2 way radios...Do They Work?

[cruisnfamily]

I've read many times about people using the two way radios on board ship. Some folks say that they are indispensable and that they used them constantly. Other folks say they didn't work on board. I also remember reading that if you do go out and buy them you should buy the ones that have "sub" something??? I don't remember what it was you should be sure to get.

Anyway, we are considering purchasing these (not just for on the ship but just to have) and wondered if anyone could share the pros and cons of the 2 way radios. Also, any input as to the most important features would be great.

Thanks in advance for your helpful replies!

 

[mpaone]

We cruised last October with our 3 kids ages 13 (boy), 10 and 8 (girls). I bought the Motorola radios from Costco, cant remember the price but they were pretty inexpensive. We brought 3 and gave the girls each one and my husband or I would keep the other. They would use them anytime they were going to sign themselves out of the club or leave wherever they were. Most of the time they worked fine, other times they were a little fuzzy or their voices didnt come thru at all. Overall I'm glad we brought them, it made me feel more comfortable knowing where they were at all times. If your a worry-wart like me I'd say by all means bring them. We are cruising again this October and I will definitely bring them!

 

[CRB#33]

We kused the Motorolla Talkabouts #T289. It has 9 channels and 38 subchannels, so you can use an main channel and choose from an additional subchannel to increase your chances of no one being on your channel. If they are-just find another.

We used them all the time and never had a problem. Once and a while we could not understand what was being said, but we could deal with that. With a large group of us, all going different directions, it was great!

You do have to remember that when you call one person, all the group that is on the same channel can hear.

 

[nedleycan]

We are cruising first week of December and will bring our radios for sure. We have never used them on a cruise, but we use them when skiing, and also on our boat. We will give our friends a radio for their boat, and as we go along we can talk to each other (about where we are going, if we need gas, etc.) without using cell phones. I think they are going to be great for the cruise. We also have the Motorola that the previous person was talking about.

 

[tkd lisa]

We had Motorola ones too, but they didn't have sub-channels. They didn't work well on board the ship for us. In particular, the didn't work from the room at all (we were on Deck 7). If I walked out to the atrium, they worked sometimes.

For our family, it became a frustration factor. If you took the walkie talkies planning to "call" when you wanted to meet, and they didn't work, it was a major hassle.

i.e. my DH took my DS to the movie while I had DDs hair braided. He took the walkie talkie and said that he'd call if they left the movie early. He never "called" (he did, but it didn't work), so I didn't know to wait for him at the hairbraiding. Just one of those little things. If you do use them, have a backup plan.

 

[tchrmom]

We took talkies, and they worked great......but for the ship, we bought new ones that had a 5 mile reach. We had read on this board, that some had trouble with the regular walkies. We went to CircuitCity and bought Cobra MicroTalk. No matter WHERE we were, we could talk to our son! They whole time, we never had any crossover from another walkie. Get them!

 

[dylan'smom]

We used them & they were life-savers!! Well, maybe not literally, but they sure helped out the whole time.

They were Motorola & had the 2-mile radius, but had lots of sub channels so we found one no one else was using. There was one spot on board we discovered that didn't work. In our cabin on deck 2, I couldn't hear DS on deck 3 once, BUT a third person in our group on deck 8 relayed the message! Too funny -- never did figure that out.

Anyway, they worked great for us -- wouldn't go again without them!!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Do these Cobra Microtalks have sub channels? How much do they cost. How much for the motorolas with the sub channels?

This is great! Thanks Everybody!

 

[GoofyDonald]

Here's a tip that I think is invaluable. You must make up code names for each other. If your DS or DD says "Mom" or "Dad" into the walkabouts you may get several replies. Even common names for children can get several replies. So, if you make up unique code names for each other you won't wonder if its your message or another mom's or dad's or etc.

 

[MrsScooby]

In a recent Consumer Reports magazine they compared some of the different two-way radios. We went with the Cobra model and are practicing with it at home. The neighborhood pool is several blocks away and we have been able to hear each other without a problem. We have a FRS type (2 mile). I'm going to really test it when we go to Six Flags next week!
Laurie

 

[PeterPanTwinFans]

I, too, read the Consumer Reports findings and bought their recommendation - Cobra FRS225 over the weekend at Office Depot for $69.99 with a $20 mail-in rebate. Office Depot didn't sell the rechargable batteries or the charger so I went online to Cobra.com and bought those so I don't have to worry about bringing batteries or buying them onboard. The rechargable batteries were pricey ($25 each) and the charger was $20 but I think the payback will be good in the long run. We've used the radios in the neighborhood and been very pleased with the voice quality and reception. They are only the 2 mile variety but have 38 subchannels. We'll take them to Utah skiing next spring as well so hope we'll get our money's worth.

Just food for thought - Consumer Reports tested several brands and models and felt that Motorola's talk button on the front of the unit was a big disadvantage as it was uncomfortable to use. They mentioned this in each Motorola rating.

Thanks for the advice on code names! I'm sure "mom" or "dad" would get lots of replies on board!! My twin DS8 will love coming up with these!!

 

[aprilgail2]

I have one thing to add to this..TURN THEM OFF IN THE MOVIES!!!! We were watching a movie and someone in there had a radio and the darn thing was going off all the time, VERY annoying to those around you trying to watch the show!!!

 

[mcnuss]

We have the Cobras and our friends have the Motorolas. We took them on our ski vacation last year and we had no problems with the Cobras while our friends were aggravated to death over the Motorolas. They kept accidentally hitting the talk button that was located on the front. I got the Cobras at Costco last January; they cost $79 but came with the rechargeable batteries & charger, and there was a $25 rebate.

We also took them to WDW last May and loved them. However, a couple of caveats. 1. Don't put them in your purse or backpack. In a loud place, you won't hear them! 2. Make sure who has which device when you separate. We had one funny incident with my DH, step-dad, mother, brother, DD8 & me. Mother & DD8 decided they did not want to ride Space Mtn. and went shopping. The rest of us went to queue up and learned SM was closed temporarily. We had not planned to meet for an hour so we decided to call mom & DD8. At that point, we each reached into a pocket, pulled out 2 radios & 3 cell phones and realized that among 5 adults, my mother was the only one not with us and the only one without a comm device. Oops.

 

[Fawn]

We have had the radios for years, and have taken them to fairs, concerts, parks, cruises, beaches...you name it! We love them!

The way names come to be is a lot of fun. My girls had their names picked out, but when my older one started saying Yo all the time to get our attention, she quickly became YoYo! My little one is a flitter...she flits from one spot to another and hence really needs the radio. Her handle? Tink...short for Tinkerbell...the original flitter!

You can't make a better investment in my opinion!

 

[PeterPanTwinFans]

Mcnuss,

Wish I'd gotten the radios last year at Costco like you did! Great deal! I just went on Costco.com and the only radios they have are Motorola and the sets are $139 or $159. Ouch! I need to get another set of the Cobra 225's since there will be more of us on this sailing so maybe I'll shop around better this time!

Wonder why our countdown's are so different?

 

[mcnuss]

PeterPanTwinFans

I'd wait a bit b4 buying the radios. They are such a hot item for the holidays and Costco usually has that stuff by September, maybe they will have them again cheaper? I've also seen them at Best Buy, but never for that low a price. I was just in the right place at the right time (which seems to be the way it works with Costco).

As for the counters, I did not notice a big difference. I think I used November 23 at 10:30 am as the time. What did you use?

 

[lotsofboys]

We just returned from the Magic and took our Motorolas with the 2 mile radius and they worked great. The best use was DH disemabarked first to get the rental van while we were eating breakfast and we radioed him as we came out of customs which saved him circling and getting aggravated! The advice not to put it in your purse or backpack is right on because speaking from experience you WILL NOT hear it.

 

[tiptoen]

I have Cobras and am quite pleased. One tip I have is that if you want to hear in a noisy situation you can use one of those small earphones like the old time AM radios. You might look like you work for the Secret Service but they work great. You can also use this in places like the movies or wherever you do not want to disturb anyone but still would like to monitor your radio. I also have a headset with a mic that works good although I don't like it on the ship .......stupid looking tan lines.
tip

 

[cruisnfamily]

Wow, everybody, thanks for the great replies!

It sounds like the Cobras would be the best bet. I will keep my eye out for good deals.

I also picture using them when our DD9 is out and about around the neighborhod. It seems somehow classier to call her on the walkie talkies than to stand in my driveway shouting her name when it is time for dinner.

 

[Fawn]

For anyone on AOL, do you see the special on 2-way radios today? It's for Cobra FRS 2-way radios.

One SET is $39.95 plus a $20 rebate...making it $20!! Two sets is $79.90 plus two $20 rebates...making it $40 for four radios!

Can this be right? Is this the radios everyone is talking about? If so, I'm grabbing several pairs now!

Here's the ad. Anybody think it's too good to be true?


AOL presents a special offer on Cobra's
two-way radios.

• Clear connection and no interference.
• Perfect for camping, bike trails or the mall!
• Light, compact design is easy to carry.

Ever wish you could talk to someone who wasn't within earshot? Like locating your children at the mall or contacting a fellow skier while on the slopes?

Now you can! With Cobra's Microtalk two-way radios, you can stay in touch while on the go!

Let the adventures begin – and stay in touch! It's easy! These two-way radios are loaded with features to help make your journey more fun and easier to stay in touch! Now you can do your thing while your kids wander around and do theirs. Because you can stay in constant contact, with no airtime charges, it's easy to keep connected to everyone in your group!

How does it work?
Family Radio Service (FRS) is the hot new wireless technology that makes it easy for groups of people to keep in touch up to 2 miles away. You will be able to communicate on any of the main 14 channels with any other FRS radio set to the same frequency.

Here are some of Cobra's exciting features:

Don't let the stylish design fool you. These ultra-compact radios are small, stylish, and provide maximum convenience for a very reasonable price.

Easy-to-Use. Simple as pushing a button to talk, and releasing to listen. Cobra's two-way radios prove that communication doesn't have to be complicated.

Clear Connection up to 2 miles away: Experience clear, interference-free connections up to 2 miles away – through buildings, thick forests, hills and other dense structures, even in crowded, noisy environments!

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With 14 channels and 38 subchannels, you don't have to worry about other groups disturbing your conversations. You'll feel like you have your very
own channel!

Headphone Jack allows you to use headphones so you can communicate even when you hands are full, such as when you are skiing, carrying a baby or bringing back beers for the group at the ball game!

Be safer. Because you can keep tabs with everyone in your group, it's a safer – and more fun – with Cobra's two-way radios.

Dual-purpose belt clip doubles as a handy desktop stand for storage or a convenient belt-clip for hands-free portability!

Special "Auto Squelch" technology automatically shuts off weak transmissions and unwanted noise when you have reached your range limit so that you continue to have a clear connection.

SuperFlex antenna withstands the demands of an active lifestyle. Your durable two-way radios are built to withstand the rigors of adventures!

Backlit LCD Display clearly shows you important information, even in low light.

Battery Level Indicator shows you when battery power is low at a glance.

Rechargeable Batteries including charger save you time and money.

Roger Beep Confirmation Tone alerts the other party when you have released the Talk button and it's OK for them to begin talking. This way, neither party talks over the other.

The Lock Function allows you to lock your radio so that keys are not accidentally pressed.

AOL Members: Save 50%!
Through this special offer, AOL Members can get these 2 amazing radios for less than $10 each! That's a savings of $20! (after mfr. mail in rebate)

So why wait? Whether you and your friends are blazing a trail or it's a family outing to the mall, make your adventures easier and safer with these ultra-compact two-way radios. Keeping in touch has never been easier or more affordable! Order yours today!

Specifications:
Dimensions 2-1/8" W x 4-5/8" H x 1" D
Unit Weight 3.4 oz.