martinbogo wrote:
You know, I think the w00t staff has the "delete" button set on "deep fat fry" tonight. Posts getting deleted left and right (Yes, yes, I know, some of them were not exactly on-topic.)

So, yes, these are the same as the X-Act x32x radios. Not a bad deal at $19 for a pair of them, and at least these come with mic/earphones.

They do have a VOX function, but the delay is a bit long for some people. The front button does work nicely, and it gives you that "Secret Agent" look when you use them. Overall, they are a bit large and bulky on the wrist, and people with large hands/wrists will find they don't fit well.

That aside, they are nice radios. You can get the batteries relatively easily, and I'm happy with the two pairs I own.

Do you have to replace batteries often? The description says they are rechargeable, and they come with chargers.

And thanks for the warning about fat wrists I will stick to the Cobras I got from Woot last month, or wait for more carabiners like from the last Woot-off. But I might get a couple of these for others.

markzero wrote:

Was that each, or per pair?

These radios always come in pairs in the box.

Io wrote:Anyone know if these have some kind of VOX function, and is the mic one of those standard mini-plug jobs?

These actually do use VOX.....for handsfree use

markzero wrote:

Do you have to replace batteries often? The description says they are rechargeable, and they come with chargers.

No, I haven't had to replace the batteries other than the =once= when I got them because the batteries had gone bad. I get about two days on an average charge, using VOX, which is pretty good for a little radio walkie-talkie.

jessestiller wrote:It'll be my first woot! if you don't need to wear the headset to use them. Does anybody know if you can use it without? I'm guessing yes... otherwise, what's the point of these?

Edit: Nevermind, I see Markzero's (or whoever's) answer up there!

You dont have to use the headset to use them...they have a small speaker onboard

W00t staffers.. could we get a clarification on the 2-for-tuesday for this item?

Is this TWO packages with TWO radios each? (i.e. four radios for $19) or is this ONE box with TWO radios in it?

Thanks!

Are these water proof? up to how deep before they are destroyed?

Yankees368 wrote:Ahhh...just one minute to late, and i'm all the way at the bottom!

Froogle Minimum Price $24.80

Yahoo Shopping Only Price $29.99

Aren't those prices both for just one communicator (making this a much better woot) ?

I'm totally getting these for my kids. How cool will that be, running around in the woods secret agent style!!!

If these worked on a cruise ship, would they work in Europe?

gcanyon wrote:

Aren't those prices both for just one communicator (making this a much better woot) ?

Every time I've seen these radios from XAct, they have come two-in-one-box.

mukjc2 wrote:Are these water proof? up to how deep before they are destroyed?

Are they fireproof as well? Can I put them into a burning vat of oil, for example?

kulivontot wrote:
how about like when... biking? My dad and I used a pair of these radio things when we did a 15 mile ride together.

If I tried to bike 15 miles, I'd be breathless, and probably have cardiac arrest But if you can talk while doing that, these should be fine. Might get some wind issues, though, since the wind screens are small.

mukjc2 wrote:Are these water proof? up to how deep before they are destroyed?

They are definately NOT water proof. At all. Not even a little bit. Rain might even make them go *bang* *pop* *fizzzzzzzZZ*

So, radios good. Water good. Radios + Water is bad. Very bad.

i95rr wrote:I could have used these on the cruise ship this past week. Lost to many of my friends and the Nextel didn't work. Seems like a good price for them too.

I bought the "6 theoretical mile" that woot had about a month ago, and they didn't work for more than half the distance on the cruise boat. There was too much interference with all the metal and electronics in every room

martinbogo wrote:
W00t staffers.. could we get a clarification on the 2-for-tuesday for this item?

Is this TWO packages with TWO radios each? (i.e. four radios for $19) or is this ONE box with TWO radios in it?

Thanks!

I am not a staffer, but it seems rather clear to me that this is for two wrist communicators (NOT two sets of two)...

dzlux wrote:
that's crazy talk....

I've heard that they don't really make any effort to enforce the GMRS license requirement right now, and I've never known anyone to run into a problem...

the $80 cost makes me think that it is uncommon to get the required license, because it's just crazy at that price!
You can get a low-level amateur radio (HAM) license for half that cost, and it will last twice as long (10 years rather than 5)... only catch is that it requires you to take a very easy exam... end result is that you have far more frequencies to play on, less power restrictions, and pre-established public amateur repeater stations that can rebroadcast your transmissions for miles and miles and miles...

'legally' you should get the GMRS license... but for me personally - I wouldn't bother!

You just need to be careful about prohibited transmissions such as employer or business communications and the your other family members would need a license also

kaptainkaveman wrote:I just got these at CompUSA for 12.97 on clearance. They are huge for wristwear... my kids won't care though. They look like the crawled out from the 80's though. $25 after shipping...yuck. Bad woot!

I saw these just the other day at compUSA for 29.00 a pair regular price ....not such a great woot .....as far as price goes...

dzlux wrote:
I am not a staffer, but it seems rather clear to me that this is for two wrist communicators (NOT two sets of two)...

I know, but usually a two-for-tuesday on w00t is a fantastic deal. These go for about $20 a pair in the stores ($20-30) so to make $19 a great deal, I'm lead to believe that w00t must be providing two boxes of these, and not just two radios.

As I mentioned earlier, they always come two-in-one-box.

tracy4868 wrote: If these worked on a cruise ship, would they work in Europe?

Technically, or legally?
You should Google frequencies for the countries you plan to visit.

Seems like a pretty good deal if they actually include two sets of these, hahs. I ordered one, so I'll see what comes.

Kickass wrote:Uhh...this woot is for two pairs right? Not just two single ones?

Two radios, not two pairs.

gtmillion wrote:

You just need to be careful about prohibited transmissions such as employer or business communications and the your other family members would need a license also

Barney Fife has joined the conversation as well. Thanks Barney. The FCC has sooooo many "agents" out there patroling families who might use a walkie talkie incorrectly. HA HA HA.

If you want these, buy 'em and enjoy 'em. Let Barney Fife and Deputy Dawg worry about "proper licensing".

gtmillion wrote:
[[[in response to the earlier dzlux post about amateur radio, licensing, etc.]]]

You just need to be careful about prohibited transmissions such as employer or business communications and the your other family members would need a license also

is it safe to assume you mean if someone is using the amateur radio service rather than the GMRS?

most of the same restrictions apply for the licensed bands in each service... only big differenceon the restrictions is that people are a little more serious about how you use the amateur frequencies.

eegorr wrote:
Two radios, not two pairs.

That's why I am asking the w00t staffers to clarify. I know they are reading the forums like mad, deleting posts is kind of an indication that a staffer is awake and reading through the forums. *chuckle*

Speaking of. "Hi there!"

So, clarification?

christopherjamesorr wrote:

Barney Fife has joined the conversation as well. Thanks Barney. The FCC has sooooo many "agents" out there patroling families who might use a walkie talkie incorrectly. HA HA HA.

If you want these, buy 'em and enjoy 'em. Let Barney Fife and Deputy Dawg worry about "proper licensing".

I was refering to amatuer radio in the quoted response

martinbogo wrote:

I know, but usually a two-for-tuesday on w00t is a fantastic deal. These go for about $20 a pair in the stores ($20-30) so to make $19 a great deal, I'm lead to believe that w00t must be providing two boxes of these, and not just two radios.

As I mentioned earlier, they always come two-in-one-box.

The Cobras I bought in July were a Two-For-Tuesday, and I saw the same questions/complaints then. You get two watches! Not four! No soup for you!

boooooo & hissssss
to think I stayed up for this...
Im not up late anyway
no union work stoppage for me...
I've been late to work everyday this woot.. er week.
My IS dept actually asked to check my PC for a virus today... they noticed a few too my woot-off hits from Friday.
I could use that slap in the face to wake up or snap out of it.
I used to be just another Boring Ordinary Citizen.
Now I've got blinking woot owl eyes for trying to catch that elusive BUNNY ORGANIZING CARROTS!
then will I sleep... and it will be swoot.. er sweet.

markzero wrote:

The Cobras I bought in July were a Two-For-Tuesday, and I saw the same questions/complaints then. You get two watches! Not four! No soup for you!

That sounds reasonable then. Of course, then that means that this w00t is not a particularly great deal, especially compared to the previous w00t for the x32x ones.

Pricing at $19 + 5 shipping, means that you really can go to CompUSA, and some online retailers, and generally get a better price on two of these radios.

Poot Woot.

perfect for snowboarding, i am in!

martinbogo wrote:

That's why I am asking the w00t staffers to clarify. I know they are reading the forums like mad, deleting posts is kind of an indication that a staffer is awake and reading through the forums. *chuckle*

Speaking of. "Hi there!"

So, clarification?

Maybe the woot masters are talking to the woot god scheduling the next b-g of cr-p and don't have time to answer menial questions. Yes, I agree only one pair of watches will come to your home.

martinbogo wrote:

That sounds reasonable then. Of course, then that means that this w00t is not a particularly great deal, especially compared to the previous w00t for the x32x ones.

Pricing at $19 + 5 shipping, means that you really can go to CompUSA, and some online retailers, and generally get a better price on two of these radios.

Poot Woot.

By what I have seen at CompUSA....after shiipping ...you would save four whole dollars.....that is IF they are both functioning correctly and you dont have to try and return one of them........good night woot.....(yawns)

In case anyone is interested, this article does have some good information regarding the various functions of GMRS and FRS radios.

http://www.popularwireless.com/gmrsmarketing.html

"It is the intent of this article to deal with marketing hype in the GMRS and FRS markets. The tactics mentioned here are in use today. I will explain why I think it is hype and encourage you to make your own educated purchase decision on the features and quality of the product associated with the hype."

<snip>

We got the red ones that were offered last time - they are great. Reception is pretty good for about 1/2 mile or so in tree-filled areas. We bring them camping with us and let the kids go on mini hikes with them while we hang out at the campsite. They tune into the same channel as our standard Motorola radios (the only downfall to this is that we also hear all the silly kid conversations between them)

About the whole licensing for the GMRS frequencies. It's not enforced at all. I've got a pair of Audiovox walkies that I use quite frequently for trips when we take more than one car or when i'm on vacation somewhere, and I always use the GMRS frequencies and i've never had a problem with having the FCC after me, so I doubt they enforce it and I doubt you'd have a problem with it. The FCC has other things to worry about, like Janet Jackson.

Just like my Dick Tracy Wrist Watch 2 way radio I the late 60's... which I still have !!!!! I just purchased oneto compare to the original.
Bobba recommends this one.

Gatzby wrote:

Swing and a miss. Just a peon. =) So, I don't know, but if it's anything like past deals, you're getting what's picture -- two radios, not two boxes (meaning four). But, don't hold me to that, I have no control over the products, sales, etc.

Thanks Gatzby. I think that's a safe bet .. so ..

Safe assumption is : This w00t is just one box with two radios in it

Kit? Kit? Come in Kit? I am in trouble and need your help..Kit...are you there?

martinbogo wrote:

That's why I am asking the w00t staffers to clarify. I know they are reading the forums like mad, deleting posts is kind of an indication that a staffer is awake and reading through the forums. *chuckle*

Speaking of. "Hi there!"

So, clarification?

This deal is clearly two radios for $19, not two boxes of two or the description would clearly state you get four radios. I bought these last time on "two for" day and got two radios per unit ordered. While this is still a fair price at $19, I agree it is not a great deal and I believe it is misleading and should not qualify as a tru "two for" item. If they keep abusing this concept then before you know it we will have speakers, shoes, gloves, socks, and all manner of other items normally sold as pairs showing up on "two for" night. Better yet, why not sell the next 6.1 speaker set as 1 individual speaker per unit on "two for" night and you have to order qty of 3 units to get all 6 speakers. Best be careful lest we give the woot buyers any more ideas.

FWIW: My guess is that volunteer moderators delete most of the posts, not woot staffers. Or at least I hope this is the case since I think the moderators have been way out of line lately so I would like to think it is some left coast liberal that is pro-censorship rather than the woot staff doing this. :-)