Two-way radios are meant to provide a simple, reliable way to communicate without the need for satellites or towers. However, not all of these handy devices offer a good range, quality and other desirable features.
As a prepper, you need a radio that promises not to fail when the emergency strikes. Anything can trigger the survival mode when you are on your adventure. You definitely don’t want something that lets you down at such a critical time.
One of the most popular choices for two-way radios is Midland GXT1000VP4 which comes with a boom style headset that fits inside a helmet. In this post, we take a closer look at this device and compare it with other models to see what you can expect from it.
Midland GXT1000VP4 Review – UPDATED 2020
It has been designed to be one of the most powerful and reliable walkie talkies on the market. The Midland GXT1000VP4 is loaded with lots of options and outstanding features.
It provides dependable push button communication in case of emergencies. The radio features:
- 22 Channels
- 28 Pre-programmed privacy channels
- Multiple power settings
- Silent operation
Design
The radio has a durable, professional-looking design. It is made out of high grade plastic. The belt clip also has a plastic construction and a metal hinge with a spring. The buttons are large, rubberized and easy to use – even with gloves. The ports for a microphone and headset are also covered with a rubber cap that stay in place. This helps avoid any moisture and dust entering into the radio.
The Midland GXT1000VP4 is weather-resistant and has a waterproofing rating. It can be used in rainy weather without need for any concern. It also does not get affected by dirt and dust. Its design is perfect for all hand sizes and not bulky. However, the earpiece is something that Midland could have done better.
Weighing 7.4 ounces with the battery, the radio is a bit heavier as compared to other walkie talkie models. Its length is about 8 inches with an antenna, which of course contributes to its overall size. It can feel bulky to carry in a pocket and is often carried in a backpack or with carabiner type clip. The radio also includes a car charging adaptor that allows charging the device while traveling.
Setup
It is really easy to set up the radio. It comes complete with a user manual that provides a comprehensive guide to every process. The menu descriptions in the manual may seem intimidating at first, but it becomes easy once you get started with it.
You can quickly open the battery door, install the batteries and charge the device using the stand. Both the units charge at the same time and a snap ensures they don’t fall out accidentally.
Display
The radio has a large, black-white display that shows everything clearly in any lighting condition. It also has a red backlight that automatically gets activated upon switching the device on or pressing the buttons. It turns off after some time to save battery. The simple display, though clear and crisp, limits the amount of information it can display. This means you may have to decode abbreviations to understand the menu.
Performance
The Midland GXT1000VP4 features 50 channels and claims a range of 35 miles. The radio performs well in this range when there are small obstructions like small hills and houses. But the performance degrades if you use it amidst large buildings.
In normal outdoor conditions, you can expect the radio to deliver a practical range of about 2 miles. Overall, the sound quality and reception of the radio are impressive.
As long as you stay in the range, everything is heard clearly and loudly. You can use one of the privacy codes of the device to make sure the other team does not listen to the conversation. In case of any trouble, you can use the SOS signal to alert the team that you are in a jam.
The included features work flawlessly but the menu system is quite complicated and it can take some time before getting used to them. The weather radio scans well and picks the correct channel quickly and other features like privacy code, group call and hands-free operation perform well.
Pros
- Comes with a boom headset
- Extra channels and privacy channels ensure private communication
- SOS siren to send alert about an emergency
- Captures weather alert broadcasts
- Excellent range of 35 miles
- Can work in the rain
- Backed up with a 3-year warranty
- Excellent audio quality
Cons
- Does not work well when buildings are around
- USB charging facility is not available
- Complex menu
- Somewhat expensive
Best 2-Way Radios For Preppers
The best 2-way radios for preppers are different from normal walkie talkies used for casual purposes. The best two-way radios are sophisticated devices that enable people to communicate clearly over long distances in times of emergencies. A survival radio is aimed to replace other modes of communication and expected to prove useful when no other communication method is available. This is why it has to provide the best performance, range and battery life to serve its desired purpose.
Not only do these radios feature excellent range and clarity, some of the better models even come with privacy features to block eavesdroppers. The best radios for preppers should also be highly durable as they are intended to be used in times of disasters and post-disaster. They should be able to take a beating.
Cellular Outage
Imagine an earthquake or a terrorist attack just took place and your family is not with you. Cell phone towers get congested or stop working. In such a time of crisis, a two-way radio is the tool you will need to get in touch with your family. It will help you locate your family, confirm their situation and bring them to safety. The best two-way radios for preppers are the ones that help you deal with the panic by allowing you to find your family quickly and getting them to a place of safety.
Communication is quite important in times of disasters so it is essential for preppers to get two-way radios that are specially designed and well-equipped for survival situations. When you look for the best survival radio, it is important to note that cost guides the quality. But you don’t want to end up in a disaster where your radio does not perform as expected. So you should not hesitate to invest in a high-quality radio to get the quality and performance you desire.
Weather Coverage
The best two-way radios for preppers are those that have access to NOAA weather channels. They provide weather updates to let you know about safety conditions and dangerous areas to avoid. They also use this feature to provide non-weather data in times of natural disaster. Access to NOAA channels is one of the most important considerations for preppers when selecting the best two-way radio.
It is essential that you select a model that suits your needs from privacy and durability to range and battery life, so that you can be well-prepared for emergencies. The Midland GXT1000VP4 combines outstanding features with a good range and clarity and makes an excellent choice for preppers.
Midland GXT1000 Battery Life
The Midland GXT1000VP4 ships with rechargeable battery packs to power the device. The batteries are NiMH, alkaline type and have a battery capacity of 700mAh. While the radio offers a host of extra features, excellent range and clarity, it disappoints when it comes to battery life. Most test results suggest the batteries last for about 9 hours on full charge. This is quite less as compared to other models.
The good thing is that you can use 4 ‘AA’ batteries per radio to run the radio. You can purchase a few sets of batteries when you go out for camping or pack your survival kit. With AA batteries, the device can provide a battery life of about 15 hours. This is quite satisfactory as compared to the rechargeable battery packs.
Midland GXT1000VP4 Vs GXT1050VP4 – How They Compare?
Both Midland GXT1000VP4 and GXT1050VP4 are feature-packed compact 2-way communication radios to suit preppers. Both these models are quite similar in terms of features and functionality. They offer up to 36 miles range with 50 channels and 284 privacy channels to facilitate desired communication privacy.
The GXT1050VP4 features 5 animal call alerts including duck, turkey, crow, wolf and cougar to make it ideal for hunting. While the GXT1000VP4 radio only comes in black/silver design, the GXT1050VP4 comes in a Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camouflage design that makes it a great walkie talkie for hunters. It also includes a vibrate function to silence all tones.
Though both these radios from Midland share a lot of features, specifications and functions, deliver a similar performance and make the best options for preppers, there are minor design and function differences that make the GXT1050 exclusively suitable for hunters.
Conclusion
What makes Midland GXT1000VP4 a great choice for preppers is the variety of exciting features it comes with. It includes scanning and monitoring buttons, a keypad lock function, NOAA weather scanning and an SOS siren. The weather scanning feature is quite useful as it allows getting forecast data in locations without cell service and makes it an important part of an emergency survival kit.
Though it is somewhat pricey as compared to other two-way radios, it delivers an audio quality and performance you would need as a prepper. The price is justified for those who want to communicate among a group, stay on the top of weather patterns and talk with privacy. It does have some hiccups but the plethora of features it packs into a beautifully style unit makes it worth giving a try.
