Do you carry a two-way radio when you hike? How about on backpacking and camping trips? If you don’t, you should!
A two-way radio (also known by the fun name of “walkie-talkie”!) is not merely just a fun toy, but an important safety device. A good set can be purchased for under $100.
One of the leading companies in the space is Midland, and they’ve developed a new line of two-way radios called the X-Talker series, which are excellent for hikers and backpackers.
How Two-Way Radios Are Useful in the Wilderness
- Keep in touch with other members of your group if they are hiking ahead of you or behind you.
- If you’re backpacking, and you go and get water from a creek, or leave camp to go fishing while your friends nap, then take a radio with you. That way you can radio for help, or tell your friends to come see the fish you caught!
Are two-way radios really a safety device?
If you break your leg in the wilderness and have no way of getting out, you’ll want to at least hope that you have a radio with you. Why? Because in ideal situations, when you have a clear line of site, the range can be up to 25 miles or more. The Midland X-Talkers have max ranges from 26-38 miles, depending on the model, so if a rescue helicopter is overhead you’d likely be able to communicate with it.
What are the limitations of two-way radios?
The range can be pretty limited. The radios work well if they are in the line of sight of each other, since that is how they communicate. In urban environments, walls, doors, and buildings get in the way, making the range of even the longest range two-way radios limited to under 1 mile (in my testing). In the wilderness, dense trees, rocks, and of course mountains get in the way of perfect communication; however, in multiple tests of two of Midland’s products they work well for at least a couple of miles of range in the wilderness.
What to Look for When Buying 2-Way Radios
- Stated range. Don’t expect to ever get the max range, but know that the stronger the device is, the clearer the communication will be at shorter ranges. Expect that you’ll be able to get 2-4 miles of range in normal wilderness conditions, and less than 1 mile in urban areas.
- Rechargeable batteries.
- Water resistant.
- Multiple channels and privacy modes.
Specs of Midland’s X-Talker Series T71VP3
The Midland X-Talker T71VP3 is the most powerful of the X-Talker Series, and therefore the most expensive and the largest.
- Max Range: 38 miles
- Channels: 36 and 121 privacy codes (great if you don’t want other people to scan and find your conversation easily!)
- Weather Scan: Yes!
- Battery type: 3 AA, rechargeable
- Price: $79.99 for a pair, including charging station, belt clips, and rechargeable battery packs
Specs of Midland’s X-Talker Series T61VP3
- Max Range: 32 miles
- Channels: 36 and 121 privacy codes (great if you don’t want other people to scan and find your conversation easily!)
- Weather Scan: Yes!
- Battery type: 3 AAA, rechargeable
- Price: $69.99 for a pair, including charging station, belt clips, and rechargeable battery packs
Love details? Then check out the full specs of the entire Midland X-Talker product line here:
I’ll be taking my Midland X-Talkers to Yosemite this summer. Roger that? 😉