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Best Walkie Talkies For Hiking
When it comes to communication, the walkie talkie, otherwise known as the two-way radio, has been around for quite some time now. In this review I take a look at the best walkie talkies for hiking.
These items really are fantastic because they use radio waves instead of cell phone signal waves, and thus are much more reliable.
On that same note, they also allow you to communicate with a nearly limitless amount of people, as long as they are on the same frequency as you.
The thing is that there are so many brand names and models of walkie talkies out there, that finding the right one for you can be really hard.
There are literally thousands of possible products out there, and looking at all of them will make your head spin. Well, we are here today to look for the best walkie talkies for hiking.
Read my guide on what to look for in a quality set of walkie talkies before browsing the individual models in this review.
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Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Motorola MS350R FRS Weatherproof Two-Way - 35 Mile Radio Pack
This first option is one of my personal favorites, hands down. The Motorola MS350R comes with 2 walkie talkies, 2 holsters, 2 batteries, and a dual charger.
This set features a rating of IP54, which is pretty decent. It is highly resistant to dust and can survive in wet weather conditions, although it cannot be submerged in water.
The Motorola MS350R features 22 channels, each of which has 121 privacy codes for safety and less interference. On that same note, you also get access to NOAA channels for safety alerts regarding the weather.
These walkie talkies are quite impressive with a 35-mile range.
You can use AA batteries or the included rechargeable batteries, both of which will provide you with a 10-hour runtime. Here you also get a VibraCall alert function, as well as a PTT power boost capability.
- Motorola MS350R 35-Mile Waterproof Talkabout 2 Way Radio, 2 Pack
- Waterproof Survives Water Dunk and Heavy Downpours
- Up to 35-mile Range
- 22 Channels, plus 8 Repeater Channels, each with 121 Privacy Codes
- IP-67 Waterproof
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Motorola Talkabout Radio MH230R
This is another of my favorites, as it is not very expensive, but is still very useful and durable. Here you also get 2 walkie talkies, 2 belt clips, 1 dual charger, and rechargeable battery packs. Just like the above Motorola option, these two-way radios have a 10-hour battery life, which is not bad.
Keep in mind that the battery life for the rechargeable battery is 8 hours, whereas the life for alkaline batteries is closer to 10 hours.
The Motorola Talkabout Radio MH230R has a range of 23 miles, which is significantly shorter than the above model, but the lower price is also worth keeping in mind. These walkie talkies come with 22 channels, each of which also has 121 privacy codes.
On that same note, you also get access to 11 weather channels, 7 of which are NOAA, so you always have access to emergency information. What does need to be said here is that the Motorola Talkabout Radio MH230R is not exactly the most durable option to go with.
- 10-hour alkaline or 8-hour rechargeable battery life
- 11 weather channels (7 NOAA) with alert features
- 22 channels each with 121 privacy codes for superior interference protection
- Pair of two-way radios with up to 23 mile range
- Includes: 2 radios, 2 belt clips, 1 dual drop-in charger, 1 charging adaptor, 2 NiMH rechargeable battery packs, Available in yellow
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Cobra ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie
This is another one of those options which I think can easily take the number one spot. The most impressive aspect here is that the Cobra ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie has a very impressive 37-mile range, which should be more than enough for most needs. Also, this one is super durable because of its very hard shell.
It also features a rating of IPX7, which means that it is dustproof and waterproof. Even better is that it actually floats in the water too, so it will never sink.
The Cobra ACXT1035R FLT Walkie Talkie comes with an LED flashlight on the bottom for emergencies. It also features very many channels with access to NOA and various weather channels for your own safety, for privacy, and for a lack of interference.
What is really cool here is the voice activated hands-free transmission, plus the 20 second automatic say again rewind feature is neat as well.
- Up to 37 mile range - Provides extended signal range with 2662 channel combinations
- NOAA weather and alert - Be prepared for storms and emergencies with built-in NOAA radio receiver and alert in the event of weather or other emergencies
- VOX - The users voice is detected and the radio transmits without the need to press any buttons, freeing hands for other tasks
- Floating - Never lose your radio. Floating design and orange core makes retrieving the radio easy if dropped in water
- VibrAlert - Enhanced vibrating feedback to notify you of incoming transmissions
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Midland - GXT1050VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio
This is a pretty high-tech and advanced pair of walkie talkies to go with for hiking. They feature a 36-mile range, which is quite impressive. Moreover, here you get access to various NOAA channels and 10 available weather channels for important alerts.
On that same note, these two-way radios come with 50 general service channels, plus 142 privacy codes to provide you with up to 3,124 channels for the ultimate in privacy and security.
These walkie talkies are quite compact and lightweight. They also feature a rating of JIS4, which means that they are dust and splash resistant.
No, they are not waterproof, but they are splash resistant and can handle some rain, plus they feature a fairly durable shell as well. These two-way radios even comes with 5 different animal calls, which comes in pretty handy for hunting.
- 2-WAY RADIOS - These walkie-talkies feature 50 GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels, along with channel scan to check for activity. The JIS4 Waterproof Protection prevents splashing water from having any harmful effect on it (splash resistant).
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: Radios (x6), rechargeable battery packs (x6), boom mic headsets (x6), belt clips (x6), 120V dual desktop charger(x3), AC adapter,-DC adapter(x3), and an owner’s manual.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Walkie Talkies 2 Way Radios-Olywiz
These are some nice and affordable walkie talkies to go with. They are not the best in the world, but they definitely get the job done, and they don’t cost too much.
For one, they are fairly lightweight and compact. They also feature an IP rating of 54, so they are dust proof and water resistant, but not waterproof.
Other than that, they do have a fairly durable outer shell. What is also nice is that these walkie talkies have an insane 48-hour battery life when in use. They also feature a lot of channels, emergency channels, NOAA alerts, and even have a flashlight too.
- High/Low Power Settings(5W/0.5W); Frequency Range:87-108MHz(Only commercial FM radio reception) VHF:136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF:406-470 MHz(Rx/Tx).
- Dual-band handheld transceiver with display function menu on the display LCD.
- Function:BCLO(Busy Channel Lock) ,VOX (Voice Operated Transmission/Hand Free).
- Note: The UV6S two-way radio defaults frequency is 136-174/406-470MHz (5W Output),Helpful Olywiz Guides and Programming Tips at Olywiz.net.
- All olywiz two-way radio transceiver comes with 2 year warranty and 30 days no reason to return
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, the Motorola MS350R receives my top pick and the pair I’d put in my backpack. This walkie talkie features a good battery life, it is small and compact, very durable and waterproof, has many channels, lots of security, and a long range too.
On the other hand, my best buy award goes to the Cobra ACXT, as it is a nice all-around option to go with, as it does pretty well in all of the important categories, plus it comes in at a fairly low price. Whatever the case may be, be sure to choose wisely!
Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What To Look For When Choosing Two-way Radios For Hiking
As we said, before we get into looking at specific two-way radios for hiking, there are a few things that you need to look out for before you buy any set. These factors are very important to keep in mind, as they will help you come to a good purchase.
Range and Power Output
One of the most important things to look for when buying walkie talkies is what their power output is like. Walkie talkie power output is measured in watts. Simply put, the higher the wattage of the two-way radio in question, the more power it has.
In other words, the more watts a walkie talkie puts out, the stronger the signals’ strength will be, and therefore the longer the range at which they can effectively communicate.
Before you make a purchase, look for the exact maximum distance at which any walkie talkie can reach. Generally speaking, you want the maximum distance to be a bit further than what you think you will need.
Weight and Size
Another important aspect to keep in mind before you buy any walkie talkie is how big and heavy it is. Simply put, you don’t want to be carrying around a brick when hiking. Hiking is all about packing light whenever possible, so you don’t want a two-way radio like you see in old military movies.
Not only do you want the radio to be lightweight, but small and compact as well. You will want to be able to fit it in your pocket with ease. These things are supposed to be small and convenient, so look for a compact one that won’t weigh you down.
Durability
The next factor to take into consideration before you buy a two-way radio is how durable the model in question is. First and foremost, since you will be using the walkie talkie for hiking, which is outdoors, you want it to be waterproof. Here you want to pay attention to the rating which is given to the walkie talkie.
For instance, an IP67 rating would mean that it is dust resistant and can be dropped in water for a few minutes. The first number refers to the resistance against solid particles, whereas the second number refers to liquids. The higher this rating is, the more durable and resistant to small particulates and liquids the item is.
Number of Channels
The other thing that you want to look out for is how many channels the walkie talkie in question has. The more channels there are, the less interference from others you will be faced with. Having access to emergency channels is also very useful when it comes to hiking.
Also, having access to NOAA and local weather channels will come in handy as well, especially if you plan on being outdoors for several days at a time.
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