Boating can be a truly fun activity for so many reasons; the gentle breeze of the lake, the silence, randomly interrupted by the squeaky sounds of wild birds. Also, boating gives you an opportunity to bond with family and friends, and simply enjoy the beauty of nature.
As fun as boating can (and should) be, safety is of utmost concern. A good way to minimize danger (and keep safe) is to ensure that you have a means of communication with friends who are on land or in another boat.
Walkie Talkies are the ideal devices that help you stay in touch with other people during an activity like boating.
Top 5 Best Marine Two-Way Radios for Boating: By Best Feature
Buyer Guide: Critical Factors to be considered before you select the Best Marine Two-Way Radio for Boating
Careful consideration must be given before and during the purchase of a Marine Two Way Radio. Whatever product you decide to go with, ensure that it is waterproof and can float. This means that you can use your Walkie Talkie under any weather condition.
You can also retrieve and continue using it even if it falls inside water. Apart from being waterproof, other things you might want to look out for include:
1. Range
Walkie Talkies are different from phones in that they cannot take pictures or play music, but they are still important tools of communication. This is because they can still send signals in regions that do not have mobile signals.
However, you need to know the kind of signal the Walkie Talkie uses. Many two way radios use GPS signals and can tune in to certain channels within a certain radio wave.
Range is a term used to define the signal and frequency of a walkie talkie. When the range of a signal is wide, it means that you will still be able to communicate at certain frequencies in long distances.
For a Walkie Talkie used for boating, a wider range with strong frequencies are better. Also, check if the specific marine two way radios use more than one channel. The more channels, the easier your communication will be.
2. Audio Quality
The audio quality of a Walkie talkie is very important, as communication is not complete if you cannot hear what is being said. Many Walkie Talkies have good audio quality, but prolonged exposure to dust and debris can affect the audio quality.
This is why you should check out the marine two way radios that have dust resistant features in addition to its audio quality.
3. Maintenance
This involves charging requirements, product warranty, battery life, etc. Some Walkie Talkie products use Nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH) while others use Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries.
Li-Ion batteries need a full charge in one or two hours, while NiMH batteries need to be charged for at least 12 hours before you can use it. Apart from the charging requirements, the warranty of two way radio is important too.
Some products have a warranty of a few months, while others have a warranty of up to 1 year. I also need to point out that NiMH batteries last longer than Li-Ion batteries, so if you are frequently going on long boating trips, you might want to get a product that is NiMH battery powered.
4. Design and Durability
There is obviously no need to purchase a product that is not easy to carry or packs up after a fall. Ease of use is as important as any other feature a Walkie Talkie can have.
When making a purchase, ensure that you are on the lookout for products that are easy to operate. No one wants a complicated product, especially in case of emergencies. The weight of the two way radio also contributes to its ease of use.
You might not need to worry about the weight of your product if you use it majorly on your boating trips; but if you want a versatile product that can be used during and after boating trips, you might want to get a lightweight Walkie Talkie.
5. Pricing
You probably would have raised your brows if I did not talk about this particular point. Many Walkie Talkies are priced based on their features.
Most of them are affordable, but the products that are considered to be pricey often contain additional features such as Voice operated Exchange (VOX) which allows you to operate your walkie talkie hands-free, or features that reduce certain background sounds automatically, or even voicemail features.
Depending on the functionality of your marine two way radio, you might want to part with a few more bucks just to get a product that suits your needs.
Now that we have highlighted the major features that an ideal Walkie Talkie for boating should have, let us explore some of the best products in this category.
Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Boating
1. GOCOM G600 FRS Walkie Talkies
Best For: Value for Money
The GOCOM Walkie Talkie is one product you will enjoy because of the width of range that it offers. This product offers communication up to 14 miles when boating.
You can also use this product for other outdoor activities e.g. hiking. It is made with a waterproof IPX4 function. You can also use the GOCOM Walkie Talkie in hands-free mode with the VOX feature.
This marine two way radio has 22 channels, as well as access to NOAA weather reports and alerts. There is also a keypad lock function that allows your walkie talkie remain on a channel with strong frequency without interruption.
You can charge your GOCOM Walkie Talkie with USB charging, and there are extra batteries to ensure that you use your product for up to 75 hours.
Specifications of GOCOM G600 FRS Walkie Talkies
- 22 channels with two-way radio.
- 121 CTCSS codes with up to 2,662 combinations.
- 14-mile range.
- 6 AA NiMH batteries that can last up to 75 hours.
- UHF Tuner technology up to 3 Watts.
- Hands- free feature with a wireless mic.
- NOAA channels and alerts with an audio squelch feature.
- 2.17*1.57*7.09 inches (L*W*H)
- Designed according to IPX4 standards.
Pros and Cons of GOCOM G600 FRS Walkie Talkies
Pros:
- This product is cheap and easy to use.
- It has a long range of communication.
- It has a long battery life.
- This product has a large number of channels.
- It is rechargeable.
Cons:
- No call button like some other products.
- The UHF technology sometimes restricts the audio quality.
2. Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
Best For: Durability
If you are looking for a walkie talkie for boat thating is sleek in design yet very efficient in function, the Cobra MH HH350 is a good choice.
This marine two way radio allows for communication on both short and long ranges locally as well as internationally at a range of up to 6 watts. It also provides you with access to weather forecasts by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) weather channels.
There is an embedded emergency channel (channel 16) that ensures your safety even in dire situations. This walkie talkie was made to allow you enjoy a premium boating experience, as it is made to float and even has a burp feature that allows it release water out of its speaker in case it falls into water.
The microphone of the Cobra MR HH350 allows you have clear audio as you communicated due to its noise-cancelling feature. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, this product comes with accessories such as a drop-in charger, AC and DC chargers, antenna as well as belt and wrist straps.
Specifications of Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
- 16 channels with memory scan feature.
- 10-mile range.
- Lithium polymer batteries that can last up to 20 hours.
- VHF Tuner technology up to 6 Watts.
- Hands- free “burp” feature.
- NOAA channels and alerts with a Tri-Watch feature.
- 2.09*2.66*4.75 inches (L*W*H)
- Designed according to IS7 (IPX7) standards.
Pros and Cons of Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
Pros:
- This product has a wireless function with a backlit LCD display.
- Has a Tri-Watch feature that guarantees your safety especially during emergencies.
- This product is very durable.
- The accessories of this product make it very suitable for boating.
- It is waterproof.
Cons:
- Many users consider this product pricey.
- Could come as a single radio instead of a two-way radio.
3. Topsung M880 FRS Two Way Radios
Best for: Audio quality
The Topsung M880 FRS Two-way radio was specially designed to offer safety on a budget. The product is a fully automated smart system that provides 22 main channels with a standby time of up to 4 days.
When you consider the best walkie talkies for your boating adventures, this one will certainly pop up at the top quarter of the list. This Marine two-way radio is powered by 3AA NiMH batteries, and is extremely lightweight.
Kids can also use this product with its attractive color and LCD backlight screen. There is also a hands-free function (VOX) that ensures ease of use.
Specifications of Topsung M880 FRS Two Way Radio
- 22 channels with two-way radio.
- 121 privacy codes with up to 2,662 combinations.
- 16-mile range.
- 3 AA NiMH batteries that can last up to 75 hours.
- Hands- free feature with a wireless mic.
- 6.3*1.97*0.98inches (L*W*H)
Pros and Cons of Topsung M880 FRS Two Way Radio
Pros:
- This product has an extended battery life.
- It comes with an auto system that ensures a high level of quality sound.
- This walkie talkie is lightweight and easy to use.
- The system of this product is fully automated.
- This two way radio has a long range.
Cons:
- The batteries needed to power this product are not included.
- There is no access to weather channels with this product.
4. Retevis RT47 Walkie Talkies Waterproof IP67
Best for: Efficiency
Looking for a very efficient two-way radio that meets military specifications? The Retevis RT47 Walkie Talkie is your best bet. It is designed to work with other Retevis models, with a waterproof design that ensures ease of use during boating.
There is also a hands-free VOX technology that allows you communicate using a different frequency band.
This marine two way radio can be used for up to 24 hours with its 1100mAh Li-Ion battery. It comes with a manual, a charging adaptor and a USB cord.
Specifications of Retevis RT47 Walkie Talkies Waterproof IP67
- 16 channels with two-way radio.
- 5-mile range.
- 2 1100mAh Li-Ion batteries.
- 10.24*7.56*4.49 inches (L*W*H)
- IP67 Waterproof feature
Pros and Cons of Retevis RT47 Walkie Talkies Waterproof IP67
Pros:
- This walkie talkie can last up to 24 hours while in use.
- The sound quality is high.
- This marine two way radio is built to military standards.
- It is waterproof.
- This product can be used with other Retevis models.
Cons:
- The software for changing some channels need programming.
- There are no extra batteries.
5. Cobra MR F57W Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
Best for: Design
The Cobra MR F57W Fixed Mount Radio is a single radio that brings sophistication and design to the fore. This product easily makes our review of best walkie talkies for boating, for many reasons.
Its VHF technology ensures that you can communicate effectively, up to 25 watts. You have access to emergency channels thanks to its GPS feature, so you shouldn’t worry about losing course or getting lost out in the ocean.
Plus, you do not have to worry about missed calls as well while using this marine two way radio, You can simply replay your call transmissions easily.
There is a TriWatch feature that allows you scan up to 3 channels at the same time. The white, sleek design of this walkie talkie makes it an attractive gadget to have on your next boat cruise.
Specifications of Cobra MR F57W Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
- 16 channels.
- VHF Tuner technology up to 25 Watts.
- NOAA channels and alerts with an audio squelch feature.
- 7.13*2.25*6.25inches (L*W*H)
- IPX8 (JIS8) Waterproof feature
Pros and Cons of Cobra MR F57W Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio
Pros:
- This walkie talkie is fully automated.
- The audio quality of this product is high.
- Sleek design and attractive color.
- It is waterproof.
- This marine two-way radio offers access to weather alerts.
Cons:
- Comes as a single radio.
- Some users find this product expensive.
Comparison Table of Top 5 Best Marine Two Way Radios
| Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio | GOCOM G600 FRS Walkie Talkies | Topsung M880 FRS Two Way Radios for Adults | Retevis RT47 Walkie Talkies Waterproof IP67 | Cobra MR F57W Fixed Mount VHF Marine Radio | |
| Range | 10 miles | 14 miles | 16 miles | 5 miles | 10 miles |
| Channels | 16 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 16 |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 75 hours | 75 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Access to NOAA Channels and Alerts | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Final Comments:
In conclusion, if I were to recommend a product for you, it would be the GOCOM G600 FRS Walkie Talkie as it gives you value for money. However, do not forget to look out for the aforementioned specifications as they will serve as a guide to help you make an ideal purchase. Do not be afraid to go a little over budget, especially when you find a product that suits your needs.
