Two-Way Radios Reviews

Updated November 2007

Best Two-Way Radios Reviews: (out of 13)
Boys' Life, Two Way Radios Forum.com, Outdoor Life

Best Two-Way Radios: (out of 25)
Motorola Talkabout FV200AA, Midland GXT710VP3, Garmin Rino 110

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Top Rated	What the Research Says
• Motorola Talkabout FV200AA (*est. $20/pair) >> Where to buy	Basic two-way radio. If you want a basic, no frills GMRS/FRS radio, the FV200AA is a good choice -- as long as you don't need much range. The Motorola two-way radio's rated range is 5 miles, but that's greatly reduced by buildings, hills and other obstacles. The radio also lacks privacy codes, which isn't a problem out in the woods, but could make conversations a challenge in areas where lots of radios are in use. The radio covers all 22 GMRS and FRS channels, but like most two-way radios, it requires an FCC license (available online for about $80). Be aware that because it operates on open radio channels, others using the same channel can pick up your conversations. (compare prices)
• Midland GXT710VP3 (*est. $55/pair) >> Where to buy	Best two-way radio overall. It's more expensive than the basic Motorola FV200AA, but the Midland GXT710VP3 offers more features, privacy features, better range and better power options. The feature lineup includes 121 privacy codes to prevent eavesdropping, NOAA weather alerts, a rechargeable battery, charger stand and more. The range is specified at 26 miles -- one of the longest of any two-way radio in its price category (though actual range varies). The radio covers all 22 GMRS and FRS channels. A license is needed for use on the long-range GRMS channels, but you can choose to operate the radio in a low-power mode for license-free operation on the FRS channels (8-14). (compare prices)
• Garmin Rino 110 (*est. $150 each) >> Where to buy	Two-way radio with GPS. In addition to basic communication, the Garmin Rino 110 adds GPS (global positioning system) location technology to visually track your position, as well as the positions of other Garmin Rino users in your group. Other features include voice activation, a hunting/fishing calendar, a PC interface and built-in memory. One negative is that the range is fairly limited (5 miles on GMRS channels/2 miles on FRS channels). It's also relatively expensive, and an FCC license is needed no matter what channels you use. (compare prices)
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Updated November 2007

Two-way radios can be used in a variety of situations and are a useful alternative to cell phones, especially when camping and hiking or when otherwise out of cell-tower range. Not surprisingly then, we found the best current reviews for two-way radios at adventure-oriented magazines and websites such as Boys' Life and Outdoor Life. Owner review sites and user forums are also a good place to find information. Consumer Reports has not reviewed two-way radios, and CNet.com's last review was written over two years ago.

Today's two-way radios are a far cry from the walkie-talkies of yesteryear. Smaller and more powerful, some have range specifications that exceed 20 miles. However, reports tell us that specifications and real-world use are sometimes not exactly the same.

A case in point is the Motorola Talkabout T9500R (*est. $55), which has received some strong negative comments from owners at user review sites, such as Amazon.com and Epinions. Dissatisfaction includes the advertised range of the Motorola two-way radio, which is 25 miles -- several owners report that this specification is a gross exaggeration. The overall opinion of some is that sound quality in general is poor and that voices are muffled or unclear, even at short distances of a few blocks.

Unfortunately, issues with the Motorola T9500R two-way radio don't end there. Battery life is reported to be very short. Several owners say that the rechargeable battery did not last very long, even when fully charged. On the other hand, we did see praise of the Motorola T9500R's design and features. Still, that's not enough to offset the negatives.
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Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
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# of picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
2	Motorola FV200AA (*est. $20/pair)	details
1 each	Motorola: Motorola T9500 , TriSquare TSX300 , Motorola Talkabout SX700, Motorola Talkabout SX800 , Motorola T9580RSANE , Motorola T6500 , Motorola T5320, Motorola FV6500R, Motorola 289AA, Motorola T5420, Motorola T9660XLR Midland: Midland GXT550VP , Midland GXT700 , Midland GXT800 , Midland GXT 850 , Midland LXT330, Midland GXT710VP3 Other: Uniden GMR 1438 , Garmin Rino, Cobra LI7000-2 WX , ENC 5040, ENC 5040X, Cobra FRS315WX, Kenmore UBZ LH14, Cobra LI6500-2 , Kenmore FreeTalk, Uniden Eco Trek 440

Striking a balance between price, performance and features, the Midland GXT710VP3 seems to be a standout choice. It offers the longest rated range of any two-way radios in its category, as well as privacy codes, a three-year warranty, NOAA weather alerts and rechargeable batteries (with charger). A special low-power mode allows for license-free operation in the FRS channels (8 through 14). The Garmin Rino 110 is expensive and has a limited range, but its GPS features are a plus. The Motorola FV200AA has few features and a short range, but is a reliable basic GRMS/FRS radio and a good budget choice, as long as your expectations are reasonable.

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