Communicators???

[dragonwannabe]

Does anyone have experience with different brands of communicators? I have used the Collett products in the past and was really happy with them. I have been reading about some issues with collett from a customer service standpoint or that they possibly may be out of biz?? I really like the groomer warning beacon that those units had but I dont believe any of the other communicators have that. Any info on other options and experiences that people have had would be appreciated.

 

[dooforme]

We use the collett snofones and have had no trouble with them (once you get them set in). They are going on the 3rd season. We run up to 8 of them when everyone riding. In regards to your concern with collett, I left my charger in a rental cabin last year. Called them and they still had all my info in the computer and I had the part in about 4 days. They are back up and running!

 

[soxfan3]

Our group uses Chatterbox. They work pretty good for a small group (up to 6), but seems like in a larger group you get some static interference. Not sure if it is because with a bigger group you are spread out farther or what. Chatterbox's are supposed to have that beacon too, but the groomer has to have the signal sending unit on it, most don't. Communicators are nice though, probably saved us a couple of bad situations over the years.

 

[renegade2011]

Any one have two wall chargers for the collett communicator platinum 900? I would be willing to pay something for them just let me know. Thanks.

 

[driftbuster]

Anybody ever use Cardo ?

 

[driftbuster]

ttt

 

[Augie5]

I did a lot of research over the summer and decided on the Scala Riders. I have talked to other users and they all seem quite satisfied with the g4 units.

 

[sledheadjoe]

Walkie-Talkies?

I've done a lot of reasearch this year with plans to get a good set-up for the riding season. There seems to be sooo many different opinions (pros and cons) for every brand and set up that I just wasn't able to make a decision based on reading through the forums. The Collett, Chatterbox, Scala, etc. all have the advantage of few cords but they are just so expensive. And when I read about the terrible communication from [some of] these companies and the riders that can't get them to work properly, I just wasn't willing to take the plunge. I almost purchased a set of Scala's but decided not based on the fact that you can't have more than 3 people in one group - this seems very limiting!

I was drawn to the walkie-talkie set-up because I can use the walkie-talkies for so much more than snowmobiling (camping, hunting, amusement park, etc.). And if I get a Rino with GPS, I can use that as the communicator also. Furthermore, anyone in my group can get in on the action by simply buying a headset for their walkie-talkies or even a Chatterbox or Collett. I did hear just as many complaints with this set up but since the investment is about 1/3 the price, I figure it is a much lower risk to try. I talked to some radio experts that claim the set-up works better on motorcycles than off-road vehicles... something to do with engine frequencies and devices on bikes that block them?? But I couldn't see how the technology in Collett or Chatterbox GMRS devices is any different from a Midland or Motorola GMRS radio.

So... I picked up a set of Midland GTX1000 walkie-talkies and Motocomm helmet headsets. The headsets have a boom mic (my wife and I have flip-up style helmets) and PTT buttons. The Midlands are supposed to work with VOX too but I think PTT will be easier to set up with fewer volume and clarity problems. I suspect there may be a large difference in function/clarity with the radio mounted on the bars vs. stuck in my coat pocket vs. stuck in a backpack. Once I get everything set-up and we get some snow to try it out, I'll report back.

I'd love to hear others' opinions on this set-up.

-Joe