[Ontariobound]

I am going to buy a communicator for next season. What brand name do you suggest? Where do I get it?

Thanks,

Shane

 

[bigchevlc]

My riding buddies all have communicators, not sure what kind but they seem like a pain to me. They are always messing with them or have dead batteries, plus the battery goes in your coat with a cord to the helmet, I hate cords. I think if it were up to me I would get a motorola walkie talkie with an earpiece and a helmet mic. They're available I think from Cabellas. This way at least all that money and you can use it elsewhere than in your helmet. The communicators would be nice when riding with a group.

 

[tst24]

Our group uses the Chatterbox GMRS X1 and we have not had any problems with them. The battery is in the unit attached to your helmet and the only wire I have is from the unit to the microphone in my breath deflector. I would definitely recommend them.

 

[thundercatzr2001]

Hi Shane - I have a couple of Collett Communicators I am selling - they are Collett 49's - still in the box - let me know if you are interested.

Cheers

Scott

 

[TommyBoy68]

I'm running with a pair of Collet Sno-Fones. Purchased via the internet direct from the manufacturer in Canada. We finally got them dialed in pretty well last ride out. Took some time and loops thru the adjacent field to get the voice-activated microphones set just right, so that a full-throttle blast would not open the mic. I've posted before my inital thoughts upon receipt of the units, and now that we have the adjusted properly, I like them even more. If you click the site search and enter my name, you should be able to locate the original post.

Have the pair in 2 full-face helmets. Work good for quick communications between riders, but you won't want to carry on a long conversation, as pauses in your voice will close the mic channel. Install was super-easy, and teh battery pack/cord issue is not even noticeable until time to remove your helmet.

I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding these, that I have not already addressed.

 

[Ontariobound]

Will all systems work with each other? In other words, if I buy a set for my wife and I will I be able to use them to communicate with ANYONE in my group with another set made by a different manufacturer?

Thanks again,

Shane

 

[Westernbronco]

To answer your question, no..

Collett and Chatterbox are on different frequancys.

Even the Chatterbox will not communicate between different moddles. I know the X1's and the X2's are on different bands completely.

My only sujestion is figure out what your group wants to use and have everybody go in together.

Each brand has its pro's and con's. you have to way out what your needs are.

All of them take some getting use to and dial in time.

Our group runs the Collett, we have not had them long but so far I am impressed. Very simple to use, Batteries are easy to change when on long trips (more than 2 days or if you have someone that is constantly talking) and they have excelent customer support. I have called them several times before I even purchased mine for questions about the product and they were helpful every time.

The best thing is if you know of someone with them, ask to try one.

The debate on which one is better is like the Ford / Chevy Debate.

Right now is the time to buy, it seems like eveybody has some on sale. Collett is factory direct unless someone has some used ones for sale.

Chatterbox, you can buy from the factory, but you can also get them through most powersports shops as well.

I hope this helps in some way

 

[thundercatzr2001]

Shane - sent you an email on your private addresss

scott

 

[flyin-lowe]

Will all systems work with each other? In other words, if I buy a set for my wife and I will I be able to use them to communicate with ANYONE in my group with another set made by a different manufacturer?

Thanks again,

Shane[/b]

I can tell you a little about the Collets 900 MHZ. They all come with one standard frequency so anyone who has one will be able to communicate. If you order more then either 6 or 8 at a time they will assign you a club frequency and then that will be private to your group or club. If someone at a later time wants to buy one with your club frequency then they have to get permission from the club. But even yours with the club frequency will still also have the standard frequency. I used them last season at Gaylord and I only have the standard frequency in mine and a couple of times I heard some other peoples radios when we got close but it is not that much of an issue. The only problems we had with ours was getting the sensitivity set perfect so your voice activation works but it doesn't kick on when you are running 70+ mph. Also I know the Colletts have a groomer warning and I am not sure about the others. If you ride groomed trails this is awesome. Many times in MI while on the trails once you get within a mile or so of a groomer it starts beeping so you know to watch out. Anyone who has flown around a corner to be eye to eye with a groomer will appreciate this feature. It is one of those things now that I have them and I ride without or with someone who doesn't have one I feel like I am missing something. Think about how many times you've been behind or ahead of someone and wanted to tell them to stop or slow down or watch out or anything. It was a little frustrating at first dialing them in but I give mine an A+.

 

[tech guru]

I am going to buy a communicator for next season. What brand name do you suggest? Where do I get it?

Thanks,

Shane[/b]

I've tried both the Collette and ChatterBox, can't believe Collette is still using 900mhz....that's a cordless telephone frequency. We can send people to the moon but we're still using cordless telephone frequencies to communicate....that's old technology. ChatterBox is the way to go, they have the GMRS X1 model w?up to 5 mile range.

 

[tech guru]

I've tried both the Collette and ChatterBox, can't believe Collette is still using 900mhz....that's a cordless telephone frequency. We can send people to the moon but we're still using cordless telephone frequencies to communicate....that's old technology. ChatterBox is the way to go, they have the GMRS X1 model w?up to 5 mile range.[/b]

Alright all, pay attention! Anyone who has ever thought of buying a communicator from sled to sled or has had problems with one...listen up!

The most problem occurs when batteries are not cycled properly...meaning "DO NOT STORE W/OUT A CHARGE". Just like your car battery, it will not start if you let it sit in the garage for months at a time. Well, the same goes with your communicators, even worse because we do not ride every month, the battery sits inside the unit for long periods of time, during summer -this is bad for the battery. Charge it every 3 months to prolong battery life.

I have used both the two brands being compared, and from my experience the ChatterBox hands down is a better radio (if you know how to use it...). How can you even compare it to others? Their GMRS X1 (5 Mile range) comes with the noise-reduction microphone, the Collette doesn't. To use it effectively, think of a helicopter pilot. Their mics are placed right up against their lips to cancel out noise, if the mic is even an inch or 1/2 inch away--it may cancel your voice instead of the sled noise. So anyone having problems talking over 20mph (like what someone posted..won't mention any names) is NOT using it properly. Relocate the placement of your mic closer to your lips. The closer it is the clearer you will be heard. Trust me on this, my buddies and I communicate at speeds well over 70 mph with no problems at all. And as a tech guru, these things either work or don't work. It's not made to work with some people and others. It just depends on how they are used.

Next, out in the woods, range is definitely a serious factor to consider. The Collette 900 is running on the same frequency as your cordless telephone and baby monitors. Honestly, how much range have you ever gotten on your cordless telephone? I could barely get mine to reach my garage and my home is only 1700 square feet. I would gladly give up the groomer warning that the Collete's have for a longer range, besides not every groomer has a warning beacon, which could be more dangerous relying on the beep when all groomers are not equipped with the warning system. Will you have peace of mind that the groomer around the corner has the warning device?? It's nice to have the warning but I'd rather have the range. That is a function/feature I would rather have.

Any more questions? Tech Guru (AKA "Bading")

 

[dvarmit]

Also I know the Colletts have a groomer warning and I am not sure about the others. If you ride groomed trails this is awesome. Many times in MI while on the trails once you get within a mile or so of a groomer it starts beeping so you know to watch out. Anyone who has flown around a corner to be eye to eye with a groomer will appreciate this feature.[/b]

Ditto that! :dazed: