Your right Peter about the range of the talk-a-bouts. Over 2 miles in range you are required by the FCC to have a licence, which is why they have a 2 mile range. And yes, for unobstructed communication, they work great. You don't have to get the same one necessarily. As long as you everyone has the same channel, they will all work together. So maybe the $70 one isn't for you. Just try to get the ones that have multiple channels.

 

well I think Nextel Sucks IMHO. I have friends that have had them since their inception and you can be sitting on my couch and get no signal and if they move slightly left or right then they get signal. I think they are atrocious and would never ever pay that much for nextel. They don't work well in malls, they don't work well indoors, they pretty much suck.

Well back to talkabouts, I think they are a good idea for us who go on trips or look to go to shows over the upcoming year and far meets like everyone said. And I think Frank is right that you don't have to get the motorola one, just one that is compatible with it.

 

hey if we can set up a groupbuy..
and also.. i heard that the talkabouts dont get citizen band..
for some odd reason i think cb is better than the motorllas

 

cb good only for the car, not for shows etc.

 

i say police radios!

 

Hey guys. I am sorry to arrive so late on a conversation I started.

Here is my thinking. Bear with me.

Both have bennies and negs.

Making the best of both.

Motorolla talkabout:

1. You pay 70 bucks. That is it. That is all. No one mentioned what service would cost.

2. When you speak, everyone hears you. I think it can be done with the nextels but hey at $100 a piece and $40 a month I don't think everyone is going to get one.

3. Other groups have talkabouts and use them on their cruises. Those that have been with me know that for a fact.

Nextel:

1. A great backup for those who use it.

2. Excellent range.

3. Clarity.

I think we should all at least have a talkabout. Hey don't get one. It is on you. You can depend on calling someone with your cellphone. Good luck.

Plan 1. Touch a button and yell for help. The talkabout is there. Turn on the VOX and just say, "where are you guys?"

Plan 2. Get dropped bad. Call one of the cars ahead of you on the Nextel. They can slow the rest of the group down and you will be able to know when you are catching up when you hear the squaks on the talkabout. Then you will see the car. Those that have driven with me know what it is like to chase down another group of cars and know you are getting closer because you can hear them.

Plan 3. Call someone on your cellphone. This should be our last resort. There are new laws banning this behavior in automobiles. I do not want to see any of the people at meets or caravans that IFX is hosting get pulled over. Get pulled over for Tomfollery. Not chatting on the phone. If you don't have them get the damn handsfree.

Last point

I have owned many cars and many phones. Been to a lot of cruises and runs. I have had my talkabout for at least 3 years. It is still in service. Can I say the same for the Sprint phone I bit in half in a fit of rage??? NO

 

Therefore Talkabouts it is, and NEXTEL if you have one is a good backup and Cells are the back of the back up. ANy good place to get them locally?

 

Here is the new version with a 5 mile range. It is $89 but there is a $30 rebate:

Moto

 

you need to buy the 30 buck rechargable battery thing and you also need to get the fcc license...

 

FCC paperwork seems like a
too much too fill out for a walkie talkie in my opinion. I stay stick with the other models and we'll be ok

 

I am sorry about that. I didn't read the whole write-up.

Motorola is not the only company you can go with. There are other companies that make 2 ways as well. Find one in your price range and hit it up.

 

Exactly. Uniden makes good units, as does Cobra. You can actually get 2 talk-a-bouts for the price of the one at $70. Its all up to you guys and which one you prefer. I agree that the talk-a-bouts are the best choice. When someone speaks, everyone hears it, which is ideal for cruises. I know for group buys with Circuit City anyway because I used to work there, that you need to be a company and show proof in order to get the group buy. Unless you guys have an internet site that can hook it up, most major electronic companies have the same policy as CC.

 

well why doesnt somoene find the good ones and spread the word on here
=)

 

My friends and I picked up the Panasonic KX-TR320S for $30 ea. on a groupbuy and rebate. Pretty nice unit for bang / buck. Got some decent reviews online (I like the flip antenna cuz its easy to tuck away).

 

the feature i want the most is the rechargable battery