VTech VT-66-1311 Single 14-Channel FRS Radio with 38 Sub Codes (Purple)

Amazon.com Review
For anyone who as a kid ever used a walkie-talkie, the V-Talk handheld person-to-person communicators feel refreshingly familiar. But even though they come in a variety of translucent colors and fit easily into the palm of your hand, V-Talk radios are by no means toys.

With a 2-mile range, these devices offer some serious communication potential. Granted that our signal was relatively unobstructed, in our tests we could hear one another clearly from across department stores ("Honey, are we done shopping yet?"), on the other side of a large lake, and even for a while on commuter trains racing in opposite directions.

For basic use, the V-Talk is quite simple to handle. Just turn it on, set both devices to the same communications channel, and then hold down the PTT (push to talk) button to transmit. The V-Talk is a fully equipped FRS (Family Radio Service) communicator with 14 channels. It allows you to monitor channels before transmission to ensure that you don't interrupt another conversation. And it offers 38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) sub-band codes, giving you more combinations to choose from to keep your conversations private.

To prevent your discussions from being overhead the old-fashioned way (by anyone nearby curiously perking up their ears), the V-Talk contains a headphone output and microphone input port so you can hook up a headset for more discreet conversing.

The V-Talk is powered by three AAA batteries instead of rechargeable battery packs that some other radios use, but it also offers some features designed to extend battery life. The automatic power-off attribute shuts down the radio after 30 minutes of inactivity. And a time-out timer stops the V-Talk from transmitting if the PTT button has been held down for either 30 seconds or 3 minutes (set by the user).

The V-Talk FRS radio is a good choice--and a good price--for the number of valuable features included in the package. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Compact design
• Easy to use
• Headset jacks

Cons:

• Battery replacement can be costly
• Obstructions can make reception scratchy

Product Description:
Through continuous and dedicated adherence to its core business philosophy, VTech has developed into one of most internationally recognized brands - designing, manufacturing, selling and distributing electronic learning and telecommunication products.

VTech VT-66-1311 Single 14-Channel FRS Radio with 38 Sub Codes (Purple)

Average customer rating: Durable, full featured inexpensive radio Great for the price Great radio, especially for the price!! Great for traveling Good range and channel selection.

VTech VT-66-1311 Single 14-Channel FRS Radio with 38 Sub Codes (Purple) Manufacturer: Vtech ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics All Two-Way Radios | Two-Way Radios & Accessories | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics FRS Two-Way Radios | Two-Way Radios & Accessories | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics VTech | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics Two-Way Radios | Radios & Communication | Emergency Preparedness | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Home Improvement | Home & Garden Product Features: 14 channels, 38 sub-band privacy codes Channel scanning for multiple groups Backlit LCD, push-to-talk button Microphone and headset jacks Auto power-off ASIN: B00004VVJX

Product Description

Through continuous and dedicated adherence to its core business philosophy, VTech has developed into one of most internationally recognized brands - designing, manufacturing, selling and distributing electronic learning and telecommunication products.

Amazon.com Review

For anyone who as a kid ever used a walkie-talkie, the V-Talk handheld person-to-person communicators feel refreshingly familiar. But even though they come in a variety of translucent colors and fit easily into the palm of your hand, V-Talk radios are by no means toys.

With a 2-mile range, these devices offer some serious communication potential. Granted that our signal was relatively unobstructed, in our tests we could hear one another clearly from across department stores ("Honey, are we done shopping yet?"), on the other side of a large lake, and even for a while on commuter trains racing in opposite directions.

For basic use, the V-Talk is quite simple to handle. Just turn it on, set both devices to the same communications channel, and then hold down the PTT (push to talk) button to transmit. The V-Talk is a fully equipped FRS (Family Radio Service) communicator with 14 channels. It allows you to monitor channels before transmission to ensure that you don't interrupt another conversation. And it offers 38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) sub-band codes, giving you more combinations to choose from to keep your conversations private.

To prevent your discussions from being overhead the old-fashioned way (by anyone nearby curiously perking up their ears), the V-Talk contains a headphone output and microphone input port so you can hook up a headset for more discreet conversing.

The V-Talk is powered by three AAA batteries instead of rechargeable battery packs that some other radios use, but it also offers some features designed to extend battery life. The automatic power-off attribute shuts down the radio after 30 minutes of inactivity. And a time-out timer stops the V-Talk from transmitting if the PTT button has been held down for either 30 seconds or 3 minutes (set by the user).

The V-Talk FRS radio is a good choice--and a good price--for the number of valuable features included in the package. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Compact design
• Easy to use
• Headset jacks

Cons:

• Battery replacement can be costly
• Obstructions can make reception scratchy

Amazon.com Product Description

The VTech VTalk 1311 FRS radio offers the important features you need, but not the costlier features you don't, in a compact, fun package at a great- value price. With 14 channels and 38 subcodes, the 1311 offers a total of 532 frequencies to choose from. It also provides auto channel scan to find a clear channel for you, channel monitor, and channel lock. It's the easy way to enjoy two-way radio communications over a two-mile range.

Additional features of the 1311 include an easy-to-read backlit LCD, microphone jack, headset jack, and belt clip. The 1311 uses three ordinary AAA batteries (included), and its auto power-off feature extends their life, so you can use your radio all day.

The colorful translucent casing is both fun and durable, and its compact size lets you easily tuck the radio away in your pocket.

Customer Reviews:

Durable, full featured inexpensive radio.......2001-01-12

I've been a user of professional level 2 way radios for years in the wildland firefighting world, and I can tell you that some of the abuse that I've subjected my vtech to has killed $800 bendix king and motorola radios in the past. Ex: repeated drops from 6 ft onto pavement (really!). Now, I'm not going to recommend this, but hey, a few bumps or dumps into the snow ;) probably won't hurt these little units. Most all of these radios will have the same range - they are all operating on the same frequency with the maximum allowed output wattage. An additional function the radio has: not listed on the manual or handy stick-on cheat sheet is the "monitor" or "open squelch" feature. If your friend is coming in scratchy or breaking out, press and hold the "mode button". This will add some background scratchyness, but may allow you to hear the weak signal. You may also use this function to listen in on transmissions happening on your frequency on a different privacy code. Final note: these things are so small and light that my friend clips his onto his shirt collar for our mountain bike rides! I don't know why anyone would buy a different radio (other than occasional unavailability from Amazon. They're worth the wait - there are about 12 of these in my circle of friends - we've used them EXTENSIVELY in the last six months rockclimbing, roadtripping, mt.biking in Tahoe, BC skiing, shopping costco ;( , etc... with no probs. Enjoy! Definately nerdy at first, but highly handy!

Great for the price.......2000-12-31

I bought 6 of these radios, 4 for gifts and a pair for me and my wife. We have used them in local malls and they work very well across the mall. The clarity of sound is very good. I do notice that you have to put your mouth very near to the radio for good voice pickup... any further than a few inches reduces pickup notably. The basic features of the radio are easy to use, but the advanced features require multiple keypresses along with turning the radio on or off. Those advanced features (key lock, backlight timer, scan etc) will not be used much since they are annoying to program. We just set the channel/CTSS and keep the key lock on for foolproof operation.

Great radio, especially for the price!!.......2000-12-29

I bought these for my husband as a Christmas gift but I have already used them more than he has. These are a nice, small size for carrying in a purse or even in a jacket pocket. They are also really easy to use; even children could use them. These have lots of channels and privacy codes so you can even set them to work with several other radios. We just used them in Las Vegas when everyone wanted to be in a different place. We each took a different radio (some of them were even other brands) and we just tuned ourselves into the same channel and we kept in touch nicely, inside and out! The only thing I don't like about this radio is that it does not have a call button so you can't alert the person on the other end first.

Great for traveling.......2000-12-29

We recently went on a short trip with some friends of ours. We took separate cars because of the kids. These worked great. They are good for letting the other people know when you are stopping for a bathroom break or just for stretching. They work best on flat stretches of highway if you get separated from the other vehicle. They really work for about 2 miles on these stretches. If there are hills or trees, you can expect the receiption to be decreased. Overall, I would recommend these. They are cheap, but work as well as the more expensive models. Why pay more money for something you're not going to be using everyday? Save that money for the trip.

Good range and channel selection........2000-12-14

I found this radio to be the best entry level one with all the 38 sub-codes and the backlit LCD. The translucent plastic is a nice cool factor. I'm satisfied with the product.

Average customer rating: Drains batteries while turned off Great price, solid performer Not a good radio!!!! Do not buy it!!!!! What a deal! Good value!

VTech 1311 Blue 14-Channel FRS Radio with 38 Sub Codes (single) Manufacturer: Vtech ProductGroup: CE Binding: Electronics All Two-Way Radios | Two-Way Radios & Accessories | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics FRS Two-Way Radios | Two-Way Radios & Accessories | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics VTech | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics Two-Way Radios | Radios & Communication | Emergency Preparedness | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Home Improvement | Home & Garden Accessories: Energizer NH12BP-2 AAA Nickel Rechargeable Battery (2-Pack) Energizer CHM4FC Battery Charger High Energy Unwired Technology FRSEM8 Earbud with Inline Voice Activated Microphone Product Features: 14 channels, 38 sub-band privacy codes Channel scanning for multiple groups Backlit LCD, push-to-talk button Microphone and headset jacks Auto power-off ASIN: B00004VVJW

Product Description

VTech is one of the world's leading consumer-focused technology companies which designs, manufactures and markets telecommunication and electronic learning products through an extensive international distribution network. With its excellence in technology manufacturing, VTech has successfully built a business based on its vision of "enriching lives through putting technology into the hands of people".

Amazon.com Review

For anyone who as a kid ever used a walkie-talkie, the V-Talk handheld person-to-person communicators feel refreshingly familiar. But even though they come in a variety of translucent colors and fit easily into the palm of your hand, V-Talk radios are by no means toys.

With a 2-mile range, these devices offer some serious communication potential. Granted that our signal was relatively unobstructed, in our tests we could hear one another clearly from across department stores ("Honey, are we done shopping yet?"), on the other side of a large lake, and even for a while on commuter trains racing in opposite directions.

For basic use, the V-Talk is quite simple to handle. Just turn it on, set both devices to the same communications channel, and then hold down the PTT (push to talk) button to transmit. The V-Talk is a fully equipped FRS (Family Radio Service) communicator with 14 channels. It allows you to monitor channels before transmission to ensure that you don't interrupt another conversation. And it offers 38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) sub-band codes, giving you more combinations to choose from to keep your conversations private.

To prevent your discussions from being overhead the old-fashioned way (by anyone nearby curiously perking up their ears), the V-Talk contains a headphone output and microphone input port so you can hook up a headset for more discreet conversing.

The V-Talk is powered by three AAA batteries instead of rechargeable battery packs that some other radios use, but it also offers some features designed to extend battery life. The automatic power-off attribute shuts down the radio after 30 minutes of inactivity. And a time-out timer stops the V-Talk from transmitting if the PTT button has been held down for either 30 seconds or 3 minutes (set by the user).

The V-Talk FRS radio is a good choice--and a good price--for the number of valuable features included in the package. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Compact design
• Easy to use
• Headset jacks

Cons:

• Battery replacement can be costly
• Obstructions can make reception scratchy

Amazon.com Product Description

The VTech VTalk 1311 FRS radio offers the important features you need, but not the costlier features you don't, in a compact, fun package at a great- value price. With 14 channels and 38 subcodes, the 1311 offers a total of 532 frequencies to choose from. It also provides auto channel scan to find a clear channel for you, channel monitor, and channel lock. It's the easy way to enjoy two-way radio communications over a two-mile range.

Additional features of the 1311 include an easy-to-read backlit LCD, microphone jack, headset jack, and belt clip. The 1311 uses three ordinary AAA batteries (included), and its auto power-off feature extends their life, so you can use your radio all day.

The colorful translucent casing is both fun and durable, and its compact size lets you easily tuck the radio away in your pocket.

Customer Reviews:

Drains batteries while turned off.......2001-04-17

I left it sitting on the shelf for a few months w/ batteries inside. When I went to use it, it had drained the batteries. Battery life also seems too short. I'd suggest getting FRS radios that take AA batteries even though they are somewhat larger.

It is clear and loud and has decent range (not sure what other folks are used to, especially the guy who tested 210 radios but didn't post what the top 3 were from his results). It also has the key features (lots of channels and subcode), so it's a relatively good deal for FRS radios.

Great price, solid performer.......2000-10-16

Having owned a pair of Motorolas that cost twice as much, I can tell you that these are a great buy. Well built, with pretty much the same feature set as the Motorola brand. Battery life is the same as the Motorolas; the more you talk the less battery life you get, as transmission burns up the battery life much more than reception.

I think the most important purchase criteria here is how you intend to use them, as usable distance varies considerable with terrain. If you are in flat farmlands then you can expect 2 miles, otherwise it is typically less than a 1 mile of effective range. In cities I've found it to sometimes be as little as 200 or 300 feet (that's less than 1/10 of a mile).

FRS radios can be used with great success in many situations, such as at Disneyworld (yep, you can stay in touch with lose your kids or significant other), shopping in big cities (I hang out on the street while my wife takes the girls inside), when the kids are biking near the house, etc. If that's what you have in mind, then this is a good purchase.

Not a good radio!!!! Do not buy it!!!!!.......2000-10-16

This is not a good product! The range is bad!!!(only 1/2 mile, when it says 2 miles) I test radios for a living and the rank low out of 210 radios it ranks 198 ot of 210. It is good for backyard use only for kids playing! DO NOT BUY IT!!!

What a deal!.......2000-10-13

I had been on a quest looking for that perfect gift for my seven year old son. Initially, I looked at the Motorola TalkAbout, but was put off by the [price tag] - I mean that's just too much to spend on something that will probably wind up trashed. Anyways, I found the VTech walkie talkie (personal radio) here [and] got 'em.

The quality is pretty good (worked right out of the box), it's got some key features (NOT as many as the Motorola), it looks good (we got blue and purple), and at this price is almost disposable. Our son and his friends LOVE playing with them (great range and clear) and we've even used them for real communication (I located my family at Costco)! In the final analysis, when you can find a good product this cheap, jump on it.

Good value!.......2000-10-11

Although the first pair of these ordered didn't work, Amazon.com replaced them within about three seconds, and the new pair works great. Just the right size, and I get fairly good range with them. All in all, I'm quite pleased, and it seems the price has dropped a bit more since I bought mine.

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