[2024] Rocky Talkie Review: Mountain Radio – Simple, Elegant Solution

Key Takeaways

• It’s the best non-professional series radio on the market in 2024.
• It’s incredibly easy to use out of the box. Learn more about how to use.
• Read more about the difference between FRS and GMRS radios.
• The mic setup and extended battery pack are useful accessories for outdoor activities like skiing where you don’t want to remove your glove.
• The Rocky Talkie mountain radio is durable, waterproof, and comes with a two-year warranty and great customer service.

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🧭 Read until the end for my insider travel tips from a physical therapist hiking & travel addict.

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🗻 Read my roundup of the best 2 way radios for the mountains.
🥾Take a look at the best PLBs for hiking and mountaineering.

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio Overview

The Rocky Talkie mountain radio is a handheld non-professional radio that is still the best on the market, priced at around $110 for the radio and $50 for the mic. The company offers a two-year warranty on the radios, but the warranty can extend past two years if needed.

They have excellent customer service and are willing to work with customers to take care of them.

Rocky Talkie has released several new accessories since the last update. One of these accessories is the mic setup that comes in handy in different situations where you want to wear gloves.

The mic setup is also waterproof and can withstand freezing cold temperatures, downpours of rain, and hot temperatures. It is also weather-proof, making it extremely durable and reliable.

The mic setup comes in a new case that has a cut-out on the side, allowing you to fit the mic in it.

The radio comes with a carabiner and a lanyard strap, but the mic setup has made the lanyard strap unnecessary for some users.

The mic setup with a large orange button comes in handy in different situations, making it easier to communicate without having to find the button on the side of the radio.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Weather proof: the radio can withstand snowy, freezing cold temperatures, downpours of rain, and hot temperatures without any issues.
• Warranty: the radio comes with a two-year warranty, and the customer service is excellent. They are willing to work with customers to take care of them and improve their radios based on feedback.
• Mic setup: the mic setup is a useful accessory that makes it easier to find the button to speak, even when wearing gloves. The large orange button on the mic is tactile and easy to press, and the mic can be turned in any position, making it convenient to use.
• Compatibility: the mic has a standard hookup that can be used on any radio, making it a versatile accessory.
• FCC Compliance: the radio is legal to operate according to the FCC with no license.

Cons

• Price: the radio costs around $110, which may be expensive for some users.
• Mic price: the mic setup costs around $50, which is an additional expense.
• Limited warranty: the warranty only lasts for two years, and some users have reported issues after the warranty period.
• Roger Beep (Button noise): the button noise can be audible to animals, which may be a concern for some users. You can adjust this and turn off the button noise. Here’s a video on exactly how to do that.

Specs

Summary of the Rocky Talkie Specifications:

Specification	Details
Radio Service	FRS (no license required)
Channels	128
Privacy Codes	121 (CTCSS and DCS)
Range	Line-of-sight: 25+ miles Mountains: 1 to 5 miles Forest/Hills: 0.5 to 3 miles City: Up to 1 mile
Power	2 Watt
Features	Privacy Codes, Channel Lock, High/Low Power Modes, Scan Mode, Roger Beep
Waterproofing	IP56 (Splashproof/Snowproof, not submergible)
Battery Type	Rechargable 1550 mAh Li-ion
Radio Dimensions	16.2 x 5.9 x 2.7 cm
Weight	Radio Only: 4.8 oz, Full System: 7.9 oz
Operating Temperature	-20° to 120° fahrenheit
Charging Temperature	0° to 100° fahrenheit
Charging Type	USB-C (Charger included)
Headset Compatible	Dual pin 3.5mm-2.5mm Port (Headset not included)

New Accessories

Rocky-Talkie has recently released a few new accessories for their handheld non-professional series radio. One of the newer accessories is a mic setup, which comes in handy for different uses such as hiking, mountaineering, hunting, fishing and skiing.

Rocky-Talkie has also released an extended battery pack that you can purchase, and a new case that has a cut-out on the side to fit the mic in. The mic setup and the extended battery pack are sold separately from the radio.

If you already own a Rocky-Talkie, you can purchase the new case that has the cut-out on the side, and the mic comes wrapped up in the box. The case is self-explanatory and easy to use.

Rocky-Talkie offers a 2 year warranty on their radios, and their customer service and warranty extends past the initial two years. They are willing to work with you to take care of you as the customer and they like hearing feedback on how their radios are used and what they can improve.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Rocky Talkie is the best radio in its category, providing the best chance that your radio won’t fail on you. It’s not the most expensive, but it’s definitely not the cheapest. However, it’s the best option if you ever have to rely on it in a life-or-death situation or when skiing off piste or hiking in the backcountry.

Final Verdict: Best Performance

Let’s face it, you pay for what you get. You’ve got many options, but if you’re really interested in performance I highly recommend you consider this purchase.

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Why Trust?

At Crave the Planet, I’m all about honest and relatable reviews of outdoor products. As a physical therapist, hut to hut hiker, downhill skier and mom, I’m constantly trying new gear to make my outdoor experiences more comfy and fun but with science in mind.

I’ll be real with you, I don’t do every outdoor activity. But, who does? I’m just a regular person who loves exploring the planet. Perfectionism is my enemy and I hope to help you ditch that vibe too.

My review process involves testing each product in real-life outdoor situations, but if it’s a really horrible day I’ll probably find a hotel in the valley. I’ll let you know what worked for me and what didn’t, so you can make informed decisions about your gear choices.

I don’t do sponsored reviews or take payment for my reviews. All comments are based on my personal experience. Sometimes I’ll test something and then send it back for a refund. Usually there’s a hefty fee. Bummer. So, if you’re looking for a relatable and honest take on outdoor gear, you’re in the right place.

More Resources

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Video

If you’re an avid hiker or mountaineer, you know that communication is essential. I hope this Rocky Talkie Review help you decide if it’s the right purchase for you.