Two-way Handheld Radio (Walkie Talkie) Recommendations?

rit · 01-06-2007, 08:19 PM

What's a good two-way radio that can be purchased for $150 or less ($300 a pair)? I want some for talking to my wife or friends when we're driving together but in separate cars.

I don't know much about them. Are they generally compatible with other models and brands, or do they need to be the same to work together? Are they rechargeable? How long do the hold a charge? What kind of range can I expect?

teknochild · 01-06-2007, 09:21 PM

get a CB radio, you can chat with it on a obscure channel or you can dial into the truckers channel and see where the cops and traffic are !

Josh49 · 01-06-2007, 11:36 PM

You can get motorola walkie talkies with a 5 mile range these days for 30 bucks. I like the talkabouts, I've used them outdoors, on the water, all over the place, and they hold up well. They make rechargabe ones and ones without rechargables. I reccomend getting some that you can drop AA's in any time if you're going to be outdoors a lot with them. Not a lot of trees have outlets on them. Similarly, for extended road trips this might be good as well. You can always get rechargable extended life AA's too, I had AA Monster batteries for my last digital camera that seemed to last forever.

Josh49 · 01-06-2007, 11:38 PM

Here's 8 miles for 40 bucks on sale:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1142292390891

PS. Just wanted to add a disclaimer, don't expect 8 real miles out of them, unless you're in very flat, very open land. For what it sounds like you're looking for, I think these would do great IMO.

It says 11 hours for battery life. Will you be driving longer than that often? You can probably buy a battery backup as well. That should cover you I think.

Josh49 · 01-06-2007, 11:48 PM

One more thing - some of the higher power channels there is a lot of legal junk about using. Make sure to read up on that first. I don't know if people actually get licenses or if there is anyone monitoring, but if you're just two cars following each other, I really doubt you'd need to use them either.. Okay, just don't want you to get in trouble, J49

SoYank · 01-07-2007, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Here's 8 miles for 40 bucks on sale:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1142292390891

PS. Just wanted to add a disclaimer, don't expect 8 real miles out of them, unless you're in very flat, very open land. For what it sounds like you're looking for, I think these would do great IMO.

It says 11 hours for battery life. Will you be driving longer than that often? You can probably buy a battery backup as well. That should cover you I think.

Read that advertisement very carefully. There is an FCC license required with this unit.

RaptorKTM · 01-07-2007, 03:50 AM

if anyone wants a business class radio i recommend radio shack, best prices and best walkies

rit · 01-07-2007, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Your comments led me to additional information that was also helpful. So far, I'm leaning towards the following units from Midland:

http://www.midlandradio.com/comersus...idProduct=5507

Found them on Froogle for $61 a pair. Amazing.

01-06-2007, 08:19 PM	#1
rit Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Two-way Handheld Radio (Walkie Talkie) Recommendations? What's a good two-way radio that can be purchased for $150 or less ($300 a pair)? I want some for talking to my wife or friends when we're driving together but in separate cars. I don't know much about them. Are they generally compatible with other models and brands, or do they need to be the same to work together? Are they rechargeable? How long do the hold a charge? What kind of range can I expect? __________________ Matt 335i Sedan \| Arctic Metallic \| Black Leather / Light Poplar \| All Options Read About My Performance Center Delivery (with Pics)
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01-06-2007, 09:21 PM	#2
teknochild Your resident 4um troll 139 Rep 2,020 Posts Drives: 335 coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fl iTrader: (0)	get a CB radio, you can chat with it on a obscure channel or you can dial into the truckers channel and see where the cops and traffic are ! __________________ RAWRrrrr
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01-06-2007, 11:36 PM	#3
Josh49 Major General 254 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	You can get motorola walkie talkies with a 5 mile range these days for 30 bucks. I like the talkabouts, I've used them outdoors, on the water, all over the place, and they hold up well. They make rechargabe ones and ones without rechargables. I reccomend getting some that you can drop AA's in any time if you're going to be outdoors a lot with them. Not a lot of trees have outlets on them. Similarly, for extended road trips this might be good as well. You can always get rechargable extended life AA's too, I had AA Monster batteries for my last digital camera that seemed to last forever. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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01-06-2007, 11:38 PM	#4
Josh49 Major General 254 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Here's 8 miles for 40 bucks on sale: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1142292390891 PS. Just wanted to add a disclaimer, don't expect 8 real miles out of them, unless you're in very flat, very open land. For what it sounds like you're looking for, I think these would do great IMO. It says 11 hours for battery life. Will you be driving longer than that often? You can probably buy a battery backup as well. That should cover you I think. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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01-06-2007, 11:48 PM	#5
Josh49 Major General 254 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	One more thing - some of the higher power channels there is a lot of legal junk about using. Make sure to read up on that first. I don't know if people actually get licenses or if there is anyone monitoring, but if you're just two cars following each other, I really doubt you'd need to use them either.. Okay, just don't want you to get in trouble, J49 __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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01-07-2007, 03:50 AM	#7
RaptorKTM Colonel 244 Rep 2,366 Posts Drives: 1 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 M [0.00]	if anyone wants a business class radio i recommend radio shack, best prices and best walkies
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01-07-2007, 09:03 AM	#8
rit Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info guys. Your comments led me to additional information that was also helpful. So far, I'm leaning towards the following units from Midland: http://www.midlandradio.com/comersus...idProduct=5507 Found them on Froogle for $61 a pair. Amazing. __________________ Matt 335i Sedan \| Arctic Metallic \| Black Leather / Light Poplar \| All Options Read About My Performance Center Delivery (with Pics)
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