FRS/GMRS vs Bluetooth for bike to bike

Anybody have opinions on the pro-cons of FRS/GMRS vs Bluetooth for bike to bike coms? This is something I want to know before we go drop the cash on either system.

 

XBi 2 is my call.......

 

I splurged on the Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Bluetooth units.
Their range is probably a lot less than FRS/GMRS, in that line of sight has quite a bit to do with signal connection and quality. I can get about 1/4mi away from the other unit if I have eyes on it. In pretty much every other way, the Bluetooth is great, especially if you link with a Phone, and double-especially one that does A2DP (BT stereo audio). I've taken phone calls while on the bike and people don't even know that I'm riding. Punisher knows that, lol
Bike to Bike quality is much better than a static-y walkie-talkie type radio could ever be. It also has auto-shut-off after 30 sec, and is voice-activated Tx. If you have a better helmet than I do (guaranteed you do!) you could hear people at over 75mph on the highway. (there's too much wind noise in the helmet past 75mph)
If we ended up out of range, we'd either wait up for each other, or use the redial function to call the last number (made sure it was each others phone before leaving)

Only major drawback would be that you have a max of 3 (maybe 4?) headsets that can be linked at one time, whereas with FRS/GMRS it's open to anyone with a set of cans. And of course they're a bit more expensive.

 

Leaning a bit the radios. More people I ride with have them. The ability to have my cell phone ring in my helmet is NOT nessisarily something I want. I do have a gang of motorola talk about radios around here. They are older models but have been tough as nails.Will the midland motorcycle headset plug in? Any aftermarket rider kits you guys know of that plug into those?

 

I got the Midland GXT600 radios and AVPH2 helmet kits for myself and my pillion about two years ago. We used them a couple times. The wires are extra long and heavy and they were a big hassle. The cable coming out of my helmet would always tug when I turn my head, no matter how I positioned it. We found the VOX feature annoying to use. You need to start talking to activate it, then repeat what you said because the activation delay cuts off the first few words. To get around this we would say "hello" pause a second or two, then go on with the conversation. They are also not full duplex, which means you cannot talk and listen at the same time. So when you are done talking, the other person has to wait for the VOX to turn off before they can talk. If both people try to talk at the same time, neither one hears the other. You end up repeating again, and the VOX delay adds to the aggravation even more. The PTT buttons work well, but add more wires to the mess. The GTX600 units we used had the headset connector coming out the side, 90 degrees to the antenna, which makes a rather bulky piece hanging on your belt. We got no joy out of using them, and they've been sitting in a box collecting dust. The only FRS/GMRS system I would ever consider using again is a helmet mounted one like the old Chatterbox.

I just picked up a set of cheap bluetooth headsets for under $100. I haven't tested them on the road yet, but so far the advantages are huge. No wires. Full duplex conversations, like talking on a telephone. The sounds is as clear or clearer than the GMRS radios. The units are small and light with all the controls on the side of the helmet. You can also connect to a GPS/phone/MP3 with bluetooth. I'm having trouble using multiple connections with these cheap ones, but for any one function they work great, and the Chatterbox/Midland/Cardo BT units can only be better.