Waterproof FRS Radio for Kayak Fishing - Retevis RT49P Review
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2021
- If you fish with a buddy, having a waterproof FRS radio when kayak fishing is important to share results. But, without a waterproof radio, you are just going to waste money given the wet environment associated with kayak fishing. I take a look at the Retevis RT49P waterproof two way radio and compare it to the Cobra waterproof walkie talkie in this FRS radio review.
Retevis provided the radio for me to test.
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Just in time- I’m in the market. Great timing!
Adding that to my wish list…thanks for sharing
As usual another great video, one thing to mention, you should connect your radio to your vest with some type of rope/stretch cord, etc., as well as sound producing device (whistle), reflective mirror, etc. this does a couple of things, keeps it from falling off into the water as you described regarding its bright color, but more importantly its stays WITH you. You go over and you have it on you to be able to radio for assistance should you get separated from your kayak. Take care and keep these coming!! Ken
Great idea! Thanks
Great Video Sir!!! - watched another review on the same product...but yours is better :D
Glad it was helpful!
I dummy cord my radios and lights to my PFD. I don't want things like that to float off, and gives me a lot of my awareness points back for when I really need them, like after rolling a sit on top.
good point!
I have a pair of these, and a pair of Motorola 600s, and these are very comparable at half the price. On my range tests they perform identically. I prefer the Motorolas because you have the option of using just the red light, which is better for night vision. That and the whistle in the handle, which has gotten me out of trouble with the water cops when I forgot my regular whistle.
Thank you for providing a good alternative!
As to the little studs which have corroded, you can clean them and tin them a bit with some solder. I've done this a few times and the corrosion problem didn't come back. Only issue I've had is that I couldn't easily get the soldering setup to some of the exposed studs. Reminds me that I need to do that with the solenoid on the tractor ...
Great idea! Thanks!
Clean contacts with pencil eraser and coat with di-electric (conductive electronic) grease.
@@breauxp Yes. I've done that too and usually keep a supply of the stuff with me. That's what I do in cases I can't get solder to the contact. The grease does need to be re-applied on occasion though, and I've never had to re-solder unless the contact gets physically damaged. I've never tried it on high-amperage connections (such as the tractor solenoid) - it probably wouldn't catch on fire or carbon out, but I've always been afraid to try it 🤔
@@breauxpI need to do that
Removed a comment about the batteries. According to the website the radios use NiMH which is much better than NiCad.
Thanks for the update
Awesome review.. I just received mine but find the range isn’t that great and I find that it’s not loud enough.
Good to know
turn up the sound
I have the same radios. I purchased mine from Amazon in March of this year. Been using them every week. They have been holding up very well!
How are they working now?
@@andrewsmith941 They are still working great! Absolutely no problems. I purchased an additional pair in case we get additional kayakers.
rember 2 miles only then your out of range
@@donalderickson-si8ww I have never tested them at that distance. Two miles is a lot of water to cover in a kayak. I just wanted something to use if one of us took a cover while the other stayed out in the main body of water. Usually we are 1/2 to 3/4 mile apart at most.
if you use them you will be fine. like i said
thay will workgrate your under 2 miles
One tip: most small handhelds place the PTT switch on the left. This was originally adopted from right-handed corded mics. However it has the negative side effect of encouraging holding the radio in a horizontally polarized position making it unintentionally directional and usually reducing range. Use your LEFT hand and _thumb the PTT_ and this tendency is dramatically reduced.
Great point and tip! Thanks
No the only tip should be if you're gonna be kayaking, just get a marine walkie talkie. You get 88 channels, and they are license free. Not to mention they can be used worldwide, unlike most radios that are only legal to use in certain regions. Marine radios have worldwide designated frequencies.
Thank you for posting this, just put my order in. Price went up BTW.
The white light and sos light was a good addition.
Ouch on the price
If you don't require the same degree of water resistance, the RT49 is otherwise nearly identical but with somewhat better performance and range. I suspect that is down to antenna design quirks. Both models can accept the Retevis BL45 Lithium-Ion pack to give you a 3rd power option in addition to NiMH and alkaline AAs.
thanks for the update!
Great informative video! Can you communicate with other fishing buddies that have the Cobras?
Yes, the frequencies are standard. So, for example, channel 8, privacy 1 will work across brands.
as long as he I on channel privecy1 then yes thay will but every one will hear every thing
and can not but in to your grope
Hello i have receive this talkies walkies and i want to use with free hand vox . but it's impossible because if I am not 5cm from the microphone it does not pick up my voice even in vox 3 mode. i have a problem with mine or it's a talkie problem ? thanks
I do not know - you should contact them and ask.
@@KayakhacksFishing ok i'm surprise you don't test vox in fishing mode 😁
@@81Capman Me too. I guess it is because I leave the radio in the holder I made attached to the gunnel
Nice radios. I heard the batteries that come with them are really 1000mah of capacity. You could swap to Panasonic Eneloops that have a much better low self discharge rate and 1900mah for almost double the battery life and 2100 cycle life.
Thanks for the info👍
I just ordered a couple from the Retevis eBay store for $45/pr. I did read that some 3rd party batteries may be heavier than the OEM AAs and negate the floating of the radio. Just an FYI...
I was wondering if a Li-ion rechargeable might work better since they should be lighter. The Amazon listing for the radios says they can use Li-ion, so I'm also wondering if they'll charge the Li-ion batteries properly. If anyone has tried Li-ions, LMK how they worked out!
@@lmychajluk I don't think there are 1.5v lithium AA rechargeable batteries. So your options are 1.5V lithium disposable, Alkaline variations, or the Eneloops.
Looks like you found an inflatable PFD to like again.
Can we expect a video on testing it?
lol! I did test it, but did not make a video. It worked fine.
did anyone tell you it is only good for 2 miles on 2 watts or line of sight
No, good to know
Do they have a weather channel
Yes, it has the weather report.
Does it have marine channels on it?
No, it doesn't, I think the marine radios can meet your needs. www.retevis.com/Marine
No
@@KayakhacksFishing thanks
@@carachen2111 thanks
Seems to be a clone of the Motorola T600 or it could be a rebranded Motorola.