|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 21:24:45 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 20, 2006 21:24:45 GMT -6
Was wondering if anyone had any experiance with the Midland GXT 500, 550 or 650 frs/gmrs radios? The 500 and 550 are 5 watt 14 mile range and the 650 is 5 watt 18 mile range.
Was also wondering about the Midland LXT 420 4 watt 16 mile ranges frs/gmrs radios. Anybody used any of these?
Supposedly their all pretty good or so the salesman said. I got a pair of older ones going south on me and need to replace them.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 21:50:58 GMT -6
Post by Whiskers on Jun 20, 2006 21:50:58 GMT -6
I haven't used any of those, mine are cobras and audiovox.I have been looking at some new ones my self,i've had mine about 4 years or so.the 500 looks like a pretty decent radio and the 550 i've seen i think is the same radio in a camo version.the 500/550 has the weather channel while the 420 has the all hazzard weather alert.other than that it's pretty much like the 500 except for the 500 has a volume knob on top while the 420 has the volume on a pushbutton and the extra range. Myself I would pony up for the 600/650.With the 600 you have the volume knob(which I like better) 18 mile range,all hazzard alert,121 privacy codes per channel,and hi/med/lo selectable power.the 650 is the camo version which also comes with the animal calls(duck,goose,owl,elk,turkey)i'm not sure what that really amounts to.I would try to get the 650 probably if it was me.I think they are in the $60 range a pair and about an extra $20 if you get the rechargable batteries and chargers.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 22:37:35 GMT -6
Post by slabmaster on Jun 20, 2006 22:37:35 GMT -6
we just changed over from mottorola 2 way radios at work . we now use motorola sx 700r radios. they do a good job around our plant. there supposed to have a 12 mile range 22 channels , 2 watts . noaa weather there 69 dollars a pair for the whole shootin match from bass pro . i think we got a bulk deal on them here at work we bought 20 units. i have some cobras me and my buddies use in the deer and turkey woods. i wouldnt recomend them though cause its pretty easy to get out of rangeacross the hills and hollows.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 22:42:20 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 20, 2006 22:42:20 GMT -6
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 22:42:31 GMT -6
Post by donkey on Jun 20, 2006 22:42:31 GMT -6
I have an old pair of Cobra PR550wx. Powerful 2 mile range. If I stand on my front step, I can talk to Sinker. I use the Wx feature prolly more than anything. Sure saved our butts a few times out on the water, last year. I carry least one of em in the truck at all times. Or in the tackle box if I'm on the water. Them animal calls reminded me of awhile back I's lookin at new Alinco ham radios. The handy talkie came with a skeeter repeller.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 22:54:39 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 20, 2006 22:54:39 GMT -6
Im thinking about the GXT 650 value pack then add the survellance ear bud(clear, coil wire, vox/PTT). Don't care to much for the animal tones(elk,owl, turkey, duck and goose) Like the NOAA on all of them though. It just makes me wonder what they have tweaked to get 18 miles out of a 3 watter when the other 5 watters do 14 miles. Then there's the 4 watter that does 16 miles...lol
Ive got a set of audiovox but one of them has started acti9ng up on me, just stutters when your receiveing a msg. Other one works fine. Got a couple of columbia 2mile frs that work well within their limits. But their real short ranged in the woods.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 23:03:06 GMT -6
Post by donkey on Jun 20, 2006 23:03:06 GMT -6
meybe the distance comes from the length of the antennas? Or freq range?
Beats me. Prolly justa sellin point.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 20, 2006 23:15:29 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 20, 2006 23:15:29 GMT -6
Normaly your distanct comes from your power output aka wattage. I get a lil nervous when they start deeking around with something inside to try and boost em. Usualy jacks something else up in them. The only real differance between the 550's and 650's was the animal calls and the range though both were 5 watters. Guy says they sell a LOT of the 500's, 550 and are starting to sell a lot of the 650's and get very few returns on them. Fact is they were almost sold out when i was looking at them. had a fair number of the LXT 420's on sale though. You could tell they had sold a bunch though. They would be good for boating, useing between cars on the road ect. I like the camo ones better myself though they cost $10 more...lol
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 21, 2006 1:02:36 GMT -6
Post by Whiskers on Jun 21, 2006 1:02:36 GMT -6
most likely the difference in range is on the reception end of it.5 watts is 5 watts.if there is a difference in lengths on the antenna it would proll just help you hear the other unit at a farther range,but the most likely difference is in the sensitivity of the receiver,better ears=better range. midland has a pretty decent price on their website. MIDLAND . com edit: i just seen where you had a link to them above,most likely the same link.I haven't looked yet.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 21, 2006 1:31:59 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 21, 2006 1:31:59 GMT -6
Midlands got em about 10 bucks cheaper but then you got to figure in shipping so the price would be about the same. There's a couple of sites got em a bit cheaper but i did'nt see any of the value packs. BP has a summer sale on some of the stuff like the LXT 420's untill july 9th. I got a feeling ill be going back a time or two before then...lol
I did'nt see any differance between the 550's and 650's. Or the LXT for that matter except the camo and price. Course the LXT has a couple of different options form the others. Im thinking the 650's are a good deal. Just wish someone had used them. Midlands always been a pretty good radio manufacturer though.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 21, 2006 1:38:33 GMT -6
Post by Whiskers on Jun 21, 2006 1:38:33 GMT -6
I used their CBs in the 70s but I haven't tried any of their stuff since then.I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them though.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 21, 2006 1:42:43 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 21, 2006 1:42:43 GMT -6
Ive still got 2 or 3 midland mobiles, 23 channel raidos at dads. Couple of royces and cobras to...lol About 3 royce bases as well. Got a set of beam antennas out there two if i could remember where we put em when we took em down.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 28, 2006 22:31:58 GMT -6
Post by Whiskers on Jun 28, 2006 22:31:58 GMT -6
I stopped at best buy while I was up there and they had the (16 mile)Midland 420 w/charger and batteries on clearence fo $39 a pair. Seemed like a good price.
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 29, 2006 0:11:07 GMT -6
Post by Wolfman on Jun 29, 2006 0:11:07 GMT -6
Did you look at the 500's, 550's and 650's at bass pro while you were there?
|
|
|
Radios
Jun 29, 2006 0:32:17 GMT -6
Post by Whiskers on Jun 29, 2006 0:32:17 GMT -6
Yea I did.. The 650 is really nice but $99 is alot of change for walkie-talkies
|
|