I originally bought these thinking I’d use it for camping or emergencies but it’s turned into one of those gadgets I grab more often than I expected. Im always using these out and about with friends or just keeping track of my kids, who of course love playing with them. It’s small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, and it actually looks cool. The clip is solid, and the build doesn’t feel cheap at all. The app was quick to set up and now gives me total control over channels and group settings. It’s not hard to use, and the new features (like setting exact frequencies) are a big improvement. Bluetooth pairing with my earbuds works flawlessly.

Very lightweight and easy to set up. Loud clear speaker and great battery life

We used two Aleck Off Grid units during a three-day backpacking trip in the Utah. One thing to know up front is that you need to go through a quick setup using the app before your first use. That part requires a phone and an internet connection, but once it’s done, you don’t need the app again unless you want to change settings later. We didn’t have any cell service for most of the trip, and the radios worked without a hitch.The app lets you select channels and sub-codes directly, so it was easy to match the frequency with an older Midland handheld radio we also brought along. Once we finished setup at home, we just relied on the devices. They worked clearly across a range of terrain, including tree cover, open ridges, and along river valleys. We tested the range a few times and had solid communication at just over four miles.Battery life was great. We used them throughout the day to coordinate rest stops and campsite plans, and both units made it through the entire trip without needing a recharge. They got jostled around in our packs and picked up a few surface marks, but nothing that affected performance. They feel sturdy and handled the typical wear and tear from hiking without issue.It’s definitely easiest to get started when both people are using the same device, since everything syncs up quickly through the app. That said, they also work with other FRS radios as long as you match the channel and privacy code. It only takes a minute to set that up, and once it’s done, you’re good to go without needing to use the app again. If you plan to use them regularly in outdoor settings, they’re reliable and straightforward.

Great walkie talkie for the outdoors
I’ve been using the Aleck Off-Grid on hiking trips, and it’s been a game-changer. Not having cell service is not a problem, I can still stay in touch with my group even in the middle of nowhere with these walkie talkies.Setup was simple, and the app is easy to use. The range has been great on the trails, and the audio is way clearer than I expected.It’s small, lightweight, and the battery is plenty for long day hikes. If you spend time outdoors with friends or family I can’t recommend this enough.

A great device if you have more than one and are onboard with the app being so vital.
This is quite the walkie talkie! The quality is really nice and the size and form factor is slim and sleek. The clip on the back seems strong and would last a long time. The product presentation is very nice and seems high-quality as well. Looks though only get this product so far. The history behind this is intriguing and a really great and I want to love this product. It’s really hard to test with just one of them but I’m doing to do the best I can.Most importantly this walkie talkie is mostly app based which adds another layer of complexity to both the functionality and ease of use. Turning on the walkie talkie and going to channel 1 for instance is not enough for other basic non Aleck devices to communicate. You have to install the app and change the channels via a settings menu to get it to communicate properly with other basic walkie talkies. This took me longer than I would like to admit as the app really gears you towards creating or joining an “Aleck” group with other users that are also using Aleck (or similar non-basic) devices.Once I figured out how to get this device and another basic cobra to communicate the range and quality seemed really good. The functionality is there it’s just a bit inconvenient as I personally feel that the basic functionality of a walkie talkie is inside the app only. The fact that changing to channel 1 on the handset itself doesn’t allow you to communicate with other basic devices is a huge miss. It seems to get the true value out of this the other users must have a more high-end device or Aleck device to have meaningful convenient communication.The voice transmissions seem clear and don’t sound muffled or full of static at least at the shorter distances that I tested.Charging was easy and needed to be charged out of the box which is no big deal.Overall if you are looking for a easy, ready to go walkie talkie, this probably isn’t for you. If you are willing to purchase multiple of these then the options and value are through the roof as there seems to be a very robust system behind it that offers unique features you would not see on a normal walkie-talkie.I’m removing 1 star for the app not being very user friendly to what I feel would be most users using this device with others that don’t have the same or like device.Again, I am testing this with just one device so things may be different if you have two or more.

Easy set up out the box – app made it easy to set the region and can select a channel on the walkie to use. I use that feature the most but you can all set a specific channel via the app if needed. Range was good and no issues with sound quality. I like the build being super lightweight and it looks good. Again the app makes it easy to connect to headphones if you want that which is a nice feature

Reliable, Smart, and Perfect for Modern AdventurersI’ve had the chance to test these Aleck devices and I couldn’t be happier with how it performs.Setup: You have to uses an app however I like the idea that I can take these anywhere and change the region from the settings. The app now allows you to set the exact channel and sub code to the walkie which is a nice change, makes it far easier to connect to other brands. Within minutes, we had several devices connected and communicating clearly.Performance: The range and clarity are excellent. Sound quality was crisp, not static-filled, and battery life easily lasted a full day of activity.Design: The device is slim, durable, and actually looks good. The clip is strong, and the build feels premium not like the plasticky budget models I’ve used before.Bonus Features: Bluetooth headset pairing is awesome. I used my AirPods to connect, and the experience was seamless.To be fair: If you want a super basic walkie with no app or modern features, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a smart, well-designed walkie that excels at what it does then this is for you. Looking forward to taking these on the snow when the season starts.Highly recommended – just get at least two to enjoy the full experience.

Excellent product!

Sub Channels only through app use.
I bought 2 cause I thought while I was skiing, I could hand off the 2nd one to a family member or buddy & we’d be able to communicate better while skiing in the woods or just in general. Unfortunately, sub channels only work through the app, so unless you make anyone in your family or group download the app and sync the off grid to their phone, there’s no privacy on it. Can’t figure out why they didn’t make sub channels independent of the app, but maybe it’s to trap you into getting the whole setup? Regardless, the PIA factor on the 2nd one’s intended use will have me returning it & just getting a standard FRS walkie talkie for the 2nd shared device.

Why an app?
The radio itself seems nice, and the case and buttons feel pretty durable, but the app that has to be downloaded is horrid. Why this is necessary for a walkie talkie is beyond me. I was going to purchase a second one for my hiking partner to have, but I will look elsewhere. I never even tried the bluetooth connection, though in theory it’s a nice feature. I wish it didn’t require the app because the device is sleek and lightweight. It would be perfect for comms on a hike but I haven’t used it for that functionality.