Midland LXT500VP3 Review & Specs | walkie-talkie-guide.com

Ease, usability, and adequate features better describe a Midland LXT500VP3 Two-Way Radio. It is portable and smaller than other two-way radios in a similar price category. With a height of just 6.16 inches, it’s small enough to fit in your palm and is suitable for family and personal use.

Although the LXT500VP3 might not have been the perfect choice for heavy-duty recreational uses, it is ideal for family trips or teaching your children to operate a radio.

A review of Midland LXT500VP3 below will look into the model, features, strengths, and drawbacks to help us learn more about the item. If you’re on a tight budget, this tool, which costs $40, might be a perfect fit. Keep on reading to find more whether this is indeed the two-way radio we deserve.

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Specs

Brand: Midland
Range: 24 miles
Power output: 0.5 watt
Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS)
Battery: rechargeable batteries or 4 AAA Alkaline batteries
Size: 6.16 x 2.4 x 1.26 inches
Weight: not stated
Waterproof: no, but water-resistant
License needed: no, FRS only

Scope of Delivery

Once you purchase a couple of these two-way radios, you will receive the following items:

2 Midland LXT500VP3 (two-way) radios
Packs of rechargeable batteries
Belt clips
Desktop charger
AC power adapter
User-guide manual

What you’ll get in the package is easy straight away. You get a couple of radios and the usual additions, but no extras like earphones.

Setup

The battery latch is extremely hard to access, which is worsened by contradictory guidelines. You must direct the bottom of the radio outward from yourself, click backward both with thumbs upon the top of its backplate, and pull the battery panel outward from you. It also took considerable effort to cover the battery panel after that, and it protruded noticeably outwards until batteries were installed.

Waterproof

The style comes in black, black-mossy oak, and black-blue coveralls. It’s small, sleek, and convenient to carry in the pocket, built for portability. It has a good grip and feels good in the hand. The LCD panel has a simple black-and-white screen that is remarkably visible even in direct sunlight. The monitor, on the other hand, is made out of plastic and is prone to scratching.

The moment you opened the packaging, you could see that cut corners made this radio. The buttons are pretty troublesome because they lack tactile input. Additionally, it’s challenging to determine whether you were pushing them. This issue seemed particularly apparent on the PTT (Push To Talk) key.

This setup is particularly aggravating if you were wearing gloves while talking. Another difference is that the Midland LXT500VP3 does not even have a typical on/off button. Its power button is in the middle of the keys, just under the screen. This feature can confuse some people, particularly when you’re more used to things in a different way (like the power button is on top or side panels).

In addition, signs of a minimum quality interface like the simple plastic clip of the belt and battery panel were tough to access because bulging isn’t sizeable enough to hold the required batteries. The gap can cause the device to be non-weatherproof.

Power Source

The Midland LXT500VP3 comes with two power options. This two-way radio can be turned on by either the optional rechargeable power pack or four ‘AAA’ batteries. The LXT500VP3 has no specified battery life, yet these rechargeable batteries can last for around 12 hours of usage, so you won’t have to switch batteries too frequently unless you’re a heavy consumer.

Charging is also simple since the batteries need not be taken out from the device. Put the radios on the provided charging base, and the unit will begin charging. Regrettably, it is worth remembering that there is no display hint whenever the batteries are getting low – which would be very useful when you’re in a crunch. Furthermore, the charging unit does have a red LED light that signifies its charging but does not shift to green when fully charged.

Range

With a straight field of vision, the Midland LXT500VP3 has a 24-mile coverage. However, when you’re in a mountainous environment or on an unstable surface, it can only cover a distance of 2-4 miles. But, this seems to be true among the two-way radios, including the most costly ones.

Features

Scan Channels Automatically:
Consumers can freely decide which channels are already in operation, thanks to an automated channel scanner. One disadvantage is that this system lacks secrecy codes, unlike other versions like the Midland LXT630VP3 and the Motorola Talkabout T460. Your conversations might be overheard by another user on the very same channel, but this is a remote possibility.
Silent Mode Function:
You can put the Midland LXT500VP3 in quiet mode by shutting off all activity tones, like call sounds. You may use it for hunts or in any circumstances whereby noise is a threat.
High/Low Power Options:
You can configure the transmitting output power of LXT500VP3 in your preferences. When it comes to battery efficiency, high output power expands the range anytime you want it, while low output power would be the opposite.
Water-resist:
The Midland LXT500VP3 can withstand minor splashes or light rain, but just not submersion underwater.
Keypad Locking:
Since the Midland LXT500VP3 will probably be in pockets a lot of the time, its keypad lock ability avoids unintended button hitting. You don’t get to be concerned with it altering configurations or frequencies while it’s in a pocket.

Price

The LXT500VP3 is $40 for a pair. On principle, it should render this a decent budget choice for those who don’t want to cut back on features, open platforms, or range.

However, experts discovered that less expensive radios, like the Arcshell AR-5, have improved audio quality and standards for just a fraction of the price. Besides, for only $30 more, its Midland GXT1000VP4 is thoughtfully designed and outperforms the competition.

Pros

Portable, conveniently fits in the pocket
Selection for dual power
Simple to use
Search channels automatically
A warranty period of three years

Cons

Few interface defects
No weather station radio
No privacy protection code
Earpiece not included

Conclusion – Midland LXT500VP3 Review

Every product is always with pros and cons. It is a well-known fact that you cannot have any of the requirements that you would need. You may like certain aspects of the product, but its physical features and user interface do not appeal to you. At the same point, some gadgets catch your eye due to their physical appearance but do not come with any unique features.

In a rundown, the Midland LXT500VP3 would be a good family and personal two-way transmitter. It has standard features such as 22 channels, a 24-mile range, discreet service, and dual battery options. Given several flaws, still, LXT500VP3 is a viable option for those in need of a reliable two-way radio.

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