all two-way radios

I tested it in the real world. In around the houses and tree and wires it will work about 1 to 1.5 miles. Thats was it at best. In the open with a view of each radio, about 5 miles was it. That was over open water. Maybe if you were on top of a mountain and the other was on top of another mountain at 8 miles away with the power boost-maybe it will go the 8 miles, but i doubt it. But besides that i have used many brands of these radios, and this one seems to be better, for the price. I say if you really need to communicate at a larger distance, use your cell phone-- if you have a signal-HA! Can you hear me now- get it??

Well i have been using these now for a few days. I'm very pleased with them. For the price at walmart they work just fine. A license to run them- ya like who bothers. I see people using them all over without that license. Government is a little nuts asking for a license for a walky-talky.

I purchased the UNIDEN GMR855 about a month ago and for the price they are just great. The range is about 1 3/4 mile in an environment of trees and houses. Beyond that, all I get is nothing, I don't really know if the claim of 8 miles is true as the conditions in an open area may have a lot to do with it. But it beats the old walkie-talkies of the 60s and 70s where you could only reach to you neighbors house across the street and all you would get is a static voice threw the speaker and you still have to make out what the hell they said! The Rechargeable NiMH base is great.... no battery replacement. I do wish they had a VOC microphone feature as like the UNIDEN GMR885. The large menu makes it easy to see. The buttons are nice, large and easy to press. The case is rugged.These radios are great for anyone looking for an affordable communication device with in there average range of a complex environment. I would like to see in the future a true 8 mile 2 way personal radios able to receive threw all conditions! There ya go UNIDEN... a project for ya!