Ah, the wide world of Two-Way Radios…
If you’re like I was when I first started getting into these you’re probably wondering which brand and model to choose. Because let’s face it, radios are far more advanced than when they first came out. It’s enough to make your head spin if you let it. But let me ease your mind a bit and give you my in-field experience with the Midland T71VP3 X-Talker Radios.
This summer I have used 4 models of Midland Radios and 2 from other brands. And I’ve made my decision…The Midland T71’s are my favorites for a few reasons.
Range: This radio mode has a fantastic range of around 1 1/2 to 2 miles passing through buildings and forest cover. For me and the people I go out with, this is plenty. As for the advertised “max range” of any two-way radio, remember, this would be from mountain peak to mountain peak with zero obstruction. Once you get into cover & obstructions ranges will be lessened.
Batteries & Charging: The rechargeable battery lasts a long while for transmitting and/or listening in the Midland T71. Once it dies though you can recharge it via USB in the field with a battery bank. The radio also accepts standard AA batteries as a backup source. This allows me to stay juiced up with no dependence on wall chargers.
Weather Updates in the Field: The Midland T71’s come built-in with NOAA Weather Radio so you can keep tabs on your immediate & future local weather. This is a fantastic resource to have when you’re spending nights in the field and want to know what to expect.
Quality & Durability: The Midland T71VP3’s have stood up to drops/falls, rain, and a whole lot of banging around in trees/underbrush in the woods. Simply put, I’m not easy on this type of gear in the field. And they have shown to be well well made thus far.
Overall…You all know I love a mix of traditional and modern gear, depending on what I’m doing. Sometimes I strip away all modern gear and go fully traditional & low-tech. But I don’t see myself going into the field ever again without my trusty two-way radios. These are here to stay when I need to stay in communication with others who are within range.
Have questions? Curious about Midland or two-way radios in general? Drop me a comment below! I’m always happy to help.
