Uniden GMR1235-2 2-Way 12 Mile 2 Pack GMRS/FRS Radios Review

Those Uniden GMR1235-2 2-way Radios are so compact, you can easily hold both in one hand (see my Customer Image). They are also very inexpensive (around $20 for a pair), so one may think of them as just toys for kids, But in fact they can be used by kids and adults alike - provided that you start with the correct expectation.

First of all, forget about the manufacturer's claim of '12-mile' range. That is only possible under the most optimistic test condition (transmitting from one hill top to another with clear line-of-sight). In an urban environment, you are lucky if you can get one or two miles. With this limited range in mind, this walkie talkie set can still be very useful in many places (such as in a National Park, or a large shopping mall). The sound quality is quite decent - similar to an AM radio.

Next, this thing is a battery-eater if you use disposable alkaline cells (three AAA per radio). The manufacturer claims an average battery life of '20 hours'. But again, this is under a special test condition of '5/5/90', which means 5% transmit, 5% receive, and 90% idle time. The device consumes different amount of current during different operation modes, as shown below:

- While transmitting: 400mA
- While receiving: 50-100mA (depending on volume level)
- While idling: around 15mA.

If you do a lot of transmission, a set of alkaline cells is likely to run flat in less than two hours (because alkaline cells are very inefficient at high current). My advice is to buy some good quality rechargeable cells, such as the Kodak AAA NiMH 850 mAh, to power those radios. That way, not only will you save money on batteries, you can even get longer run time per charge.


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Product Description:
PRODUCT FEATURES:Up to 12 miles range (Range varies with terrain)22 channels (15 GMRS, 7 FRS)Battery strength meterKeypad lockChannel scanChannel monitor1 call toneRoger beepBelt clip included

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