vt_bluyamaha54

I have used the Collett units for about 20yrs. I am on my third or fourth unit. Only had one unit fail (it was a circa 2001 unit?) and it was due to moisture getting into the unit from the microphone tube and running back into the unit. My current unit is a Platinum 900+ (Bluetooth enabled). I use Bluetooth it to listen to music and not for a cell phone. Any device that supports Bluetooth will pair and work so cell, GPS, iPod, iPhone, etc.While technology has generally advanced through the years with these - as with everything else - in my opinion they are only good for short conversations like to alert others of a hazard or approaching turn. Since they are voice activated, it takes a bit of time to adjust the unit and 'train' yourself for getting your voice to transmit. You will need to need to raise your voice and keep it at a certain level in order for others to hear you consistently. The 2 mile range is not realistic and I would say that depending on terrain and conditions, under 1 mile is about it IMO. I have a HJC modular helmet and my riding partner has a BRP modular so I can share a couple of things. Collett makes a unit specifically for the BRP modular as Mr.Gutz said. It uses a small disk type microphone that you fit into the breath mask. This frequently freezes up in cold conditions (below about 15F) due to all the moisture in the mask. I am not sure if it is due to his breathing or the lack of being triggered from not talking but it stops working. Sometimes this means stopping briefly to thaw it but other times, he is able to make it work again on the go. The battery packs with the newer units will last for a 10+ hour day in cold conditions. A couple more things - The main channel provided on every unit sold also receives the groomer warning beacon signals. Collett has provided clubs and grooming contractors with transmitters for grooming equipment that send a 'Dee DA, Dee DA' tone but we have frequently come across groomers (QC, VT, NH) that weren't transmitting. So while it is reassuring to hear a groomer warning, it isn't 100%. Since most folks leave their units on the main channel, you will know about other riders in the vicinity but if it is too 'chatty' it is nice to have the option to switch to another channel. The other channel should be chosen and specified by everyone that you will be riding with when you order your units or you will be limited to the main channel. (see the website for more info) Les Collett and his employees are great to deal with. There was an odd situation where their facility was locked down a few years ago b/c of some kind of an inventory valuation dispute with a bank(Canadian thing??) but it was straightened out over a few months. IMHO, the units are a bit overpriced but if they save someone from a mishap, it is truly a small price to pay

Always a sad day when parking the machine. What do they do to store the Gilbert and the Prinoth for the summer? As Phil said, you have added much to our enjoyment and appreciation for the Matapedia Valley. Thank you for another year of great trails, wonderful pictures, and sharing your knowledge with everyone here.

Very nice Alain. Seems this season passed quickly.

No question it's a magical land. Your pictures make us all feel like we're there. Always great to look at.

Thanks Mustang. The end of the season is always a sad time but we can't escape it.

Looks like a nice season ender for you + Lois. More blue sky days would have been nice but at least you didn't get stuck in a Gaspe blizzard. Safe travels home -

Most here know I'm a Yammi guy but my comments apply strictly to the 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke and not the brand decision. When saddlebagging why would anyone want to have to carry oil? It's a given that the BRP Linq system is slick and definitely makes carrying fuel containers simple but to feed a 2 stroke you'll sacrifice some fuel capacity b/c you also have to carry oil. If the total gals/liters you carry isn't important this may not be a consideration. Point two is reliability. Yes there are many members here who some miles on their 2 strokes but they will never last as long as a comparably maintained 4 stroke due to design. (For those that will dispute this we aren't seeing 30k miles/45k km on 2 strokes without rebuilds but it is fairly easy to find 4 strokes with that mileage - or more) I say this mainly because the variable that is fuel quality will always have a more detrimental affect on a 2 stroke motor over time. Manufacturers have tried to minimize this by requiring premium fuel for all the 2 strokes. The damage is silent and cumulative so you usually won't know about it until you have an odd noise - or a total failure. So if you rack up big miles saddle-bagging and reliability is important, it's an easy decision. ***If you're someone who trades up every year or three, this may not be a consideration. You don't get to the point where things fail.

Great trails and weather collided to probably make that week,one of the top five of the season.

First class report and pics as always Alain!

Rob + RoadRunner it has been a very interesting experience to follow this trip. It was the proverbial icing on the cake to have Rob's notes from the 2006 trip added at the end. Even without pictures, his daily recaps were the stuff that makes for a read you can't put down. Something about these trips; where there aren't maps, markers or signage make them special. As was said, pre-planning is essential but measured, logical decision making skills, relying on each other, the luck of good weather, reliable equipment, and local resources determine success or failure for these.

We just had one in Vermont this past weekend: http://www.thevermontstandard.com/2017/03/dogs-devastating-struggle-ends-in-rescue/ You have to wonder why he was riding with no helmet - although it may not have saved him due to the speed involved. Helmets are required for snowmobiling in Vermont. Vermont also has a mandatory safety course that must be completed by anyone born after 1983 - resident or non-resident. Compliance via trailside stops. Again, unsure if this person took it or was riding illegally. Like a divided highway, there is a safety value to divided trails. As someone who grooms, I can say that when they did this, it was difficult to establish and maintain. Those trails kept machines in such a fixed track that the surface actually didn't last as long as an undivided trail does now. There were also those who would jump the berm - or try - which created different issues. Sadly, like automobiles (or any other vehicle we use to move our bodies faster than walking speed), there are always risks. It seems there are always people who do things/make decisions that lead to bad outcomes. Years ago when I took the safety class with my children the instructor made a remark that has stayed with me. "When snowmobiling always expect the unexpected and never be complacent." I think its good advice.

Killer pictures guys. The Gaspe is sooo much more enjoyable with those Cobalt Blue skies than a raging blizzard - or worse, rain! Enjoy it before Mother Nature takes it away. Safe travels.

Of the places you've traveled this winter, you couldn't have picked a better place to break down Jack. Very fortunate. Glad it turned out well and it seems you have a dealer who is on his game. Thanks for your reports.

With no disrespect to Gary Pruit, I would suggest that ultimately the tour leader bears responsibility for the conduct of his group. This would apply to both trail etiquette and safety. Generally the leader rides at a pace equal to the slowest rider and everyone else follows along. When you come to slower riders, they should acknowledge you and allow you to pass when it is safe to do so. IMO, passing on the right is never OK - period! Depending on the size of the group and the lay of the land at the stop signs, maybe someone thought it wasn't a place to be able to safely pass? FWIW tour groups/large groups of sleds tend to be a bigger problem for the rest of us than vice versa.

I don't understand the focus on 'off-trail' machines by some manufacturers. It doesn't benefit us snowmobilers in the East/mid-West markets since most of that type of riding is in the West. Why I find it particularly annoying is the damage they do to groomed trails when they exit and enter the groomed trail. (The paddle tracks generally raise hell with the main part of the trail too) Then there are the landowner issues with off-trail riding when permissions have only been granted for the marked trail - The ads have created a culture of romanticizing off-trail riding but that hits the reality of limited off-trail riding areas in the East -

Almost certainly the right choice IMO. WIND is always the grim reaper in Quebec

Also, hit the 4 way flashers for visibility as soon as you find yourself with one of these ahead of you. Never understood why people think they can still drive fast when conditions are so marginal.

This technology could help but I do see two drawbacks: 1) Finding a place to conceal the unit (especially after the article mentioned an under hood location wasn't recommended) Location would need to be reasonably accessible so as to be able to check/replace batteries but at the same time sufficiently hidden and unobvious so thieves wouldn't discover it. Modern sleds don't have many unused cavities.. 2) Cooperation from the authorities in pursuing thieves you are providing the location for. Police are generally in no rush to deal with thefts so I wonder how they react when you tell them that you know where the missing sled is?

Wow Mike, it was hard to go 10mi in the 70s without changing a plug or a belt. Who could forget broken bogie wheel suspension parts and leaf springs? Starter ropes busted from pulling them so many times b/c the carbs were flood or vapor locked and wouldn't start? I'll take a modern sled any day or something from the 70s or 80s. While I don't doubt your observations of the sleds coming back broken down, I would bet you a rouge or two that most of the flatbed returns are tied to these types of problems rather than manufacturer reliability a) poor / no or improper maintenance b) bad fuel / old fuel (that has been in a sled all summer??) - see 'a' above c) improperly tensioned tracks and chaincases - see 'a' above d) lack of preparedness (carrying basic tools or knowing how to make minor repairs) I might be sticking my neck out here but I would bet that most of the folks here are riding groomed trails so with the exceptions already mentioned for standing, no one is. Why/how would you ever stand up longer than to gain + give visibility when riding on groomed trails? Am I missing something? (and I ride a Vector long track)

Much like RRs expedition, there is safety (and peace of mind) with numbers and good navigators are a requirement. Make no mistake; as ice man said, these are not snowmobile trips for the unseasoned but serious expeditions. Congrats to you boys; many of us enjoyed this more from our screens than we would have in person. When snowmobiling is more work than fun is It really still fun??

Glad you arrived home safely Bill (and JD, + Pepper also). Thanks for another year of service to all the snowmobilers who visit Paradise. Invaluable!

Yes. Don't know what happened but Patsy has not been there for about 4yrs I think but Dale + Louise continue to provide a great service for anyone snowmobiling in the Gaspe.

Awful to hear this Linda. Hope everyone recovers and get home safely.

RE: Standing. IMO it's always a good idea to stand up at road crossings to see - and BE seen. Just a safety issue.

Linda - go to: http://quebectrails.com Dale + Louise have posted information there for closed trails.