Customer Reviews

Cobra MicroTalk CXR800 27-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased these compact Cobra 2-way radios because I had owned an earlier model (now obsolete) and had loved the earlier model for it's sound quality and ease of use - easy to set channels, to lock and to undnerstand how each feature worked. I could also use it with a headset so that I could be completely hands-free. I was still happy with the ease of use of this Cobra model, and the sound quality was good (on Motorola's I find it harder to understand the transmissions), and I liked the placement of the controls. However, my disappointment was HUGE when I tried to use it with a headset - not any headset, mind you, but the Cobra earbud that is supposed to be used with it. There is a feature on the Cobras (ALL of them as their tech support has told me) called "Power Save". It is not enough for them to tell you there is a "Power Save" feature; so proud of it are they that when it is "active" it flashes a "Power Save" logo on & off when you are not sending a transmission or receiving a transmission. Over a headset, this translates to an audible clicking sound every time the logo flashes on and off. It is enough to drive you crazy and render any headset completely worthless. So I recommend Cobra radios highly if you do not need to use a headset (you cannot hear the "clicks" without the headset) but give them a huge raspberry if you want to use a headset. Hopefully they will fix this glitch in future models, but in the meantime look elsewhere for your handsfree option.

Most small two way radios are line of sight, means you have to see the other person using the other radio. These are the same. I am not sure about 27 mile range but they do work out of a lake for a distance. And I like the fact that they have the national weather channels. The VOX works good too but not when there are other noises around, they will keep the microphone turned on all the time from the sounds. That will happen with all radios with VOX.
(voice operated transmit)
Purchased these in Oct. 2009 and they both still work great, rechargeable batteries run down fast if left in the radios so remove them if not in use for a little while.

Great little radios with impressive batter life. I wish the buttons where easier to push, but they're not that bad. I like the compact size.

Love these.

Pros:
No static. Zero. Nada. Surprisingly clear sound.
Battery lasted for more than 48 hours on camping trip with high use. (all our cell phones were dead by second day)
Small size. Put it in your pocket and forget it until you need it.
Was able to communicate between two cars clearly. This was really fun (tried only within visible range while driving)
Very good range. (would not work if there is a hill in between. This is with any two way radio. So expect it)
Never heard any disturbance from radios outside our group.
Nice key layout.

Cons/ Improvement suggestions:
I would put the weather alert radio as the last menu item. That way users can get to other items without the radio blaring.
I would add independent volume level for rogers beep. At high volume rogers beep is too loud.(I'm nit picking here)
Its a little hard for my four year old to press and hold the talk button.
Plastic battery cover feels it's made of cheap plastic than of cell phones. (oh well considering these are only ___ dollars) There is no need to open the cover after the initial battery install anyway.

Other thoughts:
I think I get so much battery life because I did the initial charge properly. The radios come with a little charge. I turned the radios on and let that charge die. Then I charged the radios straight for about 14 hours ( did not interrupt this process 'at all')

I can't recommend these more.

Even though I bought the CXR800 my review would probably be good for CXR700, CXR725 and CXR825 also. They all seem to be the same except for slight difference in range.

What I did not try:
Hands free operation.