Airsoft Radios

[Z3RO_Panzer]

Long story short, I need a radio for airsoft. I was just wondering what sort of radio setups everyone else has. Also,what do you think about throat mics. Obviously they have a bit of a quality drop from the conventional mics, but is it worth it to have one? I just want to know because everyone else I have asked has given me some bias opinion because they want to sell more of a certain product (I've been asking stores). I just want an honest opinion of what the best, yet affordable, radio setups are.

[Zorak]

I used to swear by Icom radios, but Icom has stopped making their GMRS radio, so Tex wins this one in the end. I'd say get a Motorola and read the manual to learn how to make it stop being annoying.

I tried reasonably priced throat mics from Firefox and Pryme and crappy luck with them. I've heard other people report being very happy with more recent Pryme gear. I wouldn't worry too much about the type of mic you get; it's much more important that (in rough order of importance) it's comfortable enough to wear all day, you can hear people through it, and they can hear you. From a price/performance point of view, the $20 Motorola earbud with PTT mic has a lot going for it.

Also I will continue my shameless self-promotion by recommending my radios in airsoft page. I don't have gear recommendations but it might help you figure out which features matter.

[cqbr]

If your planning on only playing in Michigan, I'll side with Zorak with the entry level Motorola decision. If your thinking about playing out of state a lot at large heavily-wooded fields, or MOUT facilities, I'd say invest in an ICOM or Highend Motorola radio to give you a boost in range and signal strength.

For the throat mic, they're not necessarily a step down in quality if you don't mind spending 1k on one...I have nothing else to say. I use the DEVGRU throat mic that you can find online for around $170-200 and it's held up very well so far. (About 2yrs) It's built surprisingly well and transmits fairly decently.

You have to find the sweet spot on your throat where you get the best performance, but once you have that figured out your all set. The one thing that is VERY bad with them is the factory earbud. I got mine lodged deep in my eardrum at the Ft. Blanding game last year and had to have an EMT remove it...I have nothing else to say. Whoever designed it had the genius idea of using a earbud that is like the earplugs you can buy for swimming. They are designed with little 'fins' that form a seal in your eardrum and they're very difficult to remove. If you get a DEVGRU mic. you definitely have to replace those right away. I went and bought a cheap-o Kenwood mic set from Gander Mountain for $35 and swapped out the earbud coil with the DEVGRU one.

Aside from the crappy earbuds, it's actually a pretty nice mic.

[Chaffin]

www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=30596

If you don't mind a headset instead of a throat mic, this is a decent alternative.

And as for the radio, a standard Motorola Talkabout radio should do fine aswell.

[Kiki]

I run with just a pretty bland Motoral Talkabout (works great for MI games) and replica Comtacs. I've also had a Calvavy headset (like the one Stinger linked to) and it was pretty nice too.

You really don't need anything ridiculously expensive, especially for games in MI (even the MilSim ones).

[Kurt 19D]

I have been using this for about a year now:

www.buytwowayradios.com/products/olympia/p324.aspx

I have been very pleased with it. Is compatible with Kenwood connections / headsets. I run with a Bowman replica.

[Melson]

Kiki, you ever get your Comtacs and Motorola to work?

[Kiki]

Apr 24, 2010 20:37:21 GMT -5 Melson said:

Kiki, you ever get your Comtacs and Motorola to work?

They worked the first time I used them, I have no idea why they didn't want to work at that one event. I have a new radio though, so I'm going to try it out next chance I get. Just been a bit busy with school and stuff recently...

[Gunny87]

www.dunhamssports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3097275&cp=1204283.1139187.1139224&parentPage=family

You can find a two pack of these Motorola FV300 FRS/GMRS Two Way Radios for $19.99 from Dunhams. And personally they have worked great for me. I've used them at some of the larger fields like at Hell's Survivor's and I was easily able to stay in contact with people that were across the field.

I also got a chinese clone Bowman headset, like what stinger linked to and with my Motorola they work perfectly.

[Zorak]

Apr 24, 2010 19:01:12 GMT -5 Kurt 19D said:

I have been using this for about a year now:

www.buytwowayradios.com/products/olympia/p324.aspx

I have been very pleased with it. Is compatible with Kenwood connections / headsets. I run with a Bowman replica.

Using a programmable radio like that on FRS channels is a violation of FCC regulations. Your odds of being caught are virtually nil, but I still don't think we should recommend doing so.

[Chaffin]

Don't mean to jack your thread, but I have a quick question that someone can use later if they happen to click on this thread.

Are these two the same other than the connector?





Will the strap on the bottom one sit above your eyes or will it sit as it looks, and be on your nose?

Has anyone used this one before. The link is to ebay. Here it is.
cgi.ebay.com/ELITE-II-Headset-OD-Motorola-PTT-Talkabout-Radio-/350345049629?cmd=ViewItem&pt=2_Way_Radios_FRS&hash=item519231361d

[Chaos]

I've heard great things about the Toy Soldier MBITR set-up.