by Shawn Cochran for webBikeWorld
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Motorcycle Intercoms and Communications
J&M Corporation of Tucson, Arizona has taken the reliable
design incorporated on most BMW motorbikes and created the Integratr IV
Audio System ... and no, that's not a typo.
The Integratr IV (JMSR-4010) is a relatively new portable "Motorcycle Audio
System" which has been on sale since May of 2006.
It features an FM stereo radio tuner, a driver-to-passenger voice
operated transmit and receive (VOX) intercom, an auxiliary stereo input for
an MP3 or iPod-type music devices or satellite radio units. It also comes with a belt
mounted leather pouch for easy access while riding.
The Integratr IV incorporates some unique
features, including the ability to integrate devices such as a cell phone, a 40-channel Citizen's Band
(CB), a Family Radio Service or a General Mobile Radio Service FRS/GMRS two-way
radio. GPS devices that use audio commands and other accessory warning
devices can also be incorporated.
The Integratr IV is powered by 8 AAA alkaline batteries,
which provide approximately 16 hours of continuous operation and a rechargeable polymer lithium ion power pack
is also available as an option.
The retail price of the unit by itself is $269.99, but J&M
Corp's authorized resellers usually offer the unit for less than the full
retail prices listed on the J&M website. It is important to note that
some of the retailers have recently
started offering special pricing during the holiday season, lowering the
unit price to $169.99.
As this unit is new, there is a certain amount of learning
curve necessary for all parties involved - including J&M Corp.
I have
to admit, at first I was a little skeptical once I started adding up the
costs associated with changing out my intercom system and headsets.
John Lazzeroni, the company President, said in an email to me that he was
"so confident in the unit and its performance that I'm willing to buy it
back if you're unhappy."
Enough said. I'll give it a try.
First, the Integratr IV requires the use of a "dual mode"
headset, available from J&M. There are two options here - but basically any
of the J&M dual mode headsets that include the "CD" prefix in their
part number will work; i.e., any of the J&M headsets with the letters ECD,
ICD, BCD, CD.
I chose to go with the more moderately priced
Universal 257 series headsets (Part # HS-BCD257-UN). Headset
installation is, without a doubt, the most un-enjoyable activity I've
engaged in.
It pays to read the instructions carefully, perhaps twice,
before attempting to install the headset. My helmet is a "flip front"
style HJC CL-Max. The second paragraph in the installations
instructions state "some three-quarter style helmets, Shoei and HJC, for
example, have ear pockets that are a bit too small for the speaker to be
properly placed."
Wouldn't you know it - the two helmets I'm using for this
report are an HJC and a Shoei! Fantastic... The factory offers
installation services if you don't feel you're up to the task. The
cost is approximately $50 per helmet, but it's best to call and see if your helmet is a
candidate first. Installation into my HJC required an "Exacto" knife
and some patience, as well as a lot of guts being that I was making
permanent modifications to my helmet.
The headsets include an "upper cord" and must be paired with
a "lower cord" for the Integratr. There are some known
anomalies when using certain lowers with certain uppers from the J&M BCD series of headsets.
Basically, if you're planning on using a BCD series headset
on the Integratr IV and a CB Radio, you'll need to get the J&M "HC-PWY" lower
cord section to avoid some severe feedback issues, according to the
manufacturer. Alternatively, the "HC-ZWY" lower and an
"HC-ZAL" upper can be used to end up with the same result, although
the out-of-pocket expense
will increase.
Almost every item I wanted to test required the purchase of
an additional cord. For instance, I ordered cords for cell phone and
CB integration. My cell phone, a Samsung, is a four pin type so I also
ordered the 3 pin to 4 pin adapter cable.
Ultimately, it didn't work
with my Samsung but a spare Nokia 6010 proved to be 100% functional.
The volume control on the phone didn't keep my ears from bleeding, but that
comes later in the story.
After spending two hours installing the headset into the HJC,
it was time for the Shoei and a similar amount of effort, although the time
was shortened by half thanks to the learning curve. The quality of the
installed product, once complete, is fantastic but be prepared to spend time
redoing your efforts until the earpieces fit comfortably without any slack
around them to ensure the best performance.

That's it with regards to the technical description; how
does it function?
The headsets provide clear audio at almost every level.
Switching between the FM tuner and the auxiliary input requires the manual
switch on a toggle button located below a protective cover. Operation
of the switch is straightforward; the problem is controlling the level.


There are two adjustments for audio levels, one for the
intercom and the other for other devices, such as the FM radio, auxiliary
input, cell phone and external two ways radios. Each of the auxiliary
input devices is reliant upon their own volume level for regulation.
The challenge is presented by trying to gain some
consistency between them. Further, any audio "alert beeps" from
devices tends to be a little hotter than, let's say, the music from an iPod.
Much hotter. Painful in fact.
There's apparently no way to adjust this cleanly, leaving
you susceptible to long term ringing in your ears if you don't carefully
monitor the headset level. I'd suggest bringing the optional accessory inputs on line
at the lowest level first, and then gradually working their volumes up until
they reach your comfort level.
The intercom from rider to pillion is outstanding.
There's little doubt that the bulk of the "brains" in this unit is around
this feature. The adjustment knob is small, but highly effective and
there appears to be a larger adjustment range than some other models I've
demoed. The microphones provide crisp and clear communications,
whether between the rider and pillion or with an outside party when calling
via a cell phone.
Using a separate CB radio is a sketchy proposition at best.
Although I ordered the JMSR-AC17 cable, it doesn't work with all CB radios.
While I would have preferred to test this with the Midland 75-822 handheld
CB radio, they are unfortunately unavailable at every single supplier I
attempted to source one from.
So I was left with trying to use the old Radio Shack TRC-241
used in all the other road tests. Sadly, it is possible to hear
clearly from this unit but there appears to be a transmit issue.
Depressing the PTT button apparently "keys" transmit on the handheld, but
the microphone input doesn't make it through leaving you broadcasting dead
air. It's unclear if this is an issue with the CB cable, or perhaps
the headset upper and lower cords.
Enough negatives. Fact is, the unit has superb build
quality and the headsets and cords are some of the highest quality
manufacturing I have seen in a long time. The audio from my iPod and
satellite radio is clear as a bell, and the helmet to helmet intercom is
superb. The FM tuner is crisp and clean, and pulls in distant stations
far better than I expected, although without an aerial antenna there's only
so much you can expect.
Honestly, those are the most important items to me.
I'm sure that if I were able to acquire the Midland model handheld CB J&M
tested with, the CB would work perfectly too.
The unit is significantly larger than I expected, but it
isn't uncomfortable to wear on a belt. The customer support from J&M
Corporation has been outstanding. They are extremely responsive in
their technical support and the company appears to be taking the best
features of the system previously used on BMW touring class audio system and
placing them into a portable package.
Conclusion
If you are considering a portable motorcycle audio system, this would be my
first choice of what is available on the market today. There's a
considerable amount of flexibility and options for the unit, and
functionally it is considerably better than most of the units I've ridden
with.
J&M has produced a fairly solid unit in the Integratr IV and
once they've produced additional cables for more CB and cell phone choices,
this will quickly become the industry standard for motorcycle
communications.
UPDATE: June 2007 - I did purchase and install
the Midland 75-822 handheld CB unit that J&M suggested and it works
flawlessly with the Integratr IV system. A huge plus: the 3 pin cell
phone adapter works with my Blackberry Pearl, which has voice activated
dialing. It will search either my address book or dial the numbers I
tell it to.
This allows me to have hands-free operation of my cell
phone as well as all of the other features the unit delivers. Hands
down, it’s the best portable unit on the market today – and probably better
than some “permanent mount” units!
| Product
Review: J&M Integratr IV Motorcycle Intercom System |
| Available
From: J&M
Corporation |
Suggested Retail Price: Full
retail price is $269.99, but I've seen it discounted at $169.99.
Cables and accessories are extra. |
Made
in: Philippines |
Review Date: October 2006
|
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Comments
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Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
From "J.B.": "As a recording engineer, and as someone
who deals specifically with High Definition audio strictly for broadcast, I
understand what a toll listening can be on any set of ears. With lots
of wind noise and with other audible distractions, it is first and foremost
nothing less than distracting to have to deal with complicated or convoluted
entertainment systems on a motorcycle for fear of missing something
important like someone cutting you off in traffic or an EMS vehicle
approaching on your six at a high rate of speed, all the while trying to
update riders in your group about those occurrences.
This is where the ease of use of the Integrator IV comes in
handy. Once you have it connected, its fool proof, water proof, and
damn near indestructible. My system after all went thru a 70 mph
collision with an embankment and still functions flawlessly to this day.
I’ll save that story for a later day.
The cell phone connection on this unit is so clear. I
had the opportunity to have a conversation with John Lazzeroni while riding
at interstate speed. He did not even realize that I was talking to him
on his own system until I told him. He was blown away.
Absolutely amazed!
I felt good that I had installed this system on my bike,
with pretty much every jack on the thing full. Instead of wearing it
on my belt, or putting it in a tank bag, I opted to mount it on a RAM bar,
using the leather case and a few cable ties. This makes for a much
more friendly riding experience, and certainly allows for all hook-ups to be
safely secured in place.
PS…If you use the Midland Radio as mentioned in the article,
a good license plate antenna is suggested. The short antenna included
with the CB is not effective for more than about 1/8 of a mile. A 3
foot antenna will give you drastically more range; just make sure you only
use the radio in “Low” mode. You don’t want to burn up your buddy’s
radio when you comment about the babe in the convertible you just left at
the light….."