Which 2 Way Radio and why?

[hangumhi]

I've been looking for a new set of radios.  Right now I have three handheld Motorolas that have 5 mile range but really that equates to .5 miles if you're lucky.  I've seen these 25 mile radios and was wondering if anyone can give me advice on them if you've seen them in action.  Thanks

[huntnphool]

FWIW, I have tried several and always go back to these. I now have picked up 5 total on Ebay. I dont know why they ever stopped making these, they are the strongest I've ever used. We use them hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and on our car rally's. All the guys in the cars say I come over loud and clear compared to everyone else using those little ones. One bonus for not making them anymore is they are getting cheap on Ebay. Anyhow just my $.02.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-Talkabout-Distance-DPS-Two-Way-with-Mic-extras_W0QQitemZ110235903814QQihZ001QQcategoryZ20383QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[M_ray]

I have no problem with the Rino by Garmin it has a great range (up to 16 miles) and is a GPS that tracks your buddies movements as well.

[LongTatLaw]

We use a HARRISON bran radio at work and Ill see where one can buy one on the civilian market... friday I left mine turned on and I was talking to people near the town of Rainier when I was at exit 134 on I5 North of the Tacoma Mall. But they probably are expensive!

M-Ray, dont suppose you know how to fix my Rhino 120 that suddenly stopped working for no reason? It was ok before it died!

[M_ray]

mmm Not really I have the 530 chx but I can tell you that if you call Garmin they have an awesome warranty replacement department. A few years ago I left my gps on tmikes rig when he pulled out it went flying down the highway  anyway it still worked but the back was broken well they sent me a cord for free to transfer all my data to my computer so when I bought a new one I would still have all my previous waypoints.

[bowhuntin]

I have been using these cobras for the past couple years:

http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=275&category_ID=29

They work okay, it is just like cell phones though if you get down into a hole it can be hard to hear or talk to someone on them. They are small and can be silenced which is nice, but if the battery goes dead and you don't have an outlet to plug them into recharge you are out of luck for you radio for the rest of your hunt or what ever you are using them for. The batteries will last around 24 hours. Try to get some radios that use AA batteries so you can bring some extras in case they go dead.

[Red Dawg]

my vote is the garmin rhino 120. The perfect amount of features for the money.

[boneaddict]

I still use the 30-06.  One shot means I have killed something.  X amount of shots in a particular order means it got me before I killed it, or its dark and I can't find my way out.

[boneaddict]

these trad bows don't work quite as effective, but where I am at, no one will hear me anyway.

[ICEMAN]

Motorola elcheapo's.  I leave one on in the rig, always charging, then trade it out with the one from my hiking gear when I hit the trail. this way I always leave the road with a topped off unit.

I also like the elcheapo's., because I have had to lend one to someone in our camp on more than one occasion, because they showed up to camp and forgot to bring theirs...  

Regarding range..., the steep country we usually hunt in... seems like everyone loses the ability to receive when you are in a deep canyon anyway...  Are some of your better radios actually pulling in signals when other radios are dropping out?

[bowhuntin]

Regarding range..., the steep country we usually hunt in... seems like everyone loses the ability to receive when you are in a deep canyon anyway...  Are some of your better radios actually pulling in signals when other radios are dropping out?

Good question, do the expensive radios like the garmin rhinos work better than the motorolas or cobras that you can get for cheap? If so it might be worth it to throw down on some more of the expensive units.

[Crunchy]

I would go with the Garmin Rino.  I would also spend the extra money and get the 520 or 530 because of the extended range.  I upgraded from the 120 because it wouldnt go more than a mile in the ruff stuff.  The mapping feature is sweet.

[huntnphool]

Regarding range..., the steep country we usually hunt in... seems like everyone loses the ability to receive when you are in a deep canyon anyway...  Are some of your better radios actually pulling in signals when other radios are dropping out?

Those Talkabout DPS have worked better than anything I have used. I would have to look at the power rating on them but we can communicate with each other when friends with different units have long disappeared. They tell us that they were able to hear us calling them but we couldn't hear them replying, even though we could hear each other.

[ICEMAN]

Thanks. I need to start breaking some gear up, so I can justify replacing it.... 

Maybe start letting the kids play with the radios at school or a sleep over or something... Look honey what the kids did, they broke my stuff...

[huntnphool]

Thanks. I need to start breaking some gear up, so I can justify replacing it.... 

Okay folks I have an idea, I know stop laughing   With as many people on here questions like this can easily be answered if we have some volunteers that are willing to give honest opinions and not be biased by outside influences. What I propose is the next time a question like this comes up, how about some of us volunteer the gear we have to be checked out by others out in the field. Seems a no brainer to me, I have loads of gear I'm betting others would love to check out before buying, and I know everyone on here has other gear that can be compared to. Obviously we don't know each other personally and apprehension of loaning out big dollar items is understandable but I have to believe there are trustworthy folks on here that would be more than willing to help out and make this a positive opportunity. I'm not claiming to have all the answers, as I know there will be loads of questions, but collectively we should be able to come up with a decent plan. Let me know what you think, am I being naive to believe I can trust others with a $2000.00 spotter or binos? Maybe so but I choose to believe there are a load of good people on here that would appreciate the opportunity to compare products in the field before dumping a load of cash. ??