When you're outdoors, there are often situations where you want to talk to someone a little distance away. For example, when backcountry skiing, you often ski down a slope alone, and after you've finished, you send a signal to the person above you that you're ready to go. In other activities, such as climbing or river climbing, you'll need to set up anchors above and below walls or waterfalls, so communicating by shouting or whistling is essential. Even when hiking, if differences in pace lead to distance between you and the other person, it becomes difficult for you to hear each other's voices
In such cases, it is certainly possible to communicate with the other person using a radio (transceiver), which was a common means of communication in the mountains long before mobile phones became popular, but it requires a license and application, and is heavy and bulky to carry around, making it too much of a hassle to carry around lightly (although there is nothing more reliable for emergencies in the event of getting lost)
So, I was always thinking about how convenient it would be to have a lightweight, compact communication device that would allow me to easily communicate at any time in the mountains, when I happened to notice the ultra-compact walkie-talkie "BONX mini," . I clicked the button on impulse without thinking too much about the details, and a few months later, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to try it out first. I used it while skiing and hiking this winter, and here is my review.
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"I wanted a device that would allow me to easily talk to people who were a short distance away while I was out and about." What can BONX mini do?
First, here's a summary from the Bonx homepage of how this device works and what it can do
The Bonx mini is the latest miniature model of Bonx Grip, a compact communication device born from the desire to "enjoy casual conversations with friends while skiing on the snowy mountain." With just a Bluetooth-connected smartphone and an internet connection, up to 10 people can enjoy two-way conversations, no matter how far apart they are. Voice detection technology and a proprietary noise filter algorithm deliver high-quality sound without stress compared to conventional walkie-talkies. Even in areas with unstable signal, the automatic reconnection function and latency-minimizing algorithm allow you to keep talking with minimal stress.
Before you start: Complete the initial setup
The Bonx mini comes with a single earbud and a dedicated charger. It's so small (approximately 50mm x 17mm x 17mm) that it doesn't look out of place compared to the wireless Bluetooth earbuds you see these days. First of all, don't forget to charge it in the dedicated charging case
The dedicated charging case has a built-in battery and can be charged in about an hour
While the earphones are charging, install the app on your smartphone. Once charging is complete, turn on the device, pair the earphones with your smartphone, and complete the initial setup
Once paired, I immediately put them in my ears. They were lighter than I expected from their appearance, so light I could barely even feel them on. Furthermore, the earphones fit snugly into the grooves of my ears, and they were less likely to fall out than I expected, making them extremely comfortable to wear. I've been waiting for something like this!
It's comfortable to wear and doesn't come off easily, which is a great feeling
After that, if the speaker and microphone test pass, the initial setup is complete
I'll try it out at the ski resort right away
The first place I tried out Bonx was at a ski resort in the Joetsu region. It depends on the weather, but it's difficult to communicate, and when you're skiing with a large group, your pace can get out of sync and you can get separated. Being able to communicate constantly in situations like that helps keep you updated on each other's situation, so it's definitely worth using
Among the Bonx users who have completed the initial setup just now, one user can first open a chat room on the app, and then enter that chat room (by entering the room key) to have hands-free conversations with other users in real time
Two-way communication becomes possible when someone opens a chat room and enters the room key for that chat room
I really enjoyed the convenience of being able to talk normally regardless of distance. The microphone sensitivity was fine even when wearing a knit cap
When I tried using it on the slopes, I was impressed by the fact that I could talk to the other person in a normal voice, even though we were far apart. The sound quality is better than a walkie-talkie, but not quite on the same level as voice chat on LINE or Skype. In any case, it's not difficult to hear at all
While using the device, I was wearing a knit cap over my ears, completely covering the microphone, but the microphone's sensitivity was so good that it even picked up the voices of people around me and could be heard by the other person. I also tried using it on a sunny day, at a ski resort with wind and snow, and there was no particular difference in the smoothness of the conversation in any situation. Even if you're enjoying skiing without worrying about each other's pace, you can quickly meet up, which is simply convenient
Even though the earphones were completely covered by my knit cap, I was able to have a smooth conversation
It's not very strong in unstable signal conditions
On the other hand, I was a little worried about its fragility in areas with weak radio signals and battery life in cold climates, but I have to say that it ended up being a bit disappointing
First of all, when I entered areas of the ski resort where signal reception was poor, such as through forest trails, I heard a voice announcement saying, "The signal reception is poor," and in the worst case scenario, the connection was cut off. It's not hard to imagine that this would happen much more frequently if I used it in the side country or backcountry. Of course, I knew that this device was meant to be used only when there was an internet connection, so I accepted this as inevitable, but I was a little disappointed because I had some hope for the "amazing connection stability even in unstable signal environments."
However, unlike other group chat apps, even if you are disconnected, it will automatically try to reconnect if the signal improves, so you can talk again without any hassle. Some people who have used other group chat apps seem to find this to be a big advantage
Pay attention to battery life
What was even more unexpected was that the battery life was shorter than I expected. Officially, the battery life of the earphones themselves is said to be up to about 3.5 hours, but when I used them at a ski resort in temperatures around 0 degrees, I only got 2 hours. I started using them in the morning, and they quickly ran out of battery. I've heard that if you charge them during your lunch break (by putting them in the charging case), you can use them in the morning and afternoon, but even so, it's hard to say there are no complaints. Apparently, improvements will be made to the battery in the final shipping version, so I'm looking forward to that
When using it outdoors for half a day, I was quite concerned about the poor battery life, especially in low temperatures
Try it on a hike
Does the battery life only last in cold temperatures? And what about on a regular hike where signal conditions can be unstable? To find out, I tried it out on a hike, this time on a hiking trail near Lake Kawaguchi, in the mountains that are in front of Mount Fuji
Even in quiet places, you can have a smooth conversation without any other noise other than your voice. You won't even notice your breathing
Similarly, I was very satisfied with the smoothness and naturalness of normal conversation. I didn't notice it at the ski resort, but it picked up only the sounds of conversation, and conversely, even when I was out of breath while climbing, my heavy breathing didn't get picked up by the microphone. It was very convenient to be able to climb while talking without worrying, without having to look up in front or behind, even if we couldn't see each other
Weak signal and battery life are also a challenge here
However, the unstable signal conditions I had experienced at the ski resort were even worse in the forested areas of the low mountains, and as a result, interruptions and delays in conversations were more frequent than at the ski resort. Also, while the battery life was certainly better than in the test at the ski resort, it completely ran out after about three hours. Given the specs of "up to approximately 3.5 hours," this may be to be expected, but these specs simply don't make it suitable for extended day hikes
I also noticed this while hiking, but the Bonx mini lacks the everyday waterproof and shockproof features of the previous model, the Bonx Grip, as well as the wind noise reduction function, so when the wind blew on the ridge, the wind noise came directly in. To prevent this, you'll need a windscreen, which is scheduled to be released as an option
Summary: Can BONX mini replace a walkie-talkie?
When I heard that this lightweight and compact gadget would allow people far away to easily communicate with each other in the outdoors where signal reception is unreliable, I was dying to get my hands on it, so I tried it out with high expectations
To conclude, I think it can be said that it is much easier to use than group chat apps on smartphones, but for users who have high standards and are looking for a smart gadget that can be used as a walkie-talkie in the harsh outdoors, it is a disappointing item
When connected, the device was incredibly easy to use, with no discomfort or stress on conversations. It lived up to expectations and was a useful gadget, especially when used in relatively stable signal areas like public roads, controlled areas like camping, or open areas like the beach or lakeside. However, the crucial connectivity and battery life were somewhat lacking for reliable outdoor activities outside of controlled areas, such as backcountry activities. While the device's hardware appeal has improved significantly compared to the previous Bonx mini model, I'd like to see it evolve even further, even if it's just for stable, hands-free calls, even if only within a few dozen meters (though I'm not looking for a signal as strong as wireless), even if it's just for a few dozen meters
Go to the Bonx mini crowdfunding page
Recommended points
- Comfortable lightness and excellent fit
- The pure fun and convenience of being able to skate and walk while having a conversation
- The peace of mind of knowing that you can understand each other's situation even when you act without worrying about each other's pace
Points of interest
- Signals are prone to being cut off in forested areas, mountain trails, and ski resorts
- Even in areas where there is no interruption,
there is a significant delay (time lag) in the audio in areas with weak signals. - The battery life is short (if it lasts for around 3 hours,
it will die out quickly on a day hike. It will also last even shorter in cold temperatures, such as when skiing). - Wind noise cannot be prevented (requires separate windshield)
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