Lild 2-way radio set

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slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
2,374
1,308
Devon
First off a bit of a heads up, Lidl have a set of two of these next week for £19.99

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_18441.htm

* Robust with IPX2 splash-proof housing
* Max. range (km): 8
* Features include:
- 8 channels
- Hands-free operation
- 15 ringtones
- Volume control
- Stopwatch
- Battery status indicator
- Backlit LCD display
- Speech-activated VOX mode
* Available in red/black or blue/black
* Includes charging station, mains adaptor, 2 hands-free headsets, 8 rechargeable batteries and 2 removable belt-clips
* 3 year manufacturer’s warranty

Now a couple of questions. Can anyone suggest a realistic range for these? I assume they'll cope in woodland or on uneven terrain such as a rocky shore but the range would be greatly reduced? I know Lidl have sold these in the past has anyone used them?
 
I've never had any luck with Lidl's LCD screens. Radios, digital thermometers and digital map measurers all went blank shortly after purchase.
Keep your receipts in a safe place.
Happy trails...torc.
 
If the screen goes they'll go back, we'd definitely keep the receipt. I've been doing a bit of googling and it seems the range of these sorts of radios can be drastically reduced in woodland so I'm not sure they would be suitable, on the other hand they're cheap enough for me to find out if they are acceptable or something better is required. Looks like two CB radios would be ideal but then they are far more expensive.
 
Range is usually up to abut 3km on the flat (no obstacles) and 500-1500m in woods and close terrain, depending on a lot of variables. Worth a punt for 15 quid. They operate up at around 446MHz, this is pretty much UHF line-of-sight territory.

Alternatively, do your radio amateur foundation license, get a Wouxun (or other manufacturer) 2m handheld for about 50-60 quid, and enjoy improved range and the ability to use repeaters. As the costs of the 2m handhelds are plummeting (lot of good Chinese radios on the market now), it's really starting to make sense. A dual-band 2m/70cm will set you back 80-90 quid.
 
Hi

I have a similar set that boast a 10Km range but that's in open country (probably on the salt flats of Utah:rolleyes: )

I took one in the car with me when i was travelling to the supermarket and lost the signal when i was around a mile from home- the wife could hear me but I couldn't hear her:( )


John:)
 
Hi

I have a similar set that boast a 10Km range but that's in open country (probably on the salt flats of Utah:rolleyes: )

I took one in the car with me when i was travelling to the supermarket and lost the signal when i was around a mile from home- the wife could hear me but I couldn't hear her:( )


John:)

Sounds like the nag filter was switched on then mate :)
 
Picked up a set of these today. We mainly got them for on the bikes, so distance isn't too much of an issue, but it should help with getting the right turnings a bit more. :D
Initial thoughts are fairly positive, but as others have said, we doubt the range claimed. So far all we've done is test them through the house, and with Hulahoop in the back room while I went for a (very) short walk down the street, probably a distance of 200m through a couple of buildings, they worked ok for that range, tomorrow I think we'll go to the park and see how they play there.

For what they are I think they should do us nicely, a simple (and fairly cheap) means of being able to give directions while cycling and just generally chat. The hands free bit actually stayed in my ear for the short walk, which is amazing in itself as I normally struggle with anything that isn't my hearing aid mould in my ear. The vox worked ok at it's most sensitive setting, but had a habit of cutting out briefly mid-sentence, not had that problem with PTT. There is a PTT button on the mic section of the hands free which is handy.
They come with 4 rechargable AAA's each and charge nicely in the cradle, just drop them in and away you go, we had no messing trying to get things lined up. Using AAA's also makes it fairly easy to keep it powered when away from a charging point providing you can get some batteries. Quality seems ok, and they fit nicely in the hand, the PTT button also seems a good size for easy use and isn't difficult to press or find.

As a bonus they are waterproof when held upright!
"The Twintalker is protected against vertically falling water drops when enclosure tilted up to 15degrees according to the IPX2 standard." ;)

In hand:


The PTT button:


Hands free, there is also a small clip for attaching it to collars etc.:

 
We also picked up a set yesterday. Tried them in and around our house and they work fine. Over the next few days we'll also see how far they work over and I'll post up the results. Initial impressions are good so far.

They also have 38 CTCSS and 83 DCS codes which mean you are far more likely to get a clear channel when in busy areas.

(I don't suppose there's a friendly mod reading this thread? If so could you amend the title to say Lidl please?)
 
Well, they don't like hills. Tried them down the park and we had trouble with the signal breaking up at about half a kilometre, mainly as there was a hill between us. Walking round the park it seemed to do ok through the small stand of trees there.
 
Hi,

We've been using Vertes two way radios on our hiking trips - , works perfectly well in range of 1-2 miles and even more, long lasting battery (you can browse the model hat suits you best), also it has proven itself well in scottish higlands.. :)
 

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