Pro: In an urban environment such as Houston, there’s plenty of buildings and foliage to pose interference for walkie-talkies, but to my surprise, I’ve experienced little to no interference due to landscape. Also, if the GMRS channels are used with a sub channel, it’s quite easy to avoid interference with other users. As for the power source, the rechargeable batteries last for a whole spanking 10 hours of usage, and if need be, they can be switched with AA batteries. Score one for Motorola when it comes to energy.
Con: I’ve been around the block with several other Talkabout models, and this 5500 model just isn’t loud enough. I could have the volume cranked to the max and it still wouldn’t be easy to hear someone speaking. The quality of the volume is at its best, the equivalent of two plastic cups held together with string. Motorola frequently puts out shoddy products such as this, that seem to contradict what they’re used for; in this case, to communicate. The beeps and alert noises are fairly loud, but the microphone doesn’t seem to pick up my vocals very well. If I were to mash my lips against the microphone piece, then the message would transmit just fine, but in a world of wireless phones, who wants to play tongue twister with a walkie-talkie?
Uniden GMR638-2CK 2-Way Radio
Pro: The Uniden 2-way models are a light and slightly cheaper alternative to the Motorola product, and on top of that, they have all the features that the Motorola models due, plus some. If you’re one of those people that would rather not be seen carrying a massive walkie-talkie around, these save you the embarrassment of hugeness with their petite build.
While it does lack two miles (3 mile max range) in comparison to the Motorola models, its reception is well worth the retail price and provides crisp and clear communication between the users.
Con: If you’ve had experience with GMRS/FRS style radios, you’ll love these; however, in case you were unaware, GMRS requires an eighty-dollar license to operate, which doesn’t require you to take a test or background check in order to acquire it. On top of that, if someone in your family hasn’t taken the test, your license covers them and yourself for a whole five years. Old news for seasoned GMRS users but I thought it needed to be said just so no one gets ripped a new one by the FCC.
The range on these puppies is generally around two miles, depending on the nature of the terrain your crossing. Also, the range is a tad shorter than Motorola’s product.
The LCD screen is a bit awkward, in that, if it is viewed from a straight angle, the channel display appears light and rather dull, but it’s moved so that the radio is at a forty-five degree angle and the display is sharp and clear, but no big issue.
The Uniden comes complete with a key lock, which, is a handy feature if you need that sort of security, but unless you’re planning on giving your product a royal pocket shock treatment in the woods, there really isn’t any need for it; especially since, it only protects the channel switches and the talk switch, while completely disregarding the all important power button, which, if pushed, negates any need for the key lock by shutting everything down. If it had to be de-activated before shutting down, it might prove more useful.
Motorola or Uniden?Well, the Uniden does have its share of technical flaws, but it’s a lot more practical than the Motorola model. Given that the Motorola fails to efficiently give the user clear communication, the Uniden wins by a landslide vote.
