Customer Reviews

Uniden GMR1088-2CK 10-Mile 22-Channel Water-Resistant FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

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

 

 

I is one of the best radio I have ever used! very long range and the power consumption is top notch! very durable because I have dropped mine four times on concrete from the chest without a dent.

Please be fair! water resistant does not equal submerging it!!!

Somehow, I doubt the Mountain Rescue teams rely on $60 2-way radios. But for the rest of us, these Uniden radios are not bad for the price.

Bought a pair to use at my wedding, since it was at a mountainous and expansive retreat. They proved to be an essential tool for the weekend. Worked well throughout the area. "Boost" button does make a difference when needed.

City usage is not very effective--don't expect more than a mile range (at least from my limited experience).

Great little walkie-talkies--just make sure you know your intended usage before you buy.

I've had these and used them lightly so far. I like the feel and performance of them, and have used the weather/alert function a number of times -- it's a nice feature. Battery use seems to be pretty good, as they just always seem to be ready, even after a day's use of sporadic communication (for example, at an amusement park).

Regarding exposure to water, the term "water resistent" means that it can stand up to water spray at low velocity (like rain), or a shower. For the ability to handle submersion, a device needs to be "water proof", and this is typically rated with a maximum static pressure depth (for example, 100 meters). Even devices labelled waterproof to a shallow depth like 5 meters can be overcome by a drop into water, due to the force of water in that situation. This is all true for all devices: watches, cameras, cell phones, whatever. As an added note, the owner's manual specifically carries the warning not to submerge the unit in water. To be able to float in water and handle dynamic submersion, you need an enclosure case of some kind. And no fair complaining that these are "big" when you add it.

Regarding range, some reviewers may be confusing the FRS bands (channels 8-14) with the GMRS bands (channels 1-7 and 15-22). Only GMRS bands have the extended range; FRS bands are limited to a maximum range of 3 miles, while the GMRS channels can hit 10 miles using the power boost button (and under the right conditions). Note that transmitting in the GMRS band requires an FCC license, which currently costs $80 for a five-year license. I wonder if the reviewers who complained of range were transmitting in the FRS band, not realizing the difference.

By the way, the shorter-range FRS bands are still handy, since they effectively eliminate long-distance chatter that would otherwise be within range of the GMRS bands.

These are nice little units. My only complaint is that the range is not quite what it says. I doubt you could get these to go 10 miles. They could have positioned the volume button in a different place too, as it is hard to hit the transmit button without accidentally hitting the volume button at the same time. Other than this, these are good units for the price.

very dissappointed with these radios (I bought two sets).....they do not stay charged but about 24 hours, even when not in use and it takes 16 to 24 hours for them to recharge each time. I'm wondering if my batteries are old, even though I just bought the radios. I love the individual recharge cradles as we use the radios only in the house and they can be placed in different rooms. I don't think I would purchase this brand again.

I've had these radios for some time now - since 2005 or 2006. They're still in perfect operating condition, although I have recently switched from the included battery packs to rechargeable NiMH batteries because the battery packs were beginning to show their age.

I take these things anywhere that might not be suitable for cellphones. Originally purchased in preparation for our FL hurricane seasons, I have also brought them along to festivals, on cruises, camping, and kayaking.

Kayaking is where they really show their quality, especially in salt water. They continue to perform well amidst the soaking that they invariably endure. Our last time out, I accidentally completely submerged mine in about a foot of salt water for a few seconds - while it was turned on - and it had no effect on it. Obviously I wouldn't recommend doing that, but it's nice to know that the units apparently exceed their own water resistance rating.

I can't really speak to the range, but its reception capabilities are about equivalent to my far more expensive Cobra MRHH 425LI Marine VHF/GMRS Radio in GMRS mode, with the big honking antenna on it. :-) And remember, the transmit distance will NEVER be as good as the manufacturer states. In most normal suburban/urban environments handheld GMRS radios will not transmit beyond a mile, usually significantly less, regardless of whether the manufacturer states a 5-mile or 30-mile range.

These are nice looking, but aren't very good at range. The stated 10 mile range must be in outer space as it's certainly not on earth. Range is less than 1 mile with the full boost on. My old Audiovox FRS radios went at least a half mile farther than these!

They seem to receive well and the weather alert functions well and seems fairly sensitive.

If you don't need a long range they are ok. Quite a disappointment for power/range though.

Were I to be able to do it over I think I'd look to another brand. This is currently their top-end model.

We used the radios at our cabin to keep in touch with the kids (it's much better then yelling). We replaced a two mile unit that didn't even reach a few hundred yards down the road, with this longer range unit. This unit has range -- it easily covered the hilly, wooded square mile we needed it to, what it doesn't have -- but claims -- is any water-resistant capabilities at all.

My daughter accidentally dropped one of the units in the shallow water of the lake. You'd expected, based on the water resistant claim, that it might float to allow retrieval. Instead it immediately sank to the bottom of the lake. After retrieval and a through drying the unit was dead. So much for being water-resistant.

If I hadn't specifically chosen this item because it was water resistant, I would have given it 4 stars because of the good range it has. But since I did expect it to be water resistant (this isn't the first unit we've lost to water mishaps) and it failed to even have the slightest resistance to water I give it 2 stars.

Pros: It does have range easily surpassing normal 2 mile FRS radios (I don't know about 10 miles though)

Cons: It's big, the power button is moded with menu button (what's up with that?!), and it really isn't water resistant in the least

The battery charge symbol never changes so you can't tell how much charge is in the battery, which caused me and my friends in a bit of trouble one day when they ran out of charge on the mountain and the radios stopped working.

Also there is no PTT microphone accessory available for this radio. Uniden only produces the voice operated headsets, which I think is ridiculous. I wanted to use these radios while snowboarding and there is no way I am wearing a headset on the hill let alone a voice operated one, on a windy day i'd be transmitting wind gusts all day to my friends as well as looking like a knob.

Despite many tries, I could never get these 2 ways to work. Even one mile from my home they were not functioning. I tried different channels, volumes etc. My friend has the same one that work fine.. maybe these were just defective.