Electronics MIDLAND GXT900VP4 2 Way 22 Channels plus 20 Extra channels Radio
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - Solid radios, not-so-good post-sales support
As many other reviewers have said, these are solid radios at a very good price. The construction is solid (although the battery compartment covers are a bit loose to inspire much confidence in the "waterproof" department), the sound quality is excellent, and the feature list is impressive.

However, Midland's post-sales support is horrendous so far. They ignore emails sent through their website, and the extent of the FAQ and other information on the support site is very poor. The user manual (which is not yet available on Midland's website) is poorly written and self-contradictory. While you can certainly figure out how to use the radios, some of the more advanced features remain mysteries even after reading the manual.

As for the radios themselves, I can identify the following negatives: the antennas are rigid and appear to be easily breakable; the control buttons are tiny, making them impossible to use through gloves; the menu system is anything but user friendly; the required charging base is required for charging (you can't just plug the radios directly into the adapter); the radios are a bit on the heavy and bulky side; no wrist straps.

Here are the positives: excellent sound quality and reception; adequately loud alert tones; good belt clip; plenty of channels and "privacy" codes (as others have noted, there's nothing "private" about a conversation had with a privacy code); scrambler feature for some degree of "privacy."

Please note that although the Amazon listing does not say so, the GXT900VP4 includes two headsets, so you don't have to order them separately. The included headset quality isn't the best, but they work.

The pluses outweigh the minuses, by far, but I wish Midland were more responsive to its customers' needs.

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Rating: - Great Radios
Radio are great. I have had a set of 800's and now own the 900. What most people do not understand is in the woods you don't get 30 miles. And these are great for the wooded areas. They will keep you in contact and are easy to operate. If you are a hunter you need a pair

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Rating: - not even close
all the bells and whistles
easy to set-up and operate
NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ADVERTISED RANGE
dissapointing at least possibly false advertising

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Rating: - Zero Range
Within the last few months I have ordered six of these units. It was a mistake. Within a week or two of initial use two of the units were dead, kaput. Naturally, I didn't save the receipts so I'll just eat the loss.

Of more significance is the fact that this generation radio is not compatible with the generation just preceeding, even though it's the same manufacturer.

I've used Midland in my hunting operations on the ranch for several years. Must now find a different system or risk having irate hunters walk all the way back to the barn.