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 Push to Talk CB Passenger Controller by J&M Corporation. If you have a passenger that would like to be able to put her 2-cents worth in on the CB, then you need this product. They have one for the GL1500 and another one for the GL1800. It has a Velcro closure that straps around the passenger handgrips. It connects in-line and only requires you to remove the seat to get at the black rubber boot that contains the 2-pin black plug and is located on the left side of the GL1800 frame, near the cross member. The suggested retail price is $39.99 for the #CBSW-GL15 and $44.99 for the CBSW-GL18. You can contact J&M Corporation by calling their toll free number in the U.S., 800-358-0881 and you check out their website by clicking on their link button to the left. J & M Corporation has come out with two essential products for the Gl1800 audio system. The first is their #HSIS-GL18 Passenger Intercom Interrupt Switch that plugs inline below the seat between the 6 pin white plug connected to the headset cable & the passenger cable and attaches to one of the passenger grab handles with Velcro. (SRP 44.99) It is an on/off button for the passenger mike and when in the off position, stops all of the wind noise that is especially apparent on the GL1800, but still allows the passenger to hear the music and intercom (looks exactly like the Push to Talk Passenger Controller above)  The second product is their HACC-GL18 Headset Mike Circuit Wind & RF Filter that also plugs in the same line as above. This product decreases the amount of wind noise in the intercom portion of the audio system. (SRP $49.99/each) You do have to raise the "mute sensitivity" to position 15 or higher for proper muting of the music while riding. After plugging this unit into the passenger's headset lead, you may want to add another one to the driver's position which connects under the left front fairing pocket. I didn't find this necessary on my Wing maybe because I have installed the Tulsa windshield. Check out the J & M Corporation website by clicking on their link button to the left. 
J&M 2001 Helmet Headsets HS-ECD374-OF in the Arai SZ/m three-quarter style helmet with an integral face shield:  J&M Corporation's Headsets for the Flip-Front Helmets: As usual, I sent my new Shoei Syncrotec (flipfront style) helmet to J&M Corp. to have their new Stereo HS-ECD374-FL Headsets with their miniature DualMode AeroMike III microphone and 8-pin upper cord (SRP $209.99) installed. The DynaPort® helmet speakers have an unbelievable sound even in this style helmet. Everything from CB to CD clarity is fantastic, and talking on the intercom or CB is very clear to whom we are talking with. We have tried another company's headset in a flipfront style helmet and in our opinion there is no comparison. J&M has the best sound system I have ever used in any style helmet.  This style of helmet is a little harder to install headsets in correctly than the normal full-face or open-face helmets. As usual, you do have to remove sections of the styrene to fit the speakers and it is important that you don't remove more than necessary, nor break or damage any of the polystyrene parts. An airtight seal is necessary to reserve the bass response as the sound pressure from the back of the speaker housing should not be allowed to mix with the sound pressure from the front. You also have to be very careful not to cut or damage the fabric lining. Check out J&M's website by clicking on their link button to the left. As usual, I have also installed a Fog City shield and an Echo quick release buckle as I do on all of the full-face helmets that I evaluate.  J&M 2001 Helmet Headsets: For the last several months, Carm & I have been testing out the latest headsets from J&M. We both got the new Arai Signet GT Full Face helmets with the HS-ECD271-FF headsets already installed in them by J&M. Mine came with the HC-BB lower section 8-pin universal cord for the standard OEM connection, while Carm ordered the HC-BC cord that plugs into the J&M passenger control panel. We have used the J&M headsets for over ten years and have found nothing better available on the market. We both have found that these new headsets are fantastic in all uses, whether you use it for CB or CD music. Everything sounds exceptionally clear and I can be understood on the CB even better now with J&M's super quiet DualMode AeroMike II microphone and their wide fidelity helmet stereo speakers. The headsets came with the upper cord and you have a selection of lower cords to fit your needs. The new Arai helmets are very comfortable and quiet in comparison to most of the other brands we have tried including the earlier models of the Signet. The Signet is a little lighter and still retains the long oval shape.  There are more vents than their previous models and I found them easier to use. I also do not notice any wind buffeting at all. The front intake vents provide fresh air to the top of the head and the rear exhaust ducts draws out hot air and moisture from inside the helmet. If you close your shield all the way, then there is the brow vent system that will supply fresh air around the forehead. The mouth vent system provides fresh air around the mouth area and also aids in preventing fogging by directing air up along the interior surface of the face shield. The new helmets no longer require the removal of the shield's side holders or special techniques to take the shield off. There now is a new lever release system. When the shield is in its fully open position levers are deployed at the front of the shield holders. Pushing these levers releases the shield and then it can be pulled straight out. Doesn't get any easier than that. There is also a removable/replaceable breath deflector that helps prevent shield fogging. This is easily removed when not needed, like in the summer. There is an unnoticeable airflow spoiler at the front that disturbs the airflow around the bottom edge of the helmet and helps reduce drafts and wind noise. As usual, the cheekpads are replaceable for a more custom fit and ease of installing the J&M headsets. Although it comes with a D-ring release tab and end-strap snap, I always add an Echo Quick-release to all of my helmets. I also add a FogCity shield to the inside of all our full-face helmets and have tried out three different tinted face shields from Arai, on these helmets. My preference is the light smoke that I can use in day or night, while Carm likes the dark smoke as a passenger. I also have an orange tint that I have not had an opportunity to test as of this writing. All of the face shields by Arai are crystal clear and scratch resistant. Although you can install the J&M headset yourself, I strongly urge your to either buy you Arai helmet with the headset already installed directly from J&M or have your dealer install it if they have been properly trained. You can also send your helmet to J&M for installation of their headsets. Keep in mind that you do have to remove sections of the styrene to fit the speakers and it is important that you don't remove more than necessary, nor break or damage any of the polystyrene parts. The J&M headsets do come with very clear instructions for those that feel up to the task. An airtight seal is necessary to reserve bass response as the sound pressure from the back of the speaker housing should not be allowed to mix with the sound pressure from the front. You also have to be very careful not to cut or damage the fabric lining. Check out the J&M Corporation's website by clicking on their link button to the left. They can also be reached by calling (800) 358-0881. Also be sure to check out all of the other products that J&M Corporation has. You will find most of them written up on this website. 
J&M Corporation  All you have to do to install the unit is remove the left fairing pocket and everything just snaps together. I didn’t have to cut one wire. This is the way I like installations. As most people who know me will attest, electronics is not my field of expertise. I usually have to have friends come over and do the work for me. This hook-up also provides the power to the radar detector, so it is on only when the key is on. The unit also doesn’t create any type of static noises. It actually connects to an unused plug that is there in case you add the fairing side marker lights. If you have the lights, you just connect in between them (you don't cut the wire). If you have the alternating front signal light and running light hooked up like I do, you still do connect it between them and everything still works just like it's supposed to. Now how many times can you say that after an installation? You can purchase this unit from J&M (800) 358-0881 direct or from your local Honda dealer. Check out the J&M web site by clicking on their link button to the left.  J&M Corporation: Carm & I decided to try out their new HS-E164JH Series of helmet headsets and we found quite a different sound to them from our 1995 version. These are one of three new types they have come out with. This one is best for listening to music and since that is what we mostly do, it is perfect for us. The sound is greatly improved and the CB comes in just fine. They also make one for CB use (HS-4139) if that is what you listen to most or have trouble hearing the CB with the system you have now. They also have a set that is meant for people who do both equally (HS-5159). We are extremely happy with the ones for excellent stereo. If you have a CD player, this is a must.  Last month I told you about their radar override kit and how well that works, now I want to tell you about another item we are using. It is called a Passenger Microphone On-Off Switch. Now this is great inexpensive item. You know when you are riding two up on a long stretch of road and you you’re getting a lot of wind noise? Well that is when this little item comes in. With a press of a button all that wind noise stops as you just switched your passengers mike off. Your passenger can still hear the music, CB, and you talking. Your passenger will have to press the button located on the right or left handgrip with Velcro wrap for you to hear her again. This is not a problem, considering that now you are practically wind-noise free. You can purchase J & M Products direct, through your local dealer or from mail order houses. Check out their web page by clicking on their link button to the left.  More sound equipment from J&M Corporation. We finally got to try out the mid-range HS-5159 series of headsets. If you have an old setup from J&M then this is similar in sound to those. It has been improved some and is the ideal headset if you listen to radio or cassette music and sometimes use the CB. If you have a CD player installed then the HS-E164JH is best for you.  I also installed J&M's replacement fairing speaker kit # FSK-GL15, as well as their RSK-GL15custom rear speaker kit. While I was installing them, I listened to the difference of the OEM units & J&M's by only replacing one side at a time and playing it. What a difference it made. You can play the music as loud or as soft as you wish without distortion and that's saying something for 4" speakers. I then installed the HS-4139 headsets in our ¾ helmets. These headsets are very simple to install and are really great for communication like CB or talk stations. The new outside speakers make a good combination with these headsets, especially with open or ¾ helmets. For the wide fidelity 5159 or the DynaPort® stereo E164Jh series of headsets, I recommend that you have either J&M do the installation or if your local Honda dealer if certified by J&M. You can even buy your new Arai® helmets with the J&M headset of your choice already installed from J&M and not at an inflated price either. Please keep in mind that the acoustics of the helmet also play an important role in the performance of the helmet headset and the performance characteristics can only be obtained when they are properly installed. This is especially true of the HS-E164JH series. For more information, check out their web page by clicking on their link button to the left, or call them at +1 (800) 358-0881.  |
