Binatone's mid-range twin set are a clear winner
Manufacturer: Binatone/Uniden
Vendor: Maplin
Price: £49.99 retail (cheaper online)
Description: PMR 446Mhz Two-Way radios (long range)
2 X Transceiver Handsets, 1 X twin charging dock, 8 X AAA rechargeable batteries (600mAh), 1 X UK plug charge adapter, 1 X instructions pamphlet.
Features: 83 CTCSS and 38 DCS coded squelch codes. 8 channel scan, ctcss code scan, DCS code scan, dual channel monitoring, 15 call tones. Splash proof. VOX
Range: up to 10Km (conditions allowing)
Binatone have a pedigree when it comes to good quality radios and these latest offerings in the action range promise to follow the form.
This particular model is actually a face lifted version of its predecessor the action 1000's from a couple of years ago which
in turn were a update to the legendary original action 950's.
Binatone Action 1000.
Binatone Action 950
The basic electronics 'guts' of these new action 1100's are the same as both it's predecessors with only slight generational changes. (Vibration alert and RX led removed) most components including the noise reduction circuitry, multitude of features and capable antenna are exactly the same.
The visual design of these new walkie-talkies is new to the 1100's. This styling introduces a new smooth curve shaped casing, redesigned antenna and added silver bezel trim which moves away from the squarer choc ice shape and strange antenna of the previous two models. The aesthetic look of these radios won't be to everyone's taste I'm afraid. Especially the silver trim on the bezel. It looks cheap and is easily blemished. But you don't just buy a radio on how it looks
My 1100's with Silver trim removed on one set.
Don't let the Cheap Silver trim put you off buying these, if you find that you don't like it then carefully scrape the silver off with a flat blade. It's not a big deal but I prefer all black radios!
Power to the people
I say it's always a good idea to purchase Walkie-Talkies which take 4 batteries rather than 3, whether that be AA's or more commonly AAA's. Although PMR446 radios only transmits 0.5W power, they still drain the batteries and the more batteries you have the more time you will get on air to use the Handsets.
Thankfully, the Binatone Action 1100's require 4 such AAA's ensuring maximum useage and the ability to use rechargeables and standard bought batteries as required.
In the pack you will find two sets of cheap 600mAh AAA's which will require a full 10-14Hr charge before use. (Be sure to do this!!)
These will work well with your sets but are somewhat under powered to last any great amount of time.
I recommend purchasing some higher charge AAA's something like the Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro batteries which hold a 930mAh charge for longer. The batteries will even hold charge up to a year of non use. These have proved to be great when extending the transmit time of the Walkie-Talkies. Rather than a conventional battery holding its 1.5v charge for a limited time, these Eneloops will hold the charge for full power transmittion longer before the charge falls off and demishes.
Left: Cheap supplied AAA's Right: Enerloop Pro AAA's
Features
83 CTCSS codes, 38 DCS codes. (privacy/coded squelch)
Standby time: 40Hrs
Talk time: 1.5 Hrs (with supplied batteries)
Testing
Sound Quality: Clear with good mid range tone. The handset speaker could be a little louder for use in windy conditions. Overall very good
Distance: you should be aware that PMR 446 Walkie-Talkies are never going to achieve major distance records with only half a watt of power, a stumpy antenna and short UHF waves which rely on line of sight primarily and don't like hills, wet trees or metal containers such as your car. These radios work best in close environments such as building, theme parks, festivals and open country (over a couple of miles)
Short range: in an average suburban environment (two radios at each end of a street) the action 1100's perform adequately, maybe topping out at around 1 mile mark, slightly less if walking down the streets of Manchester. The sound quality is clear then after topping out starts to break up and fade.
In the home, office, complex or ghost hunt they are flawless. Clear and crisp.
Long range: Provided you have reasonable line of sight with no major obstacles between the two Handsets, you could theoretically achieve around 8-10Km. Take these up to the hills and you can achieve much more than 10Km!
Conclusion:
✅✅✅✅. 4 out of 5
So maybe these are not the most expensive or best looking Walkie-Talkies on the market. They do however, have plenty of high end features and offer a solid, reliable performance. Replace the stock rechargeables with some high capacity ones and you can't really go wrong. Yeah, the speaker is not as loud as some other units but you can easily forget about it. These latest action line Handsets keep the 950 torch burning brightly.
These are very good little radios.
✅✅✅✅. 4 out of 5
So maybe these are not the most expensive or best looking Walkie-Talkies on the market. They do however, have plenty of high end features and offer a solid, reliable performance. Replace the stock rechargeables with some high capacity ones and you can't really go wrong. Yeah, the speaker is not as loud as some other units but you can easily forget about it. These latest action line Handsets keep the 950 torch burning brightly.
These are very good little radios.