If you’re an avid hiker like me and you want to have that feeling of being lost in the wilderness, then walkie talkies are a must-have.
With a walkie talkie, you can communicate with your friends even when there is a big mountain separating the two of you. Though it must be said that walkie talkies work better when there are no obstructions.
Sometimes, it can get hard to find someone on the trail and if it’s nighttime, your friend might not be able to see or hear you. With walkie talkies, all of these problems vanish.
The walkie talkies can be used to stay in contact with other hikers on your adventure. They are also great for kids because they offer a way for parents to keep track of where they are, and also some protection from danger.
Video Overview
Bottom Line
The Midland GXT1000VP4 is equipped with fantastic features that will enable excellent communication within a group, whether you’re in the warehouse or on a hiking trail. Additionally, the device is durable, lightweight, and presentable.
You can use it outdoors without worrying about it getting damaged when it accidentally falls since it is durable. The remarkable features in the Midland GXT1000VP4 make it one of the best walkie-talkies and it’s frequently used in sectors like the military, transport, emergency, outdoor expedition, and many more.
Pros
- Excellent range of up to 36 miles
- Crisp, clear audio quality
- Has an SOS siren feature that sends out an actual location
- Has access to NOAA weather channels and reports
- Has silent features like the whisper function and vibrate mode
- Has eVOX hands-free
- Reasonably durable
- Multiple channels
- Lightweight
Cons
- The battery life is average
- The device is not waterproof
- It is a bit pricey compared to other walkie talkies with similar features
Who It’s For?
The Midland GXT1000VP4 can be used instantaneous and group communications in various organizations and industries. You can also use the handset for group communications during outdoor expeditions. Additionally, the handset can also be used in emergency services, security services, military, and transportation industries.
What’s in The Box?
When opening the box, we found pair of radios, belt clips, headsets with microphone functions, a charging doc with an AC adapter and a DC adapter, rechargeable batteries, a user manual, and a three-year warranty card inside.
Design & Features
Design: Durable and professional looking
The Midland GXT1000VP4 is constructed using premium quality plastic that is sturdy and durable. Therefore, it will be able to handle a few falls while using it outdoors. Additionally, we found the belt clip made of plastic with a metal hinge and spring to improve their durability. The buttons of the walkie-talkies are tactile and rubberized, and they are significant. Therefore, you can easily manipulate them even when wearing gloves on your hands during an outdoor expedition.
Further, there is a rubber cap covering the headphone and microphone ports. The rubber cap fits securely into place, and this helps in preventing any dust or moisture from entering. The walkie-talkie also has a JIS4 weatherproofing rating, and therefore you can comfortably use them outdoors without any worries about any weather changes since they are weather resistant. You can use the handset comfortably since it can work even when they are splashed by water while using them outdoors.
Setup
Setting up the Midland GXT1000VP4 handsets is a hassle-free experience. We were able to install the batteries easily. We also used the user manual to ease the setup process.
Features
The Midland GXT1000VP4 has a group call feature that you can use to create a group out of all the connected walkie-talkie units that you have. This will make communication direct and accessible during the outdoor expedition with other group members with the same teams.
You can also communicate easily within a maximum range of 36 miles with this device. The device also features Easy Voice and Sound Activation (eVOX) with up to 9 sensitivity levels that will ensure hands-free operation during use.
Whisper function – you can use this to speak quietly into the handset during the outdoor expedition. You can also set the device to a vibrate mode for silent alerts.
SOS siren – you can use this feature to transmit a distress signal to other group members within the unit. When you use this feature, you will alert others and provide your actual location for them to come for your aid.
NOAA weather scan and alert – up to 10 weather band channels on the device that you can use to keep up to date with weather updates and alerts during an outdoor expedition. With this feature, you will be able to get an alarm indicating a risk of severe weather in the place you are, whether indoors or outdoors.
Keypad lock – this feature will ensure you do not change your setting by accidentally pressing anything.
Auto-squelch – the feature will aid in reducing any background noise that may be emitted by the device when there is no transmission by anyone.
Backlit LCD – this will enable you to conveniently use the device at night, in the dark, or dimly lit areas.
142 CTCSS/DCS privacy code – the device features up to 3,142 channel options for privacy purposes that you can use to block other conversations. This feature will also enable you to pass a private message to any member within the group without others hearing.
Lightweight – the handset only weighs 0.3 pounds and is therefore lightweight. You will be able to carry it around comfortably without feeling the pressure of extra weight.
Compact – the Midland GXT1000VP4 measures 7.9 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches. With this size, you can carry it around or keep it in your pocket or waist belt.
Performance
The Midland GXT1000VP4 has up to 50 channels that you can use to communicate efficiently within a 36-mile range. Additionally, you can use this handset within the 462 to 467 MHz frequency range. The 50 channels in this handset include 22 primary channels and 28 privacy code channels. There are also 142 privacy codes that you can use for privacy transmissions.
The handset has two power options which are the AC and the DC. You can either use rechargeable batteries or alkaline batteries to power the handset. With the rechargeable batteries in the package, you can use the handset for nine continuous hours. You can buy AA alkaline batteries to use with this handset. Using the AA alkaline batteries, the handset will last you for up to 23 hours.
Specs
- Product Name: GXT1000VP4
- Brand: Midland
- Range: 36 miles
- Power output: 5 watts
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS)
- Battery: NiMH rechargeable battery or 4 AA Alkaline batteries
- Size: 7.9 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.3 lb.
- Waterproof: yes (JIS4)
- License needed: yes, if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license)
- Warranty: Three years
- Available channels: 50
I’m a tech enthusiast and I grew up playing with walkie talkies. They were fun when I was a kid and they’re even more fun, and even useful, as an adult. My family uses them when we go camping to stay connected on hikes.