Uniden walkie talkie $9.99

[ShinSa]

@ Office max!
no rebate hassle
I think it's a good price for people who don't want to sink in $50 a pair.
It's in the suday ad fyi.



Link

 

[ShinSa]

I thought it was a good deal....
Any comments?

 

[Mugwumper]

I can't speak for the quality of these 'talkies but I do own 2 sets of walkie-talkies. One set expensive "Motorola Talkabout T6220",one set is cheap - "Expedition by Conair". The cheap ones I got FAR from a deal found on this sight (long ago).

Here's the results; the expensive ones get used because they rock, the cheap set sucks so hard they are basicly unusable (one of the radios gets so much static it's hard to leave it one for very long).

MORAL: On your link to the OfficeMax deal I'd get the set that's one step up from the bottom.

 

[steph30]

My husband and I just picked up a set of these a few weeks ago so we could talk between two cars. Here is our experience with them. The reception between them was great. We actually commented on the fact that we could hear better on these than our cell phones. The package stated the range was 2 miles, but I highly doubt they could be effective at that range. Anytime we were more than approximately 1/2 a mile from each other, they would start to get some static. The battery life using them was about 6 hours before we started having problems and changed batteries.

If you only need them on a limited basis like we did, or maybe a toy for the kids, they're great. I'm not sure how much better the higher priced ones are due to the fact this was our only experience with this type of gadget.

Hope this helps,
Stephanie

 

[zmatch]

My wife and I have been using the FRS radios for years. They are great for car-to-car and in the mall, especially if you don't want to spend an hour in a craft store. If you get a set, make sure you have:

• Rechargable batteries. You never worry about leaving them on all day. My NiMH cells have lasted for years, though I think most still use NiCd cells.
  
• The 38 CTCSS squelch codes. These prevent you from hearing chatter from almost everyone else; those whose radios are set to a different squelch code or channel, and those who have cheaper radios with no squelch tones. It's not like CB radio where you have to listen to every trucker curse.
  
• Small size. I have some monster Motorolas that are like bricks compared to my little old Audiovox radios, and we hate carrying them.
  
• Good sound.

As for range: If I recall correctly, GMRS radios are allowed to go up to 5 watts transmit, vs. the 1/2 watt limit set on FRS, and both share some of the FRS frequencies and squelch codes, so they are compatible with one another. FRS forums have postings from people getting 10 miles between mountaintops or from airplanes, but you shouldn't expect more than a half mile from FRS, and theoretically, 4.47 miles from GMRS, assuming you have a 5 watt radio. The common GMRS radios I have seen are 2 or 3 watts, and I don't recall seeing a 5 watt radio outside of programmable Ham type radios, so the GMRS range would be markedly lower than 6 miles.

I would spring for the GMRS, since they would probably have done a better job of reaching my wife in the mall this weekend. Forget the extra features like digital compasses, stopwatches, etc. You will never use them.

 

[Cleaner]

I have a pair of 5100 and 6200? (the step up from the 5100) and they work great! I got them because I ski alot and wanted something to contact the other members of our group on the mountain. I can easily get over 1 mile of coverage but have never been more than 1 1/2 mile from my group. Easily worth the money. If you do group activities outdoors or anything/where you and your group can become disassociated.

 

[GuildBoss]

Originally posted by: ShinSa
I thought it was a good deal....
Any comments?

There are lots of variables to consider when choosing 2-way radios. This pair would probably be fine for older kids around the block but beyond that you're most likely better off spending the extra $20+ for something with more/better features.

For example, this pair of Unidens is missing a few features that I consider absolutely essential and there are other inexpensive radios that include them (like the Cobras on that page for $34). The 3 essentials:

- 38 subchannels (eliminator codes). These Unidens have only 14 main channels and no subchannels so in a busy place like a ski mountain or a mall you may have trouble finding a free channel to use.

- "keypad lock". A keypad lock prevents accidental button presses so you don't end up on a different channel than your buddies. Especially important for young kids that may not know how to operate the radio (to get back to the right channel, for instance).

- "Roger Beep" tone. Not totally essential but this audible tone lets you know that your message has been sent properly. Without the beep you might be left guessing and then you may try to send again and block an incoming message, etc..

 

[Vslice]

I believe CC or BB had the same model # listed in their Sunday Flyer for 12.99 (19.99 and a 7mir). Do you think they would pricematch to the 9.99 and still have the $7 rebate?

V.

It is Best B that is running the 19.99 and 7 mir

Link to bb