Midland TH4 Tactical Series Throat Mic with Acoustic Ear Tube Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Overall, I really like this product. The earpiece is what I expected and is very comfortable. It stays in place very well generally, but tends to slip if it gets damp (such as when sweating). The PTT is very convenient and easy to use even with gloves or constricted finger mobility (including through most shirts and jackets), but if you don't hit the center of the button it will often fail to key. The PTT unit itself is a bit heavier than I expected, but the full-rotation belt clip stays comfortably on a 1-inch belt (or sideways on a belt keeper for a security/police duty belt, as I use it). The neck band for the mic itself is a bit tight and isn't very adjustable. I have a 17-1/2 inch neck, and I have to wear it skewed to one side to ensure at least one of the pickups is close enough to my larynx for clear transmission. The mic neck band fits me snugly, and it took a while to get used to it. The transmission quality is somewhat muted, but it's less noticeable if the user articulates carefully. The mic seems to have a little trouble transmitting from a loud environment (such as a dance club), but a careful listener in a quiet environment can make out what you're saying; quiet-to-quiet transmission is excellent. The entire device is a bit bulky and looks awkward on an exposed neck (i.e. without a coat or turtleneck), but that's a symptom of its rugged, durable design. It can easily be concealed under a fully-zipped coat (I have one similar to this: White Sierra Men's El Dorado Jacket). The wires are plenty long with resilient coiling, so you can rig yourself up however you need to for the best convenience and utility (unlike the Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX (Pair), which have limited wire length).
Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone who is considering getting the Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX (Pair) for their Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) (Black/Silver), unless a more-professional and less-tactical look is required (such as some security posts). Its best feature for me is the ability to key up the mic and communicate without making obvious motions for PTT and holding the mic in an appropriate position. Recommended buy!

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Garmin Rino 520 14-Mile 22-Channel Waterproof FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio and GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)For the longest time, I resisted geting a GPS. Any soldier worth his stripes should be able to figure out his ground position to within 100m just by comparing the ground to his map, and maybe shooting a bearing with his compass.
But then I picked up a cheapie Garmin Etrex, and while it doesn't replace the map and terrain reading skills (by a long shot) the ability to generate an exact position fix at a moment's notice comes in very handy, especially when one is operating in an unfamilliar area. GPS may be a crutch, but it is an *effective* crutch.
There were a few small problems with the Etrex though. It was very sensitive to sky view, such that it often lost signal inside a vehicle unless it was on the dash. It didn't do mapping, and it would eat AA batteries at a ferocious rate. With the newer, fancier units on the market, I started thinking about upgrading.
Many of the troops in my unit have Rino 120 FRS/GPS units. It can be handy to have an additional means of communication other than the issue radios, and the position reporting function was interesting, so I bought a Rino 520 - specifically a 520 vice a 530 because of reports of better battery life, and the extra geegaws on the 530 didn't seem to have much practical purpose.
Wow!
1) The 520 has tons of memory, such that I could upload topo maps for every area I was likely to operate in and still have room to spare. The detail and accuracy has been outstanding, and having street names (which the issue 1:50k maps lack) has been a godsend.
2) It is much less sensitive to sky cover than the Etrex was. It'll still lose signal if (say) stuffed in a glovebox, but it'll work on your lap in a vehicle, where the Etrex would not.

3) The "breadcrumb" track mapping means I can record everywhere I go, and then download the tracks to my computer later via Mapsource - which can then be overlaid on satellite imagery via Google Earth (which has already proven useful in proving that I was at a certain place at a certain time)
4) The routing function and the turn-by-turn instructions were recently tested on a 900km road move, and worked - although the unit made a couple of odd suggestions, and I think it may have been hampered by not having detail maps loaded for the entire route.
5) It has a nifty "alarm clock" mode, where you set the alarm, and the unit shuts off - and then turns itself on and screeches at the appropriate time. Cool!
6) The data pages are customizable, meaning you can set up pages that contain just the info you need.
7) The radio and position location/transmit functions work exactly as advertised. I don't yet have a good feel for the max range of the radio (even in 5W mode) but it's not huge. The speaker gets all distorted at max volume, but when used with an earbud it is just fine. My gut tells me the radio is fair to good.
8) The only real concern I've had has been battery life and the fact that it uses a proprietary batty pack that must be recharged from wall current - which can be tough to find sometimes. But so far, battery life has been exceptional (a three day exercise with heavy radio use only dropped to 60%, and a 2-day road move with the radio turned off finished at 90% used) and an add-on pack that uses normal AA batteries (at the cost of dropping max transmit power to 2W) is availible.
Overall, this is a great unit, and highly recommended.
DG

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Motorola XV2600 6-Channel VHF Business Two-Way Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)the radio works well but be carefull not to drop it too often or you will have antena problems and you wont recieve 50%

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If you're in business and need to keep in close contact with your workers and colleagues, the Motorola XV2600 business two-way radio may be exactly what you're looking for. With hands-free functionality, a lightweight but rugged design, an extended battery life, six channels, and enhanced range capability, the Motorola XV2600 is designed with the professional who cares about efficiency and safety in mind.Many work sites, including construction areas, grocery stores, hospitals, and warehouses, require workers to cover vast amounts of area in the course of the day. These sites also suffer from high ambient noises generated from poor acoustics, machinery, vehicle traffic, and other loud sources. Keeping in constant touch with your staff requires communication tools that are specifically designed for these environments. When communications break down, your organization becomes less efficient, and issues such as productivity, safety, and profitability suddenly become serious concerns.Operating on FCC frequencies reserved exclusively for business use, the Motorola XV2600 is a powerful two-way radio that can help you keep your business's operations on schedule, maximize productivity, enhance security, and increase overall customer satisfaction. (The Motorola XV2600 operates on VHF frequencies, making it ideal solution for working outdoors and in and around wood structures.)Thanks to a newly designed chip and optimized acoustic cabinet that provides clearer audio at higher volumes, the Motorola XV2600 offers a significant improvement of sound quality over earlier Motorola two-way radio models. The radio has also been designed not only to be weatherproof, shockproof, and drop-proof, but also to meet MilSpec810 and IP54 standards. In other words, this is a radio that's built to take the harshest work conditions your job can dish out.A radio is only as good as its power source. With the included XTN NIMH rechargeable battery, you will get up to 13 hours of continuous work between recharges, and if you find yourself running a third shift on the same radio, you can throw in two AA batteries to keep the talk flowing for another 22 hours.The Motorola XV2600 also lets you spread out. With vastly improved selectivity, sensitivity, and voice compression in the receiver, you can talk up to 250,000 square feet, or up to 20 floors in a multi-level building. (Talk range may vary depending on terrain and conditions.) Of course, talk range is meaningless if you have continual channel chatter. With the XV2600 you have 27 business-exclusive VHF frequencies along with 121 private line codes, including 83 digital private line codes (DPL). So not only are you more likely to find a clear channel with no interference, you also get a high degree of compatibility with your existing fleets of radios.Speaking of compatibility, this radio can operate seamlessly with all Motorola Spirit professional two-way radios, including all radios in the Spirit M-Series, the Spirit GT, the Spirit HP, the Spirit Pacer, and the Spirit S-Series. So you can add XTN Series radios as you go, or anytime you need to replace radios or purchase additional radios for your fleet.And speaking of fleets, the XV2600 is designed for split-second cloning using the multi-unit charger. This allows you to quickly add radios to an existing fleet, or pick up and move the whole fleet to a new location and set it up in a hurry with all the appropriate channel and code settings.So if you're in a business that necessitates close communication with your staff, the Motorola XV2600 is designed to do the job safely, efficiently, and economically.What's in the Box One XV2600 two-way radio, drop-in radio and battery charger, rechargeable NiMH battery, radio carry holster, AC adapter, and user's guide.

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Cobra LI-5600-2 DX VP Micotalk 20-Mile Range 2-Way Radio - 2 Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased 2 sets of these walkie talkies. currently I have 4 different types of Cobra walkie talkies which I use at my job. I am a Building Manager that oversees Custodial Services in several government buildings so these walkie talkies are essential to my daily interactions with my co-workers(custodians). I love these radios, they are smaller and easier to handle and the range is just incredible. I highly recommend this product, and I will be purchasing more radios in the near future.

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Vertex Standard VXA-300 Pilot III Air Band Transceiver Nav/Com Review

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(More customer reviews)In my personal opinion every pilot must carry a radio in case you lose communication in your airplane. This is Vertex is easier to use and configure. Nice back lit keypad helps you see it at night.

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Icom IC-M34 VHF Waterproof Marine Two-Way Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this radio for a recent vacation boating on Lake Powell. I wanted the radio for emergency communications and weather monitoring.
The weather monitoring came in crystal clear and was necessary since we were in the middle of the Arizona monsoon season. Fortunately I never needed the radio for emergency reasons, but it gave me peace of mind having it.
The unit is solid and well built. I chose Icom due to my experience as a Radioman in the US Navy. If it's good enough for the Navy, it's good enough for me.

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The Icom IC-M34 VHF Marine Transceiver is the industry's first floating marine VHF hand-held radio. Compact and lightweight, this unit is incredibly powerful, with plenty of smart features that make it the perfect companion for any marine outing, whether it is just a few hours of fishing, or a week-long expedition.
The IC-M34 utilizes an easy-to-read LCD screen with a large 2-digit channel indicator that also displays the volume and SQL levels, and features both screen and key backlighting for easy night time use. This marine transceiver is also easy to use, with nine large buttons on the front panel that provide simple intuitive operation, and an easy-to-hold rounded body that fits securely and comfortably in your hand. The IC-M34 offers quick access to your favorite channels with a favorite channel function that lets you tag your most-used frequencies, as well as providing instant access to channel 16 and channel 9 in case of emergencies. What's more, this unit offers dual- and tri-watch functions, so it can constantly scan channel 16 as well as one or two user-selected channels so you never miss anything important. As an added convenience, the IC-M34 features an auto scan function, a two-step power saver, and weather channel reception with alerts for approaching dangerous weather.
Built tough, the Icom IC-M34 is constructed to not only IPX7 waterproofing standards, which means it can be fully submersed in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, but has been designed to float in both fresh and salt water, so if you drop it you can quickly and easily retrieve it again. This unit also features an AquaQuake draining function which emits a vibrating sound that clears water away from the speaker grill. The IC-M34 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to nine hours of operating time, while a four-step battery indicator lets you know how long you have to go. This unit is completely portable, weighing only 10.8 ounces with the battery in, and measuring 2.44 x 5.56 x 1.69 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box Icom IC-M34 marine radio, hand strap, antenna, battery pack, battery charger, AC adapter, belt clip, user's manual and warranty information.

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Motorola TalkAbout EM1000 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) Review

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(More customer reviews)We've got lots of these radios at our farm and few of them last more than 6 months. Battery issues and button failure are the main issues. As I understand it, the biggest problem is the chargers (sold separately) are not "smart" chargers, meaning that you can easily over-charge the battery and dramatically shorten its life. All that said, when the walkies do work they are great, the sound is clear, etc on our 12 acre farm. They are SOOO much cheaper than the professional next step up that we're continuing to buy them frequently to replace the broken ones, although soon I hope to try professional & hopefully more durable units. The belt clips and the charger build quality are shockingly poor.

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Motorola DTR410 Digital On-Site Two-Way Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)Bought a pair of these radios during a US vacation. Range is practically at par with those common FRS/GMRS radios, don't expect more, especially not outside of a building. Inside larger buildings, the Motorola DTR410 really rocks, range is very good, even over a couple of floors. What makes this radio better than the cheaper FRS/GMRS is the quality of the communication between the units. It really sounds very well, no distortion, very loud and clear and without any noise/chatter. I also love the fact that the radio shows you if the other radio is in range. This is a fantastic feature which I have never seen on FRS/GMRS radios. The build quality is also absolutely great and the radio is very robust and rugged.
So if you are using your two way radio mainly in larger buildings/structures like hotels, malls, cruise ships, etc., the Motorola DTR410 is really great. If you need a two way radio for outdoor activities, a GMRS radio might offer a greater range in the open field.
Since using the DTR410 for almost a year now, I never looked back (former FRS/GMRS radios).
Highly recommended but not cheap. You get what you pay for though.

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The DTR410 digital on-site two-way radio presents a better way for small businesses to communicate. It also offers enhanced performance with wide coverage, longer battery life and clear, crisp audio. Digital one-to-many calling networks with other DTR radios on the same group ID and channel, for enhanced compatibility.

DTR410 Digital On-Site Portable Radio
Digital One-to-Many Group CallAllows other DTR radios on same group ID and channel to communicate.

Lithium Ion Battery Gives extra-long battery life--up to 14.5 hours of operation per full charge.

Rugged, Compact Polycarbonate HousingOffers comfort, with rubber overmold.

Durable Design Meets military 810 C, D, E, and F specifications for shock, vibration, water, dust and temperature extremes.

Full-Graphic Backlit Display Uses contrast adjustment and backlight timer and provides battery gauge.

Caller ID Stores recent call list--up to last 20 transmissions.

Unit-to-Unit Configuration Simplifies cloning operation, with via optional cable.

The Digital Difference
Because the digital technology of the DTR410 enables each unit to have its own unique 11-digit identification, you get a new level of radio communication versatility with these calling features:

Digital One-to-One Private Calling Communicate privately with a specific user. Recipient can receive an alert--either audible or vibrating. Recipient's unit displays caller's ID.

Digital One-to-Many Group Calling Public group call--all other DTR410 radios on the same group ID and channel hear communications.

Transmit ID Receiving radios will display the radio ID of the transmitting unit and, if listed in your contact list, the transmitting unit's radio name.

Scroll List You can view a recent-calls list, showing the source and target of the last 20 transmissions with time and date information.

Digital Audio Quality Stays loud and clear everywhere you have coverage.

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Provides enhanced security with 50 non-overlapping groups.

Enhanced Coverage Coverage extended by 20%--up to 300,000 square feet or 25 floors.

Extended Battery Life Up to 45% longer operation on a single charge.

DTR Short Messaging Service (SMS) The DTR410 is capable of sending and receiving 10 preset messages, such as "I'll call you back in 5 minutes." It also allows for keyed in custom messages to meet more specific needs.

Advanced Managerial Features Including remote disable, remote monitor, over-the-air (OTA) time/date update and contact distribution.

Build Bridges
The digital performance of the DTR410 enables you to build bridges that expand the capabilities of individuals and teams, enabling them to get the job done right, fast and safely. That means powerful productivity that's perfect for:

Education Maintaining order and enhancing student safety are priorities for any school. DTR Series radios keep everyone in touch, from teachers and administrators to crossing guards and maintenance personnel. That enables a quick response to any situation, often preventing small problems from escalating into bigger ones.

Manufacturing Success in industry depends on two things: efficiency and responsiveness. Clear communication, often in noisy environments, is essential to avoid downtime--and to enable the fastest response to production problems or injuries. The DTR Series delivers. Its rugged construction stands up to industrial environments, and its long battery life meets the demands of overtime and multi-shift operations.

Hospitality Excellent service and customer satisfaction are the keys to loyalty and repeat business. DTR Series radios keep your staff connected, from the front desk and concierge to event planners and maintenance personnel. That means a more productive staff and fast response to guest needs, special events, spills and emergencies.

Retail Responsive service is essential to sales and customer satisfaction. DTR Series radios make responsiveness easier to provide, whether it's an answer to a customer's question, a price check, a clean-up or an emergency. With clear, constant communication ensured, customer satisfaction can be taken to the next level.

Property Management With DTR Series radios, building managers, maintenance technicians, groundskeepers and security personnel can respond fast to tenant needs or emergencies, minimizing costs and enhancing tenant satisfaction.

Construction To keep any construction project on track, you need timely coordination from management to foremen, subcontractors, and individual tradespeople. DTR Series radios make it easy, helping keep projects on schedule, avoid errors, meet deadlines and keep costs on budget.


DTR410 Specs
What's in the Box
DTR410 Radio, Standard Capacity Li-Ion Battery, Drop-In Charging Tray, Three-Hour Charger, Swivel Belt Holster, Tri-Lingual User's Guide (CD), Quick Reference Card

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Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB Handheld VHF Marine Radio (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)These radios were over $350.00...Now that newer models have arrived you can purchase for approx $100 less. Radio has several bands (Air, FMS, AM/FM etc.) in addition to marine radio.
Reception is very clear and the compact unit is solid quality. We have used for approx 3 years with no problems. Sound is very good at all volume levels except at full volume you get some distortion. However, you do not need full volume to clearly hear.
You won't go wrong with this feature packed radio.

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Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio stations with the Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB handheld two-way VHF radio.
Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio station.

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Icom IC-M88 Handheld VHF Marine Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have used two of these radios extensively for sea kayaking (in various countries). I have also used them as two way radios (using the land radio channels) for skiing, climbing and hiking. The quality of the units is excellent: they can withstand shocks, bumps and being dropped. And they are definitely waterproof as per the specification. Sound quality and range are both excellent, certainly much better than the license free units I have used.

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Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environment, the Icom IC-M88 handheld VHF radio is a must for safety-minded boaters. The radio is outfitted with a host of valuable features, including an easy-to-read backlit LCD display, an intuitive six-button keypad, and a rugged waterproof housing that's submersible in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. More significantly, the radio works with all 57 U.S., 61 Canadian, and 57 international channels, along with 10 weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The VHF channels offer an ideal way to communicate with other boaters--whether exchanging information on a great fishing spot or sending out a distress signal--while the NOAA channels notify you when inclement weather is approaching. As a bonus, the radio also offers 22 free channels (from 146 to 174 MHz) reserved for land mobile (commercial) use, making this an ideal unit for marine professionals who also work on the shore (requires FCC license).
The radio's layout is straightforward and easy to use, with a half dozen clearly labeled buttons on the front panel and a volume/power knob along the top. The radio's rugged body, meanwhile, meets military specifications for durability, so you can rough it up at sea or on land without fearing a breakdown. Other design details include 5 watts of output power for reliable communication over long distances, a surprisingly compact chassis that fits easily in the palm of your hand, and a two-step power saver that preserves battery life.
The IC-M88 also offers several scanning modes, including an auto scan function that starts scanning whenever no signal is detected, a traditional scan mode that searches through all the tag channels in sequence, a priority scan mode that does the same but also monitors the distress channel (number 16), and a weather alert option that immediately switches the radio to the appropriate weather channel when a storm warning comes through. Users will also dig the Dual Watch and Tri-Watch functions. The former lets you communicate on a channel of your choice while also keeping an eye on channel 16, while the latter monitors two channels--channel 16 and another channel--while receiving a third channel. The pair of "watch"modes guarantee that you won't miss an important emergency call from a distressed boater while your attention is otherwise engaged.
Additional features include a lithium-ion battery pack that delivers up to 15 hours of talk time per charge, instant access to channels 16 and 9, a key lock function, a four-level battery life indicator, a programmable beep sound, and a self-check function that monitors the internal temperature, connected battery voltage, and water intrusion. Bundled with such accessories as a drop-in charger, swivel belt clip, and hand strap, the IC-M88 radio measures 2.44 by 3.81 by 1.53 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box IC-M88 radio, lithium-ion battery pack, drop-in charger, AC adapter, swivel belt clip, hand strap, antenna, user's manual.

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