wng-2 Posted December 26, 2016 Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 I've been out for about 15 years, always rode solo.I rode a lot in Quebec, had several back to back 7k mile seasons back in the 90's. I just picked up a 2014 Yamaha RS Venture TF with 738 miles. The wife and I may not get to ride much this year, but I'm hoping this sled will give us many years of service. We ride a Honda Goldwing during the "other" season. The Goldwing has built in intercom, all you have to do is buy headsets for the helmets. We are very used to having this luxury. When I was riding, helmet communication was mediocre at best. I am certain this has improved. I'd like to know what you guys recommend for rider to rider communication, and what would be a good choice of helmets. I believe my snowmobile helmet that is stowed with other gear is a CAT modular. Also from the motorcycle world, I have a Garmin ZUMO GPS. I'm sure this technology has entered the snowmobile world, was wondering if I could make use of it, and how. Thanks very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted December 26, 2016 Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Well... Welcome Back? 15 years... things have gotten better, helmet communications may not be one of them. We struggle every year with this. For two people on the same sled I think the BlueTooth stuff is a good choice. We use the Collett stuff and it's good, but I think it is time to replace them. The GPS is going to be a big help. There is a static link to a discussion on it. Free Maps and some directions. Later GutZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Thanks very much. I was thinking Bluetooth would be the way to go. We'll have to look into suitable helmets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted December 26, 2016 Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Welcome.... that Venture will provide you plenty of years of service. For sure. Enjoy and welcome back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted December 26, 2016 Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 For communication Sena 20S pilot to passenger will be very good For GPS there are others that use Zumos as long as you can load maps you should be good to go. You can pay Trakmaps or try the free Tilou et Biscuit maps. They are both reasonably accurate to keep you on track. Also do a lot of us load iMotoneige in our mind erasers. I have definitely used iMotoneige in the trail to make a trail fork decision as a backup to my GPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnc Posted December 26, 2016 Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Welcome, I bought a 2015 venture GT to replace an aging Polaris 2 up. Still have 2 other polarises but the venture is my go to machine for 2 up. Comfortable, gas milage is decent and it is reliable. Still trying to get it to handle better on the corners but all and all very happy. Gold wing huh?, my brother has one and I ride a Nomad 1600 in summer. I use a zumo 550 on the bike, but use the IMotoneige app on a cell phone when on a sled. Not a preference, just never gave much thought about using the zumo and what Quebec trails I could load on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2016 Thanks, I love my Wing, its an 01 with 215k miles so far. My Zumo 550 quit so I bought the latest one as of two years ago, 590 I think.The more I think about it, I probably won't bother with GPS for the time being. Always got around fine as long as the signage was halfway decent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 On 12/26/2016 at 10:19 AM, actionjack said: For communication Sena 20S pilot to passenger will be very good For GPS there are others that use Zumos as long as you can load maps you should be good to go. You can pay Trakmaps or try the free Tilou et Biscuit maps. They are both reasonably accurate to keep you on track. Also do a lot of us load iMotoneige in our mind erasers. I have definitely used iMotoneige in the trail to make a trail fork decision as a backup to my GPS. I ordered a couple of HJC CL-MAX 2 helmets. I'm going to have my motorcycle guy install the Sena 20S's.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted December 28, 2016 Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 20S Install is a piece of cake. Spend some time at home around the table with the directions to pair up. They work awesome even for a short distance on the trail. Group pairing with multiple other riders is cumbersome at first. You can have an open convo with another rider while on the trail just like you're sitting next to each other in the rig on the way to the parking area to unload. Last year was not terribly cold so not the ultimate test but on one occasion I forgot to charge mine and was able to go 2 full days streaming music and communicating with the group on the charge from the day before. Very impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 12 minutes ago, actionjack said: 20S Install is a piece of cake. Spend some time at home around the table with the directions to pair up. They work awesome even for a short distance on the trail. Group pairing with multiple other riders is cumbersome at first. You can have an open convo with another rider while on the trail just like you're sitting next to each other in the rig on the way to the parking area to unload. Last year was not terribly cold so not the ultimate test but on one occasion I forgot to charge mine and was able to go 2 full days streaming music and communicating with the group on the charge from the day before. Very impressed. Great, thanks very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hparaptor Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Welcome to the forum. Lots of good people here with excellent advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 The signage in my opinion is not as good as it used to be for whatever reason possibly because most people are using GPS. I use a Nuvi 550 but the Zumo is probably even better. I recommend Trakmaps they have worked well for me and you can either download the maps or they will send you a micro SD card which your unit should have a slot for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scranton1 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I was so impressed with Trakmaps. have the 590 as well. if u hit "Where to". It will take u to gas lodging etc by trail and tell u distance. i was amazed! actionjack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 I'll have to reconsider the GPS thing. Are you using a RAM mount? Should I buy a second motorcycle cradle for the sled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scranton1 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 9 minutes ago, wng-2 said: I'll have to reconsider the GPS thing. Are you using a RAM mount? Should I buy a second motorcycle cradle for the sled? Yes and Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 2 minutes ago, Scranton1 said: Yes and Yes Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 10 hours ago, Scranton1 said: I was so impressed with Trakmaps. have the 590 as well. if u hit "Where to". It will take u to gas lodging etc by trail and tell u distance. i was amazed! I just went on Trakmaps site. They don't list the 590 as compatible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Do you have the slot for a micro SD card? It should be under the battery if so it should work but just call Trakmaps they are very helpful. Last year I left for Quebec without my card and I called them they went over and above by sending me the download version for free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 21 minutes ago, viper2 said: Do you have the slot for a micro SD card? It should be under the battery if so it should work but just call Trakmaps they are very helpful. Last year I left for Quebec without my card and I called them they went over and above by sending me the download version for free Yes. I figured out the 590 is listed and I purchased it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 51 minutes ago, viper2 said: Do you have the slot for a micro SD card? It should be under the battery if so it should work but just call Trakmaps they are very helpful. Last year I left for Quebec without my card and I called them they went over and above by sending me the download version for free Claudine and the folks at trak maps are the best... SnomoGary 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 Welcome back to the greatest sport on the planet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted January 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 45 minutes ago, Shane said: Welcome back to the greatest sport on the planet! Thanks! Looking forward to it. I got the machine on the snow for the first time around the property this weekend. Shane 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wng-2 Posted January 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 On 12/29/2016 at 5:37 AM, Scranton1 said: Yes and Yes I received and installed the Zumo Cradle and RAM mount. I have ordered Trakmaps for Quebec. Is there a way to make use of my GPS in NH & Maine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxsenior Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 You can purchase gps trailmasters snowmobile New England. Their GPS maps cover Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine and I believe new York also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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