Retevis RT1 Review
Designed for heavy use, the Retevis RT1 16-channel Two-Way Radio delivers an impressive performance best for outdoor fanatics and industry workers. It offers a 4-mile range, sturdy casing, powerful speakers, scramble function, and more. Ideal for heavy-duty work, the Retevis RT1 is a device that’s tough to beat. In fact, it is one of our picks for the best long range two-way radios.
Table of Contents
One of the best things about this unit is its sturdy build. Compared to other two-way radios in the market, the Retevis RT1 looks and feels significantly stronger. It’s definitely meant for use in the industry or in harsh environments, making it an excellent choice if you need an extra durable unit. It has a rugged yet minimalist design with controls that are pretty straightforward. If you want a commercial-grade device that will do an amazing job without the unnecessary bells and whistles, this is guaranteed to deliver.
In this Retevis RT1 review, we’ll take a look at some of the best features of the device as well as some drawbacks.
What’s in the box:
You may find that the Retevis RT1 can be bought individually, as a pair, or even as a set of five. If you’re going to buy an individual unit, here are the things included in the package:
- Retevis RT1 Two-way radio
- 2 Antennas (high-gain and common antenna)
- Earpiece
- 3000 mAh Li-ion battery
- Desktop Charger
- AC/DC adapter
- Belt Clips
- User Manual
As you can see, pretty much everything you need is included, although there are some optional accessories you can buy. However, for the price of $72.99, some customers still find it to be a steep price for the unit.
Features
Appearance and Build
From the rugged design, you can easily tell that the Retevis RT1 is made to withstand harsh working environments. It has a strong shell that makes it extremely durable and great for everyday use. Even if it falls out of your hand, its anti-scratch surface and resilient exterior ensure that it will not break easily as opposed to even higher-priced models. Nevertheless, this device is lightweight and easy to hold. Keys are laid out nicely, and the limited number of keys makes it easier to operate without all the unnecessary buttons. There are also 2 programmable buttons that you can customize to perform certain functions.
This is perfect for you if you’re engaged in heavy industry work such as construction, security, police, and other challenging workplaces.
Range and Channels
Equipped with 16 channels and 166 privacy codes, it’s easy to communicate on this radio without interruptions. The Retevis RT1 has a range of 4 miles, which, although a far cry from models like the Motorola MR350R, is still an impressive reach. According to the manufacturer, the device can cover distances of 1-3 km. in city areas, 2-5 km. in villages, 2-8 km. in open fields, -2 – 50 floors in buildings, and 3-10 km. in the seaside. Providing that information is honesty on the part of the manufacturer, especially since other brands focus on promoting how wide their coverage is.
Battery Life
Also one of the highlights in this Retevis RT1 review is the device’s battery. While most two-way radios operate on NiMH and alkaline batteries, the model is powered by a Li-ion 3000mAh rechargeable battery. This is great news for power users as the RT1 can last for 24 hours of usage and up to 260 hours of standby time. You don’t have to change batteries frequently because it’s more than enough to withstand a whole day of operation. That’s a huge difference compared to the Cobra CXT1035R FLT and the Motorola MR350R, both of which last for less than 10 hours. Then again, this may lack some features included in the said models.
Great Speakers
The Retevis RT1 has excellent audio quality – loud yet crisp and clear. You can easily hear the audio even in noisy environments such as in construction and field workplaces – further proof that it’s ideal for business and industry use.
Busy Channel Lockout
If the device detects an active conversation on the same channel you’re trying to access, it automatically prevents transmission. This ensures that your conversations are always private.
Advanced VOX Function
A feature common in most modern two-way radios, the Retevis RT1 has a hands-free mode that allows you to use the device through voice. If your hands are occupied with work, you can still use the radio to communicate without pressing any buttons.
Emergency Alarm
You never know when emergencies might happen. Thankfully, this model can send a distress signal to other radios at the push of a button.
Squelch
With 10 adjustable squelch levels, it is great at filtering out background noise. This effectively improves the audio quality to ensure that you consistently have clear communication.
Scramble Function
The two-way radio is equipped with a scramble function that encrypts the signal being transmitted. For your receiver to decode the message, he will have to decrypt it. This further boosts the privacy and security of your conversations — again, perfect for official or business use.
Dust-proof
Since the device is meant for outdoor use, its dust-proof characteristic certainly helps increase the unit’s longevity. With a rating of IP-54, it can last a long time. Talkabout T460 from Motorola also shares the same rating.
Warranty
The Retevis RT1 comes with a 30-day return policy, no questions asked. In addition, it also has a 2-year warranty, which is an upgrade from the usual 1-year warranty on most devices. This protects your rights as a consumer and proves the brand’s confidence in the device.
- Commercial-grade
- Sturdy build
- Long battery life
- Busy channel lockout
- Powerful speakers
- Scramble function
- Not waterproof
- Bit expensive
Retevis RT1 Review Conclusion
The Retevis RT1 is a reliable and well-built device designed for heavy use. It offers a strong shell, straightforward operation, great battery life, powerful speakers, privacy features, and a scramble function. Ideal for businesses, industries, and the outdoors, it is a great choice overall!
Our reviews of the best Baofeng radios are also available, for easier decision-making.
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.
