Uniden Eco Terra GMRS480 5-Mile 15-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio

by Uniden

Product Details

Product Manual [148kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005N5XF
• Item model number: GMRS-480
• Batteries: 3 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The small, lightweight Uniden GMRS480 allows you to keep in touch with others for up to five miles. With 15 channels and 38 privacy codes, this two-way radio screens out interference from other radios. The radio has 8 General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) channels and 7 Family Radio Service (FRS) channels.

The GMRS480 features 7 weather channels to provide up-to-the-minute reports and alerts on weather conditions. It has a vibrate alert to let you know immediately of an incoming message and five distinct call tones so you will know exactly who in your group is transmitting a message. It's also water-resistant and has a backlit, holographic display that makes the radio practical for almost any environment.

This radio requires three AA batteries (not included) to operate. Other features include temperature display, a keypad lock, monitor function, removable belt clip, and channel scan. The Uniden GMRS480 is covered by a one-year warranty.

Note: A $45 FCC license is required to use GMRS frequencies. One license covers the entire family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uniden GMRS480 is a 2 watt unit, January 22, 2002

By 

Ken (Houston,TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uniden Eco Terra GMRS480 5-Mile 15-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Electronics)

I bought 2 of these radios a few days ago. I am not sure how the idea got around that this is a 1/2 watt unit, because it is a 2 watt unit, and it DOES require an FCC license. The manual and the FCC registration says it is a 2 watt unit. I was very skeptical of this radio, because it seemed like I was getting alot of radio for less money, but I am glad I bought it now. We are getting around 1.5 mile range in the neighborhood, and about 2.5 miles out in the country were there are less obstructions. My father has 2 motorolas (5100 model). We tested these units against the Unidens head to head. The Uniden GMRS480 sounded much better than the Motorola 5100s every time. The secret is to not hold you mouth too close to the radio when you speak. No need to speak loud either. The Uniden's were not "tiny micy" sounding at all. I would have given this unit a rating of "5", but I must tell you that the thermometer is not very useful. I believe that it cannot get a correct temperature reading when you are holding the radio. It can be around 40 degrees outside, and if you are holding the radio, it will read in the upper 70's. I guess if you sit the radio down and don't touch it, it may get a "true" temperature reading. The SCAN function works, but is kinda weird in my opinion. You have to hold down either of the up/down channels for several seconds to get it to scan. Therefore, you actually change channels 1 thru 15 many times, and then the unit goes in to scan mode. Also, you can't use the radio while it is on the charger, which really disappoints me. But the batteries (NiMH), lasted us on the farm on one charge, Sat, Sun, & Monday, with the unit turned on all during the daylight hours. By Monday evening they still had 2 out of 4 bars left on the battery meter. The weather band is good, it picked up the NOAA channel about 50 miles away. Seems pretty weather resistant, but I try not to get anything wet that is electronic. Good thing that the radio is simple to figure out and use, because I could have written a better manual. You can download the manual from the Uniden web site before you buy it. It is only a few pages. The folks at Uniden have been very helpful in answering my questions. They have responded to every email I have sent them. I recommend the Uniden GMRS480, but since it is GMRS and 2 watt, it does require an FCC license.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Editorial Review Errors, October 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Uniden Eco Terra GMRS480 5-Mile 15-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Electronics)

Just got a single GMRS480 last night and ordered a couple more. For the price it looks like a good piece, I haven't been able to check its range yet though. The Editorial Review has some errors: It comes with a NiMH battery pack and charger but can also use 4 AA batteries not three. The GMRS license costs $75 not $45. It also came with a headset which I will probably never use. It has a detachable antenna and looks like it will accept a external coax for an external antenna. Battery life is estimated at 35-50 hours which is good.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Price/Performance!, October 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Uniden Eco Terra GMRS480 5-Mile 15-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Electronics)

No question about it! This is one of the best electronics gear I have bought in terms of price/performance ratio! This GMRS radio performs remarkably well right out of its packaging, with silky smooth controls and a well designed LCD display. It is also very inexpensive, considering its many features, including the built-in weather channels. I was able to get a very clean signal over a two mile range in a densely populated suburb area. I did not have a chance to test the 5 mile range as claimed by Uniden, but I suspect it is NOT an exaggeration, judging from how clean the signal was at 2 miles!