If you are an avid outdoorsman or just a parent with kids that like to run around the neighborhood on long summer evenings one of your best friends can be walkie talkie radios. Walkie talkies have been around for a long time, and are not a recent invention by any stretch of the imagination. Even though they have been around for a while, they are one of those products whose usefulness does not diminish with time (kind of like kitty litter or a good fly swatter). As a matter of fact, continued improvements in the technology that used to support these hand-held communications devices have really enhanced their performance. Even so, there are some things you should consider before purchasing some of these radios.
Do Your Homework – Find Out What Other Consumers Are Saying
Most 2 way radios on the market today will provide the consumer with the estimated max distance they can be used to communicate across. Be aware that this estimate is based on a perfect day when perfect environmental conditions are in effect and there are no structures (man-made or otherwise) to obstruct the signal. Radios rely on the ability to send and receive a certain range of frequencies. There are many things that can inhibit the functional range of walkie talkie radios. One of the best ways to get a realistic idea of how far a particular model will operate across is to go out on the Internet and do some research. Read user reviews…they are typically brutally honest.
Know What You Need – Before You Make A Purchase
Once you know which brands tend to perform the best, evaluate your need. If you are buying a set of walkie talkies for your kids to carry around the neighborhood you probably want a two way radio that is very rugged and inexpensive. The reason I recommend inexpensive is that kids have a tendency to lose things. The last thing you want to hear is “Dad, I lost the $250 radio you sent with me when I went to play in the field.” It’s just the way kids operate. If you have a cheap $30 set and they get lost, it is a whole lot easier to swallow. Also, if you are a serious hunter or outdoors-man, you will want a model that is highly ruggedized with great transmit and receive speeds. Sure this radio will cost you more, but when you are out on the backside of some mountain you want a radio that works.
Remember The Age Old Axiom – You Get What You Pay For
Keep your expectations realistic. If you go to your local Big Box Store and shell out $20 for a pair of talkies, expect them to last about a week and have an operational distance of about 100 yards. However, if you are in need of higher end radios that will perform consistently well over the long haul you can find them and they will be worth every penny you spend on them.
Tags: 2 Way Radios, cheap walkie talkies, expensive walkie talkies, Long Range Walkie Talkies