thumperrocks's Full Review: Audiovox GMRS-70012 (14 Channels) Two Way Radio
I recently purchased the AudioVox GMRS7001-2 2-way radios. I have had several 2-way radios in the past couple years. Motorolas, Cobras and a Garmin. I’ve found them very useful for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, etc. The Cobras only had ½ watt of transmit power, the others had the 2-watt transmitters.
In transmission power, the Cobras are virtually tied with the 2-watt radios. This is a little disappointing, considering the 7001s are supposed to transmit at 3-watts. In a side-by-side comparison of my Garmin Rino 120 to the 7001s, they both transmitted the same distance through the same terrain.
In reception, I give an edge to the Rino. It’s squelch feature was a bit more sophisticated than the 7001s. While on the very edge of reception range, the Rino would cut out less frequently than the 7001. Basically, 1-mile in a hilly, suburban area is the max of either radio. If you have a large hill between transmitter and receiver, you’ll only get about 6/10ths of a mile in range. From hilltop to hilltop, about 1.2 miles.
Feature-wise, the 7001 is just fine. It’s interface is very similar to the Motorolas: press the mode button to scroll through some configuration options. The 7001s have a few less buttons than the Motorolas, which I actually found more straightforward. I rate the user-interface as good. Seeing as I’m comparing the Rino, though, the Rino kicks butt! Though such a comparison is unfair due to the Rino’s price ($250) and it’s GPS screen and click-stick cursor device.
One nice feature about the 7001s are their ability to use the GMRS and shared channels in low power mode (1/2-watt) which more than doubles the battery life and is all the power you need if within a ¼-mile of your receiver. I never found this feature on any of my other radios. I also thought that the ability to charge the batteries using a base station was a good feature, as well as the weather-band/weather alert. (I never liked the way the Motorolas worked). I wish the Rino had that feature.
The only complaint about the 7001 interface is it’s transmit button. It sits a little too high up on the left side of the body, and a little too close to the Monitor/Backlight button. Kids with small hands tend to accidentally turn off the squelch by accident, and it's uncomfortable to use in my right hand.
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