Communication is one of the vital things in life, but it is even more important in business. While smartphones are leading the business market with smart applications, walkie-talkies are still relevant and incredibly useful in some situations. Additionally, while out in the wilderness, or busy workplaces like airports and warehouses, they offer a very cost-effective and more reliable solution for group communications compared to work phones. Whether a business intends to use walkie-talkies as a professional communication tool, or a group of adventurers is looking for uninterrupted low-budget communication for a skiing holiday, camping trip, an event, this guide will help everyone to find the right model.
Things Every Buyer Should Know About the Walkie-Talkie
Most walkie-talkies are easy to use and very user-friendly, but, when choosing a new set of walkie-talkies there are some essential features to keep in mind. We are recommending a list of features anyone investing in walkie-talkies would like to consider:
1. Maximum Range
A very significant factor to keep in mind when selecting a set of walkie-talkies to buy is the range a group or company requires them to cover. The maximum range capable of consumer walkie-talkies using the PMR446 frequency on a transmit power of 0.5W is up to 10km. However, that can only be achieved in ideal conditions: at a high altitude with zero obstacles between the two walkie-talkies. Unless a user intends to use their walkie-talkies to communicate between two mountain tops, it’s unlikely that they will achieve this sort of range. In a built-up urban environment, the highest range will likely be much lower. However, a high-quality walkie-talkie should offer an adequate coverage range for the vast majority of users. If a user wants anything more than that, then they should consider a more powerful walkie-talkie. These require a license and are on the more expensive side in comparison to the license-free models.
2. Number of Handsets
When buying a set of walkie-talkies, buyers should also consider the number of handsets they require. For a camping trip, a twin set may do the job, but workers in a busy warehouse will require a lot more to keep everyone connected. Thankfully, when bought in bulk, you pay less for each handset purchased. We offer a wide range of walkie-talkie bundles to cater to every customer’s requirements.
3. Channels & Privacy Codes
License-free walkie-talkies can transmit on a fixed frequency only. Most license-free walkie-talkies have either 8 or 16 channels, which tune the frequency on which the handsets communicate with one another. Along with the channels, there are typically several privacy codes. In contrast to what the name suggests, these do not ensure the privacy of user’s transmissions, but, they only enable users to chat freely without interference from others. This can be a serious problem if the users are using them in an area like a ski resort where several other walkie-talkies may be in use.
4. Battery Type
Some walkie-talkies are powered by regular alkaline batteries, whilst others come with rechargeable batteries (some of which include a charging dock). If a group or company intends to use their walkie-talkies continuously for more than a few days without being able to charge them (eg. on a camping trip) then a model that requires regular batteries would be a better choice. On the other hand, we would recommend rechargeable walkie-talkies for regular use. That’s because the cost of replacement batteries can quickly add up, and used batteries can be bad for the environment if not disposed of properly.
5. VOX & Hands-Free
Voice Activated Transmit, or VOX, is a feature that enables the user to use the walkie-talkies hands-free, If a user is mountain climbing or is a part of a motorbike convoy, then this can be an extremely handy feature. With this mode activated, the walkie-talkie’s microphone remains on at all times. When it picks up the sound of a human user’s voice, it will automatically start transmitting, and switch off when the user stops speaking. Such models come with a socket for a headset or throat mic. But, not all walkie-talkies come with VOX, so if this is something your company looking for, be sure to check the product specifications.
The Best Brands for Walkie-Talkies
Walkie-talkies are a very niche-specific product, and many people won’t be familiar with the various brands out there. To help narrow down suitable options a little, we’ve compiled the following list of the best walkie-talkie brands:
Motorolla
Try: XiR P8628i
