We have found that some of our customers have a hard time trying to decide which FRS or GMRS radio is right for them. In this post I will be providing a brief comparison between two of our more popular models, the Motorola MS350R and the Midland GXT1000VP4.
First things first, let's talk about wattage and expected range. When it comes to range, Midland tends to be in a league of its own, offering a full 5 watts of transmit power with the GXT1000 radios. This extra wattage will come in handy when needing to communicate over long distances. In a typical urban setting, the typical range is usually 2 miles or less with the Midland radios, but could possibly reach much longer distances when in open areas or with direct line of sight. The MS350R from Motorola offers 1.5 watts of transmit power, which should still provide sufficient range in most situations.
Another thing to keep in mind is the feature set that each model has and how it may suit your needs in a two way radio. Both of these models will include features such as rechargeable batteries (with the capability of using AA alkaline batteries as a backup source), privacy codes, NOAA weather channels, scan mode and vibrate alert.
Some features that are different between the two models: The Motorola MS350R is fully waterproof and even submersible, while the Midland GXT1000 is only water resistant. The Motorola MS350R is repeater capable while the Midland GXT1000 is not (repeater capability would be a plus if you are within range of a GMRS repeater, as this would greatly increase your range). The MS350R also comes with a built-in LED flashlight for emergency situations, a feature the GXT1000 does not have. However, the Midland GXT1000 does offer one feature that is pretty unique, and that is the "Direct Call" feature. This feature allows you to single out a specific radio when using a group of radios and have a private conversation between only those two users.
Both of these models are top-of-the-line consumer radios, and you really cannot go wrong with either one, but hopefully this comparison will help you make the choice to best suit your needs. If you have any questions about these models or any of our other products, please feel free to contact our sales staff and they will be more than happy to help!
