Two-Way Radios Reviews

Radio worked fine for 2-1/2 seasons, until I had to use it in the rain. It has never worked properly since. Seems to me that a Marine radio should be sufficiently waterproof not to fail from exposure to rain.

I bought this "5 mile" radio, thinking that I could talk to my wife while on the highway going to work or for calling home from 5 miles away on my way back, but the distance it covers is rather dissapointing. While driving away from home, this unit doesn't even cover a half a mile before it fades out. And when on the highway (on a straight line) the most it covers before you get a high-static-hard-to-hear-noise is no more than 1 mile.
The radio itself has a neat design and has good features like 38 CTCSS codes per channel which gives you a "little more privacy" than using any of the given open channels. I was surprised to learn that as soon as I started to use my new radios, I was hearing all kinds of communications from other people on almost every channel. Fortunately I immediately set up a CTCSS code on my channel to filter the noise out and only be able to talk/listen to my other radio. After I bought these, I read on some site that ALL 2 way radios no matter what the advertised range says, have a maximum reach of no more than 2 miles. This is because they all work with the same amount of power, so it's not just a matter of building or trees being in the way.

My final advise is, if you'd like a 2 way radio to use in a car caravan, go shopping in a mall, go for a nearby hike, monitor the kids while in the park, or to just give the kids as a higher power walkie-talkie, get these. But don't expect anything near a 5 mile range. Stay within less than 2 miles and you should be ok.

OK, most sex sleaze fans already have the 30 seconds or so from this that are worthwhile, so I'll cut right to it; an entering prison strip scene, a naked whipped back and bottom lying on bed while hag prison guard almost runs her hands over it, and a naked whipped back while trying to escape scene. All with the same cute blonde. That's it.

What you don't get is anything the title promises. There's one whipping scene, but it shows nothing, nada, except for a mom and perverted son getting mentally excited outside in the hall listening to the sound effects. I'll ignore the plot, it's basically just a women's prison movie without enough women and no shower scenes. Two stars for the good 30 seconds, less one star for the total tease of the title.

This film seems to have reached cult status in some circles. A Young woman is lured to a mysterious rundown estate and undergoes an ordeal of physical and mental suffering for her worldly ways. Hidden from the outside world, females are stripped naked and punished under the lash for their transgressions. That is only the beginning of their nightmare existence of imprisonment where the viewer witnesses punishments doled out by a mock jury of eccentric characters. This film is an interesting entry into the mystery-horror genre but its true intentions remain elusive.

Are you weary of a flaccid and overly lenient prosecutorial system that seems more inclined to slap offenders on the wrist rather than giving them their just desserts? Do you yearn to return to a time when both corporal and capital punishments were the order of the day? If so, then there's a rather simple solution to your dilemma...open your own prison and mete out the forms of punishment you see fit, as depicted in House of the Whipcord (1974). Written, produced and directed by Pete Walker (Die Screaming, Marianne, The Flesh and Blood Show, Schizo), the film features Barbara Markham (Sunday Bloody Sunday), Patrick Barr (The Satanic Rites of Dracula), Ray Brooks (The Flesh and Blood Show), Ann Michelle (Psychomania), Sheila Keith (Frightmare), Dorothy Gordon (Grip of the Strangler), Robert Tayman (Vampire Circus), and Penny Irving (Are You Being Served?), in her first, starring film role.

As the film opens it's a dark and stormy night, and we see a half nekkid girl, dressed fashionably in a potato sack, running through the woods, eventually finding help in the form of a truck driver parked on the side of the road, resting his eyes. Upon closer inspection we see the girl, whom we later learn is a Frenchy named Ann-Marie Di Verney (Irving), has been half beaten to death, and is rambling on incoherently. After slipping into a flashback we see the same girl at a party celebrating her recent run in with the law (apparently, in an act of civil disobedience, she doffed her clothes in public). At the party Ann-Marie meets a handsome, yet oddly spooky, young man named Mark E. Desade (Tayman)...oh bruther...and the two hit it off so well Mark invites her to his parents estate in the English countryside for the weekend. A clueless Ann-Marie accepts, despite barely knowing the fellow, and quickly finds herself in a world of pain as the country estate is not an estate but a prison operated by an older couple named Margaret Wakehurst (Markham) and Justice Bailey (Barr), she a former prison governess (one released from her official duties after an incident) and he a former court judge. Seems the pair, deciding the current system too lenient, especially on offenders of moral decency, bought an unused prison out in the country for the sole purpose of passing out `proper' sentences on those they feel got off too lightly. Now finding ourselves squarely in the middle of `women in prison' (WIP), we see life for inmates is harsh, as near most everything is considered an offense, including talking to a fellow inmate. The first offense results in a two-week stint in solitary confinement, the second a serious flogging, and the third a one way trip to the gallows. After Ann-Marie's been missing for nearly two weeks, her flat mate Julia (Michelle) begins to think something's hinky...perhaps she's not the sharpest tool in the shed...anyway, while Julia starts making inquiries, a power struggle develops in the prison (Mrs. Wakehurst believes the doddering Judge not fit for his duties anymore), and things aren't looking too good for Ann-Marie as she's quickly racking up the offenses (after various incidents) and soon finds herself marked for execution...

I dug this feature, although it contained a lot less violence than expected, especially given its title. There were only two flogging sequences, neither actually depicting leather slapping flesh, which was all right with me as sometimes what isn't shown is more effective than not. There was a bit more in terms of the lurid stuff (a handful of nekkid scenes with two of the performers), but not much. The idea of someone operating their own relatively decent sized prison outside the system may seem a bit far-fetched, but within the context of the film it came off as plausible as the facility was located out in the middle of the country, the staff minimal, and the inmates were women of questionable morals, the types few would probably miss if they were to disappear off the face of the Earth...that and the fact the none of the inmates ever made it to the end of their sentences (no time off here for good behavior) given the ease in which one could garner offenses (remember, a third offense meant curtains), who'd be out and about to talk speak ill of the facility? There's quite a few characters running around in this film, but Walker managed to place just the right amount of emphasis on each given their respective roles within the story. Something else he was able to do was develop interesting characters, ones that had a bit more depth than those normally depicted within this type of movie. Sure, Mrs. Wakehurst was a cruel, twisted, abusive, tyrannical, power hunger b*tch, but that might not have always been the case. I especially liked the bits near the end as things begin to unravel, and she reverts into a sort of catatonic, homicidal mode. And what was up with her and her son? Just when I thought she couldn't get any creepier...I though most of the performers did pretty well, especially Sheila Keith as the stern, sort of albino head guard. Not a soft edge anywhere on that one...another interesting aspect was how little attention was given to the inmates, except for Ann-Marie. They were present, for sure, but since they didn't figure all that much into the story, there wasn't much point in making them into more than what they were, fodder for the antagonistic, matriarchal elements within the prison. The story moves along at a good pace throughout, as there's very little down or drag time involved. Perhaps one of my favorite sequences was when Ann-Marie first arrived, thinking she was going to be spending a pleasant weekend in the country, only to find out much later than the rest of us the world of pain she stepped into...here she is, being lead around what is obviously some sort of facility, having no clue as to what's going on until the reality, the reality being Madame Walker, slaps her in the face. All in all I enjoyed this atmospheric film, but those looking for a more straight up women in prison feature (nekkid shower scenes, beatings, dueling batwing action, etc.) will probably be disappointed.

The picture quality on this Media Blaster/Shriek Show DVD release, presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1), looks a bit murky at times and the audio, available in both Dolby Digital mono and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround comes through well. Extra features include a feature length commentary track with producer/director Walker and biographer/professor Steven Chibnall, an original theatrical trailer, and trailers for other Pete Walker films including The Flesh and Blood Show (1972), Die Screaming, Marianne (1971), Frightmare (1974), The Comeback (1978), and The Confessional (1976) aka House of Mortal Sin.

Cookieman108

By the way, the DVD version I've reviewed is for the recent Media Blasters/Shriek Show release...the film had a prior release to DVD by Image Entertainment, of which I haven't seen, so I'm unable to compare the versions.

10 miles? I bought the 6510 at Costco. I had my doubts but I figured if they advertised 10 miles surely it would do at least a couple. But only if you are on the water or other flat plain. Why do you need one of these if you can see the person? They only work if you have a direct line of sight and that was only a mile or two at most. But get over a hill or within trees or houses and absolutely nothing! I lost my party!

Pros - I liked the design and it was easy to use. The NOAA weather did work - if that's all you need. Fits in a pocket.

Cons - DOES NOT WORK to keep track of your party. It takes 14 hours to recharge.

The good reviews in here must work for Motorola. Mine are going back to the store.

From cellphone and also the pager era I began my love affair with Motorola. Don't need to read much farther into my review to get to the meat of it. Sometimes companies make a lousy product even though they have others that are great! Don't Buy These! They fall into the former category

I needed them quickly (to give my in-laws time to practice using them before we went on a cruise) so when I went to their house for the weekend I bought them from the hated "Best Buy". I am returning all 4! (2 sets of 2 handsets). Here was my experience:

I went in and saw the Midland and the Cobra along side the Motorola. Not knowing much of Midland, but recognizing Cobra from their history with low-end phones and electronics, I opted with the very stylish Motorola T6500R's. I know. Big Mistake! I am a computer programmer and very intelligent, but when confronted with products I do not undestand, I go for the brand name. Which is something that can be forgiven if, as now, you find out what the problem is and correct it.

I took them home and recharged them. First things first: The feel in your hand. EXCELLENT. They feel as good as they look. I purchased these to go on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and to maintain contact both on the boat and in the ports: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo san Lucas. We wanted to make sure we did not "lose" my in-laws (really! I mean it! No, really ....)

Anyway. Charged them up and turned them on. They come with a plastic-encased group of 3 AA rechargable batteries that fit nicely (and only one way--they are keyed) in the dual-purpose battery compartment. This is nice: if you are out and running around and your charge goes down, simply buy 3 AA alkaline batteries and go on your way. There is no problem if you forget you have the NORMAL NON-RECHARGABLE AA batteries in the case if you put it in the charging stand. Unlike other units, the physical metal conductors to charge the battery pack are actually built into the pack, not the handset. If you put it batteries, the charger makes no connection to the handset. If you put in the rechargable battery pack, 2 silver contacts from the battery pack contact the charging stand and VOILA the unit charges. Fitting the handset into the recharger is a nightmare, though! It must be generic and able to fit several different Motorola products (production outsourced to Giant Int'l Ltd--so if you thought this was a genuine Motorola built item, you are mistaken. The entire Talkabout line are outsourced for production) as the dual-compartment charger has 2 inserts in each compartment and no indication of which one to use for the T6500R's. I am a smart person though so I chose the one that looked like it best fit and inserted it. Then I attempted to insert the T6500R's. I say attempted because the bottom of the handset is rounded and thus does not seat well in any direction. After you get it to EXACTLY the right position (look on the charger to watch for the LED to light up) the the hard part (of charging, that is) is over.

Next item: Bad red LCD backed screen. Hard to read in ANY light and impossible in the sunlight. Settings were easy enough. Channel, sub-channel, vibrate, NOAA broadcasts, etc. However, the advertised QT (ensures no one can talk through your handset unless they are using a compatible Motorola handset) does not work unless you hit the PTT (push to talk) button (or the CALL button), wait about 3 seconds and begin speaking. My in-laws are new to technology and are used to experiencing walkie-talkies when their kids were young. Therefore this is unusual. They automatically want to push the button and talk. So, the first part of what they say is immediately lost.

I say "first part". I am assuming I actually caught a portion of what they said. This brings me to the second major flaw. This unit contains a HORRIBLE speaker. If the volume is too low then you can't hear it. Too high and it is garbled beyond your ability to understand it. We were really hard-pressed to find a happy medium. AND, in a noisy room, it would've been impossible to hear anything.

Some merchants list these as 5 mile radios. The packaging says 10. The 1 watt GMRS suggests about 5-10. We got less than 1. Directly over a lake. In vehicles on the I-5, we drove less than 2 miles from their house (which is DIRECTLY ON the interstate) and got no signal.

I got back to my house in San Jose (on top of Communications Hill...the largest "hill" in the area) and could not communicate to my spouse less than 1/2 mile away while he was coming up our road!

Since the weekend, I have spent all my extra time on Amazon.com and Consumer Reports reviewing all the offerings. (the latter, Consumer Reports' reviews are from July in 2002!) So, I think I am going to return these and purchase the Midland 5 watt GXT500's from Amazon. Remember, doubling the wattage (in this case MORE than doubling) does not give double the signal. As another others have stated, increasing wattage increases only another portion of the distance--ie: 2 watts to 4 watts does NOT double the distance the signal can reach.)

Hope this reveiw helps you.

I don't know what the fuss from other reviewers is all about. These radios work fine. Like the rest of life, have realistic expectations. They sell for $43.69. Why do people expect the performance of a short wave radio? That is a recipe for disappointment. If you want the performance of $1000 2 way radios, buy that flavor and do not buy the inexpensive one.

I use them for skiing. So far, nothing else. They've been perfect. Compact size fits neatly into a pocket. Battery life is sufficient for a weekend trip. No- the signal doesn't wrap around mountains or curve into valleys. But anyone who actually reads about the declared range should have noted that the proclamation is based on "line of sight". I can't see how this should be a surprise to anyone. So far they've kept me in touch with my party mates on big mountains without any letdowns. No, they don't reach from the summit to the pub at the bottom, but again that is a line of sight issue - have realistic expectations for a $45 radio. They did however reach between the summits of Whistler and of Blackcomb. That seems like a reasonable range to me. Check out a map and see if you agree.

There's a comment in another review about them not seating well in the charger. This is true, but there is a super-simple remedy. There's a cradle for the handset that nests into the charger. If you remove the cradle, fit it on the handset, and then slide the two into the charger - presto, problem solved.

One feature I really like that isn't made obvious in the description is that the rechargeable battery is the same size and shape if three AA batteries. This is a nice option if your battery dies on the road, and your charger is at home.

All in all, I am 100% satisfied with this purchase. So far, the quality has been exactly what I expected from inexpensive electronics. The Chinese manufacturer that licensed these from Motorola put together a solid product.

I still think Motorola has got the 2-way radio technology down very well, but there are some flaws in the T5920 series that make me regret that I purchased them.

First off, the swivel belt clip is ridiculous. For this type of device it's much more useful to have a fixed clip. For many users of this type of equipment, a waist belt is the last place they'd clip it. With the horrible swivel, it's very hard to secure the radios to something like the outside of a backpack. No accessories are offered to help deal with this situation.

The second problem I have with the T5920 is that it is far too easy to accidentally turn on or off. A separate switch for on/off than the giant volume knob would be better, or some sort of hold/lock switch like you see on an Apple iPod device and similar small portable music devices.

Lastly, although I stated above that Motorola is in my mind still a leader in the 2-way radio market, with my pair of T5920's, I am very disappointed in the sound clarity.

I have been searching for a great set of GMRS radios and I really wanted to like these, but alas it wasn't to be. The radios have a nice look to them, but that is about all. The buttons on the face of the radios are easy enough to press and operate, but not at the expense of the menu system. It takes so many presses just to do a simple change, I got quickly disgusted with it. Not only did the units require lots of button presses to make simple changes, but I needed to hold this CLOSE to my face just to see the TINY display. The PTT (push to talk) buttons are inset into the side of the units, making them near impossible to even press. My wife and I both had problems holding the buttons in just to talk for anything longer than two words because they required such force to press. I can say the rechargable batteries are good, but could be better if they were NiMH batteries instead of the inferior NiCD batteries included. Also, range was good since I could reach near a mile through thick trees and hilly terrain, maybe farther in open terrain. I ultimately found a far superior set of radios for a cheaper price in another brand with all the features I wanted that I have also reviewed on Amazon.

Purchased these as a Christmas present for my father in law. Much improved version of the older motorola radios I have a lot more channels, rechargeble batteries and excellent performance. We used his new radios on our way to Orlando and they always worked even several miles apart. They even worked with my older radios when set to the same channel and security code. Amazon definetly had the best price we shopped everywhere including warehouse clubs and found amazon impossible to beat.

This radio is good for the kids. The am/fm provides options not available on all other such devices. It has a flexible antenna and includes a belt clip. I found the buttons somewhat difficult to push and the case a bit slippery. The serious user will want rubberized grips. Overall a good value.

I use the Frs 115 in a high noise enviroment. I bought it specifically for the radio function. I was forced to use a mono earpiece with it, as the internal speaker was totally inadequate. With earpiece it is decent. When my supervisor told me to quit using an earpiece, I purchased a handheld speaker/mic unit. I have tried two spkr/mic units with this radio and the output of the radio is totally unacceptable. The amp for the jacks seems to incompatible with Radioshack and Icom brands of spkr/mic. I want to try a Cobra spkr/mic. Also, my units couldn't pick up radio signals very well at all, even when outside of the house. Volume control only has 8 steps and will not turn unit all the way down. Auto interrupt for calls is a nice feature. I got my units refurbished , so that may be one reason I have had problems with them. The radios have also just stopped working a couple of times, and I had to let them sit for a minute before turning them back on. The fragile belt holster included with unit btoke while I was sitting in a Ferris Wheel.

It's nice to have a built in AM/FM radio in this FRS 2-way Cobra radio. While waiting for your party to call in, you can listen to your favorite stations and it 'cuts' in when they try to reach you.

The unit can be hard to 'program' but not any more than other devices like it, that have multiple uses. I didn't find the range to be any worse than my Motorola FRS radios. I like the beep that it provides when you stop talking, so the other party knows you are done.

The potential downside for some users is the 4 AAA batteries that it uses, but I use rechargables that I find last long enough for my useage, and helps cut down the cost as compared to alkaline batteries. See my review of the duracell rechargeables.

Bought four of these this past summer. Best range we've experienced is about 1 mile. That was once and the planets must have all been aligned "just perfectly". Usually get only a 1/3 to 1/2 mile. Two of the four units lately are so staticy and garbled you can't carry on a conversation. As soon as I get a chance their getting shipped back to Uniden under warranty.

I purchased this product several years ago because it's frequency codes were most compatible with its other products. Not so with other products. Also this had the NOAA weather feature, handy for hiking. Not only does this have 22 channels (1-14 FRS & 15-22 GMRS), but it has 38 privacy codes for each channel. The Amazon description is inaccurate with regard to range. This is a 1/2 mile (FRS) and maximum 2 mile (GMRS) unit. Two miles is ideal line of site, so if you can't be seen, your reception is reduced. I find that I can get approx 1/2 mile through houses, trees and hills in the neighborhood.
This is a fun toy for both me and my kids. It's better than any walkie-talkie. We use it between cars, in the mall, at the park, at the soccer tournament when one person is watching the younger child while the other is watching the older. It's also great when fixing something in the attic and having the switch turned off in the basement, or even in the office when coordinating a move. I plan on adding additional, more powerful units to this collection, maybe the Uniden GMR 1058.

I picked up a pair of these and they seem to be pretty nice radios for the money. The subcodes are compatible with the Motorola, and the range similar to other FRS products. I have never tested GMRS range. The weather alert is a nice feature. I have a couple issues with the product, the volume is too low, which is offset by having the mic gain too high, so the radio works well with its pair, but people other brands of radios may not be very loud, and others brands may have trouble understanding you when you speak 1 inch from the mic (speak further away). Also the squelch release is slower than Motorolas and Kenwoods, so the first thing people say may get cut off. Still not a bad radio for the price.

I've used Motorola FRS Radios in the past but got a good buy on these Cobras and they are supposed to have better range. Used them on three occasions with minimal actual use. Took them out this season and found that one receives but doesn't send, the other sends but doesn't receive. Of course they are out of warranty. Two out of two defective radios does not inspire me to try the brand again.

I was concerned with the warning about these radios containing lead and the need to wash your hands every time you used them, so I returned them unopened, I was dissapointed as I was exepecting them eagerly.

I orignally purchased the Motorola T6500R GMRS and then discovered the bad reviews on them. Promptly returned them and researched other radios. I was surprised by the lack of reviews on the newest Cobra, Motorola and Midland radios.

I went with the Cobra PR-3500's and have not been disappointed at all. For the price I never expected top notch UHF performance and range, but these perform. I've only being using GMRS in high power (2watts), but there are other lower power options including using the FRS bands at .5 watts. I love the fact these radios transmit with 2 watts in GMRS!

So I'm up here in Vermont and went hiking yesterday upto a summit of 3010' from a starting point of 700' which, as the bird flys, was about 6 miles from where the other unit was located with trees as obstacles. Brought the radio just in case, but really had low expectations that I'd be able to contact my wife from up there. I pressed the call button and sure enough she responded. Having contacted her, I had the option of taking another trail down and her picking me up cutting off about 1000' from the trail down.

Bottom line, these radios performed, they have great battery life because of the power saver circuitry, they have other options to even get more range by shutting off the targeted squelch system -- aka CTCSS Privacy Codes.

One of these units was doa, and the menu system was incomprehensible. We ended up getting the Motorola 5200 and although the earpiece that came with the units is a waste we are very pleased with the price/performance/ease of the 5200s. Don't waste time with the audiovox. ...

These radios have everything I need:
- voice activation (first word needs to be loud)
- NOAA Weather
- compact size
I use them when rock climbing so I don't have to shout to my partner (especially useful in Gunks on crowded days).

So if you are not emotionally attached to Motorolas and features/price ratio is important to you, I recommend these radios. I give them 4 stars just because I've never used other radios so I've got nothing to compare them to. For my use they are 5 star radios.

I bought a pair of FRS 104's for a recent trip to wine country and was quite disappointed. The channel button has NO LOCK, and is large and easy to bump (i.e. accidentally change). This flaw rendered the FRS 104 virtually unusable! You can't put this radio in your purse or pocket and still stay in touch. You can't even casually pick it up to carry on a conversation without the danger of inadvertant channel changes. I e-mailed Cobra about this, but was snubbed and told to take it up with my retailer. Fortunately Lowe's has a great exchange policy and I'm now the proud owner of 2 Motorola T6220's-for a mere 13 dollars more. I would NOT recommend this product to anyone. No way, No how.

This is a great set of radios for the price to include the charging station. Great range and clarity. I haven't had to use them no more than one kilometer, but with all the buildings in my area, these are great. Really practical without all the extras.

Con--NO KEYPAD LOCK! I had to constantly check to see if I was on the right channel due to the equipment I carry hanging across my chest, but to stay alert is to stay alive so I adapted.