For the past few years, Midland Radio has been a fantastic partner to The Gear Bunker. Always willing to provide radios and batteries for our various adventures. We continue to use these products not just because they provide us with them. But because they are fantastic performers. In fact, I chose to permanently install the MXT275 MicroMobile in my Tundra and the MXT400 in the FJ Cruiser. However, the newest member of the X-Talker family is the T290 handheld 2-Way Radio.
All summer our family has been using the T290 with impressive results. Having previously tested the GTX1000 handhelds, the T290 X-Talker offers a little more streamlined form factor with similar performance. Additionally, More information on the two frequencies can be found here. It’s important to know the difference because an FCC license is required to use the GMRS frequencies.
T290 X-Talker Video Review
A recent Overland trip from our home in Michigan to Colorado and Utah offered extended use of the new T290’s in conjunction with our MTX400 MicroMobile radio. Communication between vehicles was key while negotiating obstacles on the trails as well as general conversation. Some of the obstacles and switchbacks we encountered required a person outside the vehicle to help navigate. In these instances, clear and immediate communication was important. Although used at very short range in these instances, the radios provided clear, crisp transmission helping us avoid damage to the vehicles.
Midland T290 Features:
- Three Year Warranty
- 22 Channels
- 14 extra privacy code channels
- Clear, crisp communication with easy button access
- Xtreme Range* – Up to 40 miles
- 121 Privacy Codes
- NOAA Weather Alert Radio with Weather Scan
- Silent Operation
- Channel Scan
- Headphone Jack
- Keypad Lock
- 9 eVOX Levels – Hands-Free Operation
- High/Medium/Low Power (Choice of greater range or extended battery life)
- Battery Meter
- MSRP: $89.99
X-Talker Range
After setting up camp, we typically hiked around to explore the surrounding area. My 16 year old son Kevin loves to climb on the rock formations around Moab, Utah. The T290 provided a reliable link between us. Midland advertises a range of “Up To 40 miles”. In ideal, over the water or unobstructed line of sight, this may be achievable. However, we found ourselves camping in and around rock canyons for most of that trip so testing the extreme range of these radios was not possible. A small hand held 2 -way radio operator should have more realistic range expectations anyhow.
Weather Feature
Another key feature of the T290 is Midland’s signature Weather Scan + Alert Technology. This feature automatically scans 10 available weather (WX) band channels and locks onto the strongest weather channel. Alerting you of severe weather in the area. This feature was clutch in a situation last summer while camping in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Outside of cell range with a large damaging storm rolling in off of Lake Superior, the Midland GTX1000 was our only source of information on what we were about to experience. More info can be found in my review of the GTX1000.
Versatility
This winter we plan to head back to Utah for a ski vacation and these radios will once again be packed for the trip. As the kids adventure off, my wife and I will remain confident that the lines of communication will be intact. Wether you bike, hike, camp or ski, the T290 2-way radios are the perfect companion. Take a look at the Midland Radio website for a wide range of reliable and reasonably priced options.
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Why Doesn’t Midland Come Out With A Walkie Talkies,And A Base/Mobile Radio With A Combination FRS/GMRS/CB,With The Walkie Talkie Units,Have Everything With The FRS/GMRS,With The Same Channels,And With The CB Feature Had Forty Channels,With Five Watts,With Four Watts Output For RF.,And For The Base Station With FRS/GMRS,The Regular Power,And With The CB Feature,You Could Have SSB,With Four Watts Output,On CB,Single Sideband,You Could Have Twelve Watts Output With CB,SSB Feature.,Both Units The Walkie Talkies,And The Base Station,You Can Just Flick The Selector Switch To FRS/GMRS/CB, Everything In One Unit,That Would Be Great !!!!