My company produces wedding films and we use two-way radios at almost every wedding event we shoot. We've been using Motorola radios exclusively for the past several years, and they're great for what they do. But we've been looking for a simpler and lighter/smaller radio as the heavier Motorolas get tiresome by the end of a 12-hour workday.
The Luiton LT-316 radios are the perfect blend of quality, size, and ease of use. They are super light and are barely noticeable when worn at the hip or on a belt. And because they have a VERY small antenna, they are NOT bothersome when I have to bend over to pick up camera gear or when I have to reach up to put up lighting (when the radio is on my belt). I was initially worried that these radios would be similar in quality/range to that of a traditional FRS bubble pack available at local electronic retailers, and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package. The radios feel substantial in my hands, and the heavy duty plastic feels comparable to some of our Motorola radios we've used in the past. In other words, they are not made of the cheap and thin plastic that flexes when you squeeze too hard (which we've seen on some of the cheaper and lower quality radios we've tried). I've already dropped one of the radios on a hardwood floor (accidentally), and there was not a scratch or dent on the radio. And the radio still works perfectly!
As for range, we are generally within a half-mile range of one another at a wedding shoot, and these radios have worked great for such a distance. We tested them while driving (two separate cars) on the way to a shoot, and we were easily able to get a full mile (flat highway) of transmission distance. Obviously, your distance will vary based on obstacles and other radio interference in the area, but these radios met our needs easily.
I like that the radios combination beltclip/holster is detachable.... so I can leave the beltclip on my belt and quickly remove the radio when needed. Then when I'm finished, I can simply slip the radio back into the beltclip. The beltclip has a "click" noise to confirm that the radio is properly seated in by the retention clips.
The radios are easily reprogrammable using freely available CHIRP software. Using the software, I was able to adjust the channel frequencies and power output (low/high) to the channels for which we are licensed. I am still unsure of what "low/high" power settings are... but my guess is that "low" is 1 watt output, and "high" is 3 watts output. Again, pure speculation.
The output volume is good, but not as loud as that of our Motorola radios. I knew that going into the purchase (as the speaker output is stated on the product description). But that's not a concern for me. When we're shooting at weddings, we try to keep a discrete profile, and we don't need a blaringly loud radio. During key moments of the wedding day, we actually use our radios with acoustic audio tubes, so the lower volume output is really a non-issue for me.
Overall, I'm really impressed with these radios. They're small and lightweight, but easily handle professional applications. I would highly recommend these to anyone looking for a professional-grade radio!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 7.72 x 6.46 x 2.4 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.46 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8 x 4 x 5 inches |
| Item Weight | 16 ounces |
| Brand Name | LUITON |
| Color | LT-316 black |
| Manufacturer | Bond Telecom Co,.Ltd. |
| Part Number | LT-316B |
| Style | 2 Piece |
