You are currently not logged in.  Logon or register to access more features. Vision-Riders.com is a FREE service provided by Victory Riders Network.

Search:




Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]		View previous thread :: View next thread
   Discussion -> Vision DiscussionMessage format
 
Tims_11Vision
Posted 2013-03-07 12:09 PM (#131825)
Subject: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Cruiser

Posts: 143
Lexington Park, MD		IMHO I would say yes if your 2 up, no if your primarily solo.
- Intergrated with sound system software. Having the VIC CB installed now for a couple months I REALLY like it's intergration with the onboard software for 2up and I think it REALLY puts you in control.
- CB is strong, have actually gotten about 1.5 miles WITHOUT line of sight, SQ open to hear the other rider but we were communicating fairly well up to almost 2.5 miles. He's on a Wing with stock CB and antenna. Within a mile SOLID, clear comm's.
- Controls stock on top but you can switch the audio and CB while you got it apart to put your PTT on the bottom for ergonomics. I left it on top and it is a little weird reaching up for the PTT there but I adjust my music more than PTT so glad its where its at.
- Head set connectors. THEY SUCK! EXTREMELY disappointed at the CHEAP MFGR of the connectors. I have pushed my headset plug through the console twice now.. Using some adhesive on the back side to provide some addtional support. Water caps are flimsy and threads are the cuplrit. ALSO, you MUST buy the riders HEADSET to aquire the connectors for front and rear head set cables. THAT in itself really P*&#$$ED me off since I already have J&M headsets in my helmets. To spend additonal money on a headset to get a connector is TOTAL BS!
- CB Mounting. Unit is mounted in trunk throat cavity so if you loose the trunk you loose your CB! LAME piss poor design. I know there are a couple folks I have read that are working on mods for the saddlebag and such but havent heard anything as of late.
- Antenna. I went with Firestick II with the stock mount for 52.99 and free shipping BUT their kit DID NOT come with the antenna spring so I got free shipping and lost out on the spring. So with that said pay attention when clicking on the links from http://www.firestik.com/CatalogFrame.htm Knowing know what I do now, I think I would have went with the FireFly but at the time wanted the white antenna to match the bike and just couldnt find it in stock with the mount and the spring. The included mount only requires minor molding modificaiton to fit the contour. Bottom line, search the web. The FSII is one thick antenna but wow, does it perform! WIll be replacing my TC's antenna now as well. Keep in mind the NGP firesticks require that you DO NOT cut their cable.. You can also buy a splitter that can feed your stereo. Havent got it but will be sooner than later. I will try to do a followup on this once I replace my stock antenna on my J&M thats on my TC for a comparison.
Headsets - I love my J&M and they have the conversion cables so if you do have intergrated helmets, no fear.

In the end, I think J&M can compete with the VIC CB which is the same one used in CanAm Spyders for about 500 less when said and done. I don't like being forced into another headset when what I have, has the available 7 pin connector cables for the CB unit (about 20 bucks I think) and works fine.

Required parts for the CB are:
CB Kit (if you call it that) 2877189 649.99
CB Harness 2878064 99.99
Driver Wired Headset 2877190 219.99
Audio Wiring Harness* 2876143 69.99
** Purcheased through KATE at Honda East. Great price and service, was a little back order but I think that is the unit itself as my buddies CanAm was backordered too and its the same head unit.

Installation is not that bad, trunk is the worst but this is an easy Saturday project. Dremmel is a MUST along with extra zip ties and a buddy when handling the trunk. Im have a PDF of 08 instructions to give you an idea at least, shoot me a PM and will email to you, may toss up some lessons learned when I get a chance... If you went with the J&M your still pulling the trunk off and breaking it down to mount the antenna.

Post if you got questions on this. Was doing more of a comparison review vs installation feedback.




(1-3157sRunningLight.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1-3157sRunningLight.jpg (41KB - 1 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ScoreBo
Posted 2013-03-07 12:50 PM (#131827 - in reply to #131825)
Subject: Re: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Iron Butt

Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio		I have had the Vic CB on my 2008 and my 2011. My buddy has the J&M CB on his BMW K1200LT. I would rather have the CB integrated with the sound system. The K1200 rider will have music on and the CB doesn't "cut-in" like it does with the Vic version. Plus it is bolted to his left hand controls. I don't want that look. I do, however, run the J&M helmet headsets and cords (Z series - Elite versions). The Vic versions are junk compared to the J&M headsets. I've been thinking of getting the Firestik, but don't want one 3' long. Knowing how the antenna mount is attached to the trunk, I am concerned about cracking after a period of time with a long, heavy antenna.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
rdbudd
Posted 2013-03-07 5:21 PM (#131838 - in reply to #131827)
Subject: Re: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Visionary

Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO		You can get a 2 foot Firestik. I replaced my Victory antenna with a 3 foot Firestik I happened to have on hand when my original Victory antenna got broken. I had the same concern, but so far the trunk hasn't shown any signs of cracking. If you use a Firestik, make sure you get one with a tunable tip and tune it for best performance. The NGP antenna Victory uses (like all NGP antennas) is pretty finicky.

Ronnie
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Tims_11Vision
Posted 2013-03-08 3:29 AM (#131855 - in reply to #131827)
Subject: Re: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Cruiser

Posts: 143
Lexington Park, MD		ScoreBo - 2013-03-07 1:50 PM

I have had the Vic CB on my 2008 and my 2011. My buddy has the J&M CB on his BMW K1200LT. I would rather have the CB integrated with the sound system. The K1200 rider will have music on and the CB doesn't "cut-in" like it does with the Vic version. Plus it is bolted to his left hand controls. I don't want that look. I do, however, run the J&M helmet headsets and cords (Z series - Elite versions). The Vic versions are junk compared to the J&M headsets. I've been thinking of getting the Firestik, but don't want one 3' long. Knowing how the antenna mount is attached to the trunk, I am concerned about cracking after a period of time with a long, heavy antenna.

Two options on the antenna, again hind sight 20/20, you can go the FireFLY which is thinner and comes in 2' length as well as color OR add the spring for the thicker antenna which looks like a couple more inches but should eliminate much of the stress. I was a bit anoid that the "KIT" linked from the firestick web did NOT include the spring as discussed as being in the kit on their web. But that explains why it was the cheaper price.. Again, hind sight.
Your notes about the J&M head unit are exactly why I went with VIC but the J&M is a cost conscious option that would do the job very well well I feel and can come in around 1/2 of what we pay for the VIC unit. I run it on my TC but use the J&M stock NON tunable antenna. If funds are available, thinking about trying the Firestick to see if that beefs up xmit/recv much.

Good points!

Safe riddin
Tim
Top of the page Bottom of the page
rdbudd
Posted 2013-03-08 9:36 AM (#131865 - in reply to #131855)
Subject: Re: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Visionary

Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO		I also use a J&M CB on my Sport Cruiser and use a standard Firestik antenna with it. That works well because the Sport Cruiser has a steel frame that serves as the ground plane. On the plastic body aluminum frame Vision an NGP (non ground plane) antenna is required and I found that I had to have a tunable antenna to get the SWRs in spec.



Ronnie
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Lone Ranger
Posted 2013-03-09 2:19 AM (#131894 - in reply to #131825)
Subject: Re: Vision CB vs J&M Worth the extra $$$$


Tourer

Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA		I already had a J&M headset when I bought my Vision back on 07. All I had to do was order the lower connector from J&M. Nothing extra required.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

Copyright © 2007-2025 Victory Riders Network™