With so many options to choose from, walkie-talkie hunting can be quite a difficult thing to do. Given that there are little to no differences between the radios being sold in the market, deciding the best two-way radio to purchase is not something you can just take for granted.
You must consider a lot of things in selecting a two-way radio for your personal use – Brand, Functionality, Quality, and Price. These different factors can aid you greatly in your quest.
Today, I will be reviewing the Midland LXT118 two-way radio. Midland is a brand in the walkie-talkie industry committed to delivering quality products and reasonable prices. In this review, let us determine if this is really the case and if the Midland LXT118 can live up to its name.
Specs
- Brand: Midland
- Range: 18 miles
- Power output: not stated
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS)
- Battery: rechargeable batteries or 3 AAA Alkaline batteries
- Size: 5.23 x 2.01 x 1.21 inches
- Weight: 0.2 lb
- Waterproof: no, but water-resistant
- License needed: no, FRS only
Scope of Delivery
The purchased walkie-talkie will come with a pair of radios, a set of belt clips, and the user manual. There are no batteries included. So you need to buy them by yourself.
Setup
The Midland LXT118 is relatively simple and easy to use. The same can be said on its initial set-up. To start-up the device, all you need to do is follow the following steps:
- Battery Installation. Before you can start-up your walkie-talkie, you will have to install 3 AAA batteries into it. This can be done by first removing the battery clip for convenience and then removing the battery cover. Once the cover has already been removed, install the batteries accordingly.
- Turning on the device. Once the battery is correctly installed, turn on the device by pressing the power button for 3 seconds. Once the device is turned on, you can now proceed to pair it with other two-way radios.
Follow these steps, and you should be completely fine. The other features that come with the device are also extremely easy to set-up based on your personal preference. Please see the user manual that comes with the device for more information.
Waterproof
The Midland LXT118 is said to have some resistance to water. However, its rating is not clearly stated. Nonetheless, it is expected that the device can handle some light exposure to water, such as splashes and the like. This is not much. However, even the slightest of protection is still good when it comes to walkie-talkies.
Not a lot of walkie talkie at this price range offer water resistance with their devices. This fact gives the LXT118 a good advantage over its competition.
Power Source
What powers up the Midland LXT118 two-way radio?
The Midland LXT118 can be powered up with 3 AAA batteries of any brand. You can either choose to use AAA disposable or rechargeable ones. If you wish to choose the rechargeable ones, you will also need to purchase an electric charger for your AAA batteries.
The 3 AAA batteries should give you enough power enough for about 24-hours of usage or so. Although regrettably, you cannot recharge the battery using the radio, AAA batteries as a power option are not that bad. This allows you to power up your radios even when you are in a location where a power source is nowhere to be found, making it handy and reliable.
Range
Under ideal conditions, the Midland LXT118 is said to have a maximum range of about 18 miles. However, like most radios in the market nowadays, it can be expected that this may not be the case in reality.
Upon usage, it was observed that if used in urban areas such as cities and the like, it only has a range of 2 to 3 miles, even shorter if there are many interruptions present. However, in an area with little to no obstructions present, the LXT118’s range can improve significantly. Still, you cannot expect it to reach the manufacturer’s ideal range easily.
Frequencies
In terms of its frequency range, the Midland LXT118 can reach about 462 to 467 MHz. This is the ideal range for almost all available radios in the market nowadays. It also supports about 22 channels which are mostly compatible with other two-way radios in the market.
The walkie-talkie can only be used with FRS radio channels. That’s why a license will not be needed to use it.
Features
The Midland LXT118 is compact and does not offer a lot of features. It is only equipped with the most important features which will aid it for day-to-day use. Nevertheless, this small walkie-talkie cannot be underestimated.
So what exactly are the features that come with this device? 8 main features are worth mentioning when talking about the Midland LXT118. Let us know all these features one by one and find out if this walkie-talkie is the one for you.
The Midland LXT118 operates with about 22 clear and crisps channels. The buttons are straightforward to use, and even a complete beginner will not be having a hard time navigating this device. On top of this, it is said to have a maximum range of about 18 miles under ideal conditions. With its channel scan feature, you can consistently check the channels for any activities and the like.
Aside from that, the Midland LXT118 also comes with an Auto Squelch feature. This is extremely useful as this feature removes any unnecessary background noise transmitting your messages with utmost clarity. Paired with the eVOX hands-free operation option and the headphone support, this makes the walkie-talkie quite easy to use.
Other handy features include the keypad lock function, which safeguards your device from accidental activation while being stored in the bag or your pockets, and the call alert feature, which can notify you of incoming calls from other members of your group.
Price
After having heard many good things about the LXT118, let us go ahead and proceed with the big question – how much does it cost?
The Midland LXT118 can be purchased via the Midland website (click here) for $24.99, and it can also be purchased from other external sources such as Amazon for almost the same price. This can be considered somewhat affordable compared to other walkie-talkie options in the market nowadays. Unfortunately, the batteries are not included upon purchase, but this can still be quite the catch.
Pros
- Cheaper price and affordable
- Small and Handy
- Relatively easy to use and operate
- Clear communications
- Sleek Looking
- Great Portability
Cons
- Does not have rechargeable batteries that come with the package
- Short distance range
- Limited channel options
Conclusion – Midland LXT118 Review
Over-all, is the Midland LXT118 worth purchasing? The answer to the question is yes, it is.
Although the LXT118 comes with its own personal shortcomings, it is still quite the walkie-talkie. For short-range communication, it can even be extremely handy. Its small size and design can easily be transported without adding any inconveniences to the user. Although its water resistance rating is unclear, it is still said to protect itself from light water exposure such as splashes. Pair it with the useful features that come with the device. The Midland LXT118 can be considered worth every penny you spend on it.
View on Amazon*FAQ
Where can I find a manual for the Midland LXT118?
You can find a user manual for the Midland LXT118 here: https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/LXT118-Owners-Manual-Rev-H.pdf.
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