two-way radios

[jstfish48162]

this isn't just for ice fishing, but with that season approaching, i would like throw this out to all of ya.

what type or brand of two-way radio would be the best investment?

i plan on getting a set of 2, so i can allow the person i am fishing with to have one, in case we were to go seperate ways searching for active fish.

[Steve]

See:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=1


and


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/hunting_articles/communications.htm

[jstfish48162]

thanks steve...where would be the best place to find these? would like to get a set soon, so i can get somewhat familiar with them before venturing out on the ice. cost?

[Steve]

They are sold on ebay new all the time by sportsmansguide.com

[Banditto]

$10 pair of Motorola radios after mail-in rebate from outpost.

Here is the radio link. (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3854337)

Here is the rebate form. (http://image.ak.outpost.com/art/rebates_pdf/3854337.pdf)

[Steve]

Beware that the only way you are going to get the maximum range these radios promise is if you are in line of sight.

[Banditto]

Steve is right, but I have a pair of these and a pair of the $100/each Motorolas and they both can go about 1.75 miles through about 25% trees.

[Burksee]

I have the Talkabout 250's, bought a set several years ago. They work great. I think they work better than some of the "cheaper" ones as well. At deer camp this year we had several guys that bought the Cobra, Midland and Samsung. They all worked but the Motorola Talkabouts were clearer, seemed to carry there signal farther and didnt have that anouying "report" that "beeped" everytime someone finished talking. My $.02, For yourself, buy the best you can afford. For the kids the cheapies are fine and work well as backups for one in your group that dont have there own. And always use alkaline batterys, they last much longer. I did like the recharging station that one Midland model has. They come with rechargable batterys and a charging station much like a cell phone, and was about $60.00 for a set of two! Again, not the quality of the Motorola but great for the weekend warrior or the kids!

[jstfish48162]

thanks for the input guys. i will be purchasing mine this weekend, while "Christmas shopping".

not sure which ones i will be getting, but will get the best that i can afford.

again, thanks for the help.

[Lunker]

Ive got kenwoods that were on clearance for 15 a peice that work better than my buddies Motorolas somedays. GM has sales all the time.

[Joe'sCat]

Be sure to get ones with "privacy codes" and all 14 channels. Might as well, as that doesn't drive the cost up much at all, and allows you to join any channel you need to.

Be aware that unfortunately, different manufacturers number their privacy codes differently.

A model that can scan all the codes can come in handy. I have two, and when no one is using my 2nd one, I set that to continuosly scan, and often find interesting/useful conversations on other channels. It has also helped me find the other manufacturers' privacy code.

tip: Look for one without a prominent volume control. Many times you shove it into a pocket or something, and it's annoying when you bump the volume knob, and accidently turn it down/off and miss everything.

I 2nd the vote for Motorola Talk-about 250's. They do everything needed. It scans, has a backlight, no knobs (you can even lock the controls except for talk), can take a headset, has changable "call tones" (and that can be completely turned off). The only minor annoyance is you need to press talk and wait about 1/2 second before talking.