Cobra RX680 Waterproof Walkie Talkies - Rechargeable, 60 Preset Channels, Long Range 38-Mile Two-Way Radio Set (2-Pack),Black and Orange

This is my third pair of FRS radios in about three months. I use these daily to set up K9 Search & Rescue problems for my dog in the Rocky Mountain region. It isn’t practical to use radios that require a license for training because I’m always using different ‘subjects’ so that the dog learns to discriminate between the scent of different people. For those who don’t know, the FCC limits the power on FRS channels to 2-watts which isn’t much. In certain terrain, the usable range of these radios can be less than a mile but that’s the downfall of all FRS radios - regardless of the range manufacturers put on the box. These radios can also access GMRS channels and will automatically transmit with 5-watts of power on GMRS channels. This does help extend the range slightly over FRS. We have tried Midland and Motorola radios; they all perform similarly on the respective 2-W and 5-W channels. The difference between Cobra and others is volume, durability, and the user interface. The radio models I have tried that use buttons for volume adjustment are not practical to use. You have to be in the right mode to adjust volume and some have such weak speakers that you can’t hear the radio unless you hold it to your ear. The two main functions of any radio are on/off and volume. Because those two functions are on a dial, the buttons on the front of the radio can remain locked once the radio is set up. This is huge! With other radios, you are constantly fiddling with the buttons to lock and unlock the buttons each time you use them. Lastly, the Lithium ion batteries perform better than expected. I was hesitant to purchase these because it’s really easy to swap out AA batteries in the field. The lithium ion batteries have good life and the indicator gives you plenty of notice when the battery starts to fade. These radios are about as good as they get for non-licensed use.

We live and travel in an RV about half the year. We got these so we can communicate with our kids at campgrounds. We usually use them about 1/4 mile apart, up to about 1 mile apart. They've worked great! We like all the different settings, the sounds quality is great, and the battery life is amazing. You can't hold it close like a phone...you need it out away from your mouth. As long as you do that, you will hear everything super clear! Ours last 4+ days, even on travel days when we are communication between vehicles and leave them on all day long. We used to use CB and Ham radios but constantly had issues, and you're supposed to be certified. These radios are a much better value and easier to use!

They worked well. The transmission gets distorted when there are buildings in between.

After researching multiple brands and types, I chose these. Overall, the best bang for your buck. However I had to return due to the talk button on side being so small and hard to press. I would suggest another type for people with bad R-arthritis. (I am still looking)

We were very excited to have the Cobra Walkie Talkies in time for our Bike trip in Southport, NC. Charged up the radios night before and sat down with wife and reviewed the instructions so she knew how to use radio while we were riding (with optional headset and VOX). We were ready to go and decided to try the radio in our cottage which is not 40 feet long. We could hear each other while looking at each other so that’s thumbs up. As soon as she stepped into bedroom front of the house and I stepped in back bedroom-nada…so we tried not using the headsets and could hear better but not when using VOX! We wanted to use the VOX since riding bikes but not working when stepping in opposite rooms- in same house!! We tried different settings channels and no improvement. We decided to take anyway and off and on during day we tried calling each other in same building with no luck. Super frustrating as we thought we had the right tool for this trip. We will be returning this set including the optional hands free headset by Cobra as well. Wanted to like this but failed us. Battery life did seemed to be good as was on all day and only down one bar at 11:00 pm but hey, did not use any functions so no wonder…good radar detectors however

Bought for a Christmas present. Kids loved them. Great outdoor range. Realistically 1/4 to 1/2 mile

I bought these so I could communicate with my 11-year-old who lives a little over a mile from me with his mom in a New York City address. The devices were listed to be able to communicate in a city area for 3 miles after 10 blocks. The communication failed not merely as much distance as advertised within a 5 to 6 block radius. They were fine however I’m buying these in case of an emergency and I want to be able to communicate at a further distance thus I had to return them. If you’re using these for a short distance, they’re fine but for a long distance more than a mile in the city, the amount that’s listed on them is in accurate. You’ll only get a couple of blocks of communication again I live in New York City, so maybe the buildings are taller than the average city that they’re talking about with the distance but I was very disappointed and I’m only giving it three stars. Again, I was very happy with the communication in a short distance. That’s why it’s getting three stars, but I can’t give it anymore because anytime it went past eight blocks was distorted and nonexistent.