Who has the helmet to helmet communications? Which brand is best? Been looking at the chatterbox but what do you think?

 

I have been mulling over a similar purchase and since we want to communicate between two or more quads, I have been looking at the many "Family Band" radios available at Cabelas in different brands, styles and price points that are capable of helmet mount...sadly there doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there to help make a wise choice.
One reason I am looking at Cabelas is their excellent no questions return policy. You can try different models to get the best for your needs!

If your looking at a 2-up, (rider-to-passenger), situation then a trip over to one of the many excellent motorcyle forums may be informative since these guys seem to have this nailed!

 

Check out this company, based in Vancouver Canada. Their systems use FRS radios. I have several of their headsets, and they work, even at freeway speeds on the motorcycle.

http://www.torkworld.com/

 

I have Collett and they work well. May still have a sale on for 169.00. Clear, good range, VOX, rechargeable batteries.

 

I have the Chatterboxes and swap them from the street helmets to off road. They do work good and have a long range and many channels.
BUT they're expensive. You can get the Cardo Scala rider with bluetooth for less than half the price of the chatterbox.
I had an issue with the chatterbox. They make the brackets that attach to the helmet made to BREAK. Yep, they had a lawsuit where some kid hit a tree and the bracket didn't break and hurt the kids neck. After barely 3 months, I was lucky to notice the unit almost fell off my helmet. AND it's not covered under warranty. I threw a hissy fit and they sent me some new brackets and I made them stronger.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Dogdaz

I have Collett and they work well. May still have a sale on for 169.00. Clear, good range, VOX, rechargeable batteries.</end quote></div>

i tried a set on our sleds this year and they sucked big time and have no range more them a 1/2 mile. maybe they would be better on wheelers but didnt work as good on the sleds. imo.

 

I also have the Collett and it works well. I've never used any of the other ones so I can't comment on how it compares. Only problem is when its cold out (&lt;10 degrees) the condensation from my breath freezes over the microphone.

 

I don't know anything about Collett radios, but is it possible the radio batteries got cold on your sleds? The power output can get really low when batteries get cold.

 

I bought the midland brand at gander mnt I think they were $50. They have worked perfect so far but I have only used them 3 or 4 times.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: stendori

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Dogdaz



I have Collett and they work well. May still have a sale on for 169.00. Clear, good range, VOX, rechargeable batteries.</end quote></div>



i tried a set on our sleds this year and they sucked big time and have no range more them a 1/2 mile. maybe they would be better on wheelers but didnt work as good on the sleds. imo.</end quote></div>

What should you expect the range to be on these type of radio's?
A half mile sounds OK but not great by any means!