Cruising the logging roads of Washington state in my rig, it can be easy to lose your way. That’s why I’ve now made a GMRS walkie-talkie a standard piece of kit, and recently, I’ve been using the Cobra TrailBlazer 450 to keep in touch with trail partners on my off-road overnights.
Just last week, I was high above the Skagit River staring down a washout, and keying up the 450, I was able to relay the info to the end of our convoy to begin finding a workaround. Bubblepack FRS radios would struggle to span the dense second-growth and switchbacks, but at full 2.5 W, the TrailBlazer pushed my signal through the tangle.
It isn’t the perfect GMRS radio, as I found, but for those looking to bump up to a more professional handheld, it offers a number of attractive features. Here’s what I learned about the TrailBlazer 450 in my testing with it.
Looking for a new FRS or GMRS radio? Check out GearJunkie’s Best Walkie-Talkies Buyer’s Guide for more.
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The Cobra TrailBlazer 450 is an ideal GMRS radio; (photo/Nick Belcaster)
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(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
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(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- GMRS ability to swap antennas and access repeaters
- USB-C charging capability
- Loud and clear speaker with vibration function
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Power output limited to 2.5 W
- Screen is scratched easily
- Volume knob turns too easily
Cobra TrailBlazer 450 Walkie-Talkie Review
The Cobra TrailBlazer 450 GMRS walkie-talkie hits the scene as a step above the brand’s consumer FRS radios, and below its business two-way handhelds and CB radios. The ideal user is simple: those who want a bit more oomph in their off-grid communications and some more utility for different use cases.
My use of walkie-talkies is pretty broad, and when looking for a good one, I need a radio to cover a range of tasks, such as communications between vehicles on a trail ride or between climbers on a multi-pitch route. I used the TrailBlazer 450 for over a year to see what it was made of.
The GMRS Advantage
GMRS radios, compared to more common FRS radios, are a notch above in terms of power and functionality. The most notable difference is in transmission power, which can be up to 5 W in handheld radios. This means more legs to get your signal out, and while you need an FCC license to operate it (a simple fee and application, no test required), the upgrade in clarity and power is well worth it.
The important thing to know about the Cobra Trailblazer 450 (and the entire series) is that the output is capped at 2.5 watts, meaning it only puts out half of what the radio style is allowed to. This does kneecap the functionality a good bit, but it isn’t the entire story. GMRS radios are also allowed to host removable antennas, meaning you can swap in a higher-gain (i.e., better-performing) antenna and do more with whatever output power you’ve got on board.
To test this, I performed a range test locally using both the stock antenna that the 450 ships with and an aftermarket whip antenna. Unsurprisingly, the whip antenna was able to boost the signal out an additional mile during the challenge.
The other benefit of a GMRS radio over an FRS handheld is the ability to key into remote repeaters (stations that amplify your signal much further). My tests here also showed solid performance, with the radio able to connect to a station 5 miles away.
Field Testing: Overlanding & Backpacking
To test the TrailBlazer 450 thoroughly, I used it for communications for more than a year across a range of activities, including overlanding, backpacking, and multipitch climbing. Of the activities I used the radio for, I found offroading to be the best use case.
The TrailBlazer 450 excels here as a GMRS radio, where you often need a bit more power to get your signal out of the cab of your rig, and the ability to use a remote-mount antenna is key.
The 450 does well when used for activities like backpacking, as well. Part of my testing for walkie-talkies always includes a range test in both simple (unobstructed) and complex terrain, and here the 450 performed better than most FRS radios I’ve tested (notching a solid 3.5 miles in the clear and 2 miles in the forest), but not as good as higher-powered GMRS radios.
The Rest of the TrailBlazer Range
The TrailBlazer 450 is the middle child in the series of three GMRS radios, and honestly, likely the pick of the litter. The TrailBlazer 250 ($100 for two radios) is a smaller form factor, with the biggest difference being the use of rechargeable AA batteries (and an accompanying lower run-time of 12 hours). This might be a better choice for outdoors folk who use other outdoors electronics with the same batteries, or want a handheld that can be stored for long periods of time.
The other end of the range is the TrailBlazer 500 ($150 for two radios), which is tailored for hands-free use (especially handy when mounted on the dash of your rig). The 500 does away with the screen and instead hosts voice prompts to guide you through the menus, and relies on the twin knobs atop the handheld and three front-facing buttons.
It’s key to note that all three radios in the series are identical in terms of power output, so your choice in radios will likely come down to the peripheral features and functions.
Other GMRS Radios to Consider
Jumping up to a GMRS radio from an FRS handheld can net you more range and ease of use, but there’s plenty on the market to consider. Here are a few to get eyes on before going with the Cobra TrailBlazers.
The Rocky Talkie Expedition ($180 for one radio) is one of the better GMRS radios available today, and will hit the full 5W output allowed, is IP67 waterproof, and can be used with a handheld speaker/mic that can also adjust volume and channel. The simple display is a bit more difficult to use compared to the TrailBlazer, however, and menu navigation was quicker in the Cobra radios.
The Midland GXT67 Pro (which I’ve also reviewed) is the bells-and-whistles option, and has a price to boot ($220 for one radio). The screen of the GXT67 is brighter and more legible than the TrailBlazer 450, and the user interface is much more tweakable to dial into your preferences. Like the Rocky Talkie, the Midland radio will also put out the full 5 W allowed, meaning it’ll get a signal out where the Cobra won’t.
The real reason to go with the TrailBlazer 450? The price. At $130 per pair of radios, you come out significantly ahead when compared to the Expedition or GXT67 Pro, and if you’re looking to get further into the world of GMRS radios without jumping in fully, the Cobra radios make good sense.
Who Is the Cobra TrailBlazer 450 Walkie-Talkie For?
The Cobra TrailBlazer 450 is a solid GMRS walkie-talkie, with a simple user interface, tough build, and enough power to get your signal out most places you’ll find yourself.
The biggest issue I had with the TrailBlazer 450 was that foreshortened 2.5W maximum output, which does take a good bit of the bite out of what a GMRS handheld radio is capable of. If maximum power is what you’re after, consider the Rocky Talkie Expedition or the Midland GXT67 Pro as better alternatives.
You’ll pay the price for those radios, however, and there’s more to GMRS radios than just pure power. The ability to swap antennas is a huge boon for overlanders looking to remote-mount an antenna, and being able to plug in your favorite local repeater will get your signal out much farther than 5 W alone could ever. Looking to upgrade your walkie-talkie experience (without dropping the big bucks)? The TrailBlazer 450 is a solid choice.
