Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio
Kirk Deeter
April 15, 2025
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Back when I was a contributing editor for Field & Stream, I reviewed two-way radios a number of times. So, I got many sets of walkie-talkies from all the big names: Motorola, Midland, Cobra, and on and on. I put them through the paces, and wrote what I thought. What I didn’t write, because I couldn’t write it at the time, was how well they lasted over a few years. The truth is, they all crapped the bed. I’ve thrown out everything I’ve tested several years ago. They all failed.
Moreover, back then, they all claimed superior range and reach. But I live and fish in the mountains of Colorado, and at best, I experienced a fraction of the claimed range and effectiveness they all touted, even at onset.
Now, there’s a new entrant to the field–the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt radio, “designed and tested in Colorado.” And they’re even waterproof (a few feet down in the water). I thought, “Hmmm, okay cowboys, let me check these out” with an admitted level of skepticism.
I must say, I’ve been deeply impressed.
I tested them with my son, Paul, as we fished and floated in canyons. I had him drive off in different directions and tested the range. I live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and at one point, I had him set up on the far side of town, around Emerald Mountain, eight miles away and over a formidable bump in the landscape (not a fourteener, mind you, but a legitimate geographic obstacle), and we connected as if he was in the next room. There was a tiny bit of crackle, but he came in loud and clear. I could also sit in the bowels of my basement, and hear him from a few miles away. Out on the river, in open air, we never came close to losing contact.
If I stood on a mountaintop, and you were 30 miles away in the plains, we’d probably connect, but I generally consider all radio claims about range and reach to be pure BS. I sure as hell wouldn’t bet my life on them.
What I care about is you being a few miles downstream from me in a river canyon, and I need your help somehow, so I want to talk to you and make a plan. You can pick up my call, I can hear you in return and we can figure everything out, as if you were standing right next to me.
Rocky Talkie radios make that possible. So, I’m a believer.
For the record, I soaked the handsets, and they didn’t fail.
At the end of the day, these radios struck me as professional grade–far better than the toys you might have used as a kid talking from one tree fort to another.
You can spend less for other radios for sure–even waterproof models. And maybe using two-way radios isn’t exactly your flavor. But, if you fish (or hunt, as I do) in areas where your cell phone is often worthless, you want to be connected with others in your party. And you want to rely on a communication system that actually works, and presumably, will also last more than a few seasons. I think Rocky Talkie–particularly this 5 Watt system–is the new gold standard.
They’re an essential part of my river/fishing expedition gear kit now.
Pros
Superior, legitimate range, even in lumpy topography.
Great audio clarity, especially in open air environments.
Intuitive operation–turn them on and go.
Rocky Talkie is a Climate Neutral Certified Brand.
Cons
They’re heavier than most other radios, though still compact and easy to carry.
They cost more than the multitude of play-thing radios you can buy and still chat with your fishing buddy, a half-mile away.
If you’re an elk or deer hunter, you’ll want to quell the bleeps every time you push the send/receive button.
Made in overseas, if that’s important to you.
As mentioned earlier, most of the radios I’ve tested (dozens) have crapped out after a few years. I’m still on my honeymoon with Rocky Talkies. I cannot report how I’ll feel three years from now, but I can project how I think I’ll feel, and I’m feeling good that these are the real deal that will last.
At $180, you get what you pay for. Out of the box, I think the price of Rocky Talkies is ultimately better than most other options in terms of range, water-proof-ness and reliability. If my Rocky Talkies fail, I’ll be the first to tell you that. But I honestly don’t anticipate that happening. I think this is a slam-dunk value, particularly for anyone who lives and fishes in places that aren’t as flat as a pancake.
- Price: $180
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 10.3 cm tall x 6.2 cm wide x 3.4 cm thick
- Range: Line-of-Sight: 35+ miles | Mountains: 1-to-8 miles | Forest & Hills: 0.5-to-5 miles | Rivers: 0.5-to-3 miles | City: Up to 1.5 miles
- Waterproofing: IP67 (up to 1 meter submersion)
- Radio Service: GMRS (USA only)
- Power: 5 Watt
- Battery Life: 4-6 days
- Operating Temperature: -20° to 120° F
- Warranty information: Rocky Talkie warranty
The founders of Rocky Talkie discuss the original inspiration behind their backcountry radio.
“Rocky Talkie warrants that for a period of two (2) years from the date of purchase, the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. Should a defect occur during the two (2) year warranty period, Rocky Talkie will repair or replace the defective product or component part at its option, free of charge. Any replacement products provided are under warranty only for the remainder of the original warranty period.”
Using two-way radios as you fish is often child’s play. If you want to hear from your buddy that he just bagged a 14-inch brown on a prince nymph, and in reality, you’re standing 500 yards apart, go get the cheap walkie talkies you had when you played “hide the flag” when you were 14 years old.
If, on the other hand, you’re an outfitter, or some other serious angler, who legitimately cares about how the Class III rapid is behaving a mile downstream from you, you probably shouldn’t mess around with toys.
I think Rocky Talkies are the best option out there. I’ve been convinced in terms of range, reliability and durability (so far). They’re going to be in my dory when I’m on a group trip, especially out of cell phone range, and conditions or circumstances throw a curveball into the day’s proceedings.
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