walkie talkie's?
after years of sky high phone bills and then last year falling on the ariel of my dad's sailing radio and getting a beautiful, but odd shaped bruise, i have decided to invest in a set of walkie talkies for the mountain - does anyone have any ideas on where is best to look for them, what type are best etc for coverage on the mountain and the likes?
cheers.
:)
We've always found the Motorola radios very reliable although the more recent models' aerials tend to fall off - easily fixed with duct tape though.
Bear in mind that American radios and European radios are not compatible, but as long as all your mates have the same it shouldn't be an issue.
thanks ladies. i had a look at argos at then one of the guys at work suggested ebay - so i got my research done at argos, but they have them cheaper on ebay, so i'm going to give that a go. i'd suggest it to everyone looking for them - as there are loads. i've found some waterproof ones - for when i drop them in the snow!
hopefully the post ride drinking sessions'll be easier to instigate now.
x
I got some Argos ones which are great, walkie talkies are very useful on the mountain. I don't think they're waterproof, but its never been a problem.
Some things to consider when buying radios:
[b]Aerials[/b] - the shorter the better as they won't stick in you when you fall or get stuck in your pocket when you're trying to get the radio out
[b]Buttons[/b] - you may have gloves on... small, fiddly buttons are a pain and will require you to 'unglove'
[b]Key lock[/b] - make sure its got one (or you'll be beeping people as you ride or bend over or fall over...) and that its easy to engage/disengage
[b]Volume control [/b]- easy to use, big buttons on the sides... not so easy to increase/reduce volume if the buttons are tiny and on the 'face' of the radio (see glove issues mentioned above)
[b]Rechargeable batteries [/b]- make sure it'll work with rechargeable batteries and buy a recharger. Batteries die quickly in cold weather and getting rechargeables will save you money in the long run.
[b]Number of channels [/b]- get the ones with more channels - they'll be compatible with more radio's and you'll have more options when riding in those resorts where *everyone* has a radio.
Also, NEVER carry your radio in your front hip pocket or anywhere where it might impact your abdomen. That way lies a ruptured spleen. Believe me. My friend nearly died... little things...
Actually it was his inside left pocket on his jacket.
I now call it "the splenetic pocket" :lol: Ade is no longer allowed to put his mobile in there.
We've got some BT ones which work in the U.S and Canada as well as Europe and never had any problems with them. They're pretty durable and can cope with being dropped too which is a bonus.
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All radios should work in both North America and Europe; it's just that our mate has some he bought in the US, and we have ones we bought in Europe, and we can't talk to each other.
Are you UK-based?
If so, http://www.argos.co.uk and search for 'two way radio' then select 'see all'. There are about 10 - 15 options with excellent deals.