Cobra - Pro Business, 22-Channels 2-Way Radios (Pair) - Black
Model: PX500BC
SKU: 6298322
This item is no longer available in new condition. See similar items below
Customers recognize the Pro Business 22-Channels 2-Way Radios for their extended battery life, compact size, user-friendly interface, and versatile charging options. They appreciate the radios' durability and clear sound quality, finding them valuable for communication purposes. However, some customers have expressed concerns about the radios' range, stating that it falls short of the promised distance.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
I remember playing with walkie talkies when I was younger and getting the biggest kick out of making the static sound when responding to calls on it. These Cobra walkie talkies are nothing like that. They are the real deal. They are rechargeable, easy to use, and very lightweight. They arrived in a easy-open plastic blister package with lots of information included on the outside. The one thing that I noticed right off the bat was the range wasn’t listed on the package. The printed info states “Up to 250,000 square feet/20 floors” but not a mile range. I have been able to find online places where the walkie talkies are given a 23-mile range. I didn’t find that was quite the case. I tested them out a couple of different ways. First, I had my fiancé take one of the units to the back of our house, which is only 1500 sqft and we talked back and forth. While there were several walls between us, it worked very well. Next, I sent my daughter down our street with one of them. She was about half a mile away and we still had a clear signal. Finally, my fiancé took one to work with her, which is only 2.2 miles away. We were unable to get a signal to one another even though we were on the same channel. So, even though we discovered that 23 miles was not the maximum range for these radios, I was very happy to have a method of communication to depend on aside from our mobile phones. When we get into areas that are congested with people and cell signal becomes and issue, we can start relying on these a bit more. Set-up and use of the radios is very simple. You actually only have to unscrew the battery door, insert the battery (provided), connect the battery wire, and then replace the battery door. At this point, the charging station only has to be plugged into a wall outlet and the walkie talkies placed in the charging cradle. This is one of the features I appreciate the most about these radios — the fact that they are rechargeable. There are 22 channels to choose from and both radios have to be on the same channel in order to communicate with each other. It’s important to note that channels 8-14 are designated as ‘low’ power output while the others are ‘high’. This can be problematic for range so if you are trying to communicate with someone a farther distance away, make sure you’re on one of the other channels. Overall, I really like these walkie talkies. They are much better than ‘consumer-grade’ models and as long as you keep the expectation where it should be, then you will certainly be happy with these radios. The only thing I think Cobra should be more precise about is the range. It should state what it is on the package and be the same thing you can find online about it.
Posted by nickcal
COBRA Radio Whats in the box ———————— * Cobra MicroTALK 23-Mile, 22-Channel FRS/GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair) Pros —— 1. Charging cradle and holsters are included 2. Not bulky and yet a good range 3. 22 channel to avoid interference 4. Good build quality Cons —— 1. Not the range it specifies Review ——— SETUP Its pretty easy, there are a couple of screws on the battery compartment. Open the battery door and pop the battery into it, screw the door back on and put it on the desktop charger. I was able to get to a full charge in a couple of hours. The battery level is indicated in the small LCD screen on the radio USAGE Cobra claims that the battery will last 8 hours, I charged it a week back and it is still going strong albeit I have not used it much. So the way I tested is within the house, around my neighborhood and a couple of miles away from my house. The radio has 22 channels, both the sets need to be at the same channel to be able to communicate. If you connect a headset to the radio, you can use it in a voice activated mode which is cool. The radio has a call indicator to indicate incoming call and also beeps when the call is done. The radio works great within the house, its about 3000 sqft and two levels. Within the neighborhood, I asked my son to bike to a distance, I would say a mile and I was able to test the range out although there was static noise when we did this. When I took this to a 2 mile radio I could hear the static more. This was a few houses away so I am expecting some static. I heard lot of folks complain about the range but I notice on the box that is a line of sight without obstructions. So it really has to be a flat surface and you should be able to see each other? I think this will be a good tool to pack up during camping.
Posted by Indiaj0nes
From a functionality standpoint i cannot say there is anything wrong with these radios. If being used in a warehouse type environment as I do, they do the job sufficiently. No bells and whistles. They come with a nice belt clip, they have lots of possible channels, to eliminate potential channel cross-over. Another neat thing is that they come with a charging base, but also come with a mini port for single unit charging, i thought this was pretty cool as now i could charge away from the base and didnt need to bring back to charging base. There are a couple of things that stick out a borderline quality in my opinion. The thickness of the plastic that was used it too thing, given i have only used for a week or so now, i can imagine this brittle design breaking easier than usual. Another area in which i do not particularly enjoy is the range. It states 23 miles, but during an initial test found that it peaked at just shy of 2 miles. I understand that the 23 mile statement is in clear weather condition with no obstruction to signal, but it still does not come close to that. Over all, these radio units are great for personal or business use with a small to mid distance to communicate between and with a nice belt clip and a poly charging design, these radios are sure to check the communications box.
Posted by JorgeST