Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: baker5150 on October 05, 2015, 04:06:55 PM

Title: 2 way radios
Post by: baker5150 on October 05, 2015, 04:06:55 PM: Need advise on what brands work the best.
I've used Cobra and Motorola

Both weren't as advertised.
I want long battery life (atleast a full day)and good, long range, reception. These will be used in the mountains so terrain plays a factor.

Anyone use the Garmin Rhino? Worth the $?
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: HUNTaHOLIC5 on October 05, 2015, 04:26:40 PM: Maybe others have had different results but I'm not impressed at all with the Garmin rino as a radio. I Do like how it updates and shows hunting partners your location but it doesn't seem to work as well as a dedicated two way radio for communicating. We had a cobra and rino on the bed of a truck when someone was trying to talk and the Cobra picked them up. It wasn't tell another 15 minutes that the rino was able to communicate with him.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: Buzz2401 on October 05, 2015, 04:29:14 PM: I've had motorola nad cobras and they both work great. As far as battery life ditch the rechargeables and get some good lithium batteries.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: ComfortablyNumb on October 05, 2015, 04:37:13 PM: My wife got these so she could keep in touch with me when I was about the property. Amazingly they work well, she can reach me a mile away.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B3VNL8?ref_=pe_527950_34207380
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: C-Money on October 06, 2015, 08:30:25 AM: I am still using some Cobras that are going on 10 years old now. Very good range and batteries seem to last for days. These radios have the NWS channels to, which I really like.

we are not using rechargeable batteries, using AAAs in just about any brand.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: baker5150 on October 06, 2015, 08:45:39 AM: Thanks for the Reply's. Turns out I haven't used Cobra's. I've used Motorola and Uniden.

I'm going to pick up some Cobra's and try my luck.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: nastybynature on October 06, 2015, 09:02:03 AM: Put some different batteries in. Our Motorola's work great for 5 years now. Just have to keep good batteries in.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: baker5150 on October 06, 2015, 09:08:04 AM: Quote from: nastybynature on October 06, 2015, 09:02:03 AM
Put some different batteries in. Our Motorola's work great for 5 years now. Just have to keep good batteries in.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I've tried that. Motorola worked OK, but go thru battery too quickly, even lithium battery packs would die mid day. Then one just died and never turned on again.

My buddies midlands worked ok too but no battery life.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: MADMAX on October 06, 2015, 09:26:44 AM: Garmin 530 with the gps stays charged for days
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: birddogdad on October 06, 2015, 09:29:37 AM: Quote from: baker5150 on October 05, 2015, 04:06:55 PM
Need advise on what brands work the best.
I've used Cobra and Motorola

Both weren't as advertised.
I want long battery life (atleast a full day)and good, long range, reception. These will be used in the mountains so terrain plays a factor.

Anyone use the Garmin Rhino? Worth the $?

make sure you get a garmin that can carry 5 watt signal... some of the new 600's are a 2 watt radio and don't have range! love my garmin's, have a father pushing 75... always great to know EXACTLY where he is, many years back, same with sons locations too..
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: SuperX on October 06, 2015, 11:17:46 AM: The Rino 650's default to 2W but you can change that to 5W.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: gilroym on October 06, 2015, 11:50:17 AM: I have a set of midland radios they have worked well for me and I also hunt in the hills.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT1050VP4-36-Mile-50-Channel-Two-Way/dp/B001WM73P0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1444157347&sr=8-4&keywords=midland+2+way+radio (http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT1050VP4-36-Mile-50-Channel-Two-Way/dp/B001WM73P0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1444157347&sr=8-4&keywords=midland+2+way+radio)

Quote from: baker5150 on October 05, 2015, 04:06:55 PM
Need advise on what brands work the best.
I've used Cobra and Motorola

Both weren't as advertised.
I want long battery life (atleast a full day)and good, long range, reception. These will be used in the mountains so terrain plays a factor.

Anyone use the Garmin Rhino? Worth the $?
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: Buzz2401 on October 06, 2015, 03:49:11 PM: Not litium battery packs lithium disposables. Get away from the rechargeables
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: Wazukie on October 06, 2015, 04:03:25 PM: Since I know that you all want to be law abiding citizens, make sure you check the rules and regulations when you use those radios. ALL FRS frequencies are limited to .5 watts and GMRS< well you need a license for that. I know they don't tell you that when you buy them, but it is regulated by the FCC :tup:
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: Bango skank on October 06, 2015, 04:15:07 PM: Quote from: HUNTaHOLIC5 on October 05, 2015, 04:26:40 PM
Maybe others have had different results but I'm not impressed at all with the Garmin rino as a radio. I Do like how it updates and shows hunting partners your location but it doesn't seem to work as well as a dedicated two way radio for communicating. We had a cobra and rino on the bed of a truck when someone was trying to talk and the Cobra picked them up. It wasn't tell another 15 minutes that the rino was able to communicate with him.

Are these the only types that will show you hunting partners locations? Seems like a good thing to have.
Title: Re: 2 way radios
Post by: Vortectoy on October 09, 2015, 07:26:47 PM: My dad and I have used handheld vhf radios for the last three years. They seem to work awesome! I think they were like 350 including the programming.