Customer Reviews

Cobra microTALK CXR825 30-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

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

 

 

Among the brands of GMRS/FRS radios, Cobra is the only one I've found to use Li-ion batteries. Compared to other rechargeable battery technologies, Li-ion will last longer and weigh less. Cobra has three models in their flagship category: 925, 825, 725. I chose the 825 for a few reasons.

Compared to the 925, this model lacks the voice recorder and has lower battery capacity. Without the voice recorder, if you miss something, I think it's a matter of asking people to repeat their message. Although the 925 battery capacity is higher, the voice recorder increases the power draw, so it may offset and result in similar battery life. The main differences between the 725 is the capability to receive NOAA weather broadcasts; I believe the batteries and the outside form factor are the same.

They advertise different communication ranges (35, 30, 27) in miles. I'm skeptical and wish there were more truth in advertising. However, for casual users, you're probably within 5 miles. These types of GMRS/FRS radios do not work well inside cars unless you have an external antenna. If used properly, they work reasonably well. I've been able to communicate within 10 miles. For the purists, the 925 and 825 have three transmit power levels (5, 2, 0.5 watts) while the 725 has only two (5, 0.5 watts).

So far, I can think of only one drawback - I wish Cobra makes a car charger. Their website says you may purchase parts and build your own, just call them for wiring info.

This is a strange walkie-talkie. First rate engineering with a second rate execution. It even looks a little strange with a cheap clear plastic grill on the front. This walkie-talkie is also one of the smallest on the market.

It is a very straight-forward and easy walkie-talkie to program. Much easier than the Midland, if you don't mind the NOAA blaring in the speakers each time you go through it to get the programming steps you need to change.

It had a strange way of fitting in the recharge base. It just plops in one way and easily wobbles, but it makes contact all the time.

Most of the commonly needed buttons are right on the front, not like others that make you dig through or do some button looping to get what you want. There is even a separate backlight on-button on the side.

The backlight does not evenly cover the LCD like many other comunication devices, but rather it is two lighted LED'S on either side of the display. Cheap, but it works.

The rechargeable batteries is put in a square sealed plastic case and difficult to remove from the walkie-talkie, luckily you shouldn't be doing that often.

The VOX works like all the others. Not very sensitive, but it will work if you learn to talk loud and even practically yell on the least sensitive adjustment. It has 5 adjustments.

Have not tried any accessory with it. But it should work in ordinary use if you just like to hold the Cobra in your hand and talk and recieve. It has all the ability built in to exceed the basics too, should your needs go further than that.

To use the high-range mode everyone knows "buy" now you have to get an FCC license, but in FRS free mode of a few miles or blocks depending on obstacles can be obtained.

I also found out it cannot use most Midland accessories due to different pin configurations.

Bottom Line: If you want a straigh-forward minimal-fuss walkie talkie and just want to start talking this will probably be the one you want.
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They are great! Fifteen of us went on a very large cruise ship and we used them to keep in touch since there was no cell phone service. The security code feature meant that we only heard each other and no one else even if they were on the same channel. They made the cruise much more enjoyable.

The radios are nice but for my old eyes the display is too small. The icons in the display are next to impossible to read, in good light. My older Cobras were OK to read. More later..

this is the best walkie talkie I would recomend these for handy walkie talkies they are so handy and easy to cary. I would recomend these.

If your in the woods and if you have trees between your other good luck hearing. Lots of static. They suck. If your in a open corn field then your ok. Miles??? what ever. That dont mean crap. Try Midland.

We bought these for a cruise to maintain contact with a couple of teenagers. Bottom line? We were able to contact them when needed; they were able to contact us when needed.
- We charged them each night and had no battery issues. One warning: Remember to shut them off when charging. They will "tick" all night long if left on.
- The vibrate feature is great since the ship is almost always noisy.

They're small and they work. What else could you want? OK, maybe thinner -- more like a cell phone. The girls carried one in a small backpack when the radio was too big to fit in a pocket. The radios seem to be the smallest available...

These have worked exceptionally well. One of the units stopped working one month before the warranty expired. I returned it as indicated in the user manual and they sent me a replacement within six weeks.

Not bad but I returned them after a friend showed me his Cobra CXR925 that I proceeded to order on Amazon, why ?
- much better battery life, battery capacity almost 2x (could still use a battery meter, right now it only shows when the battery is going...)
- thinner, the CXR825 is a bit "thick"
- the 20 second voice recorder is useful, especially when reception is spotty
- (slightly) better range, possibly due to the (slightly) taller antenna