Home > Consumer Reviews > Cobra Li 4900-2 Wx Vp Microtalk 18-Mile Frs/Gmrs 2-Way Radios

The Cobra LI 4900 is a great little radio with good output power for GMRS and a tiny size and a great price.

When looking at FRS/GMRS Radios radios ignore the marketing ploys that tell you the range of the radios (12 miles, 18 miles, 22 miles). All of the radios sold to the general public (except high end models- over $100 per individual radio) have the same power output rating- 1/2 a watt for FRS and 2 watts for GMRS. All other things being equal- every radio will have the excact same range. Why do you think that the more expensive the radio the farther a range the manufacturer says it has? Because they want you to THINK a more expensive radio has a farther range so you will buy the more expensive one. But they all have the same power output- meaning they will essentially have the same range. This is all a marketing PLOY to get you to buy a more expensive radio. A more expensive radio may have more features, but if the power output is the same the range will essentially be the same. You can look for the power output on the manufacturer's website, but I have researced this already- almost all models sold to the general public have 1/2 a watt for FRS and 2 watts for GMRS. With the power rating being the same the things that will affect range are antenna size, height of the transmitter, and terrain- usually things you will have little control over. So buy a radio that has the features and size you want and ignore the marketing ploys about the range.

I bought these radios for a cruise to keep in touch with my wife, they worked great. Before we left I tested them by having my son take them on a trip to the other side of town. We were each indoors and could still talk from about a mile apart. On the cruise ship, they always worked even when we were 9 decks and the length of the ship apart (and inside). My only grip would be, I would like to see the set come with two chargers so that if you wanted to permanently keep the radios apart you could. Otherwise, I don't think you can go wrong with these. They have many features, most of which you probably won't even need. The buttons are precise and well organized. The unit looks and feels like a quality item.

It's a four star rating for the simple reason that I have not yet come across a hand held GMRS/FRS radio that can cover even a third of the mileage they are rated for . . .

The GMRS channels require an FCC license on HI power, but their are plenty of low power options where no license is required.

During my research the maximum output power for GMRS is listed at 5 watts for many models on the market. Even at higher power settings, I have had difficulty getting units to work in a two mile area over open water in urban areas.

That being said, the LI4900 is compact, well made and very clear, when you are out and about playing with the other kids.

As I was paddling across the water in search of prey, another kayaker couldn't help but press the button on his radio to declare to the rest of the fleet that he had a "fish on".

It didn't take long for the other 42 to 63 year olds to start chattering back and forth like children playing Army in their backyards. "Over and out" . . ."Rodger" and "You call THAT a fish . . that is so small you couldn't use it for bait" wisecracks echoed across the bay for the better part of a half hour.

For outdoor-person gatherings of two or more, hand held radios keep the communication going and take the fun to a higher level.

This model Cobra radio is an excellent model for these purposes and the NoAA weather channels truly come in handy.

Just keep in mind, a waterproof pouch is needed to protect the product and it cannot deal with even simple submersion. This is the shortcoming of all of these types of radios in my opinion.

These radios work great for the way we use them. We use them on a hi-powered station at Wal-Mart, the mall, etc. They did not perform as well on the low power stations. On hi power, they worked perfectly at Disney World. Even my wife admitted that these little radios came in handy. We are pleased overall.

Bought these radios to use during a conference we hold where several of us have to keep in contact. The radios worked quite well, even in a larger facility with all kinds of other interference and even in areas where the other radios wouldn't.

But as someone else noted, the belt clips are pretty worthless. They are not spring loaded, just hard rigid plastic that you have to carefully pry apart to get on your belt. I broke the first one just putting it on my belt the first time, and broke the other one later in the day even after being very careful with it.

All in all good radios, as long as you don't mind carrying them in your pocket or purse.