Latest posts for the topic "walkie talkie v mobile"

walkie talkie v mobile

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:25:02 GMT

I have been looking at walkie talkies for our holiday but to get a reasonable quality set seems to be about GBP40.
I have two spare mobiles and was thinking of putting two pay as you go sims with GBP10? each on them.
I shouldnt need to worry so much about going out of range with the phone compared to walkie talkies too?
As my GF is a non skier. it would literally be maybe 3 or 4 times a day if that that we would need to use them and then just an "arrange a time to meet" call or text.

When back home i could use the left over credit if any.
I already have the phones so no cost there.

Not too sure of mobile costs abroad.....just wondering if anybody has more experience with dilemma?

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:58:48 GMT

What phone provider are you with the EU rates should be on their website

I am with 3 and it costs 10p to send a text when abroad and free to recieve. If your going to be sending 4 texts a day to meet up for 7 days that's only 28 texts or 2.80.

that seems to be the cheapest option for me

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:09:34 GMT

Things to bear in mind and consider

Coverage of mobile reception

Coverage of radio, I radio that has an advertised 5km range will not nec do that due to mountains in the way!!

Battery power of the phone. Batteries don't last as long in the cold

Despite what you say, you will use the phone for conversation, "which exact restaurant!!!" Consider the call costs

For me, I would be concerned about the coverage of the radio if you are at the top of a slope and she is down away in the village. I would opt for the phone, but put it where it does not get wet/damaged if you fall

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:30:43 GMT

Exactly the same issue as yourself Moogie with my OH not skiing.
We just carry our normal phones and use them as we wish.
The bill never seems very much, GBP20 extra on each phone for the week maybe and we do text and natter as much as we want really.
I'm not sure of the reasoning behind buying new sims?
What's wrong with your usual phone?
Just make sure data roaming is switched off!

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:14:11 GMT

This to me is a no brainier.... Walkie talkies win hands down....

Mobiles may be the cheaper option short term, but like iceman said you can't control what you will say etc and GBP10 will be gone in no time. Walkie talkie once bought will last you years, you use them as much as you want and long term they work out much cheaper.

Plus you needent worry about signal.

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:20:53 GMT

In Sauze D'Oulx (first days skiing) at the minute with my brother and the walkie talkies came in handy plenty of times throughout the day when we got split up skiing.

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:26:22 GMT

Whilst walkie talkies can be very useful up on the mountain and I used a pair with my son when he was younger I do think that in these circumstances a phone is far far superior.

The problem with the walkie talkie is the mountains, they just get in the way and one can cover so much distance in a mornings skiing.

Unless Moogie is going to commit to staying on the same side of the hill as his GF in resort and she is going to commit to staying outside then the odds on them communicating effectively are minimal.

With a phone you can send a text/message and the other one can pick it up 10 mins later and respond, no need for this bingly bingly beep needing an instant response - always tricky when flying out of control down a mogul field!

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:51:38 GMT

OldAndy wrote:Unless Moogie is going to commit to staying on the same side of the hill as his GF in resort and she is going to commit to staying outside then the odds on them communicating effectively are minimal.

For me that is the biggest downfall to someone in Moogie's position. I would opt for the phone based on this alone. What's GBP10 or max GBP20 compared to the decreased stress levels and teh comparison of what the whole holiday is costing? Only a couple of beers? ;) :thumbup:

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:57:02 GMT

Why not have both if you cant get in touch with walkie talkie revert to phone simple I would have thought

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:00:13 GMT

Merryski wrote:Why not have both if you cant get in touch with walkie talkie revert to phone simple I would have thought

Because he has not bought said walkie talkie and will not if he decides he does not need them.... ;)

I guess anyway :D

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:26:04 GMT

Walkie talkies are a nice to have but not a must have ..... I used to get peeed off with being buzzed, I had to stop take off my gloves go to my pocket to be asked the question "where are you" and my reply was normally "Bloody skiing" :twisted:

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:34:01 GMT

Phone every time. You need to spend more than GBP40 to get walkie talkies that actually work, and over sufficient enough distance too.
You wont spend near GBP40 on a few texts or calls to make arrangements. Plus you wont get fed up with the OH constantly buzzing and talking to you, which she will!
You can choose when to check the phone )

Total waste of money for your situation.

However, brilliant idea if theres a lot of you splitting up and going off in groups, or off piste.

Re:walkie talkie v mobile

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:52:39 GMT

Walkie Talkies are great banter when in larger groups as you can all join in (the usually inane and useless) conversations. If just me and the OH go we just turn of roaming and use of our normal phones as it's only if we are late or lost that we need them.

As with most things discussed on the forum it's down to personal preference.

For your situation Moogy I would either use your own current phones (ensuring roaming is turned off), if you wanted to use the spares in case of damage then have you considered buying a SIM in the country you are visiting which would be cheaper (if you're phones are unlocked), alternatively stick with Plan A and get a couple of GBP10 SIMs.