Where to get cheap two way radios?

[Headshotzx]

As per title, what two way radios are good and cheap, and where do I get them? What are the ranges on them? How much am I looking at?

Oh, also, how much are those earplug + mic things? Are they able to be connected to the two way radios?

Any help would be good

Cheers,
Zexun

 

[+evenstar]

check out SLS first level shops...if u dont want to take the risk, purchase the iDA approved ones which have the sticker (DO NOT buy export sets). these are around 3km (in open field, basically useless in buildings)

i personally have the motorola T8550 which i use overseas (tried and tested in france's louvre museum and it works even though the 2 sets were around 40 rooms away in differnt blocks)

for earpieces, i have one of this and a normal earpiece (looks like mobile phone earpiece, can be bought at the shop you purchased your radio, or it comes with ur radio)

 

[helmiz]

http://www.alcomonline.com

Try this

 

[Headshotzx]

Thanks for the replies guys. How much am I looking at for a decent set of 2 x radios + 2 x headsets?

 

[+evenstar]

i would say $200 thereabouts

 

[raptor1988]

I've seen walkie talkies that go for around $98. Self-fix DIY store have.. Advertised range is 5km.. But practical range could be 3-4 clicks at best.

Go for the better models if price isn't as big a factor as distance/quality of transmission.

 

[Headshotzx]

i would say $200 thereabouts

For two? For two handsets alone or for two handsets plus two earphone + mic things.

I guess S$100 is alright, want it to be relatively hands free (only need to press button to speak, not hold the walkie talkie), though..

 

[helmiz]

Bought mine at $98 for a pair only, without the earpiece. Range 5km (approved in Singapore) but its usually lesser range in urban areas like Singapore.

 

[kelccm]

I've seen walkie talkies that go for around $98. Self-fix DIY store have.. Advertised range is 5km.. But practical range could be 3-4 clicks at best.

Go for the better models if price isn't as big a factor as distance/quality of transmission.

Any recommendations on better walkie talkies if price is not much of a concern?

 

[inveritas]

Can give Sim Lim Tower a try, there's a shop at the basement selling Motorola sets.

 

[+evenstar]

Any recommendations on better walkie talkies if price is not much of a concern?

motorola GP 328...and get a islandwide license from IDA..:bsmilie:

 

[+evenstar]

For two? For two handsets alone or for two handsets plus two earphone + mic things.

I guess S$100 is alright, want it to be relatively hands free (only need to press button to speak, not hold the walkie talkie), though..

yup for two..i recall getting my T8550 at around $120 per pair..cheap earpieces cost around $12 per piece..my surveillance earpiece costs $36 if i remember correctly (this is the cheapest version..better versions can cost up to $200)

 

[contaxable]

for walkies, power rating is very important. Those one watt and above are illegal for local use, but they are the best.

Export sets usually have better strength, though IDA will not approve them for local use.

Why walkies if you can call for free on those buddy schemes by local telcos? I think M1 has them iirc...

Just remember, every toy you get, its polluting the earth after you dump them. Think how you can communicate without such aids as if during a survival course.

 

[+evenstar]

sometimes having a comms set is much more feasible IMO..especially if you're in a group and need to be split for some time..multiple parties can also be contacted at the same time..

not to mention it's the best tool for communication when overseas..

 

[Headshotzx]

Okay, thanks for the replies guys. I'll go check around.

I guess motorola is the way to go. I will not want to spend more than S$200 on one pair of two-way radios, plus the accessories.

What I would want is to have a ear-piece with a mic connected (preferably able to extend, and with a boom, if not a small non extendable would be fine). I have trouble with the mics on non-wireless handphone ear-pieces and constantly have to shift the mics nearer to the mouth, which defeats the purpose of voice activation. However, I would settle for push-to-talk-only mics if the voice activated AND ptt mics are too expensive.

You guys recommend SLS. How about Funan? Do they sell these electronics? I'll be at John3:16 tomorrow so I can go have a look around Funan.

Cheers,
Zexun

Edit: How's this for a ear-piece / mic setup?

 

[rOnGrEn]

I've seen walkie talkies that go for around $98. Self-fix DIY store have.. Advertised range is 5km.. But practical range could be 3-4 clicks at best.

Go for the better models if price isn't as big a factor as distance/quality of transmission.

haha.. 3-4 clicks is still a lot leh!!
Thinking about it.. Me and my gf live about 2km apart.. I wonder if walkie talkie works at that range.. would be fun to play as a toy if it does.. :bsmilie:

 

[Headshotzx]

Haha! You can try.

Funan have any of these two ways radios that I can test out? I'm especially curious about THIS earpiece / mic setup. It looks great and it's reviewed by others to perform great. Coupled with the right two-way-radio, it should be the perfect short range communication device. Hands free man! Hands free!!

 

[phoakm]

I have 5 walkie-talkies mainly used for events that covered big areas. I used one that normally used in construction sites to comunicate with the rest of the walkie-Talkies. This reminds me the cisco guards was looking at me when I am using the heahphones similar to the ones they used. :sweat: .... Recently consider to get a pair that covered a greater range and also can be charged using USB. Of course not Motorola.

Talking about headphones, anyone used throat activation ones?

 

[+evenstar]

haha.. 3-4 clicks is still a lot leh!!
Thinking about it.. Me and my gf live about 2km apart.. I wonder if walkie talkie works at that range.. would be fun to play as a toy if it does.. :bsmilie:

you can always try..but if there are many blocks of buildings between u two, i'll probably bet that it'll not work. i've personally tried and 5km-rated WT in sgp, and it couldnt work well from one end of esplanade bridge to the other. (during new year eve..maybe it's due to the heavy electrical interference by lighting equipment? :dunno

 

[nixontkl]

TS - if u got go oversea, u can go to the electronic shop inside the airport. remember seeing a motorola walkie rated at 12km going for $97 w/gst. so u can buy it and go overseas and claim back the 7% gst

my bro had a 5km moto walkie, i stay on the 16 floor, even tested that i can only reach downstairs abt 2 blk away before the link drop.