PRODUCT: Pure Polaris PCI Comlink RTX

WHAT IT IS:
The Comlink RTX is a compact, allin-one VHF radio and intercom system designed specifically for your UTV. A two-person intercom allows the driver and passenger to communicate within the car comfortably and is expandable for up to eight passengers. The VHF radio is used to communicate with other VHF two-way radios. In the past, this required purchase and mounting of two completely separate systems—the radio and the intercom. The new allin-one Polaris Comlink RTX is privatelabeled by PCI, “the leaders in off-road race communication,” to bring both commonly used systems together with the affordability, ease of installation and functionality that will appeal to the general market.

FEATURES:
The PCI Comlink is an all-in-one radio with both driver/passenger and push-to-talk communications for other cars or a home-base radio. The two-person intercom is expandable up to eight positions, allowing you to talk to passengers using headsets or in-helmet headsets. The Comlink features a music adapter to connect to cell phone or iPod and uses VOX Digital Squelch to automatically lower the music volume when speaking. Comlink uses a water-resistant faceplate with surface-mounted components that contact are designed to withstand vehicle vibrations. The faceplate is sealed and designed to withstand mud, water and even the pressure washer. The two-way radio provides a range of 1.5 to 2 miles from a 2-watt system that only draws 2.4–3.0 amps, compared to 50-watt radios that draw 15 amps or more. The lower power usage also allows you to communicate with other VHF radios without an FCC license.

ABOUT THE INSTALL:
The Comlink kit is very easy to install, especially in a RZR with the Polaris mounting-kit install plate. While we did install it in our RZR, the Comlink can actually be installed in any UTV, Jeep, sand car, etc. The actual Polaris mounting kit uses a plastic dash plate for super-simple install in the center mounted stock cell phone/storage spot, but we had already mounted a GPS there, so we had to improvise a little.

The kit includes the one-piece intercom and VHF radio, a coax cable for the antenna, Velcro push-to-talk button, two 12-foot helmet cables, and a music/phone adapter. With the original location available, our install would probably have taken about 45 minutes, but, with a little creativity, we were still able to get it in there in about an hour. You will need a power and ground wire from the accessory buss bar, and then you must run the antenna up the frame rail and mount it through the roof. This will require drilling the roof unless you prefer a bolt-on L-bracket. The helmet/headset wires can be run through the center driveshaft tunnel and then up to the passenger, or they can be run along the cage/roof and then hung down to the passenger head area. We opted to use the driveline tunnel and used plenty of zip-ties to keep it away from the spinning driveshaft.

OPTIONS & UPGRADES:
The Comlink comes set up for two passengers, but you can get another pair of headset cables for the backseat passengers in a four-seat UTV for an additional $100. In-helmet speaker wiring kits are $99 apiece, and you will want them for all passengers. The $29 plastic mounting plate is designed for the RZR XP, but will make for an easy install in any vehicle with a semi-flat dash that you can cut and mount it to.

WHAT DO WE THINK?
We have used similar communications in our race cars for years and love them. We have also used them in many over-the-top project builds and pre-runners, and even wished that every car would come equipped with this system. Being able to calmly talk amongst your passengers without yelling over the sound of the engine really makes for a more enjoyable experience. The ability to bring music into your ride while wearing a helmet is a huge plus as well.

It is really cool to see Polaris/PCI bring this technology to the masses with such an affordable system that is also easy to install. The two-way radio feature is perfect for car to car and will work with other people’s existing VHF radios as well. The Comlink system is the perfect combination for the average consumer to the full-blown enthusiast. We think having simple-to-use communications will honestly improve just about every UTV experience we can think of, and now more people will be able to experience it.

The Comlink is not designed for full-on race situations, as the radio is only 2 watts, leaving a lot on the table for reach-out distance in comparison to a full-blown race radio. We have actually raced the AVE Cal City Desert Racing series with ours, and it worked flawlessly. The intercom works just as well as the separate two-piece systems, and the shorter loop course kept us within reach of the home-base radio we had installed in the pits. For Baja/ BITD or any other long-distance racing, you will probably want a stronger radio to carry that extra distance when necessary.

CONTACT: www.purepolaris.com
RATING: ★★★★★
PRICE: $699, Comlink RTX kit; $99 per in-helmet headset; $29, RTX mounting kit; $99, 4-passenger communication upgrade kit