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Mountain Riding Safety

 Last year snowmobilers accounted for 50% of the avalanche fatalities in the U.S. I have been teaching avalanche classes for 13 years through Colorado Mountain College and last year started teaching classes specifically for snowmobilers with the hope of reducing fatalities. Snowmobilers have a distinct disadvantage compared to other backcountry users in avalanche terrain, they cannot communicate effectively. I feel this is one of the main reasons why snowmobilers are number one in fatalities. Many snowmobilers have been blind sided by avalanches when other members in their party could not communicate to them that it was approaching. Communication is key in warning: other riders of avalanches, of clues to unstable conditions, and of slopes to be aware of. Communication is very useful in relaying information about escape routes, group dynamics, and safe spots. Without effective communication, avalanche rescue or finding separated riders can be very difficult and slow. I recommend the Snofone to all snowmobilers who ride in avalanche terrain. Fast communication is vital, helmet communicators make a huge difference.

Mike Duffy
Avalanche Training Expert Drop me a line, I would love to hear from all my fellow snowmobiler, ATV and motorcycle riders!

The PLATINUM 900 is a lightweight, compact, voice-activated communication system specifically designed for people who ride motorcycles, snowmobiles, and ATV's.


It's 1 to 2 mile operating range is perfect for group rides; while it's low power consumption guarantees you can talk all day, on one charge of it's rechargeable power pac. The PLATINUM 900 is waterproof, shockproof, and cold weather reliable down to at least -40 F! And it's backed by an ironclad, 3 year - 100% parts and labor warranty, at no extra charge.

The above is just a quick overview;

what follows are the many very important reasons you should choose the PLATINUM 900 as your helmet communication system. Things you probably won't think of at first, but will make a world of difference in whether or not you enjoy your communication experience. * We have tried to explain things in a way that's understandable to someone with no prior knowledge of the helmet communication field. However, there might be something we haven't covered or something about which you need further clarification. If you have any questions about our PLATINUM 900 or helmet communication in general, please feel free to call and ask them at 1-800-665-7888 or email collett@collettcommunicators.com.

Note: Our telephone lines are always answered by real people, knowledgeable about our product. If ever a customer service person can't answer a question, they will connect you with a technician who can. 1. Voice Quality and Ease of Understanding The single most important feature any 2-way radio or intercom can offer is clear, instantly understandable communication.


Anything less is a waste of money. You will tire very quickly of a system that forces you to constantly strain to interpret what is being said. Unfortunately, even the most unsophisticated radios sound good in the store. It's when you get out on the road or trail you find out they are unusable. Either their voice-activation system doesn't work properly and transmits constantly, or the voice is so garbled and degraded you can't understand what is being said. Both problems are a result of wind and engine noise affecting the radio's microphone. We understand the problems inherent in 2-way radio communication in a high noise / high wind environment. Over the past 20 years we have continually experimented with different approaches to create a communication system that delivers the sharpest, clearest, easiest-to-understand communication you can buy.

Everything we have learned about noise-canceling has been incorporated into today's PLATINUM 900.


Its ability to eliminate wind and engine noise from voice communications is truly remarkable. In fact, communication is so crisp and clear; often people calling an individual on their cell phone (when it's plugged into the PLATINUM 900) won't know that person is riding something until they are told that is the case. It's that good.

And we promise:


if the PLATINUM 900 doesn't work to your satisfaction, in your high-noise situation, you can send it back for a full refund (excluding delivery costs).

2. Voice-Feedback System


The PLATINUM 900's voice-feedback system lets you listen to what your microphone is picking up. When you talk, you hear yourself in your helmet speakers. You always know when your voice is being transmitted and how well you sound. Voice-feedback lets you know when wind or engine noise is activating your microphone, and enables you to make the proper VOX (voice activation) adjustment to stop it. Voice-feedback helps you fine-tune your VOX and volume controls to just the right level needed. Without a voice-feedback system you have no idea what's going through your microphone or what other people are hearing. Another benefit with the Platinum 900 is that once set, you can leave your volume and VOX settings alone and never touch them again. This is a result of the radio being turned off and on by simply connecting it to the power pac. Your microphone will stay in position as well, so once the radio is setup properly, you should never have to make additional adjustments.

The fatal flaw of all FRS hands-free systems, and other jerry-built systems, is they do not have a voice-feedback system.


These set-ups can never work, not even by the most minimal standard. Anyone who has ever tried to adapt one of these systems for helmet use finds out very quickly they never know when they are successfully transmitting their voice, or if wind and engine noise is continually activating their microphone.

3. VOICE-ACTIVATED MICROPHONE ( VOX )



A voice-activated (VOX) microphone system that works properly is an absolute must when riding. You need your hands on the handlebars, ready to steer, clutch, and brake. Reaching to press a push-button, even a handlebar mounted one, will affect your reaction time. Trust me, the last thing you will be worrying about when it comes to an emergency warning, is pushing a button. By the time you activate the button and send your message, it could very well be too late for the person you are trying to warn. * If you're going to use a push-button system, a handlebar mounted one is definitely the way to go. Anything else is too dangerous. However, it has been our experience that any system that resorts to using a push-button, as opposed to using a VOX system, does so because it allows too much wind and engine noise into the microphone. That's why they can't make the work properly. Anyone who has tried to adapt a "hands-free headset" and FRS radio for helmet use knows how frustrating a bad VOX system can be. The hands-free FRS setups all have the same problems. Once you adjust the VOX control (if there is one) to prevent ambient noise from activating the microphone, the delay in activation is soooo long, half the first sentence is missing. Compounding the problem is that once the microphone is activated, all the wind and engine noise is picked up and transmitted along with the voice. You might be able to put up with this for the occasional message, but you will find real conversations impossible.

The PLATINUM 900 has the best voice-activated microphone system you can buy.


It's so fast, you won't miss a word. This enables you to have real conversations at a normal cadence of speech, instead of abrupt messages. Once you position the flexible microphone, adjust the VOX control, and get used to the rhythm of talking and listening; it's like talking on the telephone.

Compact, Lightweight, and Aerodynamically Shaped


The PLATINUM 900 is the most compact complete helmet radio system on the market. In relative terms it is smaller than the average computer mouse. It's also amazingly lightweight. The PLATINUM 900 weighs only 4 oz, while the Passenger Unit weighs just 3 oz! You won't notice any extra weight on your helmet. The back of the PLATINUM 900 is curved to fit the contour of your helmet. The Velcro on the back of the radio that attaches the unit sits in a recess. When pressed against the patch on the helmet, the radio fits so tight, it looks like its part of the helmet. The result is a snug, aerodynamic profile, with no noticeable wind resistance.

4. Ease of InstallationThe PLATINUM 900 is the easiest-to-install helmet system you'll ever encounter.


It securelyattaches to the left side of your helmet by means of an industrial grade Velcro patch. An extra patch is provided so you can change it from one helmet to another, in seconds. (More patches are available at a cost of $1.00 each.) The speakers are simply pressed into the "ear pockets" of your helmet and the wiring harness easily tucked away. After that, all you have to do is plug in the small belt-clip (or pocket held) power pac and you're ready to ride. Even a novice should accomplish this whole procedure in a few minutes.

In Contrast:

Click here to see a typical installation of a competitors system, as reported in RoadBike Magazine.



Most other helmet communication systems require extensive and complicated installation procedures. Some units must be installed under the seat or some other hopefully dry location. This is because they are not waterproof and must be protected from rain and moisture. These units are powered by the machine's battery and must be correctly wired to the machine's electrical system. This may sound simple, but often isn't. To do a neat job, sometimes gas tanks and other things have to be removed. This takes a lot of time and effort. And keep in mind, up to this point; you still haven't installed anything in your helmets.

Also keep in mind, with systems like these; you must always ride the same machine. You won't easily change from riding a motorcycle one day to riding another motorcycle or ATV the next. And once you're off the vehicle or its battery is dead, your ability to communicate ends.


5. The PLATINUM 900 Comes Complete.


The PLATINUM 900 comes complete with all the essentials and accessories one person requires. The optional "Passenger Unit", which you use when riding two-up on a motorcycle, is the only accessory you buy separately.

In Contrast:


Every other helmet communications system we've seen requires some degree of piecemeal buying and assembly of things that are necessary, but not included. As you will see, if you visit our competitor's websites, this approach is confusing and expensive. In cases where you supply your own 2-way radio and then buy a helmet microphone/speaker system, you have no idea how well the two will match-up. Will they perform well together or not? It's impossible to tell until you put the two together. And even then, you have nothing with which to compare the performance.

* We are acutely aware of the importance of properly matching a microphone with the rest of the radio. It's the most crucial and time consuming internal adjustment we make to the PLATINUM 900.


6. Clear, Uncluttered Radio Channels


In the United States and Canada, the region of the 900 MHz (900 Megahertz) radio band mandated for use by low-powered 2-way radios is truly enormous. We have taken advantage of this fact by sub-dividing the band into thousands of different channels. Our PLATINUM 900 comes with a 2-channel arrangement that combines simplicity of use, with a strategy for long-term usefulness. Having two broadcast channels keeps things simple. You never have to surf up and down the radio band to find a usable channel. And by having your own private club channel you are assured your enjoyment of communicating is never compromised by channel crowding, now or in the future.

1. International Channel: (broadcast channel-1)


The International Channel is a channel common to all our 900 MHz radios, including all models previous to the PLATINUM 900. It provides everyone who owns one of our 900 MHz radios (old or new) with the ability to talk to anyone else who has one. A dedicated common channel comes in handy when you meet people on a ride who are not in your group, but have our 900 MHz communicators. And, if you are ever alone and hurt, or your snowmobile or ATV is disabled on the trail, this is the logical channel to use to call for help.

It is also the channel snowmobilers should monitor for the "Groomer Warning Beacon".

2. Club Channel: (broadcast channel-2)
A Club Channel is a private channel assigned by us for the exclusive use of your group or club.


This channel will always be clear and uncluttered when you want to use it. We began offering the Club Channel option with the very first 900 MHz radios we produced back in 1992. Since then, every generation of 900 MHz communicator we've made has this optional feature. (All generations of our 900 MHz radios are fully compatible with each other provided they are programmed to the same channels.) We have already assigned more than 4000 of these channels to snowmobile, ATV, and motorcycle clubs. Check out "CLUB CHANNELS" on this site to see if your club has already been assigned one. (The clubs are not listed alphabetically, so you'll have to look through the whole state or provincial list to know for sure.)

* If you're a snowmobiler or ATV'er you may be surprised to find that your group already does have a club channel.


When we first went to the 900 MHz band in 1992, we initially researched the names and geographic locations of all registered state and provincial snowmobile and ATV clubs. We then pre-assigned them channels using a computer mapping program. Of course, in the years following, hundreds of new clubs were formed and when they ordered communicators, their names were added to the list.

Start Your Own Club!


There are many more clear channels available for new clubs. We will assign your group a new club channel with orders of 6 or more PLATINUM 900's. We never charge for programming a new communicator with a club channel. However, there is a charge for re-programming radios that have already been shipped out. (It's more difficult and time consuming to change programmed radios than it is to program new ones.) So, if you want to take advantage of the Club Channel option, we urge you to do it when you initially order.

*Channel 100


is the second channel people automatically get when they do not order a club channel programmed into their communicator. For a number of reasons ( such as; we're the only company making 900 MHz radios .... so many other people are on club channels ... it's a big country ... ... there are a million roads ) the chances of ever encountering channel crowding on this channel are very remote.

Private Mode: (between rider and passenger) (channel-3, a non-broadcast channel)


The Private Mode is a non-broadcast link between two people riding on the same machine. Couples riding two-up find it useful for a number of reasons. First, as the name suggests, using this mode keeps a couple's conversations private. Conversations are not broadcast through the airwaves; they are telephonically transmitted through the passenger cord. Note: When you are in this mode you still monitor the airwaves for any incoming messages from other riders. To respond, you simply push the mode button go to a broadcast channel. The second advantage of this mode is that it is a duplex system. You can talk back and forth just like on a telephone. You don't have to take turns sending and receiving as you do when broadcasting. You can interrupt each other any time, or if it's a real heated debate, talk right over each other. (Maybe this isn't a good idea.) And last but not least; using this mode conserves power a lot of power.
You're not broadcasting a radio signal so the drain on your power pac is kept to a minimum. Depending on how much talking you do (and whether you use the communicator to listen to music, etc. This also consumes more power. ) You may be able to go a few days between power pac recharges.

In Contrast:


Channel crowding is when many people are all trying to talk at once, on the same radio channel. Even if the crowding isn't to the point of creating an unintelligible babble, it is still extremely annoying. (The problem with hearing strangers' voices is you can't just mentally tune them out. You have to continually listen carefully just in case it's someone you want to hear from saying something to you.)

CB Radios and FRS radios


Both suffer from this problem for different reasons. The CB's great operating range makes channel crowding on all 40 channels a foregone certainty. With high powered directional antennas in use and periodic "atmospheric skipî conditions occurring, you can have voices booming in from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. While in the case of FRS radios, at least a hundred million have been sold in the U.S. and Canada, in just the last 5 years. The FRS radio band has only 14 actual channels, 22 if you include GMRS. With so many radios on so few channels extreme channel crowding is guaranteed. * Some FRS radios have "sub-channels".

These are not real channels and shouldn't be identified as such.


They are actually digitally coded signals that are transmitted along with the voice signal. Their purpose is to tell the intended recipient's radio to turn on. Digital codes stop unwanted communications on crowded channels from constantly pouring in. The trouble is, once a radio is turned on by the correct digital signal, any other voices on that channel come right through as well. This makes communication on that channel very unreliable; especially in cities were every kid has a FRS walkie-talkie.

7. Controls You Can Reach Instantly


The PLATINUM 900 attaches to the left side of your helmet. ItÍs VOX, volume, and channel controls are all readily accessible with your left hand. You never have to take your right hand off the throttle or compromise your braking ability to make adjustments.

This is only possible because the PLATINUM 900 really is a true All-Weather communication system.


We make it waterproof because it's in bad weather you need reliable communication the most. So, if you like to ride all day in a driving rain; go right ahead. The PLATINUM 900 won't let you down. We guarantee it!

* And while we are on the subject of controls;


It should be noted that our VOX and volume controls are what is known in the industry as ñinfinitely adjustable rotary " controls. This means you can fine tune the volume and VOX to exactly what you need. Many other systems employ controls were you toggle between "low - medium - high" settings. In a riding environment, there is very little chance you will have exactly the adjustment you want with this type of control.

In Contrast:


All the other helmet communications systems we have looked at are not waterproof or at least don't claim to be. Some manufacturer's literature avoids the subject altogether; as if it doesn't matter. Others address the problem by placing what they sell under the seat or some other hopefully dry location. Of course, once it's there, you can never make adjustments to controls, or change channels on the move.

8. Power Pac vs. Vehicle's Battery


If there is one idea that drives us crazy, it's the idea that people need "free" power from their vehicle's battery. Power from our battery pac is just as free and it comes free of all the negative aspects of being connected to the vehicle.


What's wrong with taking power from a vehicle's battery? Lots of things!


To start with you are tethered to the machine by a cord. Anyone who has used a "heated face-shield" on a snowmobile knows 9 times out of 10 you get off the thing without unplugging the cord to the face-shield. This results in a violent jolt to the head and neck (like calf roping in a rodeo) were your body goes one way, leaving your head stuck to the machine. It hurts. (And if you ever get thrown from the machine while tethered, you could end up with more than just a sore neck.) However, usually this aggravation doesn't last long, as sooner rather than later, you either break the cord or rip the face-shield right off. The same kind of thing is going to happen whether it's a heated face-shield or a communicator. If you stick to using a power pac will never have any neck problems.

Ignition Noise and the Problems It Causes!


The noise we refer to here is the "radio frequency noise emitted by a vehicle's ignition and electrical generation system. With an amplitude modulated or ñam radio" like a CB radio you would be aware of the ignition noise. You would constantly hear a ticking sound that rises and falls in lockstep with the rising and falling R.P.M. of your machine. With a frequency modulated or "fm radio" like the PLATINUM 900 you usually never hear the ticking noise, you just end up with a much shorter operating range.

Please Note:


Lack of background noise is the reason fm music stations sound better than am music stations. Ignition noise interference can be a problem even when you are not directly connected to the vehicle's power supply, but it is always much worse when you are. This is one very important reason we avoid using the vehicle's power supply.

* Ignition noise interference (when you're not hardwired to the vehicle) is always easy to eliminate.


Usually nothing more than using the right spark plugs or making sure the spark plug boot is pressed down firmly on the top of the plug.

Communication, when you need it most.


The times you need communication most are often when you are not on your machine, at all. This is especially true when riding a snowmobile or ATV. By carrying your power source with you, you always have the freedom of movement, and communication necessary, to coordinate activities like pulling a snowmobile out of a snow bank or winching a quad out of a mud hole. Jobs like these are always easier when you can talk about what you have to do and how you're going to do it. Also along the lines of ñneed it most ñis the situation were your machine is disabled. Even if your vehicle battery is dead, you can still call for help if you have a power pac on your person. And you never have to face the dilemma staying with your machine just so you have communication, rather than walking to find help. With a power pac you're free to do whatever you want.

You can keep your helmet on.


When people stop for some reason, they don't automatically have to take their helmets off to talk. Power pacs allow conversation with freedom of movement. Leaving your helmet on at rest stops is most common in snowmobiling where people are wearing balaclavas tucked into layers of clothing. Leaving your helmet on means you don't have to go through all the trouble of re-dressing yourself, and more importantly, you are keeping warm.
Copyright © 2007~Collett Creations

Collett Electronics Ltd

 Toll Free: 1-800-665-7888
Overseas call: (204) 663-7692 Fax: (204) 663-7978