gmrs-frs two-way radios

This is about the 4th different model of GMRS I dealt with. In generall I have to say that I'm fairly dissapointed with the overall quality and transmitting range of GMRS products. And don't be fooled by the hype of 3 watts other models have or some fancy names (like X2) - they hardly work any better and the quality is sometimes very poor.
But considering the price tag and knowing what they are suitable for this particular model serves it purpose fairly well. The beauty of it is that they are very handy and lightweight. Fully electronic control buttons - no knobs to turn. Features Privacy mode/Scan/NOAA. The AAA battery package that comes with it holds up for exactly 1 day, charging time about 8 hrs. (I had models with 3 AA which held much longer.) Operating at 1 watt the transmitting range is slightly less than other 2watt models. Thumbwise you can say that they transmit up to 3 miles in line of sight and about 1 mile in an area with obstacles (mountain/buildings/etc...). The belt clip broke off, other than that pretty good quality.
I had 'em with me for a one week skiing tour in Aspen. If you and your body stay on one side of a mountain (over a mountain the signal deteriorates very quickly) it is really fun to have these. Sound quality is pretty good and we never lost each other.
Because of its ease of use, slime design and exceptable transmitting range they are best for keeping contact in parks, buildings and in the wilderness - not too far away and not too many obstacles in between.

I took these with me on a backpacking trip up into the sawtooth mountains in Idaho. They had terrific range great sound and the batteries lasted the whole trip.

I have used Cobra Microtalk 3's for years and I was thrilled to see a higher-powered option. I purchsed two sets of these radios for use outdoors (4 total). As I was trying them out, I found that they were unreliable. I would call with one radio and only two of the others would receive. I would try again and only one would receive. I had one radio that would not transmit under ANY circumstances. I never got all four to work together at the same time. I returned one pack hoping I had a bad set, The new set gave the same response. I thought the price was awefully good. It turns out it was too good to be true. Invest in a better radio and you'll be happier. I ended up taking mine back and trading up.