Snowmobiling is a great way to spend an afternoon, or an entire day if you’re lucky. However, safety is important when you’re out riding your favorite trails or even taking your snowmobile off-track to explore new territory.
One key safety factor is effective communication over great distances, which is why push to talk two-way radios rein supreme when it comes to snowmobile communication. However, there are a few things you need to know when choosing the best radio to meet your needs.
Why Push to Talk?
Push to talk offers a wide range of options and safety features to consider when choosing radios. One of the most important, for snowmobilers, is GPS location features that allow people to locate your radio by GPS if an accident happens, you get caught in a snowstorm, or if you simply become lost from your group.
GPS allows people to find you quickly and bring you to safety in most situations and provides exact location information for you when emergency services are required.
Since snowmobiling is an activity that does involve some risk and exposure to nature, the added safety of GPS tracking along with the ease of communication that push to talk services facilitate makes it an ideal choice for safety and communication when you’re out riding.
Another exciting factor concerning push to talk communication for snowmobiling is the cost factor. PTT is an affordable alternative to high-dollar communications systems that offers ease of use, sound cancelling features for clear communication, and easy compatibility with most radios on the market today.
Choosing the Right Radio for Ruggedness, Durability, and Water Resistance
There are two prime considerations when choosing a radio suitable for push to talk communications while snowmobiling.
- The radio’s IP rating. This rating refers to the particle and water resistance a radio has and is closely related to its durability for use in the snow. The IP rating is a two-digit number. The first number indicates the solid resistance the radio has (dust, rocks, and other types of solid particles), while the second number refers to its water resistance. The higher the number is, the better resistance it offers to both with 9s referring to near impermeability.
- The durability of the radio. You want a radio that’s built to handle a little rough treatment on the trail (and off) and keep on working. Snowmobile accidents, falls on the trail, and other mishaps can render less rugged radios useless at times when they’re needed most. Make sure your radio offers an adequate amount of durability to maximize your safety.
Individual models have different IP ratings, make sure to check them out and consider investing in models that offer the best bang for your buck when it comes to cost and protection.
You can read more about two-way radion IP radios in our blog.
You can compare PTT device IP ratings here.
Peak PTT offers a variety of push to talk radios for snowmobiling and will be happy to help you get the one that meets your needs best. Contact us today with your questions and concerns and to get help finding your best match from our selection of PTT radios. Call: 855-600-6161.