2-Way Radios??

[Debs5angels]

I know this question must have been asked a thousand times before, but I'm about to pull all my hair out of my head!
I am soooo confused about which brand, make, style radio really works in the park. I tried researching different brands and models but I think I made myself more confused. Can anyone tell me, from experience on using them in DW, which ones are the best? I thought about using our cell phones but that means paying roaming fees. Not good!! Thanks for anyone's help.

Debs5angels

 

[KathyR]

Just make sure you get radios w/sub channels on it, or else it may very likely be useless.

Brands don't really make that much of a difference, so don't stress over it. We have Motorolas (probably the biggest name in radios) and Unidens, and they both work great.

If possible, get a set that has the vibrate feature. It is really nice to have, so you can "call" your partner w/o making any noise that would disturb people enjoying an attraction (including yourself). My husband and I use the vibrate feature when we need to get ahold of each other, so when we need to talk to the other we just press "call". This makes the other radio vibrate (you have to have the vibrate feature turned on or else it rings) If we get vibed while in an attraction, we just vibe the person back by pressing "call" which indicates to them that we are on a ride/at an attraction, hang tight and we will return your call when we exit. This way we are not missing the attraction talking to them and the others around us aren't either Just a little curtosy we worked out. This means that if you are the person calling, you are in an area where you can talk (not in an attraction).

Also, have a plan while using them to switch to another predetermined code when asked by your talking buddy because of a crowded channel.

I think that is more than you asked for, but I hope it helped

 

[Jacket93]

Like the prior person pointed out they all work the same.
I also recommend the ones with the sub channels they help cut down on the chatter you will hear on the radio.

with the prices of the radios dropping it seems like everyone has one down there.

The Cell Phone deal works if you have a nation wide plan Verizon has one and there is no roaming or long distance charges to pay.

 

[CWIPPERMAN]

This is another thread about the radios: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=390286 . It was more focused on the difference between GMRS & FRS Radios, but there is some good information from several different folks there. I also sell radios from "Midland Radio" - which is the company that first introduced two-way radios in the United States. There are a couple of the radios that I sell featured in that post.

My biggest advice (and, the advice about sub-codes is good), is to get a radio with rechargeable batteries. If you buy a set of "cheap" radios from one of the super-stores (I know places like best buy & k-mart sell the "no-frills" radios for 2/$25.00), you will soon find you are paying through the nose for batteries.

 

[jdonat]

Radios have become essential for our
family -we've got a matched set of 4
Motorola FRS/GMRS radios. Check
Best Buy/Office Max/Office Depot for
deals. We just won't go to the parks
without them. Some of the reviews
indicate that the Moto's arent as strong
in range than other radios, but the Motos
are much more durably built than
the Cobra's, for example.

The range varies, but we've been able to
get from the bridge that is in front of
Splash over to Small World -pretty
consistantly. We havent really tested the
range on the GMRS radios yet -we will
in 6 weeks!

The Motorolas and Cobras sub codes match so they work just fine together.

Have fun!