The 5 best Walkie Talkies for Hunting

I will start with the specs. This Motorola brand walkie-talkie can be maximized within the range of 35 miles if you are in a mountainous area and up to 6 miles on open water. Like most walkie-talkies, it has a power output of 2 watts alongside a rechargeable battery that can last up to 10 hours, and with its dual power option feature, it can last up to 26 hours with 3 AA Alkaline batteries.

It utilizes features for easier use, making it fitting to be one of the best. Motorola T460 has a Push-To-Talk Power Boost feature, which boosts your radio to high power enabling a wider communication range. Uninterrupted communication is pretty much guaranteed with the help of its Quiet Talk Noise Filtration alongside its Vibracall Alert that is useful in noisy environments as it vibrates every 30 seconds to notify you of received messages. Night adventure? Motorola T460 got you covered with its Built-in LED Flashlight and, the most important of all, its Emergency alert feature, which sends all words and sounds from your device to others for 22 seconds.

Specifications

Pros of the Motorola T460

Main plus: 11 Weather Channels

Motorola T460 is equipped with 11 weather channels ranging from the USA NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Canada Weather Radio. An up-to-date weather forecast can come a long way in preventing any harm. It also comes with 20 available tones sent to other radios to alert them if you want to talk to them. This and the emergency alert can certainly come in handy in assuring you while hunting.

Cons of the Motorola T460

Here is the Midland GXT1000VP4, which is heavily loaded with features for easy utilization of the users to continue my list. Its use can be maximized within 36 miles if used within ideal conditions like a clear line of sight with fewer obstructions and appropriate weather conditions. This Midland brand of walkie-talkie can be used within the 462 to 467 MHz frequency range, covering both FRS (Family Radio Services) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Services). However, please be reminded that the use of walkie-talkies like the Motorola T460 above is license-free if you will only transmit over FRC channels in the US, which is from channel 8 to 14. To transmit over GMRS channels, you need to possess the license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. Unlicensed transmission over GMRS-exclusive channels can be fined or punishable under Title 47, Part 95 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, so follow the proper guidelines in acquiring the license required by visiting FCC’s website.

It is also equipped with features such as Keypad Lock, Auto-Quelch, together with its backlit feature. The keypad lock feature assures the users that any accidental press on the device may not change the settings. Auto-Quelch comes in handy in decreasing the background noise the device emitted. Lastly, the backlit feature enables the hunter to safely navigate a darker or dimmer part of the location.

Specifications

Pros of the Midland GXT1000VP4

Main Plus: Emergency Alert Feature

The Midland GXT1000VP4 comes with an emergency alert feature with an SOS siren, which sends a distress signal alerting others that you need help and the location you were in. It is also equipped with a “whisper function,” allowing you to talk softly on the handset and a vibrate mode to alert you for incoming calls silently. These features help when you have your prey on sight, and any sound or noise may alert it.

Cons of the Midland GXT1000VP4

Continuing, the third walkie-talkie on my list is this neon green Motorola T600. I should also tell you that this walkie-talkie is a little heavy despite its cute looks. This cute design of a walkie-talkie is waterproof, having an IP67 rating. Unlike the first two walkie-talkies, it can survive not only a splash of water but a whole 30-minute submersion underwater. It is because of the neon green plastic covering the exterior of the walkie-talkie. It can also operate within 36 miles in range in ideal conditions. When I tested it on terrain, I can still get a good signal within 6 miles, but I do not fully trust the 36 miles of range since ideal conditions are difficult to achieve on any US hunting destinations.

Its frequency can reach from 462 MHz to 467 MHz like the other two. Also, as I mentioned above, if you wish to transmit signals over GMRS-exclusive channels, make sure that you have an FCC-issued license to avoid fines and punishment for violating.

Specifications

Pros of the Motorola T600

Main Plus: Priority Scan Feature

This walkie talkie has the Priority Scan feature, which allows you to set the preferred frequency while the handset is automatically scanning. This feature helps when you are hunting in a group. The handset’s waterproof feature is also a feature difficult to ignore.

Cons of the Motorola T600

My fourth walkie-talkie is the Cobra RX680. This handset may be better than the other four for features like its range within 38 miles. It is built to survive extreme conditions, making it one of the best handsets to use for hunting. However, although it may look like it, the rubber covering its body does not make it fully resistant to water. Cobra RX680’s waterproof rating is only IP54, which means that it is resistant to little dust and splashes of water from any directions but not from full submersion underwater.

Since it is under the 3-watt category, its frequency is well within the standards provided by the ISEDC (Innovation, Science, Economic Development Canada), and you do not need a license to operate this radio. Its Voice-Activated Transmission also comes in handy when hunting since your hands might be busy doing something else. The Belt Clips equipped on the device is also a great combination with the VOX feature for me. This handset’s built-in flashlight feature is also a valuable asset, especially in the dark when hunting becomes harder.

Specifications

Pros of the Cobra RX680

Main Plus: Privacy Code and Emergency Feature

Cobra RX680 comes with a privacy code feature that reduces interference from any other sources on a specified channel. Its emergency alert feature can also be configured on the settings so that by simply pressing the emergency alert button for 3 seconds, you can send a signal to members of your group in case you need help.

Cons of the Cobra RX680

This handset device may not have a wider range than the other four boasts, with only 25 miles that can be achieved using the 8-watt power level. Baofeng BF F8HP has VHF and UHF and has three frequencies. Again, a reminder for you. Be careful in configuring the frequencies you want in this device since transmitting frequencies illegally can make you end up in jail or fined. Make sure that you have the appropriate license required by the US through the Federal Communications Commissions.

This walkie-talkie of Baofeng can last up to 24 hours, depending on the power level. It uses a 2000 mAh, 7.4v Li-Ion battery and can be recharged while still in use and attached to the device. I am not sure if the device is waterproof or not but just on the safe side, avoid submerging it underwater or getting a splash of water.

Specifications

Pros of the Baofeng BF F8HP

Main Plus: 7-inch Antenna & Battery-saving Function

Baofeng BF F8HP is equipped with its 7-inch antenna, which gives it a better reception, which helps when the group members are far apart. Its battery-saving function is also a huge plus for me. It activates when the handset is low in battery and still allows you to maintain communication with the others, which is important when hunting.

Cons of the Baofeng BF F8HP