If you love to go on long hikes, having a walkie-talkie is one of the safest and most effective methods to keep in touch with your fellow hikers. With so many walkie-talkies out there, it becomes quite a test to pick the best long-range walkie-talkie.
We have lined up four of the best long-range walkie-talkies for hiking in these post. These work over long distances, especially if the terrain is clear and has less vegetation and minimal obstruction. Secondly, they help in clear communication. The battery life isn’t bad either.
So if you have serious hiking plans this upcoming summer, here are our top recommendations for the best long-range walkie-talkies for hiking. But before we get to them,
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1. GOCOM G600 FRS Two-Way Radio
- Weight: 3.53 ounces| Type: FRS
- Channels: 22 | Range:1-32 miles
The first long-range walkie-talkie on our list is the one by GoCom. It’s one of the few walkie-talkies that offers a long range. It’s durable and features a waterproof rating of IPX4. Besides withstanding water splashes, it can’t survive in heavy rains or drop in water bodies for long.
For its price, it has a good range. The folks at Walkie Talkie Central found it to be around 4-5 miles in real-world scenarios. The results would vary depending on the environment you are in. The range may be much larger in an open field.
It is an FRS radio (Family Radio Service) and offers up to standard 22 channels and privacy channels to keep your chats private.
Last but not least, the battery life is not bad either. It runs on AA batteries. On standard uses, you can see up to 10 hours of battery. However, note that the battery life is also dependent on external factors like temperature and usage. Alternatively, you can also recharge the battery via USB.
If you are looking for an affordable walkie-talkie that works over a long-range, the GoCom G600 is a good place to start.
2. Midland GMRS Two-Way Radio
- Weight: 4.8 ounces| Type: GMRS
- Channels: 50 GMRS channels, 142 Privacy Codes | Range: Up to 36 miles
The Midland GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radio brings the best of both worlds. It’s not expensive and yet delivers an impressive performance. The company advertises a range of around 36 miles. If you are in a clear area with little vegetation or terrain change, you should be able to hear your buddies loud and clear. More importantly, it features a bevy of essential features such as SOS alerts, weather alarms, whisper modes, etc.
It’s lightweight at 4.8 ounces and doesn’t add much bulk to your belt. There’s also a whisper mode, just in case you do not want to disturb and tranquillity of your environment around.
The GMRS radios may require users to have a valid GMRS license to operate. The best feature is that it comes with 142 privacy modes and gives you immense options to have private conversations with your associates and family.
It’s popular on Amazon and has raked over 10,000 user ratings. It’s easy to use, and the fact that it’s weatherproof is the cherry on top. Do note that it works best in flat terrain, and if you plan to climb mountains or hills or go through thick forests, it may not be the best option for you.
3. Motorola T600 Talkabout Radio
- Weight: 8.6 ounces| Type: FRS
- Channels: 22 channels, 121 Privacy Codes | Range: Up to 35 miles
The Motorola T600 is a versatile two-way radio with an advertised talking range of 35 miles. One of the major advantages is that it comes with a screen. Secondly, it’s rated IP67 and can work on land and water. This radio can float in water. Plus, you can choose to transmit at 0.5 Watts or 0.2 Watts, depending on the situation.
It has a talking range of 35 miles (maximum). The folks at Gear Lab tested the range of this long-range walkie-talkie and found it to communicate well over a distance of 6 miles in their straight-line test. Of course, the clarity will change if you move to hilly terrain or a place with plenty of obstructions.
The Motorola T600 is based entirely on buttons instead of a mix of buttons and knobs. Things can get a bit confusing. But, it is a great option for someone who will be near water throughout their hikes.
It’s reliable, and the low-battery alert is the cherry on top. You do not have to run the risk of your radio failing. Speaking of batteries, this unit runs on 3 AA batteries or 2 rechargeable NiMH batteries to deliver close to 8 hours on a single set.
The Motorola T600 has more than 1,700 user ratings on Amazon, and users love its durability, sound quality, and build quality. You get a set of two for the price.
4. Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0
- Weight: 12 ounces| Type: FRS
- Channels: 143 channels (22 FRS channels + 121 sub-channels) | Range: Up to 40 miles
If you want the best return for your money or plan to upgrade to a premium (and reliable) walkie-talkie for hiking, you can’t go wrong with the Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0. The highlight of this long-range walkie-talkie is its incredible range. The best part is that it can make communication effortless in areas with bushes and vegetation.
Again, as per the folks at Gear Lab, the performance doesn’t drop even during weather changes or terrain changes. The communications were clear. As opposed to the ones above, it’s a two-piece device with an extendable microphone. And it’s the mic that has the vital buttons like PPT. Using a two-piece radio is slightly different compared to conventional radios, and you will get used to it in the long run.
It’s weatherproof to an extent and comes with an IP56 rating. The battery life is also long. However, the battery is not replaceable, and you will have to buy a new radio once the battery lives out its life. It lasts a day or more on a single charge.
The Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 is expensive. But considering that it delivers impressive performance and is easy to use, it proves to be a clever buy. You get your usual fare of preset channels (6) and privacy codes to keep your conversations private.
Communicate Easily
These were some of the best long-range walkie-talkies that you can buy. The idea is to find the one that allows you to communicate best, even in challenging environments. It is relatively bulky yet easy to carry.
Last updated on 02 January, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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