Digital AM/FM Radio: Has anyone made a suitable model yet?

[John Meara]

I had the Honda AM/FM (non digital) radio on my first ST1300.  The main radio unit was very big, taking up all the left glove box, but the remote control unit was excellent. Now I want a digital one without the size.

Now with my second ST13, I have been watching for something suitable to come onto the market. I was looking for them 12 months ago, and could only find 2 possibilities: one was not waterproof and still a little too big, while the other was a marine non-digital AM/FM model - still too big.  Both would have been difficult to tune and change channels with gloves (whilst riding). I think they've come a little way since then.

So as soon as anyone sees something worth checking out, please let us know?

Of course maybe Honda will do one at some stage, even for a Goldwing that we could use.
Thoughts?

[Streak]

I know this is not totally ideal, I use an iPhone app called TuneIn Radio Pro

http://appadvice.com/appguides/show/am-fm-radios

Works really well, I even get to listen to radio grandstand and listen to the cricket/rugby as I travel along.

[Poppy Dave]

Throw this up on Google            shark shk 3080b

I got one some time ago and for the price it's brilliant.

Trust this is what you are looking for.


Dave                                                                 

[Tackleberry]

Streak how much data do you use say per hour listening on the iPhone?  Just concerned about the usage of data and how much it actually uses. 

This is the only thing I REALLY want to see in the 5 because it is the only function I miss from my HTC days. 

[John Meara]

  shark shk 3080b    Trust this is what you are looking for.

looks god except no AM radio and so not digital for AM (only FM).
Thanks - keep looking ;)

[Brian]

My new ST1800 has got AM/FM , iPod , UHF ,USB,GPS and inflight
Movies....

[Streak]

Streak how much data do you use say per hour listening on the iPhone?  Just concerned about the usage of data and how much it actually uses. 

This is the only thing I REALLY want to see in the 5 because it is the only function I miss from my HTC days. 

It depends on the bit rate of the stream (this is shown on the left hand side of each station). A 128kb/s stream uses about 1MB per minute. A 64kb/s stream uses 500kB per minute. TuneIn has an option to change the bit rates (Options -> Change stream) if the station offers multiple bit rates.

So roughly between 30MB and 60MB per hour if you use it full on, so 10 hours on the bike 300MB to 600MB

I have 3gig on my phone which is 3000MB, and I have never gone over it, I use it a lot at home hooked up to my wireless, so it does not affect my phone data.

And as for radio stations it does world wide, I recently listend to the test matches in the west indies on CBC Barbados, do very cool

[Malcolm6112]

My new ST1800 has got AM/FM , iPod , UHF ,USB,GPS and inflight
Movies....

 

 

[terrydj]

No idea what "Digital"means but heres one I used for maybe 4 years without a problem. It also has a search button and can be used with gloves and its like $25 delivered to the door so, so what if it breaks in a year. 
Ebay is your friend : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-FM-Radio-Speaker-Stereo-Amplified-Waterproof-/170674531342?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27bcfeac0e&vxp=mtr

[West Aussie Glen]

Not digital but these look to be glove friendly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330753102193&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

I have emailed the supplier to find out how deep this one is.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Marine-Boat-Waterproof-MP3-USB-FM-AM-Ipod-Radio-/350487365698?pt=AU_Boat_Parts_Accessories&hash=item519aacc842

This looks like it may fit into the left glove box.

[West Aussie Glen]

Terry,
Yours looks great but I want AM as well as FM.
Digital is the new radio broadcasting system, so we now have AM, FM and Digital. Digital is still in its early stages but is supposed to have great quality and there are some new interesting stations but I think coverage is still faiirily limited.

[Oddjob]

I have been looking at this digital radio with the view of swapping it as required between bike, car & indoors, or buy more than one. I think it will fit in the glove box (1100). On the bike I would bluetooth it to my headset.

.

[Oddjob]

Bugger, the link didn't work. Try again.

http://www.nofrillscommunications.com.au/pure-highway-in-car-dab-digital-radio

[terrydj]

Thats kool. All I know about sound is what the people I know tell me. A bloke I worked with up North  had a $20000 setup in his car, and he told me heaps, like the use of sound proofing, speaker placement, interior shape and more????? So if digital is great quality to make it work you will need, amps, speakers and subs, so me thinks your Digital radio setup for your bike will easily cost you over a $10000 so it works, but most likely more???????
+ The earphones which would have to be noise canselling. Hmmmmmmm if your after the good ones like Sennheiser or better me thinks at least another $300. So for around a couple of thou you will have a great Digital radio setup for the bike
I only had a radio on the bike for a change to my Mp3 music

[Whizz]

WA Glen, the unit is 157 x 68 x 130

Mounting template is at;

http://www.fusionelectronics.com/content/product_downloads/MS-RA200_mounting_template1.pdf

The thing looks HUGE!

[Whizz]

Guys, can someone fill me in on what the SPOT thing does/is for/costs/etc???

Cheers
Whizz
 

[Brock]

The Spot is a position reporting device, that allows your position while travelling to be view by people authorised to access the associated  web page. It has an emergency button that will send a text message to a predetermined person. Sort of like an epirb but reports your position all the time. Costs ??? I'm not sure.

[Whizz]

Excellent, many thanks Brock. I'll investigate further, sounds like a useful gizmo to have if you're going any distance.

and sorry for hijacking the thread!

Cheers
Whizz
 

[terrydj]

Guys, can someone fill me in on what the SPOT thing does/is for/costs/etc???

Cheers
Whizz
 

I have used one for years. Basically it tracks where you go. When I'm on the road during the day and theirs traffic around I have it mounted on the dash like in the photo. When I'm in the middle of knowhere or at night I have it mounted in the sleeve holder that comes with the unit. That way if I come off and am able I can hit the button.
Its pretty kool when you get home to check out where you've been on the adventutur. When you klick on the Google map it tells you what time you were their.

Klick the link: http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

The device has five buttons on it.

SOS: Works just like an EPIRB

Help: Use it when you need help, but not life threatening

Check-in/OK: This feature allows you to let your friends and family know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location.

Custom Message: I have a message that says I'm stopped for petrol and a cuppa

Track Progress: This feature allows you to send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps.

[Whizz]

Thanks Terry, this sounds like a good idea, how much does the subscription cost a year?

[West Aussie Glen]

WA Glen, the unit is 157 x 68 x 130

Mounting template is at;

http://www.fusionelectronics.com/content/product_downloads/MS-RA200_mounting_template1.pdf

The thing looks HUGE!

Thanks Whizz,
Unfortunately Fusion is designed for a standard Din mount, I though given no CD player it might not have been so deep.
I just checked lefthand glove box and if the lid lifted off instead on being hinged it would mount nicely in the lid.
However I think the round one may be able to be mounted in the lid and still open it.

[terrydj]

Thanks Terry, this sounds like a good idea, how much does the subscription cost a year?

Think its about $120 for a year?. but check this place out first. It uses SPOT but think its either cheaper or free????

Link:  http://spotwalla.com/

[Whizz]

Glen,
Sorry?? round one??

[Whizz]

Terry, Yes it appears free, but doesn't do anything with SOS or Help requests, which sort of defeats the purpose.

[Brian]

So John Meara is looking for an AM/FM radio