Midland X-Talker T31VP Review

Scope of Delivery

The Midland X-Talker T31VP will come with the following accessories upon purchase:

• Pair of radios
• Set of Belt Clips
• Charging Cable
• NiMH rechargeable battery packs
• User Manual

These are the standard accessories that usually come with almost any two-way radio available in the market nowadays.

Setup

Setting up your Midland X-Talker T31VP is as simple and easy as it can be. All you have to do to power up your device is to do the following:

1. Battery Installation. To install the T31VP’s battery, if chosen, you will have to remove the attached belt clip first. This is to free the battery hatch from any obstructions when opening it. After removing the belt clip, remove the cover by sliding it downwards. Once open, insert the batteries inside and replace the cover and the belt clip back in place.
2. Recharging the Battery. Before powering up the device, you must first fully charge the rechargeable batteries that come with it. If you are using disposable batteries, you may proceed to the next step. The radio can be charged by connecting it to the power outlet using the charging cable outside the box.
3. Turning on the device. After accomplishing steps 1 and 2, all that is left is to turn the device on. The power button can turn on the device until the device starts-up. Once turned on, set the radio channel you wish to use, and you are good to go.

Follow these three easy steps, and you should be good to go. The device is user friendly, so you should not encounter any problems operating it at all. The additional features that come with the device might take time to get used to, but nothing you cannot achieve without the help of the user manual that comes with the package.

Power Source

The Midland X-Talker T31VP can be powered using the included AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries or separate AAA alkaline disposable batteries. Both options have their pros and cons and would easily gain an advantage over the other depending on the scenario. Nevertheless, whatever option you may end up choosing, you will still be able to power up your radio without fail.

Using the AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries that come outside the box can give you power for about 6 hours, give or take. This can increase or decrease depending on your usage of the device. Although this might not be long enough, this should last you a good day’s worth of functionality, which is more than enough for most users.

The best thing about using the included rechargeable batteries, though, is the value you can save instead of constantly buying disposable AAA batteries.

The second battery option, AAA alkaline batteries, should give you enough battery to last 24 hours. If you manage the battery well, this could even be good enough for two days’ worth of functionality.

Although it loses cost-wise, disposable batteries have a charm of their own. Imagine being in an area where a power outlet might not be available at all, how will you stay connected with your group if your walkie talkies are out of juice, right? Now since the T31VP has the option to use disposable batteries, this problem is eliminated.

Range

As per product information, the Midland X-Talker T31VP has a range capability of 26 miles under ideal conditions. This means that you can only achieve this expected range if you are in an open area with little to no obstructions and good weather conditions.

However, we all know that this is not always the case. The two-way radio will, most of the time, be used in a location with many interruptions/disruptions around. It can only give an approximate distance of around 2-5 miles at best, sometimes even lesser. This can be somewhat within expectations as most two-way radios in the market are the same.

Features

Here comes the most interesting part of all. It is time to find out what features come with this affordable two-way radio and how it can be useful to anyone who might buy it out there.

Before anything else, let us not get your hopes too high. The Midland X-Talker T31VP indeed has lots of features worth noticing; however, this model can be considered somewhat lacking compared to high-end walkie talkies in the market. Still, it isn’t something that should be taken for granted.

Here are the different features that the T31VP has to offer:

The first thing you need to know about the Midland X-Talker T31VP is its number of channels and privacy codes supported. Knowing this is necessary as this will give you an idea of whether this radio will be compatible with other brands being used within your group. This being said, the T31VP has access to 22 channels plus 38 Privacy Codes, giving you around 836 combinations securing your channel from unwanted listeners.

Aside from this, the T31VP also has access to NOAA weather radio channels, keeping you updated even on the go. Now, most of you must be thinking, what purpose does this hold? Well, let me tell you why this is such a great feature.

Whenever you are on a new trail or have plans camping, no matter how you plan it out by stating tuned to weather forecasts all-day long, there is no accurate way of predicting the sudden weather changes. Now, having access to weather radio channels prepares you and your group for these sudden changes. This also increases your safety as you will handle what’s coming on your way the best way possible.

Another feature worth mentioning is T31VP’s e-VOX enabled operations. Now, what is this feature? e-VOX is a feature that enables the Midland X-Talker T31VP to operate without having to hold it.

This works by setting a sensitivity level for your device. Then whenever it detects that you wish to talk, it will automatically transmit your message to all radios connected to the same channel as you do. This is very helpful and convenient as this allows the user to use its hands for more productive applications. Pair this with the unit’s headphone/earphone support; this makes this feature a lot more efficient.

Other additional features included are call alert options, auto squelches for clearer transmissions, low battery indicator, battery meter, water resistance, and a monitor mode. Depending on the situation and your personal preferences, these can be really useful and handy to have.

Pros

Cons