* Activate $15 off $50 Coupon at OfficeDepot.com (Expires TODAY)
* Then search for "784331" to add this 2-Way Radio to your shopping cart for $49.99
* Also search for "429266" to add paper clips to your shopping cart for $0.20
* There is $10 Rebate on 2-Way Radio until 12/31/2002
* OfficeDepot.com offers Free Shipping on all orders over $50 (Before Coupon and/or rebate)
* Your Final Price: $49.99 + $0.20 - $15 - $10 = $25.19 + Free Shipping
2-Pack Cobra FRS110-2 Mobile 2-Way Radio only $25.19 + Free Shipping (Last Day, AC/AR)
- Thread starter luv2save
- Start date
Good find on the radios - that's a good price for a pair. Note that this radio does not have rechargeable batteries or the 38 squelch tones that block out most other users.
I find the FRS radios very useful, especially if I want to split up from my wife when shopping, for example.
A couple comments about FRS radios:
Rechargable Batteries
Many have auto power-off settings to preserve alkaline battery life. One suggestion to consider in selecting these radios is that you use them with rechargeable batteries, so you don't worry about leaving them on. At this price, you can probably afford the charger and NiMH's required (Hot Deals for these are listed in other threads), but the convenience of a drop-in charger is great. If you can get a radio that doesn't require a custom battery pack, then you can replace bad cells more easily, though I have at least 3 years' use out of my original NiMH?s so far. The factory charger kits are relatively expensive when purchased separately, so it's best if the radio comes with a charger. The factory drop-in chargers are very convenient, and save opening the radios every day to charge the cells. I have found that radios will sit in a drawer if they are not convenient to use.
Squelch tones
The 38 squelch codes that keep you from hearing most everyone else sharing your channel. With 14 channels and 38 codes, there is only a 1/532 chance of hearing someone outside of your party. The odds are actually better than this, since many people have radios like this one that are not equipped with the squelch tones. I leave my radio on all day in case my wife wants to meet me outside my office, for example, and I never hear other users in my neighborhood. The squelch codes are especially important in places like stadiums, where everyone is using the radios. When I was in Disneyworld last month, the "channel in use" icon was on almost constantly, but I never heard anyone outside of our group, since they were all on other channels or didn?t use the squelch tones.
Form Factor
I love my Audiovox FR-314?s, which have the drop-in charger and squelch codes. They are small and have a cellular-phone style belt clip. I also have a pair of Audiovox FR-1438?s, which have many of the same features, but a cheaper belt clip. Believe me, if the belt clip is not very good, you will lose or simply drop radios frequently. I also have a pair of Motorola T6300?s, (from a previous Hot Deal) which came with a lot of extra features that I don?t use. They are BIG and HEAVY, and I don?t generally take them out of the car.
I have seen some inexpensive rechargeable pairs for $40-$60, including a very similar Cobra model, and a downsized Motorola?s. Try Costco for the Motorola T5410 two-pack for $50. Sometimes they also carry the similar Cobra.
The GMRS radios share some of the same channels as FRS, and can put out more power. This really doesn't help much unless they put out several watts - the Motorola T6400 at Costco only puts out 1 Watt. This is double the power of a typical FRS, but increases your theoretical range by only 40%. Many people who go for GMRS opt for ham-style radios that allow the use of external car and base antennas, which can also increase your effective range.
I find the FRS radios very useful, especially if I want to split up from my wife when shopping, for example.
A couple comments about FRS radios:
Rechargable Batteries
Many have auto power-off settings to preserve alkaline battery life. One suggestion to consider in selecting these radios is that you use them with rechargeable batteries, so you don't worry about leaving them on. At this price, you can probably afford the charger and NiMH's required (Hot Deals for these are listed in other threads), but the convenience of a drop-in charger is great. If you can get a radio that doesn't require a custom battery pack, then you can replace bad cells more easily, though I have at least 3 years' use out of my original NiMH?s so far. The factory charger kits are relatively expensive when purchased separately, so it's best if the radio comes with a charger. The factory drop-in chargers are very convenient, and save opening the radios every day to charge the cells. I have found that radios will sit in a drawer if they are not convenient to use.
Squelch tones
The 38 squelch codes that keep you from hearing most everyone else sharing your channel. With 14 channels and 38 codes, there is only a 1/532 chance of hearing someone outside of your party. The odds are actually better than this, since many people have radios like this one that are not equipped with the squelch tones. I leave my radio on all day in case my wife wants to meet me outside my office, for example, and I never hear other users in my neighborhood. The squelch codes are especially important in places like stadiums, where everyone is using the radios. When I was in Disneyworld last month, the "channel in use" icon was on almost constantly, but I never heard anyone outside of our group, since they were all on other channels or didn?t use the squelch tones.
Form Factor
I love my Audiovox FR-314?s, which have the drop-in charger and squelch codes. They are small and have a cellular-phone style belt clip. I also have a pair of Audiovox FR-1438?s, which have many of the same features, but a cheaper belt clip. Believe me, if the belt clip is not very good, you will lose or simply drop radios frequently. I also have a pair of Motorola T6300?s, (from a previous Hot Deal) which came with a lot of extra features that I don?t use. They are BIG and HEAVY, and I don?t generally take them out of the car.
I have seen some inexpensive rechargeable pairs for $40-$60, including a very similar Cobra model, and a downsized Motorola?s. Try Costco for the Motorola T5410 two-pack for $50. Sometimes they also carry the similar Cobra.
The GMRS radios share some of the same channels as FRS, and can put out more power. This really doesn't help much unless they put out several watts - the Motorola T6400 at Costco only puts out 1 Watt. This is double the power of a typical FRS, but increases your theoretical range by only 40%. Many people who go for GMRS opt for ham-style radios that allow the use of external car and base antennas, which can also increase your effective range.
It was marked $40 as clearance item in one of my Staples. The final price after $10 coupon and $10 MIR is $20. Check your local Staples. If you are lucky, you can still find this or Corba FRS 225-2 for clearance. I bought a FRS 225-2 for $53 - $10 coupon - $20 Cobra MIR - $20 Staples MIR = $3 plus tax.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 18K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter