Retevis is a well-known brand, manufacturing different types of walkies talkies whether it is for professionals or kids. Most of which are of high quality and are regarded by many walkie-talkie enthusiasts as the best entry-level variant currently in the market. However, in this article, I will be focusing on the Retevis RT-388, a family-friendly walkie-talkie mainly geared towards kids. It has many features that I’m excited to discuss, and I hope you’ll find this helpful for your next walkie-talkie purchase.
Specs
- Brand: Retevis
- Range: Not specified
- Power output: 0.5 watts
- Frequency ranges: FRS only
- Battery: 4 AAA batteries
- Size: 5.51 x 2.16 x 1.10 inches
- Weight: 0.17 lbs
- Waterproof: no
- License needed: no
Scope of Delivery
The Retevis RT-388 package comes with two pieces of the walkie-talkie device. While it’s primarily standard these days for walkie-talkies to have rechargeable batteries, this one is powered by disposable alkaline ones, which you will have to purchase separately. Inside, you’ll find the manual which teaches you and your kids how to operate the Retevis RT-388 effectively. Miscellaneous parts are included in the package, but other ones like earphones are not, so you might have to have that separately if you’re interested.
Setup
Retevis RT-388 is made for kids in mind to use the device as an education toy and help them understand wireless communication a lot better. It can also be used for family communication, simple things like calling someone from the upper floor. Thus, the setup is pretty straightforward, which the manual will also prove.
Ensure that the batteries you have bought are compatible with the device’s power source requirement. After that, you’re good to go! Press some buttons as instructed on the manual, and you’re ready for pairing and communicating wirelessly.
However, there might be some functionalities that I find a bit complicated, especially for kids, so at this point, you might have to allocate several days of learning and grasping the whole situation first before entirely using the device.
Waterproof
Unfortunately, the Retevis RT-388 isn’t waterproofed at all. It’s a bit of a letdown, but considering its price, you’ll understand why Retevis didn’t opt-in for waterproofing. They want to avoid the model going overboard with the pricing so that families can still purchase it. Waterproofing may also not be that important in this case because the Retevis RT-388 isn’t an ideal outdoor device after all.
Power Source
There’s no rechargeable battery included on the device, which removes the inconvenience of charging every after usage. However, you might not like that you have to spend money whenever a battery dies. You still have a choice, however, but it would cost money. There are many rechargeable alkaline batteries in the market. Although pricey, they do last for a long time and remove the need for buying bulk disposable batteries that are far more stressful and would cost you a lot of money in the long run.
Retevis didn’t expressly state the battery lifespan that four alkaline batteries could give to the device, but we can assume it can go over 24 hours of non-stop usage.
Range
The range for the Retevis RT-388 isn’t also stated anywhere on the manufacturer’s website, which is very unfortunate. Walkie-talkies are range-dependent communication devices, so we must know their upper limits. The best we can do is guess, and my take would measure around 2 – 3 miles.
It’s not an alarming number, especially for toy walkie-talkies. However, these numbers that I have concluded are only possible if there is not much around you. For instance, you’ll get to the full range if you’re standing in an open space, and so is your partner.
Frequencies
Retevis didn’t provide any exact information about the frequency range, but we can extract that it is powered through FRS only, which means that there’s no license involved to operate the device.
Features
Despite being a toy walkie-talkie, the Retevis RT-388 is packed with many features.
- LCD Display:
- A clear navigation screen accurately shows what the device wants you to know.
- Auto Squelch:
- The auto squelch feature makes sure that every communication going on is grounded and is clear for both parties. Noise suppression and isolation is the key to this work.
- VOX:
- Hands-free communication has never been this easy with the help of VOX. It helps you operate the device without even touching it.
- Power Saver:
- The device automatically conserves energy when not in use.
- Volume Level Adjustment:
- Walkie-talkies on a permanent volume level are already out of the market. Having volume adjustment means that you control how much your surroundings can only hear.
- 10 Unique Call Tones:
- Variants in call tones allow kids to have fun while learning.
Price
You can snag the Retevis RT-388 for only $30.99 on their website. I can already consider it a good deal for a beginner and toy-walkie talkie. I would also like to add that this is a perfect gift if you’re still struggling with what to give to your nephews, nieces, or younger cousins on their birthdays or the following holidays.
Pros
- Cheap price
- Loaded features
- Beginner-friendly
- Small and comfortable to use
- Easy to operate
- No license needed to operate
Cons
- Very basic
- Lacking in range
- Doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable battery
Conclusion – Retevis RT-388 Review
I have tried many walkies for the past few years, and it is only rare for me to review those built for kids or other family members who aren’t really into communication. Because of how small the community around walkie-talkies is, I’m a bit relieved to see a manufacturer trying to expand their reach and appeal to families.
If we look at performance, the Retevis RT-388 is doing a good job, which is essential if you look at other walkie-talkies in the same price range. Because of that alone, I would say that you should order this package right away. Not only can it provide your child with endless amounts of fun, but it can also be used as an emergency device to contact those that matter to you.
View on Amazon*FAQ
Where can I find a manual for the Retevis RT-388?
You may download the complete manual for the Retevis RT-388 here.
