The technology behind cell phones is rapidly advancing. Nonetheless, your mobile phone has an Achilles heel – the phone would be useless were it not for the cellular towers nearby. On the other hand, old-school walkie-talkies facilitate short-range wireless communication in regions with poor or no mobile phone connectivity. This makes walkie-talkies do enough to cover for the shortcomings of cell phones.
These walkie-talkies are hand-held wireless radios with convenient sizes to make them easily portable wherever your adventures take you. They resemble cordless mobile phones in appearance but have bodies with a speaker, antenna, and microphone incorporated.
Different from your cell phone, the walkie-talkie speaker and microphone are positioned next to each other. The speaker is also much louder, enabling any person within earshot to follow the conversation.
If a walkie-talkie sounds like a device you could use, we have gone further to provide you with a review of one such walkie-talkie – the Midland T71VP3. Follow along to make an informed purchase.
Table of Contents
Power Source
The Midland T71VP3 is available with a twin battery feature powered by a 1000 mAh rechargeable battery or an “AA” alkaline battery. This 1000 mAh rechargeable battery can last for up to 15 hours, making it a reliable device to use without the constant need for recharging. You will not have any communication worries even if your adventure takes you off the grid with no readily available power sources.
This is because the Midland T71VP3 walkie-talkie can last you about a day using it for your outdoor adventures, thereby reducing your worries of it dying unexpectedly. And in the event you are not in a position to recharge the battery in your outdoor setup, you have the option of packing 3 “AA” disposable batteries.
Range
You do not have to worry about the reception range with the Midland T71VP3 walkie-talkie, as it can cover up to 38 miles in open rural areas or over water. However, depending on the weather conditions and topography, it may get to less than 38 miles.
The Midland T71VP3 has a power rating of 1.5 Watts, which may be used to broadcast up to within a 250,000 square feet space or eight floors. However, the coverage may be affected by obstructions.
Features
We recommend using the Midland T71VP3 as you and your friends head out on adventures or other outdoor undertakings for the following reasons:
The Xtreme Range – covers a distance of up to 38 miles on open fields with minimum obstructions. The 38-mile range should be sufficient for the majority of outdoor explorers and adventurers since the distance between you and your compatriot will rarely exceed this set range limit. However, obstructions such as hills and concrete can significantly reduce this range.
2-way Radios – the walkie-talkie is license-free and offers 36 FRS channels with 121 privacy codes and 14 channels ideal for private interactions and blocking secondary conversations. This feature enables communication between you and your partners without the risk of interception by third parties.
NOAA Weather Alert + Scan – with the feature, you will be able to detect the closest weather channel for notification purposes in the event a storm is approaching. In addition, it also features an alarm triggered upon noticing harsh weather within your surroundings.
eVOX Hands-free – this feature is ideal for you if you wish to communicate without holding the device. You can now keep the conversation going as you undertake other activities that might require both your hands.
Silent Operation – the silent feature of the device is convenient whenever you do not wish to be disturbed while on your adventure.
HI/LO Power Setting – with this, you can adjust the transmission range and, therefore, conserve your battery life.
Provided with all of its features, the Midland T71VP3 is ideal for outdoor engagements like fishing, hiking, and indoor uses. In addition, because it is an FRS radio, you do not need a license to use it.
pros
- Extended battery life of 15 hours
- Long-range of up to 38 miles in perfect weather conditions and topography
- Light-weight and compact making it easily portable
- Amazing sound quality
- Easy to use
- It is water-resistant
cons
- Not ideal for extreme weather conditions and activities
- GMRS channels are not available with the device
Conclusion
It might come as a surprise having to learn of the many different frequencies, features, brands, and ranges of walkie-talkies available for you to choose from. This makes finding an ideal hand-held walkie-talkie among the vast array of options a challenge. Some of the products are essentially toys to the trusted emergency services or military-grade tools fit for dire situations. However, with this review, it should be clear to you what to expect with your purchase of the Midland T71VP3 walkie-talkie.
