Cobra Electronics MicroTalk LI5600-2DX (14 Channels) Two Way Radio
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- Maximum Range: 20 Miles
- Channels: 14
- LCD Display: With LCD Display
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Neat Little Pocket Communicator
Pros
Works incredibly well considering the inexpensive price - far better than the old CB channel walkie talkies
Cons
Only 2 channels; no security of transmission - others can easily listen
Recommended it?
Yes
The Cobra Micro Talk1 Family Radio Service 2-way radios are very inexpensive and work very well for simple communicating tasks within a short distance. They are rated for up to 2 miles. On the open road, that was about right in flat country.
We've had ours for almost a year now and have found them to be quite useful. When shopping in large mall, we can coordinate where to meet or alert each other of good buys or shopping advise. It is really useful when meeting someone at the airport. I stay in the car at the curb and my wife goes looking for the arriving passenger/s. If airport security shoos me away from the loading area, I can still tell my wife where I am. She can alert me to any problems, etc. They're also great for staying in touch when hiking at various places or finding something interesting on the trail. We are careful not to be noise polluters in the quiet outdoor environment, however. We don't want to be like the unwelcome distracting cell phone idiots in public places. They make excellent temporary intercoms - like when I'm up on the roof and need some assistance or a tool or part.
The best use so far has been to communicate between two cars on group auto trips. You can warn the trailing vehicle about road hazards, ask about fuel state, discuss where to eat, etc. - all without stopping. We used them for one of our long trips up to Oregon, a 10 hr. drive with my brother's family. Battery life is quite long. We had them in continuous use both outbound and the return, plus shopping at the outlet malls along the way. A check of the batteries with a serious meter found them still with plenty of life remaining. I estimate they are good for 40 hrs of use, or more, before requiring change.
Overall, I was very impressed that they work as well as they do for such an inexpensive item.
These are only 2-channel units so you may hear traffic from other FRS band users. And, there are no security codes/channels, but this is not all bad. At a recent family reunion, some had the more expensive Motorola Talk Abouts but they had trouble with all the 14 channels and the 28 quieting codes. It was way too confusing and they ended up using our units for its simplicity and reliability of communicating. They are truly simple - switch both units to the same channel (A or B), turn them on and simply push to talk or signal the other unit. Again, they worked very well for our purposes.
We paid $80 for the pair back a year ago. Last week Target Stores had them on sale for $49/pair.
They come in only one color - purple. They use 4 - AAA batteries (not included). Battery life is quite good. The antenna is a flip-up. There is only one adjustable control - on/off w/volume control. There is a call signal you can use to alert the other user of your incoming call. There is a prominent LED light to indicate when the unit is turned on. It also doubles as a battery level indicator. A handy belt clip eliminates the need for a holster or belt pouch. They are small enough to fit in a small purse or jacket/pant pocket.
Try 'em, you;ll like 'em!
Jim
We've had ours for almost a year now and have found them to be quite useful. When shopping in large mall, we can coordinate where to meet or alert each other of good buys or shopping advise. It is really useful when meeting someone at the airport. I stay in the car at the curb and my wife goes looking for the arriving passenger/s. If airport security shoos me away from the loading area, I can still tell my wife where I am. She can alert me to any problems, etc. They're also great for staying in touch when hiking at various places or finding something interesting on the trail. We are careful not to be noise polluters in the quiet outdoor environment, however. We don't want to be like the unwelcome distracting cell phone idiots in public places. They make excellent temporary intercoms - like when I'm up on the roof and need some assistance or a tool or part.
The best use so far has been to communicate between two cars on group auto trips. You can warn the trailing vehicle about road hazards, ask about fuel state, discuss where to eat, etc. - all without stopping. We used them for one of our long trips up to Oregon, a 10 hr. drive with my brother's family. Battery life is quite long. We had them in continuous use both outbound and the return, plus shopping at the outlet malls along the way. A check of the batteries with a serious meter found them still with plenty of life remaining. I estimate they are good for 40 hrs of use, or more, before requiring change.
Overall, I was very impressed that they work as well as they do for such an inexpensive item.
These are only 2-channel units so you may hear traffic from other FRS band users. And, there are no security codes/channels, but this is not all bad. At a recent family reunion, some had the more expensive Motorola Talk Abouts but they had trouble with all the 14 channels and the 28 quieting codes. It was way too confusing and they ended up using our units for its simplicity and reliability of communicating. They are truly simple - switch both units to the same channel (A or B), turn them on and simply push to talk or signal the other unit. Again, they worked very well for our purposes.
We paid $80 for the pair back a year ago. Last week Target Stores had them on sale for $49/pair.
They come in only one color - purple. They use 4 - AAA batteries (not included). Battery life is quite good. The antenna is a flip-up. There is only one adjustable control - on/off w/volume control. There is a call signal you can use to alert the other user of your incoming call. There is a prominent LED light to indicate when the unit is turned on. It also doubles as a battery level indicator. A handy belt clip eliminates the need for a holster or belt pouch. They are small enough to fit in a small purse or jacket/pant pocket.
Try 'em, you;ll like 'em!
Jim
