Walker Razor Radio – Slim Electronic Muffs & Walkie Talkie Radio Distance
I recently bought two pairs of the Walker Razor Radio electronic ear muffs. Actually it’s two things… Their ‘slim’ muffs AND the radio accessory (which installs onto the muffs).
Though I have a number of electronic muffs already, I bought these to try out the accessory 2-way radio (walkie talkie) attachment. The concept sounded practical, with several use-case scenarios.
Here are my first impressions and short review of the Walker Razor Radio muffs – which is focused on the radio accessory transmitting distance…
Walker Razor walkie talkie frequency:
By the way, the frequency they use, or better said – the band they use, is FRS / GMRS. UHF frequencies around ~ 462, 467 Mhz.
[ Read: Walkie Talkie Range – Distance ]
Walker Muffs
(view on amzn)
Note: The radio accessory can ONLY be used with the Walker’s Slim Razor muffs. (Just so you know).
How Far Will The Walker Razor Radio Walkie Talkie Transmit?
I’m going to review the 2-way radio (walkie-talkie) “Handsfree” communications right away. That’s why I bought these. So hear goes…
They operate on FRS / GMRS frequencies. Same as most typical consumer handheld walkie-talkie 2-way radios. You can look up the specs for more data. But I’m curious how far they’ll go in the real world.
In short, they work well for relatively short distances. They’re intended to be used on a gun range – to keep in communication with a partner – while keeping your muffs on while others nearby may be shooting. For that, they fit the bill just fine.
Their marketing claims “Communications up to 3 miles”. Ummmm, no.
Seemingly ALL 2-way radio manufacturers claim distances which are typically way beyond reality. That’s why it’s good to read reviews from real-world experience. It’s never as far as they say. Why? Because those distances are under “perfect” conditions – which rarely exist in your own world…
So, I did some experimenting to see how far the Walker’s walkie talkie would go in my own environment. Here are my initial results…
Solid Communication Distance – 300 feet
The Walker’s walkie-talkies sounded solid and clear up to about 300 feet. That included line of sight, non-line of sight (down a hill), and through some trees. I didn’t venture into dense forest for this test, however I feel that the radio would have performed pretty well in that as well – up to about 300 feet.
Pretty Good Out To 600 feet
The further distance between two headsets (once you go beyond about 300 feet), the reception gradually began to get noisier. More static. The density of obstructions between you will affect this. I did two tests at this distance.
One test was clear line of sight from Mrs.J sitting in front of the house while I walked across an open field to about 600 feet away. The audio / transmit / reception was still pretty good. Slight detection of noise.
For the other test I walked down our drive. It put a dense stand of trees between us. As I continued over a slight rise and then down the other side, it also put a hunk of “earth” between us. At about 600 feet (almost 1/8 mile) the reception was noticeably noisy and becoming somewhat irritating to communicate.
So my general conclusion is that distances between 300 and 600 feet become increasingly annoying due to increasingly poor reception and noise. Again, that was not direct line of sight – but what may be considered somewhat “normal” in the real world.
Completely Fell Over At 1/4 Mile Distance
I continued walking down our drive. The communication distance between our two headsets simply got progressively worse. At about 800 feet it was definitely annoying. 1000 feet, pretty poor. And as I got about 1/4 mile away (~ 1300 feet) communication was impossible.
I had brought my BaoFeng handheld with me. As expected when I transmitted through that radio after losing comms with the Walker’s at 1/4 mile, Mrs.J said it blasted through loud and clear.
[ Read: Best Antenna For BaoFeng Handheld Radios ]
Walker Razor Radio Headset Button Diagram
My Takeaway For Maximum Distance With The Walker Razor Radio Walkie Talkies
First, I did not expect that these headsets would go (transmit / receive) too far. They’re not designed for that. They’re obviously low power transmitters (due to FCC restrictions on their bands). The antenna is a very short stubby (to accommodate being strapped to your head/ears). And they’re intended for comms on the range.
With that said, I am very pleased with the results. Why? Because I wouldn’t be using them for longer range comms (I have other radios for that). Rather, they have a few nice use-case scenarios.
- Obviously, while shooting with a partner.
- These would be nice for security / patrol comms within the distance constraints.
- During the winter – nice to keep ears warm while muffling noise of the snowblower – and being able to be in communications with the house.
I’m sure you could think of more uses for fairly close range communications. But overall, I felt that it was worth it.
The Razor electronic muffs by themselves are very good. I was quite surprised how much ambient sound I could hear while turning up the volume!! Better than some of my other muffs in that regard. Being slim design is great for shooting any rifle (easier to cheek and see through your optics).
Voice Activated Feature for Microphone Transmit
The VOX (voice activated option for the microphone) didn’t work very well. Despite two sensitivity settings, it was troublesome. Didn’t always work. I don’t feel that’s a detriment because I wouldn’t normally use that anyway. I would much prefer to press the transmit button – which is simple and easy to do on this headset.
Timely for me Ken, just got a one yesterday without the walkie. I had an old pair (20+ years old) called Action Ears. Sound technology certainly has improved with the Walker’s, comfortable fit for me, sound is crisp. Looking at a second pair for my daughter when we deer hunt in separate blinds, rolling country by us. Adding the walkie option will beat texting back and forth when a heads up on deer in the area.
I have a pair of Walkers for shooting and like them very much. I can see using them for listening, especially at night when sight is limited, as they pick up the slightest sounds. I don’t think I would buy the walkie talkie version to use as a communication device as the extremely limited range would be more of a hassle than an advantage.
My handhelds with ear pieces seem more reliable, allow one ear for listening to comms and the other to surroundings and can easily be kept out of rain or snow without wearing a hood covering.
Ken:
Quick question, how did they fair with the Boom Boom noise?
I could see a set on the range, but most have good voice without the 2-way transmit for a good 50 feet or so.
Almost sounds like a no go on these?????
NRP & Blue,
I’ve had better luck with distance than Ken described, 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Not an apple to apple comparison though.
I only have one unit of the muff/radio combo. My testing was communicating back and forth with my wife who was using on of our Cobra Micro-talk radios. Maybe the Cobra has more power/better antenna. Started losing contact with her at about 1/4 mile with her inside the house. When she stepped outside (same side of house as me), made it to 1/2 mile before we could no longer communicate.
Where they shine for me is when I’m out and about mowing pasture, doing range work, etc. out of shouting distance, usually w/o cell phone signal, but able to have instant contact. The plus side also would be the ear protection while running the tractor, or mower.
I doubt my “bump in the night” investigations will carry me any further than the distances I experienced. Hands free communication and hearing protection would be a plus (the VOX works good on my set)
The Walker’s headset muffles the boom noise. The mic on the radio picks it up and transmits it. It would be like hearing gunshots through your tv. Does not hurt the ears
I just purchased my first pair of Walker’s razor muffs early this summer. My hearing isn’t quite as good as it was 40 years ago, and I figured I need a little edge in the woods listening for those sounds you can’t normally pick up. I need all the help I can get now-a-days. I don’t know how they’re going to work out in the woods, but they’re sure great for ease-dropping in on the neighbors when they’re BBQ ing! Imagine, not inviting me over. The nerve.
I just got mine an hour ago. Ken, what you reported is fairly typical for mini FRS radios. One of my intended uses is to investigate disturbances in the two intersecting alleys behind my backyard, while in contact with Mrs. tmcgyver inside. Some of the crap going on out there can include fireworks, firearms and 140db tuner cars. I imagine these would be fairly easy to pair with Baofeng radios too, using standard FRS channel/freqs.
Move, that’s what I’m doing.
After 20 years I have finally been forced to deal with the same trouble makers. Generation Z will not comply with simple community guidelines.
I have 1 pair so far. Based on previous posts good for internal to a patrol/fire team comms. Amplification for LP/op. Low probability of intercept (low power short range)
I have been using the cup and string method of communicating for many years. One problem I’ve had is when connecting segments of string, sometimes I’ll accidentally put in a granny knot instead of a square knot. The granny knot really impairs the communication at about 25 feet.
😜
INPrepper,
bro, ya really gotta join the 20th century…..hold that
thought, my dumb phone’s ringing…… hahaha
K
I loved my dumb phones from the past. The best one I ever had was a Motorola Razor. It was awesome. It was used as all phones should be used. That is to make phone calls. I think I might have sent only one or two text messages over the several years I had it.
I guess that makes me old fashioned.
INPrepper
Dumb phone allows me to walk around without walking into poles.
Can’t glue my nose to my phone, that’s glued to my hand. Hell, I
can’t even text on this thing (Kyocera.)
INPrepper I tried the string and can method too, I could hear the person on the other end but couldn’t understand what they were saying, then I looked at the can and it was French cut green bean can. Go figure. Trekker Out
Good one mountain.
I gues that communication issues would also apply to cans of canned tamales (Spanish) and breakfast congee (Chinese).
Hehe
INPrepper/ MT
What about sauerkraut, or bamboo shoots, or herring…we could go on and on!
Thanks for the levity, these days we all need it.
INPrepper I tried the string and can method, I could hear the person on the other end but I couldn’t understand what they were saying, then I looked at the can and it was a French Cut green bean can. Go Figure. Trekker Out
I suspect the lack of performance is related to the density of the gray matter that was placed between the magnetic coupled air modulators.
Just saying.
I have the Walker’s Slim, Razor and Sport X. It fits and works perfect on all of them.