Amy Fraser tries out the new Milo Action Communicator. Is it the ultimate adventure walkie-talkie? Read the review to find out.
How many times have you been midway through an outdoor activity before you’ve had to yell over to your mate, only for them to hear nothing but a high-pitched muffle amid the roaring wind? It’s happened to me more times than I can count.
Perhaps even more frustrating is the hand signal, which may mean something to the person waving their hand around, but their friend? Clueless. My partner loves a good hand signal in the surf, but I rarely know if he’s trying to say “Big wave coming, paddle out and get ready for a slam” or “Nice waves coming, stay put and enjoy”. Am I supposed to be consumed with fear or excitement?
Perhaps this unnecessary rollercoaster of emotions would be put to bed with Milo’s Action Communicator.
Labelled the “walkie-talkie reimagined” by Milo, the Action Communicator is essentially a high-tech waterproof walkie-talkie that requires no Wi-Fi or network service. It can be used completely hands-free during extreme adventures like cycling, skiing, rock climbing or surfing. This nifty new device has already secured multiple awards, including a 2022 Red Dot Design award and Time Best Inventions 2022.
My partner and I tested two of the Milo Communicators at our local beach, Bondi, on a busy Saturday morning. We made our usual coffee pitstop on the way down to the surf, where I unboxed the devices and began to set them up. Well, we were finished before our coffees even arrived. It was super simple.
When you switch the Milo on, it begins talking you through the instructions, prompting you to try different buttons to ensure you’ve understood. Once they’re connected, the device is extremely easy to use. All it takes is a press of a button and you’re good to start chatting away to your mate. So far, we were impressed.
Of course, if you’re out on an adventure then you’re going to be facing a lot of natural elements, including wind. And if you’ve ever been to Bondi Beach, you’ll know there are a lot more noises to contend with other than the wind and waves!
We were really impressed with the Milo Communicator’s ability to block out excess noise and deliver just the sound of our voices across the microphone. To start with, we kept pressing the big button on the front to mute and unmute ourselves, before realising the gadget could effectively sequence our messages and block out those unwanted sounds. It made it extremely easy to communicate; it’s just what I’d be looking for when I’m focusing on the waves or flying down the mountain on a pair of skis.
This might not seem like a big deal these days, but when you combine that with the hands-free element, this is where the Milo Action Communicator becomes more than just a walkie-talkie.
Just one of these Milo Communicators goes for $399.00 (AUD) and you’ll need to buy at least two. That’s $800 for the luxury of live communication during your adventure! Not cheap.
The range is 600 metres between two units. This is great for activities like cycling, kite surfing or rock climbing, but it could be improved – especially with that price tag.
The range can be extended when another device is added to the group, but again, that’s another $399. A Long-Range-Mode is on its way, which would make a heck of a difference.
The Milo Communicator uses a magnetic lock to keep itself in place. There are various different ways you can wear the device which is a bonus, but the kit doesn’t come with an armband. This means surfers and kite surfers are looking at another cost.
Would I use this for skiing? Absolutely! The Milo Communicator would go down a treat with my ski-loving family, especially my nephews who love to whizz off in front. The Milo ticks both the safety and fun boxes and given my family skis once or twice a year, we could maybe justify the cost.
Would I use it for surfing? I personally don’t feel this device works or is necessary for surfing. The armband is the only way to safely wear the device on your board and even then, I don’t like the idea of wearing anything on my arm that’s going to slow down my paddle. I have a hard enough time paddling for waves as it is, without any extra drag. On the other hand, if I were an instructor, this would be revolutionary!
I’d also really recommend the Milo Communicator to cyclists and kite surfers. Both of these sports rely on expensive equipment. Perhaps another $800 isn’t a big deal? Especially if you’re sharing between friends.
Overall, there’s no questioning that the Milo is an awesome piece of equipment. It’s small, lightweight, super easy to use and brilliantly designed. However, the price tag is hefty; it’s not something I’d buy outside of a special occasion.
Is it suitable for all sports adventures? Arguably not. But for those I’ve mentioned above, the Milo would certainly be a safe and exciting way to stay connected.
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