Motorola T5950 Rechargeable GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair)

Rating:
Summary: Fcc License does not affect range
Review: Everyone please understands that getting the FCC license for any GMRS radio does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to increase the range of the radio. The license is a piece of paper so the FCC may track who is using GMRS frequencies, nothing more. They used to do the same for CB users in the 70's. They do not track FRS freqs because of the low output power of FRS radios. Range is affected by output power of the radio but mostly by obstacles between you and the other radio. Trees, walls, buildings, hills, etc. reduce the range considerably. A true test of range is on open water or unobstructed Line-Of-Sight from one hilltop to another. (Not everyone has a boat) Buy three different sets from different brands and try them near a lake to test, return the ones that are not to your liking.



Rating:
Summary: Awsome
Review: I am stationed in IRAQ and thees radios work great.

Rating:
Summary: Great radio for the buck!
Review: I bought a set of these to use at Pony Trails (A rally of about 400 Ford Mustangs) this year. I have a 1966 Mustang and my brother has a '68 both with 289cid V8 engines and flow master exhaust systems, in short they are loud!! I am pleased to report that the radios functioned flawlessly over the 3+ hr drive. My cellphone did not! When combined with the hands free headset we where able to have conversations, give directions, insult each others driving and so on with out inturption even when seperated by more then 2.5 miles!!

Rating:
Summary: FINE product...but BEWARE of the "Knockoff"
Review: I have used this product for a few years, and it generally performs well and offers some really fine features. But...Beware of the manufacturer's "official knockoff" sold at a lower price in many "big boxes"...and even here at Amazon. A copy of another review I filed here follows...

As an outdoor enthusiast, I placed the "regarded" Motorola T5950R FRS/GMRS 2-way radio pair on my Christmas list. While attempting to acquire this set in a chain sporting goods store, my father was "steered" to the alleged Motorola model T6500 by a store associate who said that model was a new replacement for the T5950. After being informed of this, I decided to do some web research, and interestingly found that the model T6500 was NOT to be found ANYWHERE on the Motorola web site.

Seems the T6500 is a "licensed knockoff" of the T5950 by Motorola's mainland-Chinese electronics manufacturer. The units look the same except for the face plate color (Yellow=T5950 / Khaki=T6500). The features are identical--as is the packaging. Only a small indication on the rear of the T6500 package discloses that the product is "Manufactured and sold by Giant International, Ltd., official licensee for this product." Furthermore, it is warranted and supported EXCLUSIVELY by the MANUFACTURER-NOT MOTOROLA!

Now...To the "differences"...and there ARE some-ALL performance related. While Motorola may license their name, logo, and design to an offshore OEM producer, you can be sure that they reserve their customer support AND several technical enhancements for models THEY specifically brand and market.

A side by side comparison between the genuine Motorola T5950 and its T6500 "imposter" reveals several performance issues. The T5950 has relatively good coverage (considering the communications class); audio loudness and clarity that are sufficient for reliable reception on a congested and "spotty" broadcast service; and NOAA Weather Station reception that is fairly good...even 30-50 miles from the desired station. I did not compare the T6500s transmit-receive coverage, but its audio quality and "punch" are WELL BELOW that of the "genuine" T5950. Furthermore, Weather Band reception on my T6500 sample (both units in the set) was very nearly NONFUNCTIONAL.

In conclusion: It is well worth spending a few bucks more for the "Real McCoy" genuine Motorola T5950 (I actually spent $4 LESS with a rebate here on Amazon). You'll appreciate the "domestic support", improved transmit audio quality, and a weather receiver that actually may save your life when you're out on the water!


Rating:
Summary: good walkie talkie
Review: I just purchased the T5950 2 weeks ago, and used it every day at work (around a hospital) the last 2 weeks. It works great so far. The reception is quite clear - no static, better than any of the 2-mile walkie talkies I had before, obviously. I suppose the noise reduction QT feature does work. It has several channels and security codes that I have not experienced any interference from other users. I purposedly used it in different buildings to see if the range would be affected, and it does, I would say the range would be less than 1 mile if you have several obstructions in between such as buildings or mountains. I charge it overnight every day, and the charge would hold for at least the 8 hr working day. I will use it next week on the ski slope, will see how well it works there. I bought my at Sam's for around $70, and sent in a $15 rebate, so I would say it is a good deal. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the purchase.

Rating:
Summary: Broken
Review: I needed my Motorola radios today but they were defective and I am still waiting for Motorola to get moving and send me a replacement set. Buy Cobra or Midland.

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Summary: GREAT TWO WAY SET UP
Review: I SHOPPED AROUND FOR WALKY TALKIES AND FOR THE PRICE I PAID ON AMAZON THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE MONEY. WE USED THEM WHILE CAMPING AND THEY ARE A GREAT ITEM TO KEEP TRACK OF THE KIDS WHO WERE NEVER AT THE CAMP SITE UNTIL WE CALLED THEM ON THE RADIO. BEATS THE HECK OUTTA HAVING TO DRIVE UP TO WHERE THEY WERE TO TELLEM IT'S TIME TO EAT!!!

Rating:
Summary: Okay
Review: I think with ALL these 2 mile + walkie-talkie brands, the ONLY reason they DO NOT REACH their SAID RANGE is because the USERS don't GET THEIR FCC LISCENSES! THE RANGE ONLY WORKS IF YOU HAVE AN FCC LISCENSE! IF YOU AREN'T WILLING TO GET THE LISCENSE, DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WALKIE-TALKIE RANGE.

Rating:
Summary: Licenses have zero to do with range
Review: The idiot who posted that a license is required to get the range is just plain wrong. The FCC can no more regulate the range of the radio than it can the weather. The license is required to operate the radio - it is **PERMISSION** from the government to share in the frequency range this unit covers. Pfft. Some folks...

Rating:
Summary: Broken Belt Clip
Review: The radios work great, but the belt clip is very fragil and broke on the first day we used it.