Radio and Throat Mic Recommendations

[grimreefer]

I'm looking for suggestions for a radio. Something of good quality, range, reasonably priced, and of a compact size.

As for throat mics, I've been looking at the Iasus Sniper Pro. I've heard good things, and it looks awesome. I'm open to suggestions to other brands/models, and even other models in the Iasus line that are of comparable quality.

Much appreciated!

There are dozens of threads asking for radio recommendations. Likewise, there are dozens accuratley describing the Iasus products as garbage.

For radio's, what is "reasonably priced"? Are you looking for a UHF radio, a milspec UHF radio, a cheap FRS/GMRS radio? What range do you require from the radio?

Radio's can run anywhere from $100 for a pair of bubble-wrapped GMRS handhelds up to $5000 and beyond for high-end equipment.

[Lakonian]

Throat mics... check out the IASUS NT3. It's surprisingly comfy, and doesn't get in the way of your workspace if you set it up correctly.

[Endymion]

If you want a radio that works well and works every time under most any situation you will find yourself in at a game... expect to pay a little more to get that reliability. $150-200 per radio is not an unreasonable place to start thinking.

If you want a throat mic that works under those same conditions, expect to pay a *lot* more. Not something that's hit and miss depending on who you are or what phase the moon is in.

I made a Peltor purchase long ago on impulse because a local store could get it in for me easily. I had a serious case of buyer's remorse due to the exhorbitant cost... until I used it for the first time. And the second. And up to the umpteenth. In clear weather, rainy weather, and even torrential downpour weather, it performs precisely the same way every time.

As with many things, you get what you pay for. A less expensive item *might* work under stress, or it might not after stress. I *know* my purchases will continue to work no matter what I throw at them.

[Akhéron Sombre]

Look for Linton LT6288 on ebay.

[FOX_111]

I have the IASUS NT2 and it work well if you press it in position. But it don't stay in position even with the optionnal strap. Not to mention that it's always shifting and moving around your neck.

The NT3 look better, but I still have my doupts.

My next purchase is a bowman headset or something like the Secret service use, so I can use it in conjunction with my peltor soundtraps.

[seekah]

A 600 dollar throat mike will never be as good as a 50 dollar boom mike.

The technology is great, and will surely keep people in comms with gas masks on etc, but will not have the same clarity as a boom mike.

that all said, a skinny neck works better than a beefy neck, and make sure you sinch that sucker down.... oh so comfy!

[grimreefer]

Originally Posted by MadMorbius

There are dozens of threads asking for radio recommendations. Likewise, there are dozens accuratley describing the Iasus products as garbage.

For radio's, what is "reasonably priced"? Are you looking for a UHF radio, a milspec UHF radio, a cheap FRS/GMRS radio? What range do you require from the radio?

Radio's can run anywhere from $100 for a pair of bubble-wrapped GMRS handhelds up to $5000 and beyond for high-end equipment.

I was thinking UHF. As far as range goes...a couple miles in the woods will suffice. I would not be willing to pay more than $200 for a radio. I'd like to spend around $100.

Originally Posted by seekah

A 600 dollar throat mike will never be as good as a 50 dollar boom mike.

The technology is great, and will surely keep people in comms with gas masks on etc, but will not have the same clarity as a boom mike.

that all said, a skinny neck works better than a beefy neck, and make sure you sinch that sucker down.... oh so comfy!

I'm not willing to wear a boom mic. Ever. Luckily I have a skinny neck. lol.

[pugs144]

Why the apprehension towards boom mics? You might find your opinion of throat mics change after actually game them. The DEVGRU Swimmer headset clones are GTG.

[seekah]

Even a bone conductor would be better than a throught. Im just warning you that you will be less than thrilled with it... people will not enjoy listening to you talk.

I suggest you borrow a club members throat mike for the day to test it out.

[cndzn]

seekah hit the nail on the head......

we have tried throat mics and believe me...they suck!!.......The bowman headsets we use now, with boom mic, work incredible well and given the cost, are a very worth while investment. Never had any problems with them when coupled to an Icom F21GM/F21/F43GT.

Originally Posted by grimreefer

I was thinking UHF. As far as range goes...a couple miles in the woods will suffice. I would not be willing to pay more than $200 for a radio. I'd like to spend around $100.

Look for Motorola Saber (II or III) on eBay. You need UHF in frequency that includes FRS/GMRS. About $100, bulletproof. You'll need to get them programmed however, but you should be able to find someone in your area who can do it; if not, I know someone here.

[Akhéron Sombre]

UHF Linton LT6288 = < 80$ And you can program memories for GMRS frenquencies by yourself (you can also configure with the subchannels). You can choose between 4W or 2W for transmission. It uses 2-pin kenwood for headset and mic. And it is compact.

[Endymion]

If you have the time to shop, go for the SABERs. They may cost a little more once you have all the accessories and programming done, but consider what you're getting for that money - a MILSPEC radio that cost upwards of $3000 when they were new, *still* has some of the best transmit/receive quality out there and is built to last, compared to a slightly cheaper civie radio with all of the pros and cons that entails. It's a no-brainer.

[grimreefer]

Thinking about going with the Linton 6288 and this headset.

Thoughts?