To me the important feature is silent mode, where an incoming message is not preceded by an alert tone. I would also look into earphone and possibly boom mic. I believe both of your choices have those features. I had a pair of much cheaper (and simpler) Motorolas that I liked very well. Sadly, they were stolen from my car. A hunting buddy of mine has a pair of the more expensive type (but an older model). These things work well if you are in an area with little topographic obstruction, but they do not approach their advertised range in hilly country, where you can be just around the corner and get no signal.

If you're going to spend $50+ on radios, you might as well make sure you investment will be waterproof, even if it is a couple of ounces heavier. A few drops of sweat isn't nearly as expensive as dropping your non-waterproof radio in a brook, stream, or puddle.

I took a close look at these myself. I have used Motorola Talkabouts at outdoor events for years. Have you checked out the websites? Can download the user manuals, at least for the Midland. Some stores, like Bass Pro or Cabela's might have some that you can play with. Feeling them in your hands and playing with them will make the choice easier. Both companies have been around a long time and have good products.

Midland advertises that their radio is waterproof, but its rating is rain and splash resistant, not submersible. Better than nothing, though. It does have a bulkier feel to it, even though the overall dimensions are pretty close.

The call feature is like a ring tone on a phone, just to alert the person on the other end that there is a call coming in. You don't have to use it and can just key the mic and talk. You can also use the vibration call alert, which makes some noise. You can turn the tones off but you still get some noise from keying a mic or from pressing buttons. The only way to eliminate most of the broadcast noise is to use an ear bud.

The Midland has a boom mic that extends from the ear piece. I think that gets into the way. The Motorola mic is integrated into the cord going to an ear bud - can forget that it is there.

If you want more range you can pay the license fee to use GMRS frequencies. Most two-ways have GMRS as well as the low power FRS.

Both have weather channels and SOS calls, but the Motorola sends the SOS alert over the airways and opens the mic. The Midland just sends out an audible alert. The alerts can be accidentally activated, though. Motorola also has a flashlight built in - would prefer a red bulb to the white.

Hope that helps.