Okay, Motorolla or Cobra two Way Radios?

[cindala]

I've narrowed it down to either the Motorolla 5200's or the Cobra 2252's. Both have 14 channels and 38 subcodes. Motorolla ($49.99) and Cobra ($59.99-20.00 rebate=$39.99) prices are close, but I am more concerned with which is a better unit, range wise, ease of use, reliability, and durability.

Does anyone have experience with one of these models? Which would you go with? Thanks!!

 

[LMC]

We just got the Memorex GMRS radios for Christmas. We've only used a couple of times but they have a 5-mile range and it looks like they have 15 channels w/ 38 subs (sorry I'm not too familiar with radio but I have not used it much). Got them at Target for $39 or $49 each.
They range out did the 2-miles that we had when we compared them. This is through wooded areas so I am hoping they will work great at WDW!

 

[RobinLyn]

Amazon.com has a great deal on a Midland 2-way Radio, 75517CBX 14 Channels, 38 CTCSS and 83 DCS digital privacy codes, 2 mile range and includes batteries and charger for $29.95 regular price $99.95. I purchased 2 and received them yesterday. They are wonderful for the price, even without a rebate!

RobinLyn

 

[hellokitty]

we have never had trouble w/our motorolla's , but never had a cobra

 

[rkalm]

Bought the Cobra's, very happy! Even bought the Zebra and Leopard faceplates for AKL to surprise my daughters once we are there. They are the plastic snapfronts you can change, gimmicky but will be fun for the vacation.

 

[Jacket93]

I have The Motorola talk about 250 and they work great. Have not had any problem with them.

 

[QuickGold]

If your still a bit perplexed, I advise you to visit Epinions. Its a great site for reviewing anything you are considering purchasing.

 

[cindala]

QuickGold,
Thanks for the info about epinions. I checked out some ratings, and the Motorolla was widely recommended. They only had the Cobra radios without the subchannels rated though.

 

[Deb Doodle]

Don't be fooled by low price. Like most things, you get what you pay for. Motorola is by far the better choice. The technology used in all of Motorola's radios is far superior to others. For use at WDW, I would suggest the T6220 (for a little more $$ than the T5200). Some handy features ... vibrating alert and weather alert. I've done my homework and I know you'll be happy with this choice!

 

[RobinLyn]

What makes the motorola 2 way radios "far superior" and what technology do they have that makes them the best ones to buy?

RobinLyn

 

[Deb Doodle]

I've researched this at length and found several interesting things about Motorola's manufacturing. They use extentsive testing during their quality control process, submiting their units to a number of harsh environmental situations. It's called accelerated life testing that sujects the radios to vibration, salt, moisture, heat, cold and a number of other ugly situations. The units are not released for sale until they pass these tests. Also, I found that Motorola uses a companding technology that allows the radio receivers to be far more sensitive to weak signal therefore allowing better clarity at further range. The FCC limits the transmit power on all FRS radios to 1/2 watt but Motorola units can talk further and clearer due to the superior electronics used their manufacturing process. Don't be fooled by low priced imitations. It only costs a little more to go first class!

 

[Gillian]

Anyone here work for motorola?

Thanks for the info! I, too, will be purchasing radios soon. I don't need them until the fall so I'm watching for sales on the higher end models. When do the new versions come out?

 

[RobinLyn]

I'm all for buying the best you can afford. We will only be using our 2-way radios a few times a year. So to buy the best is not as important to us as buying the best TV, computer, washer/dryer, etc. I bought the Midlands and they work great. Midland is the oldest manufacturer of CB radios in the US and the first to market a 14 channel FRS radio, since 1959. I'm sorry but I'm not a big fan of Motorola products, especially their telephones. Many of the best 2-way radios are expensive and have feature's that we won't use or need at WDW. There is a good article on what to look for in a 2-way FRS radio here for anyone interested:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/157037/102-9331398-8560162#FRSBenefitsandDrawbacks

 

[cindala]

Thanks for the article, it was very informative in describing all the features and differences among the FRS radios.

I'm still shopping for a good price, but am leaning towards the Motorolla brand.

 

[Cora]

We've had our Cobra's for about 2 1/2 years. After extensive research I bought them. There was an off-road message board and testing site and the Cobra brand was found to be the best for off-road use (Not that we use them for this). At the time they were the only ones with vibra-alert. They were also water resistant and the antenna folded down. We love them and have gotten so much use out of them. My son uses them in the neighborhood so I can keep track of him.

Cora

 

[violet13]

The first ones I bought were 2 "Maxon's" without the subcodes, before these things got popular and came down in price. They have always worked VERY well. Then I thought I'd buy one of those Blue Motorola ones that Walmart sell, I ended up taking it back for being staticky, where as with my "Maxon" brand never did and interacted better than the Motorola. If it was the area, then the Maxon also should have been staticy also ..but wasn't. So I took it back and bought another MOtorola, a red one, and again, I had this static problem that I didn't with my Maxon's, so back it went. Then I bought a Uniden one (with Subcodes), it's Ok, but didn't like the very loud and long call feature, at this point, I feel I am "collecting'" these radios (I have 4 kids). Then I saw the "Bell south" FRS radio at Walmart with the 38 Subcodes for only $14.98 a peice. I bought one of these, and I LOVE IT THE BEST, and it was the CHEAPEST I've seen!! They all interact with each other. I always assumed Motorola would be the best, that's why I bought 2 of them in a row, but they didn't work well for me at all, not compared to these cheaper other brands. So that's my expericence.

 

[violet13]

The first ones I bought were 2 "Maxon's" without the subcodes, before these things got popular and came down in price. They have always worked VERY well. Then I thought I'd buy one of those Blue Motorola ones that Walmart sell, I ended up taking it back for being staticky, where as with my "Maxon" brand never did and interacted better than the Motorola. If it was the area, then the Maxon also should have been staticy also ..but wasn't. So I took it back and bought another MOtorola, a red one, and again, I had this static problem that I didn't with my Maxon's, so back it went. Then I bought a Uniden one (with Subcodes), it's Ok, but didn't like the very loud and long call feature, at this point, I feel I am "collecting'" these radios (I have 4 kids). Then I saw the "Bell south" FRS radio at Walmart with the 38 Subcodes for only $14.98 a peice. I bought one of these, and I LOVE IT THE BEST, and it was the CHEAPEST I've seen!! They all interact with each other. I always assumed Motorola would be the best, that's why I bought 2 of them in a row, but they didn't work well for me at all, not compared to these cheaper other brands. So that's my expericence.

 

[LKS]

I had been reading these posts and shopping for radios - looking at Cobra, Motorola etc... Then, today at Kroger, hanging on an endcap, they had Uniden Eco Treks with 14 channels, 38 sub-channels, vibra alert - really every feature I had been looking for and they were only $9.99 each. Well, I snapped them up and have since put in batteries to try them and they work, but it's hard to tell how well 'till someone else gets home from school or work to take the other one farther than arms length from me! Anyway - it's definitely the cheapest I've see for one with the sub-channels, so if you have Kroger, you might look around next time you're buying groceries.

PS - that call feature IS loud and long! I will be using vibra-alert a lot. I tried all 5 call tones, and they are all loud and long!

 

[KissMeKate]

I've never sent a post before so I'm not sure what I'm doing. But I've seen these comments on radios and feel that what I've seen may influence your decision.

I was at an outdoor festival last summer when I saw something fly up in the air and crash to the ground. I went over to see what the crowd was watching and it was a Motorola demonstration. These guys were showing how durable their radios were by tossing them 15 to 20 feet in the air, picking them up and were still able to talk on them. There were some people from the audience that had other brands of radios that would not toss theirs on the concrete. The Motorola folks offered to give them a new set if theirs broke. One fellow did take them up on the challege. He tossed his up about 5 feet. It was funny because it shattered with pieces going everywhere. Obviously would never work again. They gave the man a new pair of radios so he was very happy. Then some others wanted to do the same and started talking about how they had had problems with their offbrand purchase.

My mind was made up immediately. Any company that has that much trust in their product must know something more that we do.

I hope this is helpful.

KmK

 

[RAudette8]

FYI I bought Motorola talkabouts 4 years ago (required refinancing the house) and one went swimming in a fresh water basin in New Hampshire...I took out the batteries and let it air dry...and it worked fine

I work w/ thier communication products daily and have no complaints

Ron