best helmet communicators
- Thread starter LM7800
- Start date
I have tried 4 or 5 including the older collets. First off, you get about 1/4 the range that is claimed with any of them. That puts collet and many others right out of the picture IMO. Next, some have way to many wires to deal with and are a PITA. The best/simple one that I have used is the chatterbox X1. They claim 5 miles (so maybe 1 mile), and are self contained. Really only issue that I have had with this is many broken attachment tabs. This year I am ordering the NEW X1 SLIM. It is much lighter/smaller, and has a metal attachment tab that should not break all the time. It has some other cool new stuff also.. Hope this helps....good luck 
My riding group had the Collet Platinums...they were nice and ame in handy but have their issues. If you don't get the VOX set right all you here is your buddies exhaust sound, or when you start riding hilly areas you lose contact..same happens if you get spread out. We also had issues with the batteries not holding charges or the cords from the battery pack to the helemt unit would break causing us to pop out of our private channel, beeping etc. When they work they are great..especially for the guys in the middle or back or the pack...easy for the lead guy to let everyone know when there are on coming sleds, washouts, huge bumps etc. We've all gone to MX style helmets and havent used them in the past couple of seasons
I too would like to know more about these systems. I have young kids who have been riding for a couple seasons now, and even though they are familiar with the rules and what it takes to be safe, they are still just kids and they need guidance from time to time. For those times when they drift over to the wrong side of the trail or are approaching a busy road crossing, etc., I would like to be able to communicate with them in real time, so I can be sure they are aware of any potentially dangerous situations and understand what they need to do in order to be safe.
Besides hearing which ones work well, I'd really like to know if someone makes one that doesn't require attaching it to the outside of a helmet. With kids, one will want to drive for a little while, then take a break while a sibling drives and so on. I don't want to be forced to switch the unit from helmet to helmet all the time. Are there any that can be placed inside a coat pocket, with the microphone and earpiece installed inside the helmet? I'm envisioning some small wires that would run from the helmet to the communicator. Anybody know of something like this? If available, how well does it work?
Besides hearing which ones work well, I'd really like to know if someone makes one that doesn't require attaching it to the outside of a helmet. With kids, one will want to drive for a little while, then take a break while a sibling drives and so on. I don't want to be forced to switch the unit from helmet to helmet all the time. Are there any that can be placed inside a coat pocket, with the microphone and earpiece installed inside the helmet? I'm envisioning some small wires that would run from the helmet to the communicator. Anybody know of something like this? If available, how well does it work?
LJ 452
TY 4 Stroke God
We've used Collets for the past few years (maybe 4-5). They were great in the beginning, took some getting used to as far as finding the right adjustment for the VOX. The post about cords is an understatement, the pigtail cord from the unit to the battery might be the worst in terms of durability ever made on anything period. But we just started to carry three or for with a micro screwdriver and change them out if needed. I should say the past two years I don't think I've had to change out the cord so maybe they improved it since the first few. The range is as mentioned, good for maybe 1/2 mile, less if in a hilly or heavily wooded area. The strange thing we've found is the several times they worked when out away, then take them out for the next season and they're all messed up. Either no range, or just plan doesn't work. Send them back (Manatoba I believe) and wait about two months for them to get it, fix it, them ship it back. Part of the wait is customs I get that but it's just frusterating to deal with time and time again. Two features that the Collet have which are nice is the personal channel, and most importantly the groomer beacon. That has come in handy a few times when rounding a blind corner and...hello, giant groomer. Doesn't matter what side of the trail your on, the groomer users all of it in the tight spots. Not sure if chatter box offers that or not. No ALL groomers have the beacon but if you give the grooming club the info Collet will send them one for free. I know of two in Michigan that don't have them.
I've said for the past two years that I wasn't going to use it anymore due to the nagging issues and just dealing with the batteries, cables, etc. Then the guy I ride with convinces me to just use it and USSUALLY i'm glad I did. Tried to use it while in the U.P. two weekends ago on ATVs. Didn't work, not sure what as I didn't feel like even getting into it. So this year looks to be starting the same in that I will plan on not using it. I think the life expectancy of any of these units is just not that great, the environment is just not conducive to inexpensive electronics. That really what it boils down to, cost, while they aren't cheap, making one that would last would probably be 3 to 4 times the cost.
I've done a bit of research into a unit that you could just keep in your coat or something. I believe the environment is a huge reason these things don't last. The problem is getting a VOX to work reliably with the wind, engine and other noises in the background. Thought about a throat mic but haven't actually tested yet. Seems like a decent throat mic, with a decent two way radio would work well.
I've said for the past two years that I wasn't going to use it anymore due to the nagging issues and just dealing with the batteries, cables, etc. Then the guy I ride with convinces me to just use it and USSUALLY i'm glad I did. Tried to use it while in the U.P. two weekends ago on ATVs. Didn't work, not sure what as I didn't feel like even getting into it. So this year looks to be starting the same in that I will plan on not using it. I think the life expectancy of any of these units is just not that great, the environment is just not conducive to inexpensive electronics. That really what it boils down to, cost, while they aren't cheap, making one that would last would probably be 3 to 4 times the cost.
I've done a bit of research into a unit that you could just keep in your coat or something. I believe the environment is a huge reason these things don't last. The problem is getting a VOX to work reliably with the wind, engine and other noises in the background. Thought about a throat mic but haven't actually tested yet. Seems like a decent throat mic, with a decent two way radio would work well.
ruffrider
Extreme
The 5 of us in our riding group have been using the same Collett Platinum units since about 2003. We had to send them back once or twice to get adjusted in the beginning but they've worked great ever since. We're thinking of getting new ones soon though because at the end of last year they seemed to be acting up again and messing around with the VOX didn't seem to help. There are a few other brands out there (Chatterbox, Scala, etc.) but I've heard bad reviews of all of them including Colletts. Collett has great customer service (now that they're back in business) so we'll probably go with them again.
Some helpful advice: Don't EVER buy used communicators. I have a friend that now has like 4 used ones he bought cheap and they all suck.
Some helpful advice: Don't EVER buy used communicators. I have a friend that now has like 4 used ones he bought cheap and they all suck.
OVR4D, If you are going to be switching them around, this is another big plus for the chatterbox. You can buy an extra mic/speaker headset, and a extra mount that you put on the other helmet. The radio can then be swaped over to another helmet in like 2 seconds. I have 3 helmets, and this is what I do. Chatterbox is also coming out with a wireless PTT button. This is why I am upgrading for this winter. It is all self contained, no batteries to plug in, and if you have a very loud sled and the VOX gets tricky....well this PTT will fix that. Good luck with your decesion, and as was mentioned above, they are not cheap. But keeping your kids safe....PRICELESS
Well after all the bad reviews i'm not sure i want to dick with any of them. how do they hold up on the side of the helmet? I'd like it if the box could be in your jacket pocket, seems like if you fell off or hit a branch they would be easy to knock off!! also anyone have them on the BVS2 helmet
ruffrider
Extreme
They've held up fine on the side of all our helmets. I'm not sure if the Colletts would fit on a BVS2. I have a Doo Modular and the microphone barely reaches my mouth because I had to mount it so far back. If you use the no-fog mask I think they make a little wireless microphone/speaker that mounts inside the mask.
