A basic rule of safety in your hiking is the team’s communication. Under various circumstances (delay, accident, etc.) the team’s consistency can be lost. Therefore, there is a need to be able to communicate with the members of the team in non-visual conditions, as well as communication with external assistance wherever (we wish never) is needed. This communication is ensured by the Twintalker 4810 radio set that we use on our hikes and we are presenting it to you.
It is a set of two, low-power radio communication devices with long range (8 km max),8 channels operation and waterproof according to IPX2 standard.
Its packaging contains:
- 2 wireless devices
- 2 belt clips
- 1 charger
- 1 power adapter
- 2 sets (4 batteries each) of rechargeable NiMh AAA batteries
- 2 headphones with microphone and PTT key
- 1 User instructions booklet
What someone asks from this kind of communication devices is autonomy, range and sharpness of sound. In our tests, in real conditions, the performance in the field for all of the above, proved to be very good. The dual charger, charges both walkie talkies, in about 8 hours, and gives them autonomy for more than 8 hours (when the batteries are fully charged). Using them in the forest (in Mount Olympus), in an environment with natural obstacles, we had communication at a distance of about 1.5 km. In an environment without vegetation and with direct visual contact (from the peak of Kissavos to Kissavos refuge) we had communication at a distance of about 4 km. In both cases, and in every other case we used them, the sharpness of the sound was crystal clear , without the slightest noise.
Additionally, each radio has
- 8 radio channels, plus CTCSS and DCS sub channels, to ensure confidentiality of communication.
- Low signal track function on the current channel.
- Active channel scan function.
- VOX mode (voice activated).
- Roger beep mode.
- Key lock and stopwatch function.
All of the above are displayed on a small backlit LCD display, making its usage easy, in low or no lighting conditions.
As a disadvantage we consider the long battery charging time and the operating temperature (from 0 to 30 degrees Celsius according to the manual) which means that, they cannot be used in winter conditions. We have tested them up to -5 degrees Celsius, without any problems, but we are not sure how fast they consume the battery. With a weight of just 90 gr each (3 grams clip, 16 grams headset) and less than 30 Euros (the whole set) is a very good and reliable solution for team communication in the mountains.