Communication is crucial when you are in a hunt. A walkie talkie is a must-have tool for that kind of purpose. However, it may be tricky to get which one is suitable for your needs. In this review, I'm going to explain those complicated specs that you have to pay attention to when choosing a walkie talkie for hunt.
Here are the best walkie talkies for hunting (May 2024 Update):
- The Best Overall: Midland GXT1050VP4
- The Longest Range: Cobra ACXT1035R FLT
- The Most Durable: Motorola T605 Talkabout
- A Pack Of Four: Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie
- Comes With In-Ear Earbuds And Usb Charging: Radioddity GA-2S Long Range
- The Best Budget Choice: Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios
| Top 6 Best Walkie Talkies For Hunting | ||
|---|---|---|
The Best Overall | Midland GXT1050VP4 | Read Our Review |
The Longest Range | Cobra ACXT1035R FLT | Read Our Review |
The Most Durable | Motorola T605 Talkabout | Read Our Review |
A Pack Of Four | Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie | Read Our Review |
Comes With In-Ear Earbuds And Usb Charging | Radioddity GA-2S Long Range | Read Our Review |
The Best Budget Choice | Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios | Read Our Review |
The Best Overall: Midland GXT1050VP4
- Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camouflage pattern
- JIS4 Waterproof Protection
- 36 mile of transmission distance
- 142 CTCSS/DCS privacy codes: 3,124 options to block other conversations
- 10 NOAA weather channels with weather alerts
- 5 Animal Call Alerts and silent mode
- Only 22 GMRS channels
Midland GXT1050VP4 is FRS/GMRS-type walkie talkie, I’ll explain what FRS/GMRS is below, in the buying guide, and how good it is compared with the other walkie talkie type - VHF.
So, Midland GXT1050VP4 comes in pair. They have so-called Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camouflage pattern, which looks nice to me. I value its durability with a rough construction and JIS4 Waterproof Protection (splash resistant) - you don’t have to worry about rains or dropping it on a puddle.
Midland GXT1050VP4 is also easy to use and very functional. 36 miles of transmission distance in open areas is more than enough for any hunt. It has 5 Animal Call Alerts (turkey, duck, crow, cougar, and wolf) and a Vibrate feature to silence all tones. It has 142 CTCSS/DCS privacy codes providing you with 3,124 channel options to block other conversations (from who at the same frequency as you). Midland GXT1050VP4 also scans all 10 NOAA weather channels and sends you alerts if there is any severe weather nearby; this feature is very important when you are in the wild for a long time.
A drawback that makes Midland GXT1050VP4 less perfect is that it only receives 22 GMRS channels (the commercial says it receives 50 channels, but 28 of them are privacy code channels). However, to me, it is still the best overall walkie talkie for hunting.
| Midland GXT1050VP4 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 462 - 467 MHz |
Operating Wattage | 2 watts |
Operating Temperature | -30 to 60 deg C (-22 to 140 deg F) |
Highlight features | 22 channels 142 privacy codes JIS4 waterproof X-Tra TALK Power 36-mile range Channel scan 10 call alerts + 5 animal call alerts Weather alert radio with weather scan eVOX - 9 levels |
Midland GXT1050VP4 is durable and easy to use; it has all the features you need for hunting.
The Longest Range: Cobra ACXT1035R FLT
- 37 mile of transmission distance
- Floating & waterproof (IPX7 standard)
- Rewind-Say-Again technology
- Voice-activated transmission frees hands for other tasks
- Built-in LED flashlight
- No privacy code
Cobra ACXT1035R FLT has 37 miles of transmission distance, which is the longest range for an FRS/GMRS walkie talkie. Besides that, it has some very smart features. It is IPX7 waterproof rated and has floating design with orange core, making retrieving the radio easy if dropped in water.
Cobra ACXT1035R FLT features Rewind-Say-Again technology in cases that you miss something your buddies say. With this feature, you can replay the last 20 seconds on any transmission. Another helpful feature for being in the wild is the built-in LED flashlight. Everything is ready for your hunt.
A little drawback is that the walkie talkie does not come with privacy codes. However, it would not be a problem because I assume there are not so many people around your hunting places.
| Cobra ACXT1035R FLT Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 462 - 467 MHz |
Operating Wattage | 2 watts |
Operating Temperature | Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures |
Highlight features | 37 mile of transmission distance Floating & waterproof (IPX7 standard) Rewind-Say-Again technology VOX Built-in LED flashlight |
Cobra ACXT1035R FLT has the longest range of transmission and floating design, preparing you for any situation.
The Most Durable: Motorola T605 Talkabout
- Rough Design & IP67 Waterproof
- 35 mile of transmission distance
- Built-in Flashlight with White and Red LEDs
- 23 Channels Each with 121 Privacy Codes
- 10 NOAA weather channels with weather alerts
- High price for basic features
Motorola T605 Talkabout is another pair of walkie talkies for hunting. It is remarkable for the durability with a rough design and IP67 Waterproof, which will make T605 last for several years.
Motorola T605 Talkabout also features all NOAA weather channels with weather alerts and 121 Privacy Codes. It has a built-in flashlight with white and red LEDs for low-light conditions. The transmission distance varies from place to place - Mountain to Valley: Up to 35 miles. Open Water: Up to 6 miles. Neighborhood: Up to 2 miles.
As you can see, all the features are pretty basic for a decent hunting walkie talkie. However, the price of T605 is quite high, which you may want to consider a bit.
| Motorola T605 Talkabout Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 462 - 467 MHz |
Operating Wattage | 0.5 watt |
Operating Temperature | -20°C to 35°C (-4°F to 95°F) |
Highlight features | Rough Design & IP67 Waterproof 35 mile of transmission distance Built-in Flashlight with White and Red LEDs 23 Channels Each with 121 Privacy Codes 10 NOAA weather channels with weather alerts |
Motorola T605 Talkabout is a tough pair of walkie talkie for hunting that will last for many years.
A Pack Of Four: Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie
- Solid build and Long battery time
- Built-in 50 CTCSS Tones/105 DCS Codes
- VOX and Built-in LED Flashlight
- Affordable
- Only 16 channels each
- Short range
Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie is an affordable pack of four walkie talkies, which is convenient for hunting teams. Each has a solid build, however, it lacks water-resistant ability. It has VOX and built-in LED flashlight for night use and SOS.
The significant advantage of Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie is the battery duration. Standby time is around 5 to 7 days, runtime for typical use is about 1 to 2 days, for continual use is about 8 to 12 hours. You and your team no longer have to worry about charging the batteries.
However, Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie is a budget combo, there are some tradeoffs. First, each walkie talkie has only 16 channels; and second, the transmission range is quite limited - about 3+ miles.
| Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 400 - 470MHz |
Operating Wattage | 2 watts |
Operating Temperature | Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures |
Highlight features | Long battery time Built-in 50 CTCSS Tones/105 DCS Codes VOX Built-in LED Flashlight |
Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkie is a convenient pack of four for hunting teams.
Comes With In-Ear Earbuds And Usb Charging: Radioddity GA-2S Long Range
- Lightweight & Rugged shell
- Convenient charging
- 96 hours long standby time
- Comes with in-ear earbuds
- Affordable
- Only 16 channels each
- Short range
Radioddity GA-2S Long Range is another budget choice. Despite that, it comes with some nice features. First, it is the convenient charging; you’ll have a USB Desktop Charger and a micro USB cable each for easily connecting with desktop or power bank and charging. Second, the combo comes with in-ear earbuds for hand-free communication, which is very useful when you are hunting or doing construction work.
Another advantage of Radioddity GA-2S Long Range is that it has a lightweight yet rugged design. However, being a budget choice, Radioddity GA-2S has the same drawbacks as Ansoko Long Range. It has only 16 channels each walkie talkie and it has a short transmission range - about 3 miles.
| Radioddity GA-2S Long Range Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 400 - 470MHz |
Operating Wattage | 2 watts |
Operating Temperature | Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures |
Highlight features | Convenient charging Long standby time Rugged shell Emergency use Bug-out kits |
Radioddity GA-2S is a budget choice that comes with convenient charging and in-ear earbuds.
The Best Budget Choice: Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios
- Budget choice
- Withstand a wide range of temperature
- Quick charging time, Long runtime
- Comes with 2 Handstraps and 2 Earphones
- Only 16 channels each
Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range is the best budget choice for its practical features. It is a pack of two walkie talkies that can withstand a wide range of temperature from -30°C to +60°C (or -4°F ~ 140°F); comes with 2 hand straps and 2 earphones. The transmission distance is not impressive, but long enough for most of the hunts - about 5 miles.
Each Arcshell walkie talkie comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that takes 2.5 hours to fully charge but lasts for about 8 to 96 hours depending on how much you transmit.
The specs are not so impressive, however, this is a decent choice at a very affordable price.
| Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios Specifications | |
|---|---|
Type | FRS/GMRS |
Frequency | 400 - 470MHz |
Operating Wattage | 3 watts |
Operating Temperature | -30°C ~ +60°C (-4°F ~ 140°F) |
Highlight features | -30°C ~ +60°C (-4°F ~ 140°F) Quick charging time Long runtime 2 Handstraps and 2 Earphones |
Arcshell Long Range Two-Way Radios are the best budget choice for its practical features.
How To Choose The Best Walkie Talkies For Hunting?
For hunting, an FRS/GMRS would be a reasonable choice. It uses Ultra High Frequency (UHF - 300 MHz to 3 GHz) waves for information transmission. The transmitting distance of UHF waves are much shorter than Very High Frequency (VHF - 3 GHz to 300 GHz), however, they can go through normal walls or thin obstacles. So, UHF waves are preferred in cities. GMRS/FRS walkie talkies are also less expensive than VHF walkie talkies. So while a VHF walkie talkie is ideal when you are at sea, an FRS/GMRS one ideal when you are at land, in particular when you are hunting.
It has a reasonable price compared with a VHF walkie talkie and has all the features and functions you’ll need for a hunt. Those are:
Long transmission distance
NOAA weather channels with weather alerts
Privacy codes to block other conversations
Durability with Waterproof Protection
Which Brands Make The Best Walkie Talkies For Hunting?
Midland
- Midland is the to-go brand when you need an affordable FRS/GMRS walkie talkie with good quality. They have more than 50 years of experience and has always been one of the leaders in two-way radio technology. They are the first who introduce revolutionary technology like CB radio and 14-channel FRS radio. They are famous for their sound quality, weather alert radios and an innovator in emergency radio technology.
Cobra
- Cobra is a subsidiary brand of Altis Zenus Group, which is a Hong Kong company focusing on innovative communication and outdoor electronic products. Cobra was established in 2016 with the mission of distributing FRS/GMRS and VHF two-way radio globally. Cobra is one of the leading brands in the United States, Canada, Europe and throughout the world. They are famous for their innovation as well as reasonable price.
Motorola Solutions
- When mentioning of Motorola, most will think of a very famous mobile phone brand. In fact, they are more than a mobile phone brand. It is a telecommunications cooperation founded on September 25, 1928. After many success, in 2011, they divided itself into two company Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. Motorola Solutions focus on providing industrial and end-user communication solutions. Their walkie talkies cost higher than others on the market, however, the quality is really worth it.
FAQs
How long are your hunting trips?
Most of my small games are single day hunts or two weekend days. When I have more time, I go for 4 or 5-day hunts.
What is the longest range for a walkie talkie?
A VHF walkie talkie transmits signal up to 100 kilometers (more than 60 miles), which is generally used for ocean cruises. For land cruises or hunting trips, you don’t need that much range. An FRS/GMRS walkie talkie with about 10 miles would be more than enough.
Do 2-way radios work in the mountains?
2-way radios work much more effectively in the mountains as there are fewer obstructions there than in the city.
Can you use your cell phone as a walkie talkie?
Yes. Some apps allow you to convert your phone to a walkie talkie. However, it requires Wi-Fi or 3G/4G.
Do you need a license to operate a walkie talkie?
You don't need a license for FRS (Family Radio Service) channels, but you do need one for GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels. If you have no special needs, you can just receive FRS channels for free and license-free.
Conclusion
I hope my review has clearly explained the complicated specs and terms, which are crucial when choosing a walkie talkie for hunting. Gear on and go for a hunting trip this weekend!
