Recommendations for a two way radio
August 5, 2009 11:12 AM Subscribe
I'd like recommendations for a cheap, simple two way radio for a child. Hopefully something I could get in store today.
This is for a 3 1/2 year old. I was going to get some Fisher Price Walkie Talkies, but for some reason didn't check until today, and they have bad reviews. Other toy walkie talkies have even worse reviews - some of the worst I've seen on Amazon.
So I'm looking for a simple, cheap, real two way radio (pair, obviously). Needs no bells and whistles and will be used mostly inside our tiny house.
I'm in the Portland, OR area so I have access to almost every major retailer.
Two other random notes: some reviews of real two way radios mentioned lead poisoning? Is this legit and should I not get a real two way for a kid? And do I need some kind of license (saw this mentioned somewhere)? We'd only be using it at close range.
This is for a 3 1/2 year old. I was going to get some Fisher Price Walkie Talkies, but for some reason didn't check until today, and they have bad reviews. Other toy walkie talkies have even worse reviews - some of the worst I've seen on Amazon.
So I'm looking for a simple, cheap, real two way radio (pair, obviously). Needs no bells and whistles and will be used mostly inside our tiny house.
I'm in the Portland, OR area so I have access to almost every major retailer.
Two other random notes: some reviews of real two way radios mentioned lead poisoning? Is this legit and should I not get a real two way for a kid? And do I need some kind of license (saw this mentioned somewhere)? We'd only be using it at close range.
Toy R Us?
some reviews of real two way radios mentioned lead poisoning? Is this legit and should I not get a real two way for a kid?
Undoubtedly there is some lead in these devices somewhere. There's been a recent brouhaha in the motorcycle world because kid's offroad bikes are/were going to be outlawed because certain parts had lead in them!
We'd only be using it at close range.
The antenna doesn't know that but these are obviously designed for kid use so I don't see the FCC issue.
posted by @troy at 11:18 AM on August 5, 2009
some reviews of real two way radios mentioned lead poisoning? Is this legit and should I not get a real two way for a kid?
Undoubtedly there is some lead in these devices somewhere. There's been a recent brouhaha in the motorcycle world because kid's offroad bikes are/were going to be outlawed because certain parts had lead in them!
We'd only be using it at close range.
The antenna doesn't know that but these are obviously designed for kid use so I don't see the FCC issue.
posted by @troy at 11:18 AM on August 5, 2009
Target has an inexpensive pair for $20 - no mention of lead though.
A quick google seems the lead comes into play regarding the battery but if it uses standard "non-block" type of rechargeable batteries I can't see the concern.
posted by doorsfan at 11:23 AM on August 5, 2009
A quick google seems the lead comes into play regarding the battery but if it uses standard "non-block" type of rechargeable batteries I can't see the concern.
posted by doorsfan at 11:23 AM on August 5, 2009
Response by poster: I'm really looking for specific personal recommendations - many radios have no reviews online and others seem to be very poorly rated. I know I could just Google or walk into Target & buy something, but I would have no idea if it's a complete piece of garbage. Anybody already own something like this that has worked well for them?
posted by peep at 11:27 AM on August 5, 2009
posted by peep at 11:27 AM on August 5, 2009
You might find this helpful.
http://www.consumersearch.com/two_way_radios
posted by Perplexity at 11:41 AM on August 5, 2009
http://www.consumersearch.com/two_way_radios
posted by Perplexity at 11:41 AM on August 5, 2009
Toy radios are, well, toys -- fun, but poor quality (which probably explains the reviews). For a bit more money, you can get a real FRS radio with real range and reasonable performance, which will be useful as the kid grows up (and you can borrow them, too, or use them after the young'un gets bored with them!). Motorola handsets are quite good. The set I have doesn't seem to be made anymore, but it's similar to this set, for $45 on Amazon. The FRS channels may be used without a license, but you'll need to apply for a license to use the GPRS channels. The set can be "locked" (so it's difficult to change channels -- on my handsets, there's a button you have to hold for several seconds to unlock it) to keep your young'un off the license-required bands
posted by Alterscape at 1:16 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by Alterscape at 1:16 PM on August 5, 2009
My son and I use these when we're playing in the house, but they're nice to have on the playground or at the park too.
posted by lemniskate at 8:23 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by lemniskate at 8:23 AM on August 6, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:15 AM on August 5, 2009