Cummunicating between Snowmobiles

[tbergman]

hey does anyone know of a good way to communicate between snowmobile in your group. i was thinking cb's or FRS radios but if theres something better could someone let me know.

Thanks
Tom

[TommyBoy68]

My wife and I use the Collet SnoFones. Radio/mic units that attach to the helmets, with voice-activated microphones.

I'll admit that they were a little tricky to get dialed-in just right. We spent a couple trips wondering why we couldn't hear each other. But once we finally got them set up right, we found them to be very nice.

I'd be happy to share more info if you feel you want it. Collet makes a few different models, and the SnoFones are the low-end of their product line. I don't have any experience with the others out there , Chatterbox is one of them, and I'm sure there's others.

[tbergman]

Thanks for the response. just one more question, where could i get the communicators.

Thanks
Tom

[TommyBoy68]

While I ordered mine directly from the Collet website (and it was super-easy) http://www.collett.mb.ca/ , I know that most of the aftermarket accessories mail order houses like Dennis Kirk, Shade Tree, etc, all sell thru their catalogs too. I wouldn't be too surprised if some dealers offer them as well.

I've read a fair amount of discussions on communicators, and opinions I've found are pretty close to 50/50 between Collets and Chatterboxes, so you may want to do some research and see what kinds of options interest you. I think you can get iPod's, cell phones, etc. to hook up thru some of the units. I guess I'm a simple kinda guy, because I didn't want any of those bells & whistles.

Other options out there are push-to-talk switches versus the voice activated mics. Some units are multi-channel as well.

I know that there are a few drawbacks to the system I have, and things I wish it did better or differently. I'm sure there are users of the other systems that like and dislike some of their features too. But overall, I do enjoy having some way to communicate while we're on the move.

[Howler]

I see that Mike Duffy is featured on the Product Reports page. Took his class at the Hiawatha and it was great. I've been looking into the Collet series system as well. Works pretty well from what I saw this weekend with Race79 and Trish.

[78JAG340]

I would agree that Colletts are very nice. Admittedly I have never used others. Dialing them in is a LITTLE work. Unless you ride with a ipod or want to talk on cell phone while you ride I would probably go with sno-fone and save money. The extra features are nice as there is no need for extra wires and such, but money talks and they aren't cheap. All extra items are cutoff if someone keys the mic. We ride with about 8 of them at once. You may have to relay communications to back if you get spread out. Be sure to get the right microphone for your helmet. If you have modular get wireless mic. period regardless of make and model you will thank yourself. One in the group has retrofitted and he sounds like he is drowning in a tin can breathing helium during a concert. Our one problem has been the wire out of the radio into the battery weakens and starts to "short" out(and a chatty Cathy).
Once you go with them you will rapidly see how much safer and more comfortable they make you feel(except the lead dog). My wife is much better rider now that she knows I can tell her about traffic, hazards, etc. She just feels more comfortable. At night no headlight counts just ask for roll call, road crossings last guy just says all clear so the snake does not have to come to a complete stop everytime. Any questions feel free to ask.

[The Great One]

I just got a chatter box this year. The vox is not compatible with a can but in wisconsin that should not be a problem. So far I really like it. The range is better than I expected.

[shark]

My good friend in Island park has communication devices and found it to be very convienient while snowmobiling with the wife to pretend they did not work very well, *LOL*
other than that he was content with them

[The Great One]

Ohh, I wouldn't ever get the girlfriend one. That would be a big mistake. LOL

[feardiz]

we use CHATTERBOX GMRS-X1 it has the best range from what I recall..

[Mach1Mike]

I just use international known hand signals when i need to get a point across.:D

[TommyBoy68]

Oh, good mention of range, my experience has been MUCH less range than the advertised "2 MILES?!?!?!" with the Collets.

But still, WAY better than Mike's hand signals. . . . LOL!

from what I've read, the Chatterbox models seem have a better range, but when I'm riding with my wife, I try not to get too far ahead of her anyway, so range has not been an issue for me at all.

Oh, and I can only speak for the Collets obviously, but even now, when I feel I've got mine pretty well dialed in, it's still not something that you will carry a phone-like conversation on. The nature of the radio allows one unit to broadcast at a time. We had to train ourselves a little bit to communicate in a manner that the radio will broadcast clearly, and not try and respond until the original broadcast is done. You need to be somewhat short and to the point.