What is an in-charge Series tankbag? in-charge is a tankbag that allows you to build a motorcycle communications system in the tankbag
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- JUST my Zumo/GPS/Music and a Bluetooth headset / helmet
| What is an IN-Charge Series tankbag?
IN-Charge is a tankbag that allows you to build a motorcycle communications system in the tankbag RKA has been working on this motorcycle communications system tankbag for some time. It is not your father’s tankbag. It features a Rammount base and standard arm attached to the front of the bag to start you off on your system It features hidden portals on the front and rear right side of the bag that allow cables and cords to enter and exit the bag. It features a control box inside the bag that the cables and cords reside in, keeping them hidden, out of the way. It features a SAE to SAE cord to bring power into the bag from the 48” power lead that connects directly to your battery. You can mount and power devices in and on this tankbag. Your GPS, XM radio, Radar detector, FRS radio, CB. What ever you want up to three devices on the optional Rammount bases and cradles. This tankbag is movable from bike to bike with the only need in common is a tankbag attachment and a power lead. We also have a optional battery pack that can run the system for up to 7 hours. Lastly RKA can build you a bag to your specs using the RKA, StarCom1, Garmin, Rammount, Powerlet, and Motorola parts we have in house.
RKA has researched and studied communications tankbags since 1987 having mounted CB’s, Car radios, intercoms and such in our custom made tankbags for years. The benefits are numerous: All your expensive equipment is in the bag and easy to remove and take with you. You can cover it all with the raincover when needed. Hardly any wires to attach to the moto. Power, Passenger intercom and maybe the XM antenna. The devices ride on the smooth cushion of the tankbag rather than the harsh jolting of the handlebars or dash. When you combine technologies of the STARCOM1, ZUMO550, FRS radio, Bluetooth phones, Rammount and Powerlet products you have a system that rises above the pack. The StarCom1 provides POWERFUL, high quality sound and with the ZUMO550 you have complete control over all functions with the touch of a finger. Bike to bike or a phone call with the push of a button. The RKA IN-Charge Tankbag puts all these technologies together in one complete package that’s beautiful and easy to use.
Rider to passenger hands free and natural conversation.. Just talk. Bike to bike communication vox (voice controlled) or PTT (push to talk) with the addition of a FRS radio or CB Stereo music, at CD quality, from any portable music system. Mobile phone. Enjoy a normal phone conversation at speed. Totally hands free. Satellite Navigation or radar, allows voice commands to be heard clearly High Speed clear conversation.
If you want to mount things on your handlebars or dash this is defeating the propose of the bag and concept and this bag may be more than you require. What do you want to do:? JUST my Zumo/GPS/Music and a Bluetooth headset / helmetSolution: Mount Zumo on the handlebars. Purchase a Bluetooth headset or helmet. Issues:
No amplification No XM radio Tinny sound Battery life time. JUST my Zumo/GPS/Music and a hardwired headset / helmetSolution: Mount Zumo on the handlebars. Purchase a wired headset with mic and speaker plugs for your helmet (Zumo or Starcom Page) Issues:
No amplification No XM radio Tinny sound
Solution: Purchase a StarCom1 Digital or Advance with two headsets Install under your seat and your setup with no tankbag needed Music: add a music source and you and your passenger have music and intercom. Bike to bike: Add a radio cable and PTT if you want, and a FRS or CB radio and you have bike-to-bike communications with more wires running around your moto. GPS / Radar: ADD a GPS or radar and a cable to the Aux and you now have GPS and radar, with even MORE wire running around our moto. Phone:
Plug in a phone to the Starcom and you have a phone now OR if you have a Zumo550 you can blue tooth the phone to it and you have a phone. What about Bluetooth? Bluetooth …. Yes the term and concept is very fashionable but the technology is not quite there. BMW launched a system some time ago, which was withdrawn due to technical limitations From the headsets we have seen it seems there are a number of factors to consider: 1: Limited features often just one connection only. (Some now have up to seven) 2: Short battery life and requires charging before each trip. 3: Once battery flat, NO Communications. 4: Intermittent connectivity for some devices. 5: May need regular re-pairing 6: They will also be very limited in terms of Audio Quality. 7: Most units available at this time are MONO only not stereo (More stereo units are now on the market) 8: RKA has tested a number of Bluetooth products; we have a Nolan In-com and a Scalia Teamset that do have a place for some folks.
I recently rode from Windsor California to Redding California and back about 450 miles round trip. Going up I used my complete system bag with everything hardwired and my phone blue toothed to my Zumo550. When the phone rang it was blue toothed to the Zumo I answered it on the screen by tapping on “answer” and tapping on “end call” when done, the call was run from the Zumo through the Starcom and into my hard wired helmet. Wonderful sound quality and amplification. My Zumo capable XM radio worked great with the master volume on the Zumo set at 70% and the StarCom1 set at 50%. From here I could adjust the volume with the “bar” control on the screen up and down to my liking never worrying about quality, power or volume. My wife was behind me in our Dodge Sprinter, I called her numerous times on the phone and we also talked on the 2 way with no problems. MY RETURN: Sunday morning I set up the system with only Bluetooth … no wires what so ever …. If I would have had a passenger I could have had intercom capabilities with another Bluetooth headset or helmet. The first negative thing this setup did was disable the FRS two-way since the StarCom was now out of the loop only using the Zumo for music, and phone. NO XM! Only MP3 player (Yes there is a way to blue tooth the XM but that’s more problems, trouble, and battery issues with ANOTHER device, It’s not worth the trouble you’ll have to call me for an explanation on this issue) So I get on I-5 and head south lessening to an audio book on the Zumo. I can go about 100 miles until I need fuel, I called Kathy twice and the phone worked good, for me to hear the audio book and phone the volume was set at the max. The quality of the sound seemed ok, but after a short time I could tell the sound was tiny with no base or treble and it started to get to me. After my 100 miles I stopped in Willows for fuel and decided the test was done. I hooked up the Shoei RF1000, put away the Nolan and plugged everything back in. XM Radio was the first thing I wanted to test WOW!!! What a difference the sound quality was fantastic compared to the Bluetooth setup AND I had the volume at 70% rather than 100%. I called Kathy and tested the units and everything was a go. So I went back to my Audio book and actual came to the conclusion I was missing half of what the narrator was saying. Well so much for blue tooth headsets for ME. I am going to stay hardwired for a while longer. We believe Bluetooth headsets have along way to go and there will be many disappointed customers at this time. Listening Download 19.41 Kb. Share with your friends:
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