Chatterbox XBi - Part 2

Chatterbox XBi Bluetooth Motorcycle Intercom

Part 2:  User Impressions and Use

by H.B.C. for webBikeWorld.com

More on wBW
▪  Owner Comments (Below)
▪  Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Page
▪  Motorcycle Intercom Page
▪  wBW Reviews Home

See Also
▪  Part 1:  Chatterbox XBi Review
▪  Chatterbox XBi2 Review
▪  Chatterbox iCombi BT Adapters

Chatterbox XBi Part 2:  Summary
This section describes owner impressions of the Chatterbox XBi system; using the intercom; a summary of the features; the "Bottom Line Ratings"; and the conclusion.

Chatterbox XBi User Impressions: Another Model, Another Look

Controls:  Each Chatterbox XBi Bluetooth intercom module has five separate controls: On/Off, Mode and Intercom, along with Volume Up and Volume Down, seem like one or two too many.  But, after using both models, my concerns remain unfounded.  The smallish pressure buttons are easy to find and use.

Basic cell phone control is provided, although not all the features of the HTC Touch can be utilized from the XBi, a bit of a shortfall when compared to other multi-function headsets.  From a safety point of view however, the essentials work just fine.

Intercom Mode:  The XBi intercom, when used as a basic rider with passenger system, has lower Class 2 power whereas the XBi2 has Class 1 capabilities for much longer range.  Even with its reduced range, for a rider with a passenger or when two riders are closed up at intersections or in urban traffic and when speeds and separation distances a bit less, the intercom is extremely reliable.

Whether system activated or manually by a quick push of the Intercom button, the duplex link remains ‘on’, so very little of any conversation session is lost unless ambient noise levels are very high.  Without AGC (Automatic Gain Control) assisting, the volume levels need to be adjusted from time to time but rarely for rider-to-passenger use.

Chatterbox XBi system consists of the intercom module and either an open- or full-face headset
(each purchased separately).

Battery Life:   Like the XBi2 units, battery life falls within the timeframe identified in the guide.  When the batteries are being recharged, the charging LED is Red and the module LED is Blue and when the charging is complete, the Red LED changes to Green and the module LED goes out.

Battery level status can be ascertained visually by using the Power button to activate a status sequence, or more directly by the alarm beeps that will sound in the headset once voltage drops below a certain level.  The unit will switch itself off once the minimum voltage level is reached.

Audio Quality:   Very good.  The headset does not have the absolute fidelity of higher priced systems, but compared to the other brands on hand these are near the top: correct placement is everything.  Music from higher powered peripheral devices that users typically carry today is faithfully reproduced.

Volume:  Only on the highest audio setting can a trace of distortion be heard, usually during Intercom use and some of this can be traced to the active feedback loop in the system.  Some distortion can be induced, but only when the external device is ‘cranked up’, something that the Chatterbox unit has little control over.

At highway speeds or in heavy urban traffic the intercom was perfectly useable without having to crank the volume to its maximum setting.  The lowest and highest volume settings are announced by a short double tone in the headset.

Something to Note
Given the ‘bleed-over’ issue found with the XBi2 systems when using a Garmin zumo 550 and the intercom, I tried to recreate this situation with the XBi units.  I did, successfully and repeatedly.

If the MP3 player on the zumo is being used as an audio stream by one user and if the intercom is activated by either party, the active audio stream from the zumo continues and is therefore heard (weakly) by both parties.

In essence, once the headset intercom is activated and based on headset priorities, this audio should be muted.  However, it continues and both parties can hear it, although it is very weak.

When GPS navigation is active, this background MP3 stream will stop but resume when the navigation audio session ends.  Obviously some channelization is happening and it would also seem that the device(s) in question are not managing audio correctly for some reason.

As stated in the XBi2 evaluation, the solution or workaround suggested by Chatterbox is to pass on the Bluetooth from the Garmin and use a compatible BTA (like the iCombi AG12) with the zumo and thus address both situations experienced.

Another workaround of course is to connect the Garmin and headset physically by using a stereo connection cable from the zumo to the 3.5mm auxiliary port on the XBi and share it...

Chatterbox XBi Published Specifications

USE THESE LINKS TO BUY YOUR ▪  Chatterbox XBi Intercom Module ▪  Headset (Open Face) ▪  Headset (Full-Face) and help support webBikeWorld! (Note: One module and one headset required per helmet.)

Conclusion
Like the XBi2 system, the basic XBi is extremely well designed, especially for its primary role as a dedicated rider and passenger system.

A basic system that does everything asked of it and a bit more. If you don’t need the extended rider to rider capability and appreciate the stereo audio sharing features then the XBi system will work just fine.

Only one other system evaluated has been able to share audio and then as a mono stream. Time, technology and innovation marches on to provide stereo broadcasting – well done Chatterbox.

For me, having both the XBi and XBi2 units around poses a dilemma of sorts, in deciding which system to use…a situation I can live with.

Next:  Part 1:  Chatterbox XBi Review  |  Chatterbox XBi2 Review |  Chatterbox iCombi BT Adapters

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Details and Owner Comments in Part 1 of the Chatterbox XBi Review