Affordable walkie talkies

thanks for all the replies! very interesting reading.... think i need to do a bit more research!

 
The Motorla TLKR T80 lets you have free conversations using an original and stylish modern designed walkie talkie with all the usual features you would expect from Motorola 2-way radios. <- so do all of 'em.
This robust license free 2-way radio with a splash proof exterior is easy to use and has a range of up to 10km*, a useful built-in torch and 8 channels making it ideal for outdoor activities. <- bollocks. In a straight line over water maybe, but otherwise a couple of hundred meters through forest and blocked by hills/walls so hit'n'miss inside/around buildings - plasterboard walls and windows r good, solid brick walls r bad.




Features:

  • Caller ID <- not needed
  • Group calls <- not needed
  • 8 PMR446 channels with 38 sub-channels and 121 codes <- standard
  • LED torch <- not needed
  • Splash resistant <- should bloody hope so
  • 10 call tones <- not needed (call tones are so annoying that hopefully you'll not be impolite enough to use any)
  • Back-lit LCD screen display <- standard
  • Headset port <- very important
  • Scan/Monitor function <- standard
  • Keypad lock <- standard
  • Mute function <- may be useful but not if you use a headset & you probably will
  • Battery level alert <- good feature
  • Automatic change of channel <- dunno what that does exactly but sounds potentially very annoying
  • Vibrate alert <- will just run the batteries down faster
  • Stop watch <- might be useful for some very specific milsim type circumstances, otherwise not needed
  • Rechargable NiMh batteries (included) or 4 x AAA batteries (not included) <- standard
  • Battery life in standby: approx. 16 hours with supplied NiMh batteries <- ok
  • Weight: 140g without batteries <- fraction heavy but not worth making an issue of
  • Size: 57 x 171 x 40mm <- big
Price = £80 <- probably fair enough for all the bells and whistles, but you don't need most of 'em.

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The Motorola TLKR T60 lets you have free conversations using an original and styish modern designed walkie-talkie with the all the usual features you would expect from Motorola 2-way radios. It is the ideal way to stay connected for outdoor activities, with arange of up to 8km*. You do not need a licence and it is easy to use. The voice activation function makes it even more practical. <- you don't want this active b/c your AEG will trigger it
*The indicated communication range is based on optimum conditions of a space without obstacles. Various factors such as terrain, climate conditions, electromagnetic interference, physical elements (walls) can mean the range varies. <- exactly
Features:

  • Up to 8km range <- see above - that is a standard claim though
  • Unlimited number of simultaneous users <- obviously
  • Frequency band: PMR446 - license free <- obviously
  • 8 channels, 38 sub-channels, 121 codes <- standard
  • Scan/Monitor function <- standard
  • Vox function: hands-free voice activation <- see above - use a headset & PTT instead
  • Keypad lock <- standard
  • Battery status indicator <- standard
  • Belt clips <- might be useful but may make you lose it - pouches are better
  • Rechargable NiMh batteries (included) or 4 x AAA batteries (not included) <- standard
  • Headset port <- very important
  • 5 call tones <- see above - not needed
  • Back-lit LCD display screen <- standard
  • Automatic disconnect function <- hopefully that means power saver function, otherwise it could be very annoying
  • Size: 5.5 x 16.5 x 3cm <- standard
  • Weight: 103g (without batteries) <- average
Price = £58 <- hmmmm, i'd say £50 is fair / doesn't mention "water/splash resistant" which may be very bad

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These are the best value for money <- everything you need & more + very robust & excellent water resistance

 
You can also check out the Binatone Terrain 750s,they are something along the lines of Cobra and low-mid end Motorola radios. I have one,very battery efficient,splash resistant(Yet to test this!) really solid comms,cheap and robust,bog standard affordable radio IMO. Nothing fancy,few handy features like the low battery alert. Price is around 40-50£ depending where you buy from.

Binatone's also the OEM for a few Motorola radio models,if that helps :P

 
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No offence UTJ, but as an experienced sound engineer, i wouldn't pay money for anything branded Binatone. Belongs in the bin a tone. Signal isolation from interference sacrificed to cost = usual MO. Better to keep the basics good and sacrifice features to keep costs down - like the cheaper Motorola TLKR range.

 
Eh,No problem. I'm more inclined to believe you since you're obviously more experienced with this sort of stuff. I only bought one to serve as a temp for a MILSIM game before getting a fancier Motorola or Baofeng. I did hear a few reports of the newer binatones like the 'action' and 'terrain' (What stupid names :P ) series working surprisingly well in forested areas.

I think I;ll run this one I have 'till I get me a Hicapa and sort out all my other funds,then move on.

 
Yeah, at the end of the day, they all transmit 0.5W and their antenna are very similar. You get some which manage a blim better reception by using a better chip managing the squelch/pre-amp interaction, but you're not really going to notice it unless you spend enough for XTNi / XTNiD sort of quality. The main difference between the sub £100 ones is bells & whistles which we, as airsofters, hardly ever, if ever, use. The cheaper and/or crapper ones suffer more and more from distortion, but it matters where the majority of it enters the system: in the amp stage is better b/c keeping the volume low increases the signal to noise ratio, whereas before that and it's there whatever you do - the thing is the pre-amp is part of the main chip, which is why Motorola have the edge when it comes to cheaper handsets - they brand their own chips.

 
I own a pair of Motorola TA-200s and they're very good despite the bright colours, although I use the dark blue one and I let my mate use the bright yellow handset when we go skirmishing. He has a pouch big enough for it anyway.

 
I've found XTR446 radios to be fine for outdoors. If you want to look like the real deal, get yourself a faux PRC152 radio case and try a fancy PTT setup. At least that's what I'm attempting!

 
As Ian said, they are all much of a muchness in that they have to conform to a standard.

I doubt the Twintalker was designed for Airsofting. I suspect this has more to do with the fact that they have added some bits to the package. Also I wish suppliers would stop quoting 10Km range.

You will never attain that in practice and I think it is misleading. There seems to be a lot of BS and misconceptions about PMR 446 radios. I work with the professional stuff on much higher powers and different bands and PMR446 is basically a low range radio for the masses.

However, its fine for short range team comms - typically a few hundred metres in woodland, but remember its not secure. Anybody can listen in.

Personally I would worry more about which mic and headset to use.

 
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dont all jump on me at once...........but.........

i went for a binatone deal that i found... was £100 for 4 radios plus battery docking stations.

if they dont work out ill sell them on just needed something quick and easy to use really.

thank you all for your advice though i have kept all the info so when i choose to upgrade and get better comms ill keep all this in mind.

the only reason i got these binatone ones is because they were being sold so close to me i would have to pay any extra for postage etc and im only paying for 1 of them essentially.

 
Really?

Oh well, give them a try, see how you get on.

Be careful when you buy a headset/PTT for them as if you upgrade to a better radio, you will need to match the connection which can be a bit limiting.

 
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