to mount the junction box where it should be.
Just by chance we pulled the
AFX FX-11 Lightforce helmet off the shelf to use for the passenger.
This helmet has a vent cover along the lower chin right
where the junction box should be mounted. We had to mount the junction
box back about an inch or two farther than we liked, which affected the
placement of the microphone inside the helmet. Since the microphone
needs to be very close to the lips for the best sound, it would be nice to
have some extra room to play with if necessary.
That's not really a deal-breaker, but I am concerned about a
more serious -- at least for me -- problem. The ear tubes have
silicone ear tips which are inserted into the ears before mounting the
helmet. I found that these ear "plugs" don't stay in my ears and they
also do a poor job at decreasing ambient noise. It's really too noisy
for me to ride comfortably when using only the BackChat Vixen ear tips.
Also, the increased noise levels make it more difficult to
hear the passenger, especially when speeds reach over about 60 MPH or so.
This is especially noticeable on bikes like the Tiger, with its half-faring,
which spills turbulent air up around the bottom of the rider's helmet and
causes lots of noise. The ambient noise levels aren't really a
problem on the BMW K1100LT with its full fairing, but my experience is that
overall it becomes difficult to hear as the speed increases on unfaired
bikes.
Lori, our Women's Motorcycle Clothing page editor, acted as
pillion on a few rides as we were evaluating the system. She said it
isn't as noisy in the back, and she does not have a problem hearing the
rider, even at the elevated speeds. However, she has another problem
-- she doesn't like the silicone-tipped tubes in her ears, and finds them
uncomfortable after about 20 minutes or so. I don't find them to be
any more bothersome than reusable ear plugs, but if you're not used to
wearing the silicone type, this may be a bother. I wonder if a
90-degree elbow on the end of the tube for mounting the silicone tips would
be a better design?
Overall, the BackChat Vixen motorcycle intercom system works
well, and in most instances provides surprisingly good sound, especially for
the price. There are no batteries or electronics to worry about, which
is a plus. It's slightly fussy to get everything set up correctly
before every ride, but it's a real pleasure to have the ability to talk and
share the fun.
Comments From Alan at BackChat Intercoms
"Hi Rick, If I may make some comments regarding your report on the
BackChat! Acoustic Intercom :
-
The ‘Helmet Unit’ has a raised polyurethane badge rather
than the ‘embossed’ letters. (These were a bad move on our part !)
-
The name should always be ‘BackChat intercom’.
-
The RiDE Magazine gave us the ‘BEST BUY’ …..(not
‘recommended’) in 1997 and has not been superceded since then.
-
Point taken and photos added to the instructions – thank
you.
-
You say ‘junction boxes’ – we say ‘Helmet Units’.
When describing the ‘four tubes sprouting out the bottom…….’
I think we could say that…..’one tube runs from the rider microphone to the
pillion twin earset and one tube runs from the pillion microphone to the
riders earset, giving ‘duplex’ or two-way conversation. The earsets
have washable silicone earplugs that give significant hearing protection
when inserted correctly’.
Whilst the ‘hook and loop’ material is similar to Velcro, it
is not in fact a ‘hook and loop’. This tends to ‘catch’ material and
sticks when you don’t want it to. Our material is an industrial
material where ‘small mushrooms’ lock together and is extremely hard
wearing.
The Helmet Units can be fitted or removed instantly.
You say you wish the tubes were all just a bit longer.
We have found that this length is the optimum but sometimes a little extra
might be needed on some bikes where the passenger is sitting way back.
A phone call to us will get the customers required length dispatched right
away. This also applies to any extensions necessary for the boom tube.
Again, the boom fits most helmets but as they are changing
all the time, it would be impossible to keep up with these and as our
components are purchased in large numbers, changes can only be made at
certain times.
May I suggest that you earplugs did not stay in perhaps
because they were not inserted deep enough. The instructions do say
that when putting the earplugs in, to lubricate them (twice) and then
…..’suck on the spigot to “draw” the earplugs in and you will hear them seal
the ear canal properly’.
We are actually sourcing some new – much softer – earplugs
and they will be on stream in around 4 weeks from now. Yes, on
unfaired bikes the performance is less then faired types but the
‘Windjammer’ is a good idea for stopping turbulence up the front of the chin
bar.
As for a 90 degree bend, with the softer earplugs, this will
not be necessary and should a bend be necessary, there are instructions for
‘molding’ a sharper bend in the eartube.
I have to thank you for the review which is objective and
honest and I do hope that you will take my comments in the spirit of trying
to improve the detailing."
Editor's Note: Thanks for the
clarification Alan - I couldn't have done a better job, so I printed your
comments verbatim. Also note that the new BackChat logo is featured in
the photos below; this is the logo that now appears on all BackChat
intercoms.
|
 |
 |
|
Additional Note from Alan: We also now
have SatNav inputs to the BackChat systems - The one on the left is for a
SATNAV input or AUDIO MP3/CD into the Rider earset and the one on the right
is for BOTH rider and pillion to receive
either/or SATNAV – and – CD/AUDIO . |
|
wBW Product
Review: BackChat Vixen Motorcycle Intercom System |
| Available
From: BackChat
Vixen Made
in: UK |
Suggested
Retail Price: £49.95 (about $100.00 including shipping to
the U.S.A.)
|
| Product Comments:
Overseas orders accepted and our order was shipped immediately and
arrived quickly. Review Date: April 2006 |
NOTE: The webBikeWorld intercom evaluators always wear properly
fitted ear plugs while riding during the intercom evaluations and this is reflected
in thee opinions on sound quality and speaker volume. Your experience may
and probably will differ. Always wear high-quality, correctly fitted ear plugs
when riding a motorcycle ( more).
|
Note: For informational use only. All material and
photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2011. All
rights reserved. See the webBikeWorld®
Site Info
page. NOTE: Product specifications, features and details may
change or differ from our descriptions. Always check before purchasing. Read
the
Terms and Conditions!
►Your Comments and
Feedback
Please send comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be published (
details). Comments may be edited for
clarity prior to publication.
From BackChat Vixen: The BackChat! – a
Bike to Bike Interface is here. Simply plugs into the central
connections and links directly (microphone and speaker integral to unit – NO
POWER) to FRS (UK PMR446) Radio transceivers. It gives very clear and
noise-free communications and makes the BackChat even more of a great buy."
Here's a photo:
From "D.K.": "I've been toying for some time with the
idea of ordering the BackChat system to replace what my wife views as the
overly cumbersome electronic intercom system my wife and I used on our Honda
ST1300 so it was interesting to read some first hand experience with the
BackChat unit. FWIW: I used an acoustic intercom system called the "Bi-Comm"
when tooling around on my 1972 Suzuki 550 back in….1972.
"Everything old is
new again" is true again! The Bi-Comm was similar to the BackChat but lacked
the bulky connector boxes. As I recall it worked rather well, especially as
there was no other real rider/passenger intercom system in those days.
Keep up the good work with WBW, it's a daily 'net stop for
me."
