Dewalt has just come out with new 2-way radio walkie talkies. There are two versions, with the difference being in transmitter power: 1-watt (DXFRS300) and 2-watt (DXFRS800).
Features include Dewalt’s yellow and black color scheme, which might make the radios harder to misplace, 22 preset channels, IP67 waterproofing, a backlit LCD display, shock-resistant construction, and lock function to prevent accidental operation.
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They’re sold in pairs, with belt holsters that Dewalt says allow them to easily attach to a belt, backpack, or purse, rechargeable batteries, and a charging cradle.
The 1-watt radios are said to be able to cover up to 250,000 square feet or 20 floors, and the 2-watt radios up to 300,000 square feet or 25 floors. The radios operate on UHF/FM bands.
They also feature a speaker/mic jack and VOX, voice-activation transmission for hands-free use. A headset or related accessories are not included.
Update: In addition to the charging cradle, the radios can be charged via micro USB.
Runtime is up to 12 hours (90% standby, 5% talking, 5% listening).
Price: $99 for the 1-watt set, $129 for the 2-watt set
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(As of the time of this posting, the sets are on sale for $80 and $105 via Amazon.)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(1-watt set via Tool Nut)
Buy Now(2-watt set via Tool Nut)
mike
I saw these at HD already in September 2018
Jim Felt
Wow. I need your photographic memory. Especially for stuff not purchased.
Impressive. Most impressive.
Altan
They look good, I liked them
ca
Would have been nice if they made these in one of their existing battery lines. Perhaps size was the issue?
csroc
Imagine the talk time with the “20V” 5Ah battery!
I was thinking that as well though. Dewalt has smaller 8V batteries for their electric screwdrivers that might almost fit the form factor. 12V Max batteries would probably not be great in the form factor either.
ca
I was hoping for 120 V FlexVolt with corded adaptor, but 8 V would probably be more ergonomic.
Steve
Make ’em FlexVolt, with a 12ah battery, sure, you’re gonna need a bigger holster for it but it will run for like a week and a half on a single charge!
Nathan
Interesting Idea I wonder who makes them for them.
would be interesting if they had made the recharger stand have a 20V battery slot so you could place it on a tool battery and recharge the walkie – if you didn’t have ready power.
OhioHead
I am not trying to be “too snarky” here gang any of the not core DW offerings from DW recently being offered are 3rd party licensing agreement to expand the DW brand offerings (coolers, water holders, non cordless tireless inflators, eye safety, tool bags, wireless enhancement devices, heaters, etc. (just read the backside of the label)).
I sat in meetings w/ DW executives who once said about DW “we are a marketing company, not a manufacturing company” who last time I checked is upper level management @ TTI – DW is entering into 3rd party agreements to expand the DW brand (earn $$$’s by slapping yellow on a existing/modified product!) while not having to spend $$’s on R & D, just market research.
You can probably find the exact non yellow walkie talkies cheaper…….I own yellow, dark green, red, blue and other colors in my tool bags.
Thx’s Stuart for this new product notice.
Stuart
I figured this was a licensed product, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, good or bad. Not all licensed products are relabeled from existing products either, and even if they are, there are times when branded products are less expensive than the same products but OEM-branded.
Sco Deac
They look more like the Motorola footprint than the Icom (the two most common manufacturers of two-way radios operating on FRS frequencies. I would expect them to have interoperability with other FRS radios.
fred
I see that Altis Global (the OEM for these based on the UPC) sells some under the Cobra Name
https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-ACXT1035-FLT-CAMO-Walkie/dp/B019RIOWYK/
Nathan
Oh I agree it’s a licensed product but it’s also a decent product. As best as I can tell. I’m saying for just a little R&D they could have made something that more fit with their other product brand.
I mean we all know the chargers run DC internal – might as well give it the slots to sit on a 20V battery pack and something like a 2AH or 3AH pack would charge both radios I suspect. Or if nothing else bring out a 20V adapter that has a usb out and whatever that connection plug is for the charger base.
That would also be nifty.
Rob
If you were going with that idea, it would be better to put a micro USB port on the walkie-talkie, as if you were charging a cell phone. That way, you could just put DeWalt USB charging adapter that fits on a 20 volt battery and connected to the walkie talkies with a standard USB charging cord.
Jared
Check the fourth picture down in the Amazon link Stuart provided – looks like there is a micro USB port to me. You could probably do the same thing to many walkie talkies these days, not just the Dewalt-branded ones.
Stuart
You’re right!
Odd, none of the sell sheets or product descriptions mention it, but the user manual does.
“The 5V micro-USB charging input is compatible with most high quality micro-USB chargers that fully conform to the USB standards.”
Stuart
I would say that charging cradles are much more appealing to commercial users than a micro USB charging port.
Update – it has both! Digging into the manual, it says that charging can also be done via micro USB.
fred
UPC for these start with 856062 – that implies that the OEM is Altis Global Ltd.
Darth
Forgive my ignorance, but would these work over distances rather than giant buildings? I have a site about 1 mile from my home. Would these cover that distance?
OhioHead
Nextel is your friend ;)!
Stuart
After some Googling, it seems that 1 mile might be the limit for a 1W radio, and that 2W might work better, but it would depend on line of site obstructions.
Sco Deac
The terrain will play a factor, but as a general rule even the 1 watt should service a 1 mile range. UHF radio waves generally work by line of sight. Hills and large structures can interfere with coverage. In relatively flat and open areas, I’d expect a 1 watt signal cover 2-3 miles. If your sites are in a more urban area, get the 2 watt, but even that may not help too much.
Jared
The short answer is yes, they cover distance as well as “floors”. I’m guessing the decision to describe the power as the number of floors you can cover is a marketing decision meant to make these radios seem more construction-oriented.
Doesn’t seem like they provided the distance rating anywhere (I was reading through the Amazon listing) but you could compare the wattage rating of either model to another brand’s radio to get in the general ballpark – be warned however, that the distance most radios advertise is very exaggerated (or more generously, presumes “ideal” conditions (like maybe you’re “orbiting in the low atmosphere” kind of ideal)).
Here’s some generic info about FRS radios and range that might help: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2016/12/gmrs_radio_range_chart.html
Ps. I think FRS is usually limited to 2-watts, so you’re unlikely to find something with genuinely more range that the more powerful of these new Dewalt radios unless maybe it’s got a much bigger antennae.
Bruce
That’s cool, I hadn’t paid attention to FRS is some time. It’s interesting that they upped the wattage limit from 500mw to 2w for FRS. FRS are narrow band channels and that made them a little weak compared with older wide band radios or GMRS. UHF is a great tool for in building radio use. It tends to do well with obstructions and the 2 watt limit will cover all reasonable business needs for jobsite radios.
For some comparison, I can use a 1w radio on UHF to reach all the way to the horizon without obstructions but it will only reach two blocks in an urban environment. As they say Your Milage May Vary. KG7QHP
Josh
I guess a certain brand missed out on the Milwaukee-Talkie…
Perfect size for an M12 battery too!
JoeM
I’m on a bit of an overload with these. They give me some great ideas overall. UNFORTUNATELY: They’d be hardware hacks, and DeWALT would hate me for them. Also… I can’t actually use these myself, so I have no reason to buy them.
HOWEVER: To those that own the DeWALT Heated Gear… You’re already wearing a ready-made electric charging harness for these. Just run USB cables from the battery pack to the top-inside or right-side pocket, and plug these puppies in. I already do this with my Cell Phone, and I have the connection available for my bluetooth headset in case of emergency. There’s nothing stopping you from doing the same with a Walkie as well.
@Nathan… I can’t even explain how many ideas spring from the concept of a charger that locks into the 12/20 Volt charger slots. I’m sure I could manage to hack something together, but simultaneously, I’d rather DeWALT made them outright. DeWALT 12/20 Volt slot to 8 Volt Max slot? If you buy the Dual Port charger, you can essentially turn that into an All-Max system charger with one single adapter. Bravo, sir. I like the way you think!
Jerry
Sorry, too rich for my blood. I can get similar powered rechargeable radios for under $30, and for about $35 can get some i believe would be as rugged.
Mike
At least with DW, replacement batteries shouldn’t be an issue. I had to throw away some pretty good Chinese brand x radios because I couldn’t find replacement batteries for them – such a waste.
Toolfreak
Given the devotion of some in the trades to the brand, I’d say DeWalt should consider selling these in 6-12-20-25 packs, with a single charger dock for all the units in the pack. These would probably see regular jobsite use if they are durable enough, but since it’s a licensed product it might just be all looks.
I still think there needs to be some kind of headset version of these as well. It’d make hands-on work easier when you’re doing something in coordination with another person some distance away, but you need both hands free and can’t stop to pick up a handset.
Maybe everyone just uses cheap phones and plans that covers all their workers – or they get their workers to use their personal phones on the job, and just plug a headset into that.
Gary
To bad they didn’t mention you needed a license to use
Stuart
Do you? Only the 2W if it’s on business bands. Right?
Nate B
The FCC recently revised the rules and FRS radios can go up to 2W, license-free. The licensing is only required if they transmit on GMRS channels.
Best collection of links for more info is on this page:
https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart
Robert
FRS falls under a larger umbrella called GMRS, “General Mobile Radio Service.” The first 7 channels are shared between both services. FRS, “Family Radio Service,” does not require a license, but also has more strict limitations. They are limited to no more than 500mw of power, and are required to have a fixed antenna. There can be no provision to extend or change the antenna. GMRS radios can run upwards of 25 watts, as best as I can remember, and have more options for antennas. They also require an FCC license that I believe is good for 5 years. You simply apply for the license and pay a fee.
On these types of handheld radios, Channels 1 through 7 are shared between the 2 services. Channels 8 through 14 are exclusively FRS. Beyond that are exclusively GMRS. You will also find privately owned repeaters and other options in the GMRS realm. That quickly becomes very pricey however and is progressively harder to justify by many. GMRS can also include mobile radios and base stations.
With radios like this, the radios are generally programmed to limit the wattage when on the FRS exclusive frequencies between channels 8 through 14. You would get the full wattage on everything else. You don’t need a license to operate on channels 8 through 14. You technically do for the remainder. With that said, it can be hard to discern a more powerful GMRS radio vs an FRS radio when operating on the shared channels 1 through 7. For the record, you need a license with these on those frequencies. Off the record, no one will know or care that you’re operating a GMRS radio on those frequencies without a license. You’re more likely to be noticed on the upper channels above channel 14. They will typically include licensing information in the packaging.
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glenn
While these may be useful to some, I really cant see the point for our needs on the job. We use our mobile phones.