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Two-way radios can be a valuable asset to have in order to stay in touch with others. Many long-range walkie-talkies will experience shortened ranges within the city, making it integral that the radios have the capacity to receive long-distance communications. If you’re in the market for a great walkie-talkie that can handle city environments, but unsure of which is the best, you’re in luck. In this article, we will cover the best long-range walkie-talkies for city use as well as the features provided with each product.
Uniden GMR-5089 – Best Overall
If you’re looking for a long-range walkie-talkie that packs in the most value per cost, the Uniden GMR-5089 is a great option. This pair of two-way radios is extremely durable, has long-range capabilities, and is relatively affordable.
The GMR-5089 is rated for 50 miles of signal reception in open-air spaces, though it is likely that 20+ miles will be ensured in this condition. Of course, in the city, this will be drastically reduced depending on how tall buildings are, with a range of a few miles likely to be available for reception.
The GMR-5089 has an attractive and comfortable design, with a brightly lit screen enabling easy readability when changing the frequency channel. The button layout is also intuitively designed for simple operation.
An interesting feature provided with this set of walkie-talkies is a Weather Radio broadcast mode. This lets you easily tune into a weather broadcast to stay current on the latest weather developments.
Another interesting feature, which adds to the overall value of the product, is the fact that the GMR-5089 can be completely submerged underwater for 30 minutes and still function normally. This is a necessity for any rescue worker who may have to jump in the water for any circumstance.
The GMR-5089 also features an LED flashlight which can double as a strobe light in emergency situations. A strobe light will help others identify your whereabouts in the dark.
The GMR-5089 has 22 channels available, with 15 GMRS and 7 FRS, combining into over 6000 different channel possibilities. This unit also has extensive privacy controls available to ensure that your channel remains out of reach of unintended participants.
This walkie-talkie also has a caller ID available, which can allow you to privately contact any member of your channel group.
Rounding out the entire package is a charging deck (powered by an included AC adapter), a pair of belt clips and carabiners, a pair of headsets for hands-free use, and a pair of two-way radios and rechargeable battery packs.
Overall, the GMR-5089 is a great bundle of value. These radios have excellent battery power and long-range capabilities. The fact that they can be submerged underwater and still function means that you can use this radio in any weather condition without worry. Because of its affordability, and that it also comes with a pair of radios, makes this one of the best-valued radios on the market.
Item Weight: 2.15 pounds
Package Dimensions: 15 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches
Motorola MH230R – Best Premium
If you have no budgetary concerns, the Motorola MH230R is worth looking at. These are dependable two-way radios with an extensive signal reach and a long battery life.
The MH230R features 22 channels, with each channel having up to 121 different privacy codes to keep unwanted participants off of a private channel. Taking into account the number of channels with the number of privacy codes, these two-way radios offer up to 2662 different channel combinations.
This two-way radio also features the ability to tune into 11 different dedicated weather channels, 7 of which are NOAA channels broadcasting official weather statements. This can be incredibly handy out in the wilderness or in situations where a keen eye is required to keep track of the weather.
The MH230R has a range of about 23 miles in open-air situations, which, depending on building height, translates to about 1-2 miles in city use. Despite their shortened range, these two-way radios are quite effective in the city.
These long-range walkie-talkies also have an intuitive user interface, with each function easy to figure out. The yellow color design also helps to ensure that the radio will be easily found when you need it most.
The screen on the MH230R is backlit, making it usable in both daylight and nighttime conditions.
The MH230R is powered by a couple of different methods. The first is by use of 3 x AAA batteries, which can provide up to 26 hours of use. The second method is by using the rechargeable NiMH batteries provided with the two-way radios. The NiMH batteries offer up to 10 hours of use with a full charge.
These two-way radios also carry an IP-51 rating against dust and rain, making them suitable in almost any condition you may find yourself in.
Completing the overall package, the MH230R includes a pair of two-way radios and belt clips, a pair of rechargeable batteries, a charging adapter, as well as a charging dock.
Overall, the Motorola MH230R is a very viable long-range walkie-talkie that can cover great distances in the right environment. Whether picking up long-range communications or those within a short-range, the MH230R has a great ability to provide a clear sound with plenty of volume, which is necessary for understanding any communication. Having a pair of these with a single purchase also makes this a great value.
Item Weight: 1.3 pounds
Package Dimensions: 6.21 x 2.14 x 1.15 inches
Midland LXT500VP3 – Best Budget
If you’re on a tight budget, the Midland LXT500VP3 is a great option for a long-range walkie-talkie. This product offers quite a bit of value and a number of features at a very wallet-friendly price.
The LXT500VP3 has a range of up to 24 miles in an unobstructed, open-air environment. However, when it comes to the city, this will likely be reduced to a range of 1-2 miles, which is still great and comparable to even the best long-range walkie-talkies.
This two-way radio features 22 different channels with the radio being cross-compatible with all other Midland GMRS and FRS two-way radios. The radio does offer a scanning function to easily locate a signal source.
The LXT500VP3 also has a very intuitive user interface and features a call alert that plays when a group member from the designated channel calls the individual device. This walkie-talkie also offers silent use, with the ability to turn all sounds off aside from basic communication. A headphone jack is also provided on the radio for added privacy.
A keypad lock is another integrated feature with the LXT500VP3. This helps to prevent any accidental button presses, which could inadvertently change the channel frequency that the radio operates on.
This two-way radio is also resistant to water and sunlight, making it ideal for use in nearly any weather condition.
The LXT500VP3 features two different power methods. One method is by use of 4x AAA batteries. Another is by use of the provided rechargeable battery packs, which provide about 6 hours of use. The LXT500VP3 does have a power-saving function that can significantly increase the battery’s life.
Purchase of the Midland LXT500VP3 includes a pair of walkie-talkies and rechargeable batteries, a pair of belt clips, a desktop charger, and an AC charging adapter.
Overall, the Midland LXT500VP3 is a very capable walkie-talkie that has long-range capabilities and durability to match. This simple two-way radio will easily get the job done in nearly any situation you may find yourself in. Because of the number of features provided with this radio, plus the fact that a pair of radios come with the overall package, the LXT500VP3 is a great value that is hard to beat for those on a budget.
Item Weight: 1 pound
Package Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 1 inches
What To Look For In A Long Range Walkie Talkie For City Use
There are a great number of different two-way radios available on the market, with each boasting its own signal capacities. Because of this, it can be a little difficult to determine which is the best walkie-talkie for you, especially when it comes to using it in a city. By keeping the following information in mind, you will have an easier time when it comes to making a purchasing decision.
Signal Range
The signal range capability of a two-way radio is perhaps one of the most important features. However, many of these are rated in situations that have no obstructions within a line of sight while using the device. This means that cities with large buildings will decrease the overall signal range. Long-range capabilities will likely be the best bet in these situations.
Ease Of Use
A design that is both intuitive and easy to operate is essential when it comes to a two-way radio. If the radio is difficult to operate, you likely will not be able to take advantage of any built-in extra features it may provide.
Budget
Your budget will likely determine which two-way radio you purchase. However, it is important to analyze the ideal features you wish to have in a two-way radio, and see which products in your price range offer these features. Many two-way radios will come with 2 or 3 different radios, ultimately cutting the individual cost per two-way radio and adding value to the overall package. A very competent two-way radio can likely be found at a wallet-friendly price.
Best Brands For Walkie Talkies Designed For City Use
When it comes to buying a long-range walkie-talkie, there are a few brands that are very well known and have a reputation for creating worthwhile products. If you find yourself at a loss when doing market research, you likely cannot go wrong with a product from one of these brands.
Uniden
Uniden is a Japanese electronics company that specializes in radio communication products. This brand has a stellar reputation, providing quality service to the industry for over 50 years.
Motorola
Motorola is a very well-known American company specializing in communication products. They are likely best known for their line of mobile phones but have a hand in creating high-quality radio communication devices as well.
Midland
Midland is another American company that is well-known in the radio communications space. Since it was first established in 1959, Midland has been creating high-quality two-way radios for both personal and professional use.
Best Long Range Walkie Talkies For City Use, Final Thoughts
Having a long-range walkie-talkie can be an essential item to have, no matter if you are going hiking, camping, taking a trip into the city with a group of people, or running security at an event. These devices allow you to stay in touch with each other without the need of having a cell phone device. Many of these devices will also allow you to stay up-to-date on the latest weather announcements. Take some time to research which two-way radio is best for your individual needs and circumstances.