TWO-WAY RADIOS
Walkie-talkies are all grown up - new GMRS units transmit up to 5 miles and require you to get an FCC license. Compact and uncomplicated, they're handy in loud places and areas with no cell service (think Burning Man). Just remember to let go of the button when you're done talking.
SPLURGE (SHOWN)
Garmin Rino 120
Rugged and waterproof, with a dizzying array of capabilities neatly arranged in a menu-driven digital display, the 5-ounce Rino is an extraordinary piece of equipment. The standard 22 channels and 38 privacy codes are enhanced by a voice scrambler for added security. The high-wattage mode offers a clear signal up to 5 miles - at 2 miles or closer, the built-in GPS unit beams your exact location to another user.
$268 per pair, www.garmin.com
BEST BUY
Cobra MicroTALK PR 950-2 DX
An intuitive design makes the lightweight (3.8 ounces) MicroTALK a good choice if you're looking for the basics, meaning 22 channels and 38 privacy codes. Water-resistant and durable, it should be able to take a few dings. The 5-mile reach is attainable only in open areas, but reception is decent even in the downtown jungle. For close-range communiqués, switch to 500-milliwatt output to save the batteries.
$100 per pair, www.cobra.com
OVERRATED
Kenwood FreeTalk XL TK-3101
The FreeTalk XL is the inscrutable 2001-style monolith of two-way radios. A hefty 8 ounces with a decidedly old-school 15-channel knob and few other buttons, it passes the military standard for resistance to heat, freezing, dust, and shock. This walkie-talkie may last forever, but unless you're going to be striking two of them together to start a fire, this level of sturdiness isn't worth the features it sacrifices.
$209 per pair, www.kenwood.net
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