FRS radios

[henryboy32]

I received three sets of FRS radios. Motorola 5200, Cobra, and AudioVox. The AudioVox, I ruled out because it required a FCC license but it did have the weather channels. The Motorola and Cobra are similiar with no weather channels. Motorola has the 38 subchannels and cobra does not. The cobra comes with rechargable battery setup. I am thinking of returning all three and upgrading the Motorola to additional features. Does anyone have any suggestions to help my decision on the radios?

[mich buckmaster]

I like the motorolas, I have been using them and they seem to last longer and are very clear.

[Dangler]

Henry, I wish I had your problem! I agree with your idea, I like Motorola. I've used a set of FR-50s for two years now and I luv 'em, even though they're just basic units. My buddy just got a pair of Motorola 6220s, I think, that have a lot of features. While you're at it, get a pair of earbuds, too, if you don't already. Gotta have those if you're gonna hunt with your radios on.

[Shotgun]

Have used Motorola FR-60's for two years. They work fine. We keep them off for the most part and check in on the hour, or after a shot in the area. Use them for fishing and in stores, etc. More features, higher cost. Personally, I don't think the extra features are worth the extra cost. I do like the 38 privacy channels.

[1sh0t]

henry, i also have motorolas and they are great, you need the 38 subchannels though, it keeps all the other noise out. But if you can take back all of them i would, then you can get a really nice set and the earbud, and additional features.

[BEAGLEMAN]

We use the Motorola Talkabout's and are really happy with them. I also use the ear bud and would recommend you try one.

[Sarge]

Our hunting party (ies) use the mostly the Motorola FR50 or FR60 radios. They are dependable and we are accustomed to the way they sound. We can tell in a heartbeak if someone brings a Cur to the pack.

When we started, we had the only ones in the area. We hunt private land, surrounded by private land. One word of advice. If you hunt where a lot of other people hunt, you will want the privacy codes, they keep out info from the other groups. On the other hand you need to be monitoring those other groups so you aren't walking on them during their conversations. The FR50's won't do that but the 60's will. (so will some other models)

If you use some radio ethics, and not have long talks and don't break in on strangers, it all works out nicely. When people don't use radio ethics it gets very frustrating and I just have to turn my radio off. The periodic check-ins sounds great. No bother and yet good security.

[MIBow]

I have FR50 and love them. It sure is a great way to keep in contact with your hunting party. I can not imagine gun season without them!! I would agree with the others, trade the whole bunch in and get the best Motorolas you can afford. They seem superior in construction and quaility to me.

I am a volunteer firefighter and Motorola is THE brand for public service radio eqiupment.

My kids love to take mine to the mall!! They are great for road trips if you have more than one car. We use them on the river trout fishing with great results too.

I think you will find many uses for them.

[haymaker]

I have a pair of Un-Wired UFR-850 radios that we used for the first time this last deer season. I'm very happy with the clarity of the sound. Range was not a problem for how we were using them (less than 1 mile). I like the idea of the radios having a re-chargeable battery. My radios use four AAA batteries. They lasted only about 2 days when we used the radios alot. Whatever you end up with, have fun!

[Al, L]

I like the vox unit but had to buy a second set. The ones that clip to your lapel wouldn't work when we were on snowmobiles or atv's as the helment got in the way {we think}. any way the boom jobs work much better even for those who we were constinaly telling to speak in to the mike.
Al

[Sarge]

vox is not very good for deer hunting or any hunting where you might be better off whispering. In the first place they take a split second to start and you may miss part of the beginning. secondly, you need to speak with authority to keep them keyed up. For traveling or any non hunting uses they are great.

[henryboy32]

Well, thanks for all the advice. My choice was to return all of them and I upgraded the Motorola to the T6200 model and I even get a $30 rebate for both of them.

[H2OFowl'er]

HB32,

I realize that Im a little to late, but Ill give you my opinion anyways, just in case it could still help. VOX is useless in a hunting situation, just like Sarge said. Things I like about the Cobras we use are: 1) the weather reports, priceless accurate from NOAA. 2)the vibrate call. This is a must when hunting. One thing i wish we did have was recharge system. We seem to go through a bunch of batteries...

[Banditto]

One thing we like is we have a base unit for the cabin where we hunt called the AudioVox FRS1000. That way it is always on and it has a built in weather alert.