Walkie Talkie Reviews

So, you’re in the process of deciding which 2 way Walkie Talkie is for you!

What 2 Way Walkie Talkie Features Do You Need?

Two way Walkie Talkies need to be simple.  You don’t want to spend all your time selecting variable features and messing about with awkward, fiddly knobs.  Keep it straightforward.

You may decide to select a 2 way Walkie Talkie radio with both GMRS and FRS channels.  It’s worth thinking about, especially if other users are in the same area.  The latter will result in less interference.

Try out a selection of two way Walkie Talkies to see what you like and what you don’t like.  For instance, the Cobra PR100 has a belt clip which you might like, until you find that it needs to be removed if you are to access the batteries.  Do you need to clip a Walkie Talkie radio to your belt when it fits easily into a shirt pocket?  On the plus side it has both GMRS and FRS channels.

Consider the power supply.  If you’re using it on a building site or anywhere where you can recharge it after a day’s work, then a rechargeable one may save you money, but if you’re wandering about in the vast unknown of the outback for long periods of time, you may want to consider the alternative.

What Radio Frequency is Right for You?

FRS is fine for hunting, walking, fishing or camping.  You won’t get interference and you don’t need a license.  For those of you who need a broader range, (up to 5 miles), and will be using your Walkie Talkie radio for more serious business communication, then GMRS is probably for you.
Then there are GPS-enabled Walkie Talkies.  They are ideal if you’re one for the wide open spaces.  They will map your location, your route and your destination.

Another alternative is the weather-alert enabled Walkie Talkies.  As the name implies, it will give you advance warning of adverse weather conditions.

When considering the range required, you need to think about what you’ll be using the 2 way radio for.  If you’re walking or cycling, then 2-5 miles will probably suffice.  Hunters, campers or hikers may opt for a greater range depending on the scale of the journey.

As for selecting channels, FRS and GMRS systems utilize channels 1-7.  Channels 8-14 are for use only by FRS.  Channels 15-22 are solely for GMRS.  Models vary as to how many channel options are available.  If you plan to use it in the city, where GMRS is the preferred option, you may wish to consider purchasing a 14-channel unit.

Which is the Best Walkie Talkie Brand?  Let’s look at a few.

Audiovox have some interesting features such as earbud microphones and a built in torch.  Some Garmin Rino Walkie Talkies boast a compass, a barometer, a weather receiver and an extensive memory.

Cobras are noted for their quality.  Kenwood also have a good name.  Midland Walkie Talkies offer an extensive range to choose from.  Sylvania boasts good audio input and Uniden also have a good reputation in that respect.  And, of course, Motorola, who have been making Walkie Talkies for decades, offers Walkie Talkie radios to suit every budget. that are well built and well designed.

In short, you need to think about what you will use your 2 way Walkie Talkie for and what you expect from it.  There’s a huge range available so take your time in selecting the appropriate Walkie Talkie for your own particular needs.

Motorola 53725 SLK Headset with Swivel Boom Mic (Black) $7.49 Motorola 53725 Headset 53725 Headsets & Earsets...

Motorola i530- Phone (Nextel/Sprint) $150.00 The ruggedized clamshell in Motorola's Falcon series. Meets military specs for ruggedness. Features iDEN's original Push-To-Talk walkie-talkie feature with speakerphone, and voice dialing....

AGPtek® Smart Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Two Way 2-Way Radio Watch with Wrist-operated Function $40.09 This new generation wrist watch walkie talkie has FUNCTION called Wristoperated, this wristoperated key located at the right bottomside of your device carries exactly the same functions as the PTT/Call key located on the face of the device. It can conveniently be operated by a simple and gentle upwardflex of your hand. (Make sure that the device is loosely worn, so that it can slide down easilyupo...

Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) $59.99 The Motorola Talkabout MH230 is a great choice for nearly any outdoor enthusiast. With a powerful range of up to 23 miles, this radio is perfect for family and friends to stay in touch, whether you're tackling a back country trail or trying to brave a crowded shopping mall. The MH230 has more than exceptional range. Tune into one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)...

Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) (Black/Silver) $50.09 This pair of Midland handheld GMRS radios allows you to keep in communication up to 36 miles apart during extreme outdoor activities. These feature-loaded radios include NOAA weather alert to automatically inform you of severe weather hazard information 24/7. Waterproof protection from splashing water and built-in SOS siren for emergencies. Channels (qty.): 50, Range (miles): 36, Privacy Codes (qt...

Couple using 2 way Walkie Talkies

Photograph by oferiko

4 Comments » Posted by Bradley / Walkie Talkies

Developed originally for use by the military, a Walkie Talkie radio is a portable bi-directional radio transceiver.  Each Walkie Talkie radio can transmit one at a time but the signal can be received by any number of handsets if the wattage is sufficient and the range is limited.

Today, 2 way Walkie Talkies are very popular with the police, emergency services and just about anyone who wants to keep in touch over a limited distance.  Hikers, hunters, campers and orienteering groups have found them to be an invaluable addition to their arsenal. They also seem to have been readily adopted by the construction industry as a simple and immediate way of maintaining contact with progress on site.

When considering your purchase of a Walkie Talkie radio, first think about what you want it for.  What sort of range will you need?  How much are you willing to pay?  It is important to ask yourself a few simple questions at the outset to ensure that you get the right two way radio for your needs.

Low power kids Walkie Talkies are popular as children’s toys.  Kids love to play hide and seek games with them and they’re a good way of keeping in touch with your children when you’re out around town together.

Walkie Talkie radios do not need a license if they employ the FRS range, (462-467MHz) and are available in most retail stores.  Some kids Walkie Talkies are very basic and may not even have a volume control.  In some models, the receiver’s speaker doubles as a microphone.

If you’re thinking about buying a 2 way Walkie Talkie radio, it’s well worth shopping around.  Consider contacting people who use them on a daily basis.  Their first hand experience should prove invaluable.  Online retailers are worth looking at and many provide customer Walkie Talkie reviews that you can read.  There are also specialist magazines which are good for finding out what’s happening today in the marketplace and what is on offer.  Local stores often offer a personal service and allow you to try different models before making your choice of which Walkie Talkie radio to buy.

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Midland Avp7 Rechargeable Batteries For Mdllxt210, Mdllxt310, Mdllxt410 & Gxt Series 2-Way Radios (Two-Way Radios/Scanners / Frs/Gmrs 2-Way Radio Accessories) MIDLAND AVP7 RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR MDLLXT210, MDLLXT310, MDLLXT410 & GXT SERIES 2-WAY RADIOS. RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR MDLLXT210, MDLLXT310, MDLLXT410 & GXT SERIES 2-WAY RADIOS...

Dantona Motorola Hnn9018 Equivalent Battery $85.82 Durable and reliable with much lower cost than OEM brands....

K40 2-WIRE 15 Amp 3-pin CB Power Cord With 12-volt Cigarette Lighter Plug - K403CBPP $6.66 K40 2-WIRE 15 Amp 3-pin CB Power Cord With 12-volt Cigarette Lighter Plug - K403CBPP....

Midland 22540 Headset Speaker with Boom Microphone $10.11 The Midland 22-540 headset speaker with boom microphone will make conversing on your Midland family radio easier and more convenient. Plug the headset into your radio and you are all set for hands-free operation. It's a great option when you are skiing, snowboarding, even doing garden work. It comes with an adjustable headband and a cushioned earpiece for added comfort and fit. Use the Midlan...

Walkie Talkies from a Vending Machine

Photograph by secretagentmoof

1 Comment » Posted by Bradley / Walkie Talkies

The invention of the Walkie Talkie, also known as a 2 way radio or two way Walkie Talkie, has been attributed to several people.  The inventors were:

1)    Al Goss, who came to the attention of the OSS (soon to be the CIA) in 1938.  He was a high-school student and was recruited by the OSS and they went on to develop the walkie talkie for use by the military.

2)    The engineering team at the Galvin Manufacturing Company in 1940 (soon to become Motorola).  The team was made up of Dan Noble, Henryk Magnuski, Raymond Yoder, Lloyd Morris, Bill Vogel and Marion Bond.  They produced the Motorola SCR-300.

3)    Donald L Hings, who was a Canadian.

A Walkie Talkie radio is a hand-held, 2-way transceiver with an antenna and either an earpiece simply for the user to hear or a speaker allowing those in the immediate vicinity to hear.

Following the War, 2 way Walkie Talkies came into popular use by the public and by businesses.  Using the ‘push to talk’ system, (PTT), they were available at a wide range of prices, depending on whether they were to be used as a toy or as a serious means of communication in the workplace.  Unlike the original 2 way Walkie Talkies, some of which had to be carried in a backpack, modern units are small enough to fit into your pocket.  They may be shockproof, waterproof and contain a scrambling device for privacy.  Some kids Walkie Talkies boast a Morse code facility.

As a means of instant short-range communication, 2 way Walkie Talkies have proved an invaluable asset to the work carried out by security, law enforcement, military and construction workers.  It is also of great use to the general public for use when skiing, camping, hunting and for keeping in touch with our children, particularly in areas where there is no cell phone signal.

Motorola 53725 SLK Headset with Swivel Boom Mic (Black) $7.49 Motorola 53725 Headset 53725 Headsets & Earsets...

AGPtek® Smart Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Two Way 2-Way Radio Watch with Wrist-operated Function $40.09 This new generation wrist watch walkie talkie has FUNCTION called Wristoperated, this wristoperated key located at the right bottomside of your device carries exactly the same functions as the PTT/Call key located on the face of the device. It can conveniently be operated by a simple and gentle upwardflex of your hand. (Make sure that the device is loosely worn, so that it can slide down easilyupo...

(2-pack) AGPtek® New State-of-the-art Fashionable Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Spy Wrist Watch--Auto Channel Scan--LCD display--Auto Squelch $39.99 With 6km of range, the wristwatch walkie talkie can offer you the freedom to go anywhere and do anything--from weekend hiking to just hanging out at a mall. This wristwatch walkie talkie is lightweight, state-of-the-art communications devices, providing a new fashionable communication way to your daily life. This package comes with two wristwatch walkie talkies, 2 Li-ion batteries, 2 headsets, 2 c...

Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) $59.99 The Motorola Talkabout MH230 is a great choice for nearly any outdoor enthusiast. With a powerful range of up to 23 miles, this radio is perfect for family and friends to stay in touch, whether you're tackling a back country trail or trying to brave a crowded shopping mall. The MH230 has more than exceptional range. Tune into one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)...

Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160R Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger (Red) $23.99 Small but mighty, the Eton American Red Cross Microlink FR160 multipurpose radio keeps you informed and prepared for emergencies or travel. This AM/FM/ NOAA Weather radio keeps you informed when the power is out or when you re in the great outdoors with no power or batteries. Bright 3 LED flashlight. Hand crank and Solar powered. USB Charger to hand crank charge any USB device such as MP3 pla...

Motorola's First 2 Way Radio from 1962

Photograph by bhenak

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