A start-up company based in Boise, Idaho released a new communication system today designed for UTV owners. The device is being branded simply as “The COM”.
At its core, The COM equips a UTV with an intercom (think pilots and co-pilots interacting) connected to a high powered radio. This design provides owners with maximum functionality, but The COM goes even beyond that. It takes an inherently complex system, tosses in a list of additional goodies and then packages it all into simple, off-the-shelf, plug ‘n play product every UTV owner should consider.
To begin, The COM installs in minutes, without any tools or cutting plastic. It hangs above rider’s heads between the seats on the UTV’s rear cross bar. Headsets (available in both helmet and aviator style) plug in via the large, glove-friendly headset jack into what looks like an old school phone cord. Riders speak normally into the mic. The intercom amplifies each person’s voice based upon individual volume controls. Background wind and engine noise are filtered out from amplification via noise cancellation technology built into both the mic and intercom.
What all that means is that rider isolation is eliminated. While driving, The COM delivers private, hands free conversations between those inside the UTV. Push a single button installed on any handle between the riders and whomever speaks gets broadcasted. The 25 watt system is the ideal size for both UTV electrical systems and typical broadcast requirements which reach others as far as 10 miles away.
Co-inventors Kirk Hansen and Dustin Aldrich went to work built what they believe is the ideal system.
Aldrich explained the motivation:
“The cheaper options like helmet radios and Bluetooth headsets all had major drawbacks. Things like poor range, poor noise cancellation, dead batteries, wires strewn about the cabin, broadcasting menial driver/passenger exchanges, constant pairing/unpairing, or making owners pick between core functions like talking in-UTV or UTV-to-UTV. We had friends who bought these and ended up wasting a hundreds of dollars because they’d always end up putting these systems away mid-way into the ride.
Race radio kits worked beautifully, but assumed a base level of knowledge we simply didn’t have. Worse than that, these systems cost $1,000+ and didn’t even include necessary items like installation brackets, antenna mounts, specialty tools for cutting coax, etc. The significant price jump to what actually worked was frustrating.”
Group UTV rides were opportunities to test, but their friends hounded them.
“Everyone wanted one. The reality is, this type of communication system should be on the majority of UTVs. The functional benefit it provides is as significant as the popular upgrades like roofs, windshields and winches. And once you ride with one, going without is like going without your phone. We designed The COM to make UTV communication a staple.”
Four objectives drove the design
First, it had to be clear.
“We spent months upon months prototyping and testing. And then working with vendors upgrading noise cancelling mics, upgrading wire gauge and shielding and optimizing the radio until we could run the UTV at full speed and hear clearly.”
Second, it had to be “Plug n Play”.
“The key word was simplicity. Our benchmark in operations were those familiar, channel based walkie-talkies – pick a channel, push a button to talk. A standard, 3.5mm cord (included) interconnects devices like a phone or action camera. When installing it, there are no tools required – install it at the trailhead if you want.”
Third, the end product had to be in that price range between the cheaper systems and existing race radio systems.
“We want this within reach of every UTV owner.”
Fourth, it had to deliver the most value.
Hansen added, “The COM was never going to be cheap so it has to deliver a lot of value. And it had to include everything, no component picking and no hidden costs to make it work. Every COM includes upgrades that will save UTV owners a couple hundred dollars. These include in-line noise filter, antenna mount, mounting bracket and a factory sealed coax (no need for the specialty tool)”
“But we really wanted to get people talking. So we also packed The COM with features found nowhere else that we knew UTV owners would love.”
The additional functionality included:
- Dual, 9 watt LED lights to brighten dark UTV interiors at night
- A single 9 watt LED to light up the rear cargo area
- An recoiling antenna manager to bend the long antenna during storage so it doesn’t hit the ceiling
- And what is arguably the best value of all – It’s removable. Owners can now simply transfer it instead of giving it away when they sell their machine. Buy it once and use it on multiple machines
The inventors believe in their device enough to file for a US Patent.
Does the radio feature auto scanning channels?
Brian, our 25 watt radio does have a scan feature. You have to use the hand mic to scan. If you contact us via email we would be glad to send you an email copy of the manual so you can have all the details.
This review is well overdue . First let me introduce myself . I’m a vet that has lost over 80% of my hearing in one ear and over 50% in the other . I’m only correcting the better ear . So max volume and clarity is utmost important .
In early 2019 I reached out to Dustin with “The Com” . After great customer service I placed an order . For a “Plug and Play Rear Cross Bar ” unit w radio and BT for my Can Am Commander . The install was a breeze. I secured the unit quickly and easily w just to hose clamps . The unit is totally secure and out of the way . Due to living in the NE we didn’t want the radio antenna extended too high above our UTV due to lower canopies than the west ., so we brought the correct length of cable and the remote antenna mount ..After the install in Sept 2019 the riding season was over before we could test the units . We have a 300watt soundbar installed and I had let my son ride up the road playing music and neatly max volume and we could hear the music balancing off the snow for over a 1/2 mile plus .This really shined some light for my wife and I . If we can hear this from so far away ,we know others can hear our music as we’re passing through as they’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. To my wife and I it seemed like a huge level of disrespect. So this unit totally eliminated this issue
Spring of 2020 we really put the units to the test . After pairing my phone to the unit we were off . (make sure the BT volume on your phone is set to max ) . So things weren’t just right , so we returned to the house for data coverage and watched a VERY clear video on how to adjust the VOX. We made some adjustments and have hardly had to adjust since. In the past I could hardly hear my wife at all when riding . The Com has totally changed how we enjoy riding . I leave my hearing aid in without any feedback in the”Over the Head ” headphones. . We can listen to music at a comfortable level for the both of us. the VOX is set perfectly , where the music stops as either of us speak. We’re able to zoom on our trails without feeling a disrespectful guilt of music blasting . I have taken a few phone calls while riding as well. and the callers can hear us very clearly as were zooming along. The Over the Head also act at good hearing protection , as they cut a fair amount of the engine noise .
Vermont just changed the laws and 2021 will be mandatory Helmet Law .So we will be add on the helmet com
Great review Hawk. We appreciate the details.
Obrien.desi@gmail.com
Hello I’m interested in your utv coms. Does it incorporate a respecter to rebroadcast transmission?
Thanks
desi
It has a transmitter and a receiver just like all 2 way radios to allow you to communicate with other vehicles.