Uniden XTRAK PRO Outback Kit put to the take a look at

Reliable communication is a type of stuff you don’t absolutely respect till you really want it.

Out on the tracks – whether or not you’re tackling the Victorian High Country or the lengthy stretches of the Canning Stock Route – a UHF isn’t only for chatting with mates. It’s about security, steerage and coordination. That’s why I just lately fitted the Uniden X-TRAK Pro Outback Kit to my D-MAX.

The Outback Kit isn’t only a single radio however an entire package deal constructed round Uniden’s flagship X-TRAK 80 Pro 5W UHF base unit. Bundled with it are an identical 5W X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld, an antenna and a collection of equipment. It’s designed as an all-in-one comms answer, preserving you coated each within the automobile and on foot. After loads of kilometres with it fitted, I’ve come away impressed with how straightforward it’s to make use of, how effectively it handles totally different terrain, and the little touches that make a giant distinction.

DIY becoming

The set up was one of many best I’ve achieved.

I tucked the bottom unit beneath the centre console, powered it by the fuse field, and mounted the mic the place it was straightforward to achieve. The package consists of all the things you want – a quick-release bracket, extension cable and magnetic mic mount – so it feels purpose-built for DIY installers. No particular instruments, no complications, and all of it regarded tidy as soon as in place. The solely hiccup is that the D-MAX lacks clean switches in the proper areas to suit an RS-485 pass-through port for the hand unit.

What’s within the field?

The Outback Kit is constructed across the X-TRAK 80 Pro cellular UHF as the bottom unit. From there, Uniden consists of nearly all the things that you must get began:

• X-TRAK 80 Pro 5W UHF cellular radio (base unit)
• Remote speaker microphone with OLED show and built-in speaker
• Magnetic microphone mount
• Quick-release bracket and mounting {hardware}
• 2m extension cable
• 3.0dBi ground-independent antenna with heavy-duty radome and base
• X-TRAK 50 Pro 5W handheld radio
• Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (for the hand held)
• AC adaptor, USB charging cable and in-vehicle charger (for the hand held)
• Belt clip (for the hand held)
• Instruction manuals

It’s a well-rounded package deal. Having each the 80 Pro base unit within the cab and the 50 Pro handheld in your pocket means you’re coated for long-haul touring and around-camp comms straight out of the field.

Bluetooth connectivity

The standout characteristic of the X-TRAK Pro in contrast with older radios I’ve used is its Bluetooth connectivity.

Pair it with the X-TRAK app in your telephone and also you unlock some genuinely helpful features. The app permits you to alter radio settings, handle Selcall contacts, and even share your location with others operating the identical system. On group journeys, with the ability to look at a map and see the place everyone seems to be inside UHF vary takes the guesswork out of convoy journey. You can even hyperlink the unit to a Bluetooth headset or your in-car audio system, which makes a giant distinction when cabin noise picks up.

Location monitoring

One of the neatest options within the system is location monitoring.

Both the X-TRAK 80 Pro within the automobile and the X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld have built-in GPS, permitting them to ship and obtain location information over UHF. On the mic show you may see the gap and path of different X-TRAK items in your group, whereas the app maps all of it out in actual time. In convoy driving, it removes the stress of questioning if somebody’s dropped again, and round camp it’s a straightforward solution to preserve tabs on the children – or anybody carrying the hand held. It’s a degree of situational consciousness you merely don’t get with a regular UHF.

Replay perform

One of the options I’ve used essentially the most is Instant Replay.

The radio routinely data the previous couple of minutes of acquired messages, and with a single button press you may play them again. Out on the tracks, I’ve had instances the place music drowned out a name – or somebody rattled off directions too rapidly. Instead of asking them to repeat, I simply hit replay. It’s easy, however it saves frustration and makes the entire setup really feel smarter.

Antennas to match terrain

The Outback Kit ships with a 3.0 dBi ground-independent antenna, which is an efficient compromise between vary and protection.

In the Victorian High Country – the place terrain is steep and indicators bounce round bushes and valleys – this lower-gain antenna labored brilliantly. But on the Canning Stock Route, with nothing however desert horizon in each path, I rapidly realised a 6.1 dBi antenna would have been the higher alternative. That’s now on my listing for the following desert run. It simply goes to indicate, like tyres or suspension, antennas aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Ergonomics

Uniden has clearly thought of how the radio is definitely used.

The distant speaker microphone feels strong within the hand, the buttons are straightforward to seek out with out wanting, and the OLED show stays shiny and clear even in harsh daylight. Best of all, the speaker is constructed into the mic itself, so that you don’t want a separate exterior unit to listen to what’s occurring. On corrugated roads or in a windy cab, that makes an enormous distinction.

Easy and customisable

Straight out of the field, the X-TRAK Pro is straightforward: decide a channel, press to speak, and also you’re away. But if you wish to customise it, there’s loads of scope.

The programmable Smart Keys allow you to assign shortcuts to the features you utilize most, like on the spot channel recall, monitor mode or squelch adjustment. I’ve saved mine fundamental, however for those who’re the kind who likes fine-tuning, there’s additionally Selcall, a voice scrambler and greater than 150 CTCSS/DCS codes to filter out undesirable chatter. The magnificence is that you should use it as a simple UHF or dive into the superior options – it doesn’t drive complexity on you.

Handheld benefit

The Outback Kit additionally consists of the Uniden X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld radio, although I not often want one as I journey solo more often than not.

This 5-watt handheld UHF presents the identical superior capabilities because the cellular unit. When I’m with others, although, it’s invaluable round camp, on foot, or guiding a mate by a tough part. It retains me in contact with out being tied to the D-MAX. Having each the in-car and handheld items means I’m coated whether or not I’m behind the wheel or away from it.

The cellular unit feels rock-solid, and Uniden has a strong fame for constructing gear that may deal with mud and corrugations. The X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld is equally robust, with IP67 water resistance to deal with most circumstances – although I received’t be leaving it in my pocket if I’m going for a swim within the river.

Tested on the tracks

Day-to-day, the X-TRAK Pro has been a pleasure to make use of.

Comms are crisp, vary is strong, and it seems like a system designed for touring fairly than simply an upgraded model of an old-school UHF. It’s dependable, intuitive, and I’ve by no means felt like I needed to wrestle with the menus to get it doing what I would like. That’s value rather a lot if you’re a few thousand kilometres from house.

Verdict

The Uniden X-TRAK Pro Outback Kit is without doubt one of the finest UHF setups I’ve used.

It’s straightforward to put in, the controls are intuitive, and the combination of Bluetooth, Instant Replay, GPS monitoring and a well-designed mic makes it genuinely sensible in the true world. The equipped antenna is a strong all-rounder, and with the choice of higher-gain aerials you may tailor the setup to wherever you’re headed. Add the X-TRAK 50 Pro handheld for flexibility outdoors the cab and also you’ve bought a system that works simply as effectively for solo tourers because it does for households.

For me, the largest praise is that I don’t have to consider it anymore – it simply works. And when gear fades into the background like that, you recognize it’s doing its job.

RRP: $899.95