Two-Way Radios

For this article, a sports filmmaker is interviewed about two-way radios. Also offered are 10 recommendations varying in brand, price, range and features, although five of the 10 models have now been… discontinued. Still available is the Uniden GMR 2089, which offers 142 privacy codes and voice-scramble security. The Uniden GMR 1438 has many features at a good price and a 14-mile range. The Cobra LI 7000-2 WX VP has a 25-mile range, along with useful features such as weather alerts. The top-of-the line Garmin Rino 530HCX is expensive but offers advanced GPS capabilities. Other suggested brands include Midland. It's unclear to what extent these models were tested.

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This six-page article discusses TriSquare's solution to the crowding of the FRS and GMRS frequencies: 900 MHz FHSS (Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum) radios. Bates goes into great detail comparing… TriSquare eXRS (extreme radio service) two-way radios versus FRS/GMRS radios, the latter of which are criticized for making false range claims and offering privacy codes that aren't private at all. Bates tests out the TriSquare TSX300 and offers a thorough description of its features and specifications, sometimes in terms only techies will understand. (The author holds a degree in telecommunications engineering.) Still, much information can be gleaned about the latest in two-way radio technology.

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The Garmin Rino two-way radios are recommended in this write-up. About.com's NASCAR guide Steve McCormick cites the practical uses of the built-in GPS system at outdoor events and praises the Rino's tough… waterproof construction and range that perform as advertised. He says the Garmin Rino is heavier than other two-way radios but a belt clip is included to make carrying it easier. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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Several useful gadgets are suggested here for the outdoors person including the Garmin Rino two-way radio, which has a built-in GPS system. At an estimated $150, it's more expensive than most, but it does… have two antennae for better range and reception. It also has a display that shows you where your companions are. However, we don't see any indication that the radio was actually tested, and it's not compared with any others.

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Outside magazine's columnist fields several questions concerning two-way radios, the most recent from July 2007. He suggests the Motorola T9500 as the best two-way radio for a group bicycling outing but… follows that up with his true answer, which is not to bother with a two-way radio at all. For hilly terrain, he recommends using cell phones, which work almost anywhere, have better range and a 911 emergency line at your fingertips.

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About 15 two-way radios receive consumer-written reviews here. Unlike other retail sites, some owners give detailed reviews rather than just a comment or two. The downside is each radio is only rated by a… handful of owners. The TriSquare base model, the TSX100, receives a perfect score from each of the five owners posting here. Radio accessories and CB radios are also listed in this section, which makes navigation somewhat cumbersome.

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