FRS Hand Held Radio vs. Helmet Communicator

G

Gone Blue

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My riding buddies and I are planning to buy communicators this year. I was wondering if any one has experience with a hand held FRS radio (ie:motorla talkabout) and an aftermarket communications kit. It looks like there are two compamies producing communications kits for FRS radios. Dennis Kirk sells both of them. Motocomm and Nady.

If these things work well, you can save about half the cost or more as compared to the 5 mile range Chatterbox helmet mounted communicator. The only trade off I see so far is these FRS systems are not voice activated. They use a pitt button that you velcro to the handle bar.

I appreciate any feed back.

Thanks! G.B.
 
weve done both, by far the made for the helmet snowmobile communicators from collett worked better than having cords and bs all over the place for the frs radios. the interference even with resistor plugs was enough to turn the frs unit off within hours of trying to get it to work on multiple days. (we didnt just give up) even though you have frs units you have to buy a set up inc ptt or vox or both. cords for this and that everywhere. collet has a deal going right now if you buy 6 or more, was the best investment i made 2 years ago, now we wont ride without em. my.02 ski
 
Ski,
I went to their website and see they have a new model for $129.00.. (snofone).I'm assuming you have the Platinum 900? I didn't see any special for buying 6. Where did you find it?

Edited..I see where you get the discount on 6 at checkout.. Do you use it to play music or cellphone? I am wondering how that works..trying to decide between the new snofone...and the platinum 900...
 
Last edited:
The music input works great. I have never tried the cellphone with it, up where we ride you usually can't get cellphone signals.

If you get the Snofone it doesn't the the extra inputs.
 
I have the collett PLATINUM 900 mhz and it works amazing up to about 1.5 miles, you just talk to enable the microphone, speak and once your done it turns the mic off(nice feature), battery lasts all day with normal use, easily mounts with Velcro in the helmet. Also receives groomer beacons from most clubs around here (Ontario). Well worth the investment.

JP
 
Can't dispute the mild nusiance of the extra wire, but I for one like the FRS/headset setup. I got better range than my cousins Collett and my vox worked better. I actually preferred to use the PTT. Either way, once your group starts using commo you won't ride without it. Having music in your helmet is also fantastic. I will NEVER hook my cell phone into my helmet! I've heard of the 6 unit deal from Collett too, I think he posts on HCS.
 
Thanks to everyone for their input.

jlance84,

Do you experience any of the interference that skidooboy mentioned? Also, what communications kit (ie: headset and mike) are you using?

I had an early 90's Collet communicator when I was snowmobiling up to 1999. It worked fine when you were really close to one another. I do not think the working range was over a mile.

I just got back into the sport last year and I miss riding without a communicator. If I do not go the FRS route, I think I will buy the Collet Platnimum 900 instead of a Chatterbox. I like the intergal mike and external batteries on the Collet.

Thanks, G.B.
 
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