Отзывы о Рация MIDLAND GXT-1000
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MIDLAND GXT-1000?
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Скроменый эксперт
25.01.2012
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
- + Проверил на деле, расстояние 990 метров сквозь 6 бетонных 14 этажных домов ОТЛИЧНАЯ связь! Боле 2х километров сквозь дома (уже другой район) берет затруднительно, иногда пропадает вообще связь. Думаю в лесу она себя очень хорошо покажет.
- - 1)Гарнитура не особо хорошая в комплекте, но вполне пригодная.
2) Как и писали ниже -...
Мудрецов Евгений
21.12.2011
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
- + Прочная, очень качественно собранная, радиус приема эээ... адекватный.
Качество звука норм, а в гарнитуре вообще отличное!
Аккумулятора хватает на очень долго.
Комплектация. - - Не очень оперативное управление Call-вызовом.
Зарядник мог бы быть автоматическим, XXI век, все-таки... Считать часы зарядки не удобно...
ФрицОфф
11.03.2012
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
- + Отличная радиостанция своего класса. На даче пересечённая местность в режиме PMR до 6 км
Город до 1 км Выдерживает...
Колмаков Дмитрий
16.01.2012
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
- + Хорошая сборка, качество передаваемой речи, падали в снег, намокали все норм. В городе бьют 5 км, почему то по частотам не совпали с моторолами, обидно. Нормальная гарнитура, реагирует...
потапов иван
14.01.2012
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
- + очень хорошие рации.я доволен
как все сказано в инструкции.в городе не надейтесь отдоляться друг от друга.в городе 1 км берет.на даче...
Виктор Б.
28.04.2021
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Отличная модель
- + Отличная связь, долго держит заряд
Артем Опаренко
14.05.2022
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Отличная модель
- + Хорошая связь на малых расстояниях, дети в восторге!
- - Гарнитура в комплекте ужасная... если нужна, то...
Ирина Ф.
12.12.2023
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Отличная модель
- + Только отправили заявку на заказ, сразу с нами связались по вопросу доставки, доставили все в срок, отлично упаковано, к качеству раций вопросов нет
- - Нет
Виталий Гуляев
12.12.2023
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Отличная модель
- + Добротная рация, тестили в лесу.
Скроменый эксперт
16.07.2014
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
Have had the radio for 5 years and used for maybe 3+ years. I believe when I bought these, this model had just come out. We live on 300 acres of woods. We now use it each time we leave the house for walks each day. We leave the radios plugged in to recharge when we come back. We get maybe 0.5 miles or 0.75 miles of range given the terrain (I think it is all up hill but through trees). At times we might get better range, but it depends on terrain and season. We found it is not really a good solution for walking alone in the woods since the range is not sufficient. Not really a knock on their 36 mile line of sight claim, but gives you and idea of actual range to expect. Nice radios with lots of options and stuff included. We don't use the ear pieces or car charger. We tried the ear piece once in a noisy environment, but found it didn't work well. It was easier to have the radio clipped to the neck collar and stop to ask what was said. The radio has lots of features and options. In reality, I found it hard to setup and change without the manual. I don't think I've changed it since we bought them. While I've wanted to make changes, I figured I had to get the manual and relearn most of the features to reprogram it. Programming even with the manual was not that easy. It is easy to hit the wrong key. Nothing significant, but makes programming time consuming and tricky.
The main issue with the radio is that the battery charging system. The battery charger overcharges. The batteries are 6V batteries. The charger they provide is 9V, which will over charge the batteries and destroy them. In reality, measuring the charger, it actually puts out over 15V. And the LED lights, I've been told, are designed to require 12V to light. So your putting 15+V to a 6V rechargeable battery which destroys the battery. The charging system is poorly designed and could be harmful. People have had success with a) rechargeable AA batteries and recharging them with a good AA recharger (not using the Midland charger), b) buying a 6V DC power adapter (Maybe the PowerLine 90367 PowerLine 1300 mAh Universal Power Adapter with USB?) and plugging that into the Midland docking station (but the LED lights will not light since it requires 12V of power to light up). Solution (a) means pulling the batteries out each time you need to charge them and maybe having a second set of batteries available while they charge. This solution also allows you to buy higher powered batteries for maybe 3 times longer radio time between recharges (say 2000mh for a AA rechargeable battery vs 700mh for the Midland battery). Solution (b) uses the midland batteries and allows you to use the docking station, but the LED light doesn't light up so your can't be sure your recharging. It also doesn't do a good job of recharging rechargeable batteries well. I don't understand it, but good rechargeable battery chargers do many things like checking existing voltage, overcharge, and doing deep cycle recharging. We tried AA rechargeable batteries, but used the Midland charging station (not realizing that was the real problem). That didn't work for us. We are not sure of the exact problem yet. That batteries show 5.4V (1.35Vx4), but when pressing the talk button, the radio immediately complains about low battery and the other person can't hear you. The batteries may have already been destroyed by the midland charging station over charging the batteries or maybe the radio really requires 6V to run (rechargeable batteries are rated at 1.2V times 4 batteries or 4.8V, non-rechargeable batteries are rated at 1.5V times 4 batteries or 6V). I suspect it is the Midland charger as others have been successful using AA rechargeable batteries and the Midland manual indicates they can be used in the radio. Needing 2 new batteries, I need to decide which solution to take.
With the battery charging system being designed wrong and not suing the provided accessories, why 2 stars? For the price, I think the accessories could be helpful to someone, it was a reasonable price, the radio has lots of features (even if I don't know how to use most of them), they are rated for 36 miles (better overall range than 18 miles) and we find them durable for our environment. They have held up well. I would consider buying them again (maybe just the radios, since you need a different charging solution).
The main issue with the radio is that the battery charging system. The battery charger overcharges. The batteries are 6V batteries. The charger they provide is 9V, which will over charge the batteries and destroy them. In reality, measuring the charger, it actually puts out over 15V. And the LED lights, I've been told, are designed to require 12V to light. So your putting 15+V to a 6V rechargeable battery which destroys the battery. The charging system is poorly designed and could be harmful. People have had success with a) rechargeable AA batteries and recharging them with a good AA recharger (not using the Midland charger), b) buying a 6V DC power adapter (Maybe the PowerLine 90367 PowerLine 1300 mAh Universal Power Adapter with USB?) and plugging that into the Midland docking station (but the LED lights will not light since it requires 12V of power to light up). Solution (a) means pulling the batteries out each time you need to charge them and maybe having a second set of batteries available while they charge. This solution also allows you to buy higher powered batteries for maybe 3 times longer radio time between recharges (say 2000mh for a AA rechargeable battery vs 700mh for the Midland battery). Solution (b) uses the midland batteries and allows you to use the docking station, but the LED light doesn't light up so your can't be sure your recharging. It also doesn't do a good job of recharging rechargeable batteries well. I don't understand it, but good rechargeable battery chargers do many things like checking existing voltage, overcharge, and doing deep cycle recharging. We tried AA rechargeable batteries, but used the Midland charging station (not realizing that was the real problem). That didn't work for us. We are not sure of the exact problem yet. That batteries show 5.4V (1.35Vx4), but when pressing the talk button, the radio immediately complains about low battery and the other person can't hear you. The batteries may have already been destroyed by the midland charging station over charging the batteries or maybe the radio really requires 6V to run (rechargeable batteries are rated at 1.2V times 4 batteries or 4.8V, non-rechargeable batteries are rated at 1.5V times 4 batteries or 6V). I suspect it is the Midland charger as others have been successful using AA rechargeable batteries and the Midland manual indicates they can be used in the radio. Needing 2 new batteries, I need to decide which solution to take.
With the battery charging system being designed wrong and not suing the provided accessories, why 2 stars? For the price, I think the accessories could be helpful to someone, it was a reasonable price, the radio has lots of features (even if I don't know how to use most of them), they are rated for 36 miles (better overall range than 18 miles) and we find them durable for our environment. They have held up well. I would consider buying them again (maybe just the radios, since you need a different charging solution).
Скроменый эксперт
30.01.2014
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I think these have good features for a 'bubble pack' FRS/GMRS-only radio, I can't speak for the long term quality or reliability because I have not owned them long or used them much. I initially got another set that barely transmitted - so I had to return those, but the replacements I got are working good.
Unless you have a nice ham HT that you like, I personally think everyone should have a pair of these:
*they have the ~highest power that bubble pack radios have
*the charger can plug into a house outlet or it can plug into a car 12v plug (if the power went out you could recharge these radios via your car 12v plug and keep them running for about a week or so I figure)
*they can plug into a house outlet with the battery removed so you can keep it on listen/scan mode all the time around the clock without worry of overcharging/overheating the battery, great for neighborhood watch/security use
*bubble packs in general are so easy to use anyone can use them without any learning curve
*they run off 4 AA alkaline batteries as well as the Ni-MH rechargeable battery
*they seem to run off 4 AA Ni-MH rechargable batteries as well, I tested it quick but did not do extensive testing so don't quote me on this
*you can use headsets with them
They have 3 power settings (low, med, hi), low is .5 Watt, so I'm assuming med is at least 1 W and hi is at least 1.5 W, but I'm not sure exactly, I think hi might be 2W, it could be more or less than that, I'm just guessing. But it's probably about the highest power that any of the 'bubble pack' FRS/GMRS-only radios offer. The antenna is longer than some other 'bubble pack' radios, I think for the FRS/GMRS frequencies it needs about 6-inches minimum, so any radios with those real short antennas are not going to have as much range.
It comes with Ni-MH battery packs but they're only 700 milliamp hours (which only lasts ~14 hours with just listening & no transmitting), but you can use 4 AA alkaline batteries for somewhat longer lasting battery charge time (at least twice based on what I read on the internet). I wish it was designed to work with AA rechargeable batteries, I tried putting 4 AA rechargeable batteries in it and it did work, it transmitted well at least 3/4 mile, but I did not test it extensively so I can't guarantee anything because the rechargeable batteries put out less voltage than regular Alkaline batteries.
The radios will work while simultaneously being recharged on the charger. Also, you can put them on the charger with the battery removed and they still work, they work on AC power alone with no battery installed, so you can leave it on 24/7 plugged into the wall without overcharging the batteries. The charger/docking base is not an "intelligent" charger so it doesn't automatically know when the batteries are done charging so you have to manually unplug it when you think it's done charging. I don't really know how long to charge the batteries for, the AC adapter puts out 300ma & 9 Volts, which the charger base converts to 225ma & 12+ Volts so theoretically it should take about 3 hours to fully charge one (700mah divided by 225mah = 3.11 hours) or 6 hours to fully charge two at the same time, but the instructions say 12 hours (referring to charging two at the same time I'm sure), so I reckon it takes less than the recommended 12 hours. Just thinking, you could plug it into one of those 'lamp timers' so you wouldn't have to remember when to unplug it. It has a battery life indicator on the display and when the battery is low it beeps periodically.
These radios have a scan feature but it takes a full 15 seconds for it to scan through all 50 channels, so you might miss a transmission if it were short. It will also scan just 2 channels of your choosing (called "dual watch"). Channels 23-50 are for Midland brand radios only, they really just reuse channels 1-22 but with hard coded 'privacy' tones, so they're not really extra channels per se, as one could use one of the 22 real channels with any chosen 'privacy' code and that would be the same functionality. I wish it did not even have these "extra channels" because it makes the scan feature take a long time.
I understand why ham operators should have a license - so everyone knows what they're doing and is not being annoying to others, but as far as GMRS channels (15-22) requiring a license I personally think it's just another tax. Channels 1-7 are license-free at .5W, but require a license to use up to 5W, these Midland radios will work at hi power on these channels even though you're supposed to have a license, although I don't think anyone could technically be able to tell if you were using more than .5W or not. Channels 8-14 are license-free and .5W only, these Midland radios will only work at lo power on these channels. Channels 15-22 require a license and you can use up to 50W with other high powered radios. I do unde
Unless you have a nice ham HT that you like, I personally think everyone should have a pair of these:
*they have the ~highest power that bubble pack radios have
*the charger can plug into a house outlet or it can plug into a car 12v plug (if the power went out you could recharge these radios via your car 12v plug and keep them running for about a week or so I figure)
*they can plug into a house outlet with the battery removed so you can keep it on listen/scan mode all the time around the clock without worry of overcharging/overheating the battery, great for neighborhood watch/security use
*bubble packs in general are so easy to use anyone can use them without any learning curve
*they run off 4 AA alkaline batteries as well as the Ni-MH rechargeable battery
*they seem to run off 4 AA Ni-MH rechargable batteries as well, I tested it quick but did not do extensive testing so don't quote me on this
*you can use headsets with them
They have 3 power settings (low, med, hi), low is .5 Watt, so I'm assuming med is at least 1 W and hi is at least 1.5 W, but I'm not sure exactly, I think hi might be 2W, it could be more or less than that, I'm just guessing. But it's probably about the highest power that any of the 'bubble pack' FRS/GMRS-only radios offer. The antenna is longer than some other 'bubble pack' radios, I think for the FRS/GMRS frequencies it needs about 6-inches minimum, so any radios with those real short antennas are not going to have as much range.
It comes with Ni-MH battery packs but they're only 700 milliamp hours (which only lasts ~14 hours with just listening & no transmitting), but you can use 4 AA alkaline batteries for somewhat longer lasting battery charge time (at least twice based on what I read on the internet). I wish it was designed to work with AA rechargeable batteries, I tried putting 4 AA rechargeable batteries in it and it did work, it transmitted well at least 3/4 mile, but I did not test it extensively so I can't guarantee anything because the rechargeable batteries put out less voltage than regular Alkaline batteries.
The radios will work while simultaneously being recharged on the charger. Also, you can put them on the charger with the battery removed and they still work, they work on AC power alone with no battery installed, so you can leave it on 24/7 plugged into the wall without overcharging the batteries. The charger/docking base is not an "intelligent" charger so it doesn't automatically know when the batteries are done charging so you have to manually unplug it when you think it's done charging. I don't really know how long to charge the batteries for, the AC adapter puts out 300ma & 9 Volts, which the charger base converts to 225ma & 12+ Volts so theoretically it should take about 3 hours to fully charge one (700mah divided by 225mah = 3.11 hours) or 6 hours to fully charge two at the same time, but the instructions say 12 hours (referring to charging two at the same time I'm sure), so I reckon it takes less than the recommended 12 hours. Just thinking, you could plug it into one of those 'lamp timers' so you wouldn't have to remember when to unplug it. It has a battery life indicator on the display and when the battery is low it beeps periodically.
These radios have a scan feature but it takes a full 15 seconds for it to scan through all 50 channels, so you might miss a transmission if it were short. It will also scan just 2 channels of your choosing (called "dual watch"). Channels 23-50 are for Midland brand radios only, they really just reuse channels 1-22 but with hard coded 'privacy' tones, so they're not really extra channels per se, as one could use one of the 22 real channels with any chosen 'privacy' code and that would be the same functionality. I wish it did not even have these "extra channels" because it makes the scan feature take a long time.
I understand why ham operators should have a license - so everyone knows what they're doing and is not being annoying to others, but as far as GMRS channels (15-22) requiring a license I personally think it's just another tax. Channels 1-7 are license-free at .5W, but require a license to use up to 5W, these Midland radios will work at hi power on these channels even though you're supposed to have a license, although I don't think anyone could technically be able to tell if you were using more than .5W or not. Channels 8-14 are license-free and .5W only, these Midland radios will only work at lo power on these channels. Channels 15-22 require a license and you can use up to 50W with other high powered radios. I do unde
Скроменый эксперт
28.01.2015
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
Unreliable. I got these for airsoft (like paintball on steroids), and they work, to a point. To be more specific.
Sometimes the transmit button (the button you press when you want to talk) Doesn't send your message. Sometimes it does. Basically have to press transmit, release, press it again then talk, just to be safe. This improves the chances of it actually transmitting, but it still doesn't send every time. This is a big issue in airsoft where we want split second communications, as well as if we are breaking our silence when we have spent the last half hour sneaking through enemy territory, we don't want to have to speak more then necessary.
I have also used these headsets with it. Exact same issue. And these headset's while they do function properly, they don't stay in place at all. I would only recommend them for helmet use (glue them to the helmet) or mask use (glue them to the mask). Otherwise they are mostly worthless.
I also tried some other headsets, similar to these, but they have a wrap around band to the other side of the head, prompting a more secure hold. And the one that works best is my shoulder mic (think of a cop's shoulder mounted microphone). While this one gives away my position like crazy (and drains the battery the most) it's best for admin channel, especially if I am just the ref/camera man.
All of which still have the same problem with the transmitter. And this problem is on both mics.
Some other notes.
I typically have mine on for about 10 hours and use them for maybe a max of 1 hour during those 10 hours. That's the battery life I get. If you use it more then an hour, the battery won't last as long. During a rainy game day the moisture killed both of my mics. Not sure how/why. But stranger yet, the next week (after they had dried for a while), they both work fine again. (Fine as in just as they did before, with transmitter issues).
As far as range goes. I generally use them within a mile of each other, but in well forested areas with occasional hills/bunkers/machinery. Past that I don't know, but in a mile with lots of debris they work fine.
Also another issue with these is midland to midland I can use subchannels. But these midlands to anything else (boufang, Motorola, etc) I can't use sub channels. This is a issue because being on a team of over 300 guys, we have pretty much every walkie talkie on the market. So I am stuck on no sub channels. Why are subchannels important? Because kids get a hold of their dad's walkie and spam the common channels. Channel 1-50 is only 1/50 chances they will find a channel you are on and spam you. Channel 1-50 each with 25sub channels is 50x25=1100 chances they will find your channel. While it is still possible, it's a lot less likely.
All in all for the cheap price these aren't a bad >>starter<< set. However after putting up with them, I plan on investing in a real radio... Thinkin boufang.
Sometimes the transmit button (the button you press when you want to talk) Doesn't send your message. Sometimes it does. Basically have to press transmit, release, press it again then talk, just to be safe. This improves the chances of it actually transmitting, but it still doesn't send every time. This is a big issue in airsoft where we want split second communications, as well as if we are breaking our silence when we have spent the last half hour sneaking through enemy territory, we don't want to have to speak more then necessary.
I have also used these headsets with it. Exact same issue. And these headset's while they do function properly, they don't stay in place at all. I would only recommend them for helmet use (glue them to the helmet) or mask use (glue them to the mask). Otherwise they are mostly worthless.
I also tried some other headsets, similar to these, but they have a wrap around band to the other side of the head, prompting a more secure hold. And the one that works best is my shoulder mic (think of a cop's shoulder mounted microphone). While this one gives away my position like crazy (and drains the battery the most) it's best for admin channel, especially if I am just the ref/camera man.
All of which still have the same problem with the transmitter. And this problem is on both mics.
Some other notes.
I typically have mine on for about 10 hours and use them for maybe a max of 1 hour during those 10 hours. That's the battery life I get. If you use it more then an hour, the battery won't last as long. During a rainy game day the moisture killed both of my mics. Not sure how/why. But stranger yet, the next week (after they had dried for a while), they both work fine again. (Fine as in just as they did before, with transmitter issues).
As far as range goes. I generally use them within a mile of each other, but in well forested areas with occasional hills/bunkers/machinery. Past that I don't know, but in a mile with lots of debris they work fine.
Also another issue with these is midland to midland I can use subchannels. But these midlands to anything else (boufang, Motorola, etc) I can't use sub channels. This is a issue because being on a team of over 300 guys, we have pretty much every walkie talkie on the market. So I am stuck on no sub channels. Why are subchannels important? Because kids get a hold of their dad's walkie and spam the common channels. Channel 1-50 is only 1/50 chances they will find a channel you are on and spam you. Channel 1-50 each with 25sub channels is 50x25=1100 chances they will find your channel. While it is still possible, it's a lot less likely.
All in all for the cheap price these aren't a bad >>starter<< set. However after putting up with them, I plan on investing in a real radio... Thinkin boufang.
Скроменый эксперт
08.03.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
Bought a set of these a little over two years ago for the intended purpose of using them to help herd a pack of Cub Scouts around on various outings. Originally, I needed a set of radios that would work over a mile, mile and a half range of various terrains. Tested when received over the ground I initially needed them for, mostly flat, but the longest range was not line of sight and partially screened by a copse of trees. Radios worked just fine. Since then I've used them in more varied terrains from heavily wooded to urban and in ranges of up to three miles (that one urban) with no issues.
My original usage intent was at our yearly Cub Scout day camp. Sometime we would need to split off a group of the boys to go to different locations with a set of adult leaders. (Like a trip to the john, nurse or Webelos activity.) One radio would stay with the main group and one would go with the others so we'd have a means of linking up should the main group have to move on to the next activity before the others returned. I've also used them on hikes and nature walks with the pack. I'll put one at the head and one at the rear of the column in case line of sight contact has been broken. (Just try and stay in sight contact in a corn maze - LOL!) If we need to spread out even further, I have an older, cheaper set of FRS/GMS radios with less power which I can distribute through the group and we can relay messages if the lower power units don't have the juice to transmit all the way. We've also used them when spread out over a larger, urban area to co-ordinate during our Scouting for Food Drives. They've worked out well. We have an effective means of maintaining contact without resorting to shouting at each other and trying to get the others attention.
Battery life has been more then sufficient for a one day outing. Bear in mind though the more you transmit, the faster the batteries are used up. That's just common sense. I love having the ability of swapping the battery packs out for AA's if necessary.
This brings me to one peccadillo about these radios which is mentioned in another review, but I believe is buried in the comments section, so I'll bring it up in the actual review. When recharging one of the battery packs, even though the battery is completely recharged, when placed in the radio and switched on, the unit fails to operate. There is an easy fix for this. Simply take the battery pack out of the radio and switch it on for a while. Then replace the battery pack and the radio should function just fine. Not sure why this is, and it's certainly a bit annoying, but there ya go...
In my opinion, most reviews lack a discussion of two things:
First, the weather alert function of these radios work extremely well. Living in the Mid-West, weather can blow up, especially in the summer, very quickly. The safety of my Scouts is my primary mission. Being alerted to changing weather is absolutely critical. My MIL lives in a very rural area and I took these radios along when we visited last. A line of tornadoes blew through the area and these radios warned us when we needed to take cover and when it was safe to come out.
Secondly, to operate these radios legally in the GRMS band at maximum power (and maximum range) you NEED an FCC license. The current cost of the license is $85.00 (although there is talk about dropping the license requirement) which seems steep when compared to the roughly $59.00 cost of the radios. However, the license is good for 5 years, which breaks the cost down to $17.00 a year. Now, obviously, your chances of getting busted by the FCC is virtually nil, but it would be my luck to be Mr. Nil. (Plus I'm using these with my Scouts, so I feel obligated to be "morally straight" and be licensed.) If you don't want to spend the money to be licensed, simply use only the FRS bands or throttle down the power on the GRMS bands. At low power you don't need a license, but be advised that you're lessening your range doing so.
So, I'm pleased with these radios and do recommend them. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. Just bear in mind the range claim is wishful thinking in the extreme. If you have needs like I outlined above I have every confidence you'll be happy with them, too.
My original usage intent was at our yearly Cub Scout day camp. Sometime we would need to split off a group of the boys to go to different locations with a set of adult leaders. (Like a trip to the john, nurse or Webelos activity.) One radio would stay with the main group and one would go with the others so we'd have a means of linking up should the main group have to move on to the next activity before the others returned. I've also used them on hikes and nature walks with the pack. I'll put one at the head and one at the rear of the column in case line of sight contact has been broken. (Just try and stay in sight contact in a corn maze - LOL!) If we need to spread out even further, I have an older, cheaper set of FRS/GMS radios with less power which I can distribute through the group and we can relay messages if the lower power units don't have the juice to transmit all the way. We've also used them when spread out over a larger, urban area to co-ordinate during our Scouting for Food Drives. They've worked out well. We have an effective means of maintaining contact without resorting to shouting at each other and trying to get the others attention.
Battery life has been more then sufficient for a one day outing. Bear in mind though the more you transmit, the faster the batteries are used up. That's just common sense. I love having the ability of swapping the battery packs out for AA's if necessary.
This brings me to one peccadillo about these radios which is mentioned in another review, but I believe is buried in the comments section, so I'll bring it up in the actual review. When recharging one of the battery packs, even though the battery is completely recharged, when placed in the radio and switched on, the unit fails to operate. There is an easy fix for this. Simply take the battery pack out of the radio and switch it on for a while. Then replace the battery pack and the radio should function just fine. Not sure why this is, and it's certainly a bit annoying, but there ya go...
In my opinion, most reviews lack a discussion of two things:
First, the weather alert function of these radios work extremely well. Living in the Mid-West, weather can blow up, especially in the summer, very quickly. The safety of my Scouts is my primary mission. Being alerted to changing weather is absolutely critical. My MIL lives in a very rural area and I took these radios along when we visited last. A line of tornadoes blew through the area and these radios warned us when we needed to take cover and when it was safe to come out.
Secondly, to operate these radios legally in the GRMS band at maximum power (and maximum range) you NEED an FCC license. The current cost of the license is $85.00 (although there is talk about dropping the license requirement) which seems steep when compared to the roughly $59.00 cost of the radios. However, the license is good for 5 years, which breaks the cost down to $17.00 a year. Now, obviously, your chances of getting busted by the FCC is virtually nil, but it would be my luck to be Mr. Nil. (Plus I'm using these with my Scouts, so I feel obligated to be "morally straight" and be licensed.) If you don't want to spend the money to be licensed, simply use only the FRS bands or throttle down the power on the GRMS bands. At low power you don't need a license, but be advised that you're lessening your range doing so.
So, I'm pleased with these radios and do recommend them. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. Just bear in mind the range claim is wishful thinking in the extreme. If you have needs like I outlined above I have every confidence you'll be happy with them, too.
Скроменый эксперт
04.12.2013
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
First and foremost, I do not work for Midland nor do I work for Amazon. Radios I am reviewing are: GXT1000VP4; GXT5000; XT511 Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio (Base Camp Radio). --- Note: No head phones were utilized.
Batteries: Charged to Midland's specifications prior to usage (GXT5000 battery only took about +/-2 hours for initial charge and then 1-1/2hrs or minus to charge after regular usage; GXT1000VP4 / XT511 recommends 12hrs recharge after 1st initial 24hrs charge).
Battery usage life after initial (1st) charge: GXT1000VP4 = 1-1/2 days (mostly monitoring)
GXT5000 = 1-1/2 days plus (mostly monitoring)
XT511 = 2 days maybe more (great emergency radio I may add).
GXT1000VP4 has five (5) watts of power (maximum per FCC).
GXT5000 has four (4) watts of power (it will transmit further than GXT1000VP4 due to the antenna type and monitor two (2) channels at the same time).
Another Note: I ordered an extra set of two (2) Midland batteries (Midland AVP7) for the GXT1000VP4 radios (I do not believe this is necessary unless you have NO power supply OR double "AA" for back up) and the XT511 uses the same which is NICE!, good job Midland! At this review date of 12.04.2013 the batteries for the GXT5000 are not available until 01.??.2014.
After my family's and my past many years of hunting, we decided to get some two-way radios to communicate to one another mainly for emergency use while hunting (we have some old age hunters and tree stand hunters, you know what I mean, SnooooZZZZZe). We hunt in the mountains of W.Va. and I do mean mountains. The two-way radios purchased a couple of years or more prior to these were (no mention of brands or model #'s) of no count period (especially since my father was shot at from a trespassing hunter and I could not contact him at all after the shot and did not want to rush into his area in case a follow up shot was required or scare off the game in question).
After receiving these radio's, I rushed out to try them. At 1-1/2 miles away (that was as far as I went at this time), one set of radios from inside a brick home in a small town in Tennessee, I was able to communicate clearly with ALL of these from my vehicle (stationary, not moving while transmitting; transmitting while "all radios were traveling in a moving vehicle" was fine too, clear). Then, prior to hunting at our location, again I tested these radio's and I was able to transmit with ALL of these without any problems while stationary (static, etc.; the XT511 was located in RV Camper) at various distances greater than a thousand or two yards plus throughout thick trees and "MAJOR" elevation differences without any problems.
I highly recommend these radios...
I do understand sometimes we get a lemon (I hate this), just return it and give it another try again. If not satisfied, return for a refund.
I hope this review helps you all.
Batteries: Charged to Midland's specifications prior to usage (GXT5000 battery only took about +/-2 hours for initial charge and then 1-1/2hrs or minus to charge after regular usage; GXT1000VP4 / XT511 recommends 12hrs recharge after 1st initial 24hrs charge).
Battery usage life after initial (1st) charge: GXT1000VP4 = 1-1/2 days (mostly monitoring)
GXT5000 = 1-1/2 days plus (mostly monitoring)
XT511 = 2 days maybe more (great emergency radio I may add).
GXT1000VP4 has five (5) watts of power (maximum per FCC).
GXT5000 has four (4) watts of power (it will transmit further than GXT1000VP4 due to the antenna type and monitor two (2) channels at the same time).
Another Note: I ordered an extra set of two (2) Midland batteries (Midland AVP7) for the GXT1000VP4 radios (I do not believe this is necessary unless you have NO power supply OR double "AA" for back up) and the XT511 uses the same which is NICE!, good job Midland! At this review date of 12.04.2013 the batteries for the GXT5000 are not available until 01.??.2014.
After my family's and my past many years of hunting, we decided to get some two-way radios to communicate to one another mainly for emergency use while hunting (we have some old age hunters and tree stand hunters, you know what I mean, SnooooZZZZZe). We hunt in the mountains of W.Va. and I do mean mountains. The two-way radios purchased a couple of years or more prior to these were (no mention of brands or model #'s) of no count period (especially since my father was shot at from a trespassing hunter and I could not contact him at all after the shot and did not want to rush into his area in case a follow up shot was required or scare off the game in question).
After receiving these radio's, I rushed out to try them. At 1-1/2 miles away (that was as far as I went at this time), one set of radios from inside a brick home in a small town in Tennessee, I was able to communicate clearly with ALL of these from my vehicle (stationary, not moving while transmitting; transmitting while "all radios were traveling in a moving vehicle" was fine too, clear). Then, prior to hunting at our location, again I tested these radio's and I was able to transmit with ALL of these without any problems while stationary (static, etc.; the XT511 was located in RV Camper) at various distances greater than a thousand or two yards plus throughout thick trees and "MAJOR" elevation differences without any problems.
I highly recommend these radios...
I do understand sometimes we get a lemon (I hate this), just return it and give it another try again. If not satisfied, return for a refund.
I hope this review helps you all.
Скроменый эксперт
27.01.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Almost Perfect! Read all the reviews (for this and other brands). I was really hesitant to purchase because there was very little information regarding use in a convention center setting. These radios (8 in total) worked perfectly. Specifically, this was a large Volleyball Tournament in a Convention Center (25 courts) with Conference rooms several floors up and an attached hotel. We had full use in all locations (though the range dropped off once on the elevators to the rooms).
If you have read any reviews you have already determined that the advertised range is a ridiculous estimate. That appears to be correct though we really didn't test these particular radios in that manner. The reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 is because the reviews are correct, you find out after you open the package that you need to have (and pay for) a license to use the high power settings and that you have far fewer channels to choose from on low power. That said, the low power setting is what we used and it was fine and we only needed two private channels which worked great and with no interference (not sure if we just got lucky but there was no cross talk).
Pros:
1. Low power range works in a convention center setting.
2. Radios are reasonably loud and clear.
3. Included head sets (the covert kind with the 4 radio package) worked great! Their were some reports that they were fragile but we found them to be adequate (though only used for 4 days, 15 hours a day).
4. Battery life was excellent (with no failed batteries as reported in other reviews). Make sure you charge for 24 hours before first use.
5. Value was excellent with the included headsets (you get both headsets though we did not use the cheaper version).
6. Radios are a good weight and easily carried on a belt with included belt clip (slightly heavy and probably too bulky for a pocket). Used by both men and women with no complaints.
7. Two types of batteries the rechargeable NiMH that it comes with and you can use 4 AA batteries (see 4. below in Cons).
Cons:
1. Buttons (especially "Scan") were too easy to push accidentally (though I believe you can lock the buttons out).
2. Belt Clip may be a little fragile but no reports of breaks in our short term use.
3. No extra ear pieces (replacements for the in ear covert devices) which tend to get a little gross after a while.
4. NiMH batteries (would have preferred Li batteries).
Overall I was very satisfied with this purchase. Perfect fit for our group and we will use these radios throughout the year for various tournaments. Will report back if things change over time.
If you have read any reviews you have already determined that the advertised range is a ridiculous estimate. That appears to be correct though we really didn't test these particular radios in that manner. The reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 is because the reviews are correct, you find out after you open the package that you need to have (and pay for) a license to use the high power settings and that you have far fewer channels to choose from on low power. That said, the low power setting is what we used and it was fine and we only needed two private channels which worked great and with no interference (not sure if we just got lucky but there was no cross talk).
Pros:
1. Low power range works in a convention center setting.
2. Radios are reasonably loud and clear.
3. Included head sets (the covert kind with the 4 radio package) worked great! Their were some reports that they were fragile but we found them to be adequate (though only used for 4 days, 15 hours a day).
4. Battery life was excellent (with no failed batteries as reported in other reviews). Make sure you charge for 24 hours before first use.
5. Value was excellent with the included headsets (you get both headsets though we did not use the cheaper version).
6. Radios are a good weight and easily carried on a belt with included belt clip (slightly heavy and probably too bulky for a pocket). Used by both men and women with no complaints.
7. Two types of batteries the rechargeable NiMH that it comes with and you can use 4 AA batteries (see 4. below in Cons).
Cons:
1. Buttons (especially "Scan") were too easy to push accidentally (though I believe you can lock the buttons out).
2. Belt Clip may be a little fragile but no reports of breaks in our short term use.
3. No extra ear pieces (replacements for the in ear covert devices) which tend to get a little gross after a while.
4. NiMH batteries (would have preferred Li batteries).
Overall I was very satisfied with this purchase. Perfect fit for our group and we will use these radios throughout the year for various tournaments. Will report back if things change over time.
Скроменый эксперт
16.03.2013
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
Update -- a year later;
One radio has stopped transmitting. "Receive" mode still works but the radio will no longer transmit, not FRS nor GMRS.
(We used these radios almost daily for just over a year, mostly in the higher power transmit mode -- I suspect the antenna is too short for 5W and the reflected power just blew out the finals after a few hundred TX events)
We did not need the car charger option for several months but when we did we discovered that the JACK WAS THE WRONG SIZE!
This is really a bad thing -- very deceptive to show and include an accessory that will not fit or function with the model radio being bought.
Some more minor but still annoying issues;
The "Low Battery" indicator is basically worthless. It shows full charge until about 15 seconds before switching to "Low Bat" and then stops working.
The ramrod antenna sticks up high enough to dig into your kidney region as you slide into the car seat (when wearing with belt clip). Why not go with a "rubber ducky" type that manually extends a bit?...?
The SOS alarm button is in a place where it randomly gets inadvertently set off - ditto most of the other front panel buttons.
=======================================================
When the kids got real jobs and their own cell phones my wife and I hardly ever used our cell phones anymore except for a quick message to get a loaf of bread or which store entrance to meet at, etc.
The cost of this pair of radios was about the cost of one month of cell service on 2 phones.
We decided to give these a try to see if they would serve the purpose just as well.
The short answer is "yes".
We can almost always complete our communication in half the time it takes to dial a cell and wait for an answer on the other end.
Here are some general observations;
Good
Full 3 1/4 mile transmission outdoors even with a large tree covered hillside in between with one station inside a moving car and the other inside a house on the other side of the ridge
Two of the 50 channels match our pair of old Cobra 'MicroTalk' frequencies A & B, on the proper low pwr Ch
Good transmission and reception across the shopping mall - though some spots drop out
Good battery life especially on low power transmit channels. With a few minutes of chat on high power channels and several hours per day in 'scan mode', it lasts about three days before needing recharge.
Included accessories are everything we need and want
Lots of channels to operate on. Apparently these are popular radios, especially with small businesses and when you get near a populated area or the mall you have to shift around a bit to find an unused channel.
I tried out the VOX and whisper mode and both seemed to work fine but we don't really need those features.
The headset comes set too tight for adult heads and ears - warm it up in your hands for a minute and stretch it open a lot wider and then it fits more comfortably, and works fine.
Not so good;
Complicated keypad and very terse, poorly written instructions in miniscule font
Buttons on the front are easy to engage but the soft touch pad does not have a feel that allows the user to recognize when the button is pressed firmly enough and engaged
When wearing the radio at waist level with the belt clip, leaning against a counter or bumping a car door or carrying packages will easily and inadvertently switch to "scan" mode - not a good situation at all...
One radio has stopped transmitting. "Receive" mode still works but the radio will no longer transmit, not FRS nor GMRS.
(We used these radios almost daily for just over a year, mostly in the higher power transmit mode -- I suspect the antenna is too short for 5W and the reflected power just blew out the finals after a few hundred TX events)
We did not need the car charger option for several months but when we did we discovered that the JACK WAS THE WRONG SIZE!
This is really a bad thing -- very deceptive to show and include an accessory that will not fit or function with the model radio being bought.
Some more minor but still annoying issues;
The "Low Battery" indicator is basically worthless. It shows full charge until about 15 seconds before switching to "Low Bat" and then stops working.
The ramrod antenna sticks up high enough to dig into your kidney region as you slide into the car seat (when wearing with belt clip). Why not go with a "rubber ducky" type that manually extends a bit?...?
The SOS alarm button is in a place where it randomly gets inadvertently set off - ditto most of the other front panel buttons.
=======================================================
When the kids got real jobs and their own cell phones my wife and I hardly ever used our cell phones anymore except for a quick message to get a loaf of bread or which store entrance to meet at, etc.
The cost of this pair of radios was about the cost of one month of cell service on 2 phones.
We decided to give these a try to see if they would serve the purpose just as well.
The short answer is "yes".
We can almost always complete our communication in half the time it takes to dial a cell and wait for an answer on the other end.
Here are some general observations;
Good
Full 3 1/4 mile transmission outdoors even with a large tree covered hillside in between with one station inside a moving car and the other inside a house on the other side of the ridge
Two of the 50 channels match our pair of old Cobra 'MicroTalk' frequencies A & B, on the proper low pwr Ch
Good transmission and reception across the shopping mall - though some spots drop out
Good battery life especially on low power transmit channels. With a few minutes of chat on high power channels and several hours per day in 'scan mode', it lasts about three days before needing recharge.
Included accessories are everything we need and want
Lots of channels to operate on. Apparently these are popular radios, especially with small businesses and when you get near a populated area or the mall you have to shift around a bit to find an unused channel.
I tried out the VOX and whisper mode and both seemed to work fine but we don't really need those features.
The headset comes set too tight for adult heads and ears - warm it up in your hands for a minute and stretch it open a lot wider and then it fits more comfortably, and works fine.
Not so good;
Complicated keypad and very terse, poorly written instructions in miniscule font
Buttons on the front are easy to engage but the soft touch pad does not have a feel that allows the user to recognize when the button is pressed firmly enough and engaged
When wearing the radio at waist level with the belt clip, leaning against a counter or bumping a car door or carrying packages will easily and inadvertently switch to "scan" mode - not a good situation at all...
Скроменый эксперт
31.08.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
These radios are one of the best options for walkie talkie type. If you are looking for something inexpensive to communicate over fairly short distances, then this is a great option. I use this with my son around the neigborhood and I can run to the gas station and maintain contact. You can forget about getting out more than a mile or two. The range ratings on these things are probably based on theoretical signal degradation on the lunar surface. Still a good little radio for $50. I particularly like the fact that I can disable the beeps and tones and use the vibrate function for calls. That allows us to use these radios without annoying other people. Also note that your range on any of these low price radios will significantly decrease in multi level structures with steel and concrete between the radios. If you want something that is better in that regard you will need to jump up to a buissiness grade UHF radio. The cost difference is significant and you are technically required to get a license to operate them. They work great though. If I were you and you decide to buy these radios, you should probably invest in some good rechargeable AA batteries. The radios come with a battery pack but its not a very good one. One of the main reasons I chose this radio is that you can put 4 AA batteries in each radio and they last a long time that way. I suggest eneloops batteries because they have a proven track record for producing quality batteries that don't loose much charge over time. I also recommend the Maha C9000 because you can not only charge the batteries but you can also analize them and charge/discharge at different rates. I now have a ton of rechargeable batteries, two C9000s and two other dumb chargers. I hope this has been helpful.
Скроменый эксперт
08.01.2015
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
They're ok for what they are but toss the batteries that come with it. THAT is the issue with this radio, not the radio itself. Get eneloop or sunlabz rechargeables and then they're fine. It takes 4 AA batteries. Better yet if you charge them on a better charger as well as the one that comes with is not good, but is maybe ok for maintaining trickle charge. The Eneloop battery made by Sanyo, holds a charge over a year and can be recharged 1400 times. The black eneloops even more and I believe they're advertised to hold a charge for 5 years ? The battery pack that comes with these radios just isn't worth a flip. You could also just use regular batteries and replace them when they get weak, just don't forget and toss them on the charger. ( which is why I suggest just getting some decent rechargables and putting them in and forget about it ) Remember channels 1-14 are FRS and the radio will only put out 500mw. You need to go above that to be able to use at full power. You also need a license for FCC. There is no test and one license is good for the entire family. You can purchase it online at the FCC website. You'll get a callsign and your license in the mail in a couple of weeks.
Скроменый эксперт
06.11.2014
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
The Radio does everything you want it to do when you use alkaline batteries, but the included rechargeable batteries are not worth the few steps to the trash can (just throw them at something to release your anger). I had nothing but problems with these radios until I took out the junk they call rechargeable batteries and used alkaline batteries.
As a matter of fact, I've used these for hunting season three years in a row and have not had to change the alkaline batteries. I share these when we are hunting in a group, and everyone who uses one loves it. I take the batteries out at the end of each season just in case they might corrode.
Like some other critics of this product, I found Midland customer service to be far below standard because they know these batteries are junk, and keep selling them as if there is no problem. They are glad to sell you more junk batteries if you fall for it.
So, throw your rechargeable paperweights and chargers at some annoying varmint nearby and get a pack of alkaline batteries. Take a moment to grieve that you were duped like others of us into thinking that you will have a rechargeable radio.
Keep batteries in your truck, so you are ready when the old batteries run out. It should not be too often unless you're using these things 10 hours a day, every day.
As a matter of fact, I've used these for hunting season three years in a row and have not had to change the alkaline batteries. I share these when we are hunting in a group, and everyone who uses one loves it. I take the batteries out at the end of each season just in case they might corrode.
Like some other critics of this product, I found Midland customer service to be far below standard because they know these batteries are junk, and keep selling them as if there is no problem. They are glad to sell you more junk batteries if you fall for it.
So, throw your rechargeable paperweights and chargers at some annoying varmint nearby and get a pack of alkaline batteries. Take a moment to grieve that you were duped like others of us into thinking that you will have a rechargeable radio.
Keep batteries in your truck, so you are ready when the old batteries run out. It should not be too often unless you're using these things 10 hours a day, every day.
Скроменый эксперт
03.02.2015
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
These radios will be used for emergency communication in my community preparedness efforts. So far testing with them has proven them better than some other brands of FRS radio. With a reasonably proportioned antenna, they have better than average range. The extra mic/earphone allows use of the radio while holding the transceiver over one's head. That little bit of extra elevation can make a big difference. I like that these radios come with a 12V cigarette lighter plug, which means if an auto is available, the power options are great during a power blackout. I do wish just one improvement: the way the earphone is worn on the ear is poor. Other than that, it is a very nice product that performs well.
Since writing this review, I have purchased the Midland XT511 Base Camp as a base station companion to the above radios. The two models work well together and share programming procedures and one can swap the battery packs between base and hand held. Please read my review of the XT511 here on Amazon.
Since writing this review, I have purchased the Midland XT511 Base Camp as a base station companion to the above radios. The two models work well together and share programming procedures and one can swap the battery packs between base and hand held. Please read my review of the XT511 here on Amazon.
Скроменый эксперт
16.05.2012
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
As many other reviewers have mentioned, the range figure mentioned is absolute fiction, probably derived from theory rather than anything in the real world. This is the case for just about every FRS/GMRS radio on the market; it isn't a problem with Midland, specifically. I tested the radios in an urban environment, and got exactly half a mile, provided I'm on the third floor of my house. At ground level, maybe .4 miles. Between the two test radios, there are two hills. With less earth between the test points, I would guess that the range would likely be a mile or more. With actual line-of-sight, you might be lucky enough to reach 10 miles or so. I tested using a GMRS channel at high power. An FCC license is required to broadcast on GMRS channels, though the FCC has petitioned to do away with this requirement.
Although some people like them, I find the included headsets (one of the reasons I chose this model,) to be cheap, uncomfortable, and irritating. I bought the radios for use as motorcycle helmet intercoms. I replaced the included headset with the inexpensive Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX (Pair), which aren't perfect, but are a great improvement.
The build is good, but not fantastic. They are high-end consumer radios, not the sort intended for years of heavy use on a construction site, for instance. I wouldn't want to use them heavily in a marine environment. A good drop would likely crack the case or the antenna housing. They are advertised as being splash-proof, but I wouldn't want to put that to the test. There is an O-ring around the battery compartment, and the closure on the compartment is nicely designed--no frustrating prying.
There are a few features that have great possibility, though I'm still testing to determine whether they'll work in actual use. The VOX mode has worked well for me in some tests, though not well in others. I did all testing at sensitivity level 1, the most sensitive setting. The first thing I noticed was that there was a lag between when you started talking until the radio went into transmit mode. During a test earlier today, one of my radios was in VOX mode, and we didn't even notice--it worked perfectly. We were using the AVPH3 headsets at the time. Later, we tried again and found the VOX to be totally flaky, sometimes keying the mic halfway through a sentence, at then end of a message, or not at all. Sometimes the mic would key when we adjusted the earpiece. (The AVPH3 has an integrated earpiece/mic.) I'm hoping that it works better when the headset is covered by a helmet.
Another interesting feature is WHISPER mode. This is designed to amplify quiet sounds to normally audible levels. When I turned it on, I could see a shocked expression on my girlfriend's face--apparently she could suddenly hear all the birds in the tree behind me, clear as day. Based on this, it seems promising, though whether it will amplify wind and engine noise, I don't know yet.
The microphone jack apparently doubles as a secondary charging jack. This could be quite handy if you're on the road and don't want to carry the charging base around with you. I've read that it takes 9v at 55-75 milliamps, though I don't know the plug polarity. The included AVP-7 rechargeable battery packs don't have fantastic capacity--700mah. I've seen a third-party 800mah pack on eBay. The fact that this radio will also take four AA batteries is great.
It should be noted that the GROUP mode/DIRECT CALL features are simply ways of setting up particular radios to ignore some signals. They DO NOT create private or secure communications. There are no scrambled FRS/GMRS radios currently on the market.
Basically, I like these radios a lot. They're well worth the $58 I paid for them, though at a higher price point I might look at marine units for more durability. For communicating with few obstructions, or within a third of a mile with obstructions, the sound is great. The design is good, though not spectacular. A foldable or collapsible antenna might make it more durable when traveling. The feature-set is nice, and I like the wide range of available headsets. There are antenna hacks, though these aren't in compliance with FCC regulations.
If you require a radio that makes five animal noises, or becomes lost instantly when placed near foliage, purchase the GXT1050VP4 model instead.
Although some people like them, I find the included headsets (one of the reasons I chose this model,) to be cheap, uncomfortable, and irritating. I bought the radios for use as motorcycle helmet intercoms. I replaced the included headset with the inexpensive Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX (Pair), which aren't perfect, but are a great improvement.
The build is good, but not fantastic. They are high-end consumer radios, not the sort intended for years of heavy use on a construction site, for instance. I wouldn't want to use them heavily in a marine environment. A good drop would likely crack the case or the antenna housing. They are advertised as being splash-proof, but I wouldn't want to put that to the test. There is an O-ring around the battery compartment, and the closure on the compartment is nicely designed--no frustrating prying.
There are a few features that have great possibility, though I'm still testing to determine whether they'll work in actual use. The VOX mode has worked well for me in some tests, though not well in others. I did all testing at sensitivity level 1, the most sensitive setting. The first thing I noticed was that there was a lag between when you started talking until the radio went into transmit mode. During a test earlier today, one of my radios was in VOX mode, and we didn't even notice--it worked perfectly. We were using the AVPH3 headsets at the time. Later, we tried again and found the VOX to be totally flaky, sometimes keying the mic halfway through a sentence, at then end of a message, or not at all. Sometimes the mic would key when we adjusted the earpiece. (The AVPH3 has an integrated earpiece/mic.) I'm hoping that it works better when the headset is covered by a helmet.
Another interesting feature is WHISPER mode. This is designed to amplify quiet sounds to normally audible levels. When I turned it on, I could see a shocked expression on my girlfriend's face--apparently she could suddenly hear all the birds in the tree behind me, clear as day. Based on this, it seems promising, though whether it will amplify wind and engine noise, I don't know yet.
The microphone jack apparently doubles as a secondary charging jack. This could be quite handy if you're on the road and don't want to carry the charging base around with you. I've read that it takes 9v at 55-75 milliamps, though I don't know the plug polarity. The included AVP-7 rechargeable battery packs don't have fantastic capacity--700mah. I've seen a third-party 800mah pack on eBay. The fact that this radio will also take four AA batteries is great.
It should be noted that the GROUP mode/DIRECT CALL features are simply ways of setting up particular radios to ignore some signals. They DO NOT create private or secure communications. There are no scrambled FRS/GMRS radios currently on the market.
Basically, I like these radios a lot. They're well worth the $58 I paid for them, though at a higher price point I might look at marine units for more durability. For communicating with few obstructions, or within a third of a mile with obstructions, the sound is great. The design is good, though not spectacular. A foldable or collapsible antenna might make it more durable when traveling. The feature-set is nice, and I like the wide range of available headsets. There are antenna hacks, though these aren't in compliance with FCC regulations.
If you require a radio that makes five animal noises, or becomes lost instantly when placed near foliage, purchase the GXT1050VP4 model instead.
Скроменый эксперт
22.05.2014
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I bought this set because I hike in places where there is no cell coverage. So, what would I do if I fell down a ravine and broke my leg? I can only holler so loud. Now, with one of these guys with me, I am free to fall down ravines without fear of never being found.
▲ This is a easy, cheap way to buy protection. I advise all my hiking friends to always carry a full-charged unit like these. My experience has been good. The units have worked as advertised.
▲ The exact steps to start the scan, and select a particular channel, are a little confusing, so I always carry the little instruction booklet with the unit--both in a waterproof pouch. However, it's not that complicated.
▲ I sometimes just put them in "scan" mode whilst I'm hiking, to listen to what the other folks around me are doing. One can sometimes hear the other users using "repeaters" in the area.
▲ The construction is solid; these are not little dainty units. On the other hand, they are not exactly MIL-standard either. They are designed for consumer use, not for heavy duty use, or for getting wet. So, keep that in mind, and you will not be disappointed.
▲ The charging system works well. I keep both units in the platform, so I'm always ready to go.
▲ Great value! I cannot imagine someone balking at the incredibly cheap price that buys so much.
▼ Like everyone knows, the range claim is meaningless--especially if you are hiking down in a valley. (Hence, the 4-* Rating.) ** There is absolutely no way you will achieve 30+ mile range.** Nevertheless, for hikers like myself, I am confident that I can also get hold of a rescuer (channel 20), should the need arise.
√ All in all, a very good, trouble free product. Recommend!
♫ A Review by Chris Lawson
▲ This is a easy, cheap way to buy protection. I advise all my hiking friends to always carry a full-charged unit like these. My experience has been good. The units have worked as advertised.
▲ The exact steps to start the scan, and select a particular channel, are a little confusing, so I always carry the little instruction booklet with the unit--both in a waterproof pouch. However, it's not that complicated.
▲ I sometimes just put them in "scan" mode whilst I'm hiking, to listen to what the other folks around me are doing. One can sometimes hear the other users using "repeaters" in the area.
▲ The construction is solid; these are not little dainty units. On the other hand, they are not exactly MIL-standard either. They are designed for consumer use, not for heavy duty use, or for getting wet. So, keep that in mind, and you will not be disappointed.
▲ The charging system works well. I keep both units in the platform, so I'm always ready to go.
▲ Great value! I cannot imagine someone balking at the incredibly cheap price that buys so much.
▼ Like everyone knows, the range claim is meaningless--especially if you are hiking down in a valley. (Hence, the 4-* Rating.) ** There is absolutely no way you will achieve 30+ mile range.** Nevertheless, for hikers like myself, I am confident that I can also get hold of a rescuer (channel 20), should the need arise.
√ All in all, a very good, trouble free product. Recommend!
♫ A Review by Chris Lawson
Скроменый эксперт
08.02.2015
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Fairly decent product. I would have loved if they came with a case to hold all the pieces when not in use. The wired ear pieces are fairly difficult to put on and seem kind of flimsy, but we don't plan on using them that often. Still, I wonder if another brand of earphone/mic would work with these. I love that they come with a car adapter.
Good range in flat areas of the city. We haven't tested them in the mountains or wooded areas. Very clear and crisp.
The radios themselves, are fairly heavy. You will notice you're wearing them and the antenna is rigid.
Packaging is a real pain to open and get all the pieces out and the instructions could be a little more user friendly, but we sorted it out readily enough.
All in all, these seem to be perfect for our uses which is keeping in contact while on bike rides, shopping, camping, and away from home.
Good range in flat areas of the city. We haven't tested them in the mountains or wooded areas. Very clear and crisp.
The radios themselves, are fairly heavy. You will notice you're wearing them and the antenna is rigid.
Packaging is a real pain to open and get all the pieces out and the instructions could be a little more user friendly, but we sorted it out readily enough.
All in all, these seem to be perfect for our uses which is keeping in contact while on bike rides, shopping, camping, and away from home.
Скроменый эксперт
21.07.2014
4/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I bought these radios in June. I have used them a few times around the house and on 2 vacations, one in June and one in July to talk car to car. They work good, they sound good, obviously these are measured more in feet, maybe a couple of miles at best in the residential setting, slightly better on the roads.
I charged them initially and used them down. I charged them for the first road trip and monitored the battery charge indicator on the radio, but don't trust these because in 2 mic clicks it went from indicating a full charge to dead upon turning them on for use. The battery never indicated anything but a full charge up to the point that it died.
I charged them for the third time for the second road trip and no problem. I left one on overnight by mistake after a full days use and it was dead the next morning so I placed it in the charger to charge it up and the next day it was still dead. Battery will not charge. Since I was on the road it cost me premium price to by the AA batteries to use the radio. I am just 10 days beyond the return cut-off so I am now stuck with a inoperable battery that I will probably get it stuck to me by Uniden. i see where this is a common problem with this radio and it is more of a surprise that Uniden continues to allow it to happen instead of correcting the issue which is obviously the battery. I will contact them and see what happens and update as needed. I hate warranty claims and I hate it even more when the warranter does more to circumvent the warranty rather than honor it. We will see.
I charged them initially and used them down. I charged them for the first road trip and monitored the battery charge indicator on the radio, but don't trust these because in 2 mic clicks it went from indicating a full charge to dead upon turning them on for use. The battery never indicated anything but a full charge up to the point that it died.
I charged them for the third time for the second road trip and no problem. I left one on overnight by mistake after a full days use and it was dead the next morning so I placed it in the charger to charge it up and the next day it was still dead. Battery will not charge. Since I was on the road it cost me premium price to by the AA batteries to use the radio. I am just 10 days beyond the return cut-off so I am now stuck with a inoperable battery that I will probably get it stuck to me by Uniden. i see where this is a common problem with this radio and it is more of a surprise that Uniden continues to allow it to happen instead of correcting the issue which is obviously the battery. I will contact them and see what happens and update as needed. I hate warranty claims and I hate it even more when the warranter does more to circumvent the warranty rather than honor it. We will see.
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