My family loves to keep communication active, even if we're only a few miles away. With the addition of mobile phones in the industry, there is nothing that communication can't do anymore. But it's a tradition to have a walkie talkie headset in our family simply because it's very easy to use, and it has a very different function than a mobile phone. And when our old walkie talkies died, I knew I had to find a good set to replace them. Luckily, Uniden still manufactures excellent walkie talkies, and I got the Uniden GMR1235-2 GMRS Two-Way Radio to replace our older ones. Before I actually declare my verdict about the performance of this device, I first made a review to inform others about this walkie talkie model.
Design
This is a very functional and handy set of walkie talkies. The compact model is as big as a clamshell mobile phone without the antenna, and it's also very lightweight - an excellent device for easy portability and handiness. The black body of the radios makes them look good even after a lot of weathering and abuse, and damages can easily be hidden by the dark color. The model is aesthetically great and it has very intuitive buttons and navigation which provide ease of use and faster scanning.
The radios also come with a belt clip each which makes carrying the device easy enough even with a bulky load. I like keeping radios on my belt because it feels like you're really in the service. But the most important feature of this device is the two-way radio which our family uses to keep track of things even at a distance.
The device operates on three triple-A batteries, six of which are included in the original package of the product for operating both radios. The battery life can last up to 20 hours, so you won't have problems about quick-draining and sudden power outage. The display also shows a battery meter which indicates the current life of the batteries, just like in a mobile phone, so you know when you have to bring extra batteries for security.
Scanning and Audio Output
The device is a dedicated walkie talkie headset and not a real scanner, but it can scan up to 22 channels. There are 15 GMRS (general mobile radio service) and 7 FRS (family radio service) that you can access using the model. You have a wide range to select from for your family channel, and you can pick the frequency with the least users.
The channel scan allows you to listen to every channel you have in the radio to keep you updates with the happenings in the neighborhood. It has a two-second delay which only changes channel once the frequency scanned has been silent for two seconds. The maximum coverage of the device can reach up to 12 miles, depending on the environment of the user. In urban areas, it would be a much shorter distance, since a lot of interruptions, blockages, and hindrances impede the strength of signal of the device.
Other Features
The radio has a lot of other features which can be very useful at certain instances. The key lock prevents sudden changes in frequencies and channels on your device. The PTT (push to talk) button is very easy to use and is the basic operating mechanism to be able to communicate with whoever's tuned in your frequency. The roger beep indicates when your partner or whoever's holding the other radio has received your message. The automatic power saver mode saves a lot of battery life by transferring to power saver after two seconds of no transmission or incoming calls. The radio still receives calls in this state. This model has really been designed to optimize radio use and scanning for the better satisfaction of the users.
Conclusion
I think this is the most useful walkie talkie headset that our family has ever had, and it's also very easy to use. The reception is very clear and our family has not been disappointed with these devices. However, there are a lot of issues regarding the battery life. Although the device says it has a power saver mode, I don't think it has much effect. We are required to change batteries every after 3 hours or so of continuous use. This isn't a problem if you think about battery cost, but the inconvenience can be quite disappointing. Nevertheless, it's really a good model. Great reception, excellent features, perfect for family or personal use. If you want a good walkie talkie with extra functionality and you don't mind using up a lot of batteries (especially if you use rechargeable ones like we do), then the Uniden GMR1235-2 GMRS Two-Way Radio is the perfect pair for you.
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