Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

We have started using a specific set of walkie talkies that we feel provides a decent performance at a reasonable cost. They are Binatone Action 950s which have 8 channels, dual watch, operate at up to 10km and have a backlit display. On top of this they look fairly professional and to date have worked well for distance and battery power and have given an excellent call quality. Obviously they work on line of sight so in the mountains reception can be patchy but we have had them work from Slieve Donard Summit as far as Hares Gap. At the time or writing they are £44.89 from Argos.

These are PMR446 standard walkie talkies so they should work interchangeably with any other PMR446 units.

We use channel 6 so if you are coming to a meet and have one of these units then you should be able to contact us once you are within range. If possible let us know in advance so we know to keep them switched on.

You can see a detailed review here:
http://www.qsouk.com/pmr-f7/binatone-950-review-t1242.htm

You can buy a set here:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5531062.htm
Update January 2014
The 950s are no longer stocked by Argos. This is a link to the 1000 series. I can see no reason why they would be any lesser quality (they have 60 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon) and they should communicate with the 950s as the public band is shared and the same for all units. We'll try and get a test sorted as soon as poss.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5531103.htm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binatone-Action-1000-Two-Way-Radio/dp/B008FOBL1A/

Update August  2016.
Is now the Action 1100s
These still review well, however, the now list more channels. As I understand it, the additional channels are "side channels" or "sideband" for you 80s CB radio junkies. They should still work with the older models and channel 6 should be fine but we would need to lay our hands on a set to test to be sure and to clarify. If anyone can clarify reply beneath.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerm/action+1100.htm
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binatone-Action-1100-Two-Way-Radio/dp/B00GZHD0RM/
At time of writing, Amazon are significantly cheaper than Argos.

(We have no affiliation with Argos, they are just easy to use since they have plenty of outlets but the units are available from a variety of stores.)

Please note also that there are likely a whole variety of walkie talkies types that will be capable of communication on the channel we use so if you already have walkie talkies then they may be suitable.

In addition, I know from experience that other models of Walkie Talkie will have the same channel 6 as these, I've even used kids ones and they have worked fine. Testing would be essential first though.

Feel free to comment below with advice on how to get other radios to communicate on the same channel or with any other useful information.

And if anyone wants to save a couple of ££s there are refurnished units selling on eBay (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574670588&toolid=10001&campid=5336680959&customid=Binatone+Action+950&icep_uq=Binatone+Action+950&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229508&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) for £24.99 & £4.99 p+p. Only seeing one person complain about the unit they got, and they were offered a full refund, the seller is called sonic-phones (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=11&pub=5574670588&toolid=10001&campid=5336680959&customid=&icep_store=sonic-phones&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229508&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg).

Binatone Terrain 550 Two Way Radio - Twin Pack - £16.99 at Argos

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5530654/Trail/searchtext%3EBINATONE+TERRAIN.htm

Are these compatible with the other walkie talkies you guys have?

Quote from: MikeD on February 24, 2011, 09:54:41 AM
Are these compatible with the other walkie talkies you guys have?

I think they are as long as it's on the right channel ,

Did u find any in link as they all seem to be out of stock near me

Downpatrick had 1 in stock, i can get it for anyone who wants it.

Me plz, none in belfast, thanks liam

I wonder if Argos will notice a raise in the sales for these :D

At the moment these have been reduced to £41.95 and free p&p on Amazon for a pair, £59.99 in Argos.

so if i get a radio, would anyone answer  ;D

If I'm in the hill by myself I stick it onto scan and hear a fair few people using them (it's nice to know when you are solo that there are other folks out there in case of an emergency). Sometimes you just have to send out a comms check message to see if anyone listening...But I tell you what: rock climbers and folks out hunting foxes in the field out back of Newcastle really don't like you joining in with words of encouragement.  ;D

Quote from: Chuck on December 02, 2011, 08:56:36 PM
If I'm in the hill by myself I stick it onto scan and hear a fair few people using them (it's nice to know when you are solo that there are other folks out there in case of an emergency). Sometimes you just have to send out a comms check message to see if anyone listening...But I tell you what: rock climbers and folks out hunting foxes in the field out back of Newcastle really don't like you joining in with words of encouragement.  ;D

Yeh i can see the radio being a comfort 'what if'.

Id like to cheer on those red jackets.

Just bought two Binatone 1000's
Heading up Commedagh tomorrow and leaving one with the wife in Newcastle.
Be interesting to see if I can talk to her as it'll be line of sight with no obstructions and they claim 10km range under those conditions.

Great idea, but seem hard to get in Argos

Quote from: Big Dod on November 30, 2012, 07:36:56 PM
Just bought two Binatone 1000's
Heading up Commedagh tomorrow and leaving one with the wife in Newcastle.
Be interesting to see if I can talk to her as it'll be line of sight with no obstructions and they claim 10km range under those conditions.

Good on ye, have a good trip!

I've updated this thread with a link to the Binatone Action 1000 series as Argos no longer stock the 950s. If anyone can confirm that they definitely will communicate with the 950s on channel 6 it would be appreciated, until then we're assuming they do.

From what I can see these are PMR446 (446Mhz) That means there are a huge selection of available radios starting at a very low price that will all work together.
PMR446 is the common standard across most of the EU and they will all work together.

Quote from: seanbranagh on October 30, 2015, 12:57:17 PM
From what I can see these are PMR446 (446Mhz) That means there are a huge selection of available radios starting at a very low price that will all work together.
PMR446 is the common standard across most of the EU and they will all work together.

Someone got our daughter a set of electric pink kids walkie talkies for her birthday and they worked fine with the Binatone Action 950s so I'd say you're right.

Thread updated again to reflect another new Binatone model.

Just seen these if anyone is looking a set

https://www.tofs.com/ergonomic-level-two-way

It's a pretty good idea. Have you ever happened upon someone else with one of these in the mountains (like CB Radio) or would they be used primarily for get togethers?

I know our guys use them on get togethers if you read back

I saw that. I suppose 10km wouldn't have the range.

Barring colour, those look identical to the set of pink ones that our toddler plays with  8)

Quote from: torp on September 24, 2016, 09:32:22 AM
Just seen these if anyone is looking a set

https://www.tofs.com/ergonomic-level-two-way