KDS Rad-5 15" LCD Monitor

Average customer rating:

How to Start up the monitor, i mean where to do you plug in

Thank Goodness for the Replacement Warranty!

Excellent monitor for the price

Beware

Review from an objective point of view!

KDS Rad-5 15" LCD Monitor

Manufacturer: KDS
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Belkin HDDB15M/F PC Monitor Extension Cable (6 FT)

Belkin F2N025-10 VGA HDDB15M/F Monitor Extension Cable (10 FT)

Fellowes 5-Position Monitor Riser

3M Screen Cleaner Kit for Monitors/Screen Filters/Privacy Filters

Fellowes Monitor Mount Copyholder - Mounts On Either Side Of Monitor

Product Features:

1024 x 768 resolution and 0.297mm dot pitch for sharp images

Bright picture with high 300:1 contrast ratio

Wide 140-degree horizontal viewing angle

Intuitive onscreen display controlls; wall mountable

Bonus silver-colored mouse matches frame

ASIN: B000062Y6O
Release Date: 2002-09-24

Product Description

The beautifully designed yet affordable RAD-5 series analog LCD panel is perfect for replacing your old conventional CRT monitor. It is an "a-Si TFT LCD panel" with a 15.0 diagonal panel size. The RAD-5 features a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 at 75Hz for outstanding brightness and incredible color. This LCD panel may also be taken off the stand and wall-mounted.

Amazon.com Product Description

This sleek and stylish LCD monitor brings both increased flexibility and impressive clarity to your desktop, all for a great low price. The small 6.2-by-14.1-inch stand is easily removable, leaving the 6-inch-deep screen free to mount on the wall. No matter where it lives, this monitor provides a full 15 inches of totally flat viewing. To further reduce clutter, the power and signal inputs are supplied through a single 15-pin cable.

A maximum noninterlaced resolution of 1,024 x 768 combines with a 0.297mm dot pitch and 16 million colors to bring you clear, accurate images, perfect for a wide variety of home and business applications. Additionally, a 300:1 contrast ratio and 250 cd/m of brightness help to bring the images on screen vividly to life.

You can easily adjust settings using intuitive onscreen controls, including brightness, contrast, horizontal/vertical position, and color temperature. An anti-reflective screen coating helps to cut glare and to reduce annoying eyestrain.

The Rad-5 is both TCO '99 and Energy Star compliant, with a power consumption rating of only 32 watts maximum. The manufacturer includes a generous three-year warranty that covers both parts and labor. As a bonus, a shiny silver mouse cover is included, which matches the space-age display frame.

Customer Reviews:

How to Start up the monitor, i mean where to do you plug in.......2004-01-13

how do you start the screen up , i mean where do you plug in the wire . please if you can help me with that e-mail me how to do it.
ASAP thanks
Howyoudoing699@aol.com

Thank Goodness for the Replacement Warranty!.......2003-12-02

I purchased this monitor based on a review in Fortune magazine (a mistake to begin with) and the irresistable price.

The image needed considerable tweaking after I unpacked the monitor, but after downloading the driver from KDS it looked fine and does not have the flicker of my laptop.

The first monitor lasted for a few months, but the screen began to go bad from right to left, then completely died. The warranty provided 3 years parts and service and returning the defective monitor was painless. The second monitor died with a bad on/off switch. Ditto for the third. I'm now on my fourth monitor and this whole process started less than two years ago! When this one dies I'll purchase from another manufacturer. I'm only willing to put up with this for so long...

Excellent monitor for the price.......2003-11-05

My own experience with this monitor has been nothing short of excellent: cheap price, free mouse, excellent display quality. I've noticed that the people who knock this monitor don't mention what resolution or refresh rate they're running at. They probably don't realize that most LCDs are designed only to run at a specific resolution and that if you change resolutions, characters become "blocky" and the entire display becomes fuzzy. This monitor's optimal display resolution is 1024x768 at a refresh rate of 60Hz. You have to remember, CRTs and LCDs are different types of technology. LCDs don't actually refresh the same way that CRTs do, hence you can get away with a lower refresh rate. As for the guy who said you can't tilt this monitor and that you have to stick a piece of paper under the stand, I'm speechless. One other thing, the response time on this monitor is pretty fast. I can play games like Unreal Tournament or watch DVDs on it with no ghosting whatsoever. KDS has been known to be a cheap brand, but sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due. The Rad-5 truly is an excellent monitor, especially if you consider how much you pay for it.

Beware.......2003-09-24

This company recently stopped selling computers but didn't tell their customers, nor did they cancel the orders or refund the charges for orders not shipped yet. So beware. It's safe to buy from Amazon.com, no doubt, but if your monitor is dead after Amazon's 30-day warranty, you may be wishing you hadn't bought this.

Review from an objective point of view!.......2003-09-16

Reviews are often times a series of dialogues between their writers. I don't intend to trump any one of them. I only want to give an unbiased account of my poor experience with this monitor. It arrived early and at a competetive price from Amazon. Thumbs up to Amazon for that part. But then "plug and play" turned into more than 3 hours of unsuccessful troubleshooting and a very poor monitor. On my first computer the image was horrible. All icons on the desktop had blue and red shadows, the text was next to impossible to read, and the overall image quality unacceptable! I hooked it up to two other newer computers and received the same results. I can't believe KDS can sell this kind of product to people and receive positive reviews. I am not too demanding which is why I opted for its bargain price. But we can expect at very least some decent quality. Both my 3 year old Dell laptop and the 6 year old CRT monitor that I wanted to replace had superior quality over the KDS. I bought another CRT monitor and will probably stay with it until quality and affordabliity in LCD's improves!

15-Inch KDS Rad-5 TFT LCD Flat Panel Monitor (Silver)

Average customer rating:

15-Inch KDS Rad-5 TFT LCD Flat Panel Monitor (Silver)

Manufacturer: KDS
ProductGroup: CE

15-inch KDS TFT LCD Flat Panel Monitor General Features: Ultra-Thinspace-saving design Color: Silver
Screen Size: 15-inch 0.297 mm dot pitch Brightness: 250 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio: 300:1 (typical)
16.7 million max. display colors Max. Resolution: 1024 x 768 @ 75 Hz 15-pin VGA cable attached
OSD Controls Wall-mount capability EnergyStar compliant Dimensions w/stand:
14 x 6.25 x 14 (H x D x W, approximate)

ASIN: B000VSBVCW

Product Description

This KDS Rad-5 ultra-thin 15-inch LCD monitorhas space-saving featuresdesigned to save valuable desktop space! Watch brilliant images and text on its 15-inch screen with up to 1024 x 768 maximum resolution and 16.7 Million display colors! Work on spreadsheets with ease and comfortably browse the Internet for hours on end! The KDS Rad-5 is great for dorm rooms, small offices, and anyplace where space is at a premium!

Average customer rating:

KDS Rad-5 15" LCD Display (Silver)

Manufacturer: KDS
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

KDS | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Product Features:

1,024 x 768 maximum resolution, 0.297 mm dot pitch
140-degree horizontal and 125-degree vertical viewing angles
250 cd/m2 of brightness, 300:1 contrast ratio
Wall mountable with optional bracket
PC and Mac compatible; 3-year warranty

ASIN: B0000AMRZA

Product Description

The Rad5gs LCD flat panel is perfect for clients looking for an affordable 15" thin display. This display combines a slim design and ergonomic features making it great for home or office use. If looking to finally upgrade your older monitor, you will appreciate having your desktop space back with the Rad5gs.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Rad-5 is a 15-inch TFT active matrix LCD with a thin profile and wall-mount compatibility (bracket sold separately). The Rad-5 combines a 0.297 mm dot pitch and 1,024 x 768 maximum resolution to deliver crisp, accurate images, while its 300:1 contrast ratio and 250 cd/m2 provide easy-to-see images and text. It also has 140-degree horizontal and 125-degree vertical viewing angles and a -5 to +15-degree tilt that allows you to adjust the monitor to best suit your viewing environment.

Analog RGB signals are supported via a 15-pin mini D-sub port, while an OSD menu allows you to adjust the monitor's settings. The small 14.1-by-6.2-inch footprint takes up far less space than a comparable CRT monitor. The unit weighs just 8.8 pounds, which makes it easy to handle or move. Additionally, plug-and-play compatibility makes setup a snap. Compatible with both PC and Mac operating platforms, the Rad-5 comes backed by a three-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Monitor, base, power cable, 15-pin mini D-sub cable, user's manual

Product Description

Ilford FP4 Plus is a fine-grained medium contrast panchromatic emulsion. Nominally rated at ISO 125/22, it yields very fine grain and outstanding sharpness with very high acutance.Ilford FP4 Plus has good exposure latitude making it very suitable for most photographic subjects under a variety of lighting conditions. The balance of sensitivity, grain and sharpness make Ilford FP4 Plus the most popular medium speed film.

Ilford FP4 Plus Fine Grain Medium Speed Black and White Film, ISO 125, 4 x 5" - 100 Sheets

Average customer rating:

Ilford FP4 Plus Fine Grain Medium Speed Black and White Film, ISO 125, 4 x 5" - 100 Sheets

Manufacturer: Ilford
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Product Features:

ISO 125/22° BLACK AND WHITE PROFESSIONAL FILM FOR HIGH PRINT QUALITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN USE

ASIN: B00078X6VK

Product Description

Product Description

Sync and charge your iPAQ Pocket PC without a cradle! Connect one end of the cable directly to your iPAQ and the other end to the USB port on your PC or Mac. Use this cable to synchronize and charge the Palm Tungsten T, Tunsgten W, Tingsten C, i705, m125, m130, m500, m505, m515 and Zire 71 PDAs.

Customer Reviews:

Decent sync cable.......2006-11-28

I like the idea that it's retractable but it didn't fix my problem with the hot sync issue I thought I had. I think it's something in my palm but this item is compatable with the Zire 71 and would power it. It's a little bit of a tight squeeze to connect the cable to the palm but it works.

A wonderful aftermarket cable.......2006-09-02

I bought one of these for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the USB cradle that came with my Palm m130 has always been very finicky; unless the A/C adapter is plugged in just right, it won't recharge my m130, even though it sometimes appears like it is (the charging icon displays on the Palm, but immediately after disconnecting from the cradle the meter indicates the same charge level as before). Second, the bulky cradle and adapter are not much fun to travel with.

I almost settled on a replacement cradle, but balked at the cost versus the aftermarket alternatives. Eventually I decided to give this one a shot. I'm sure glad I did!

I've been using it daily for a handful of weeks, and it has proven to be very dependable. For whatever reason, the first few times I tried I couldn't get the m130 to sync to my computer; since then, it has worked every time. And it has been a very reliable charger all along.

I try to be very gentle with the cable. The wires are quite thin and fragile, so being careful is very important. In contrast, connecting the m130 to the connector requires a firm, but measured, approach. I have the best luck when I lay both on a flat surface and slide them together, making sure the m130 is firmly seated in the connector. (A very gentle side-to-side rocking motion will confirm whether both sides of the connector mated to the Palm correctly.) Come to think of it, the synchronizing problems I had at first might have been a connection issue; I can't be certain, though.

Overall, I am extremely pleased by my decision to purchase this cable. It fits my needs for reliability and portability. A brilliant gadget!

Palm m130 using Windows XP Home and Windows 98.......2005-02-19

It is up to the purchaser to determine whether his/her handheld device is compatible with the Zip-Linq.

Works perfectly with my Palm m130 using Windows XP Home and Windows 98 with Palm software already installed and running on both computers. Excellent for travel.

The Zip-Linq will not recharge the Palm battery as quickly as the Palm Cradle, and the computer must be turned on in order for the Zip-Linq to charge the Palm through the computer's USB port.

The Zip-Linq is somewhat fragile, so handle it carefully when inserting or removing it from the Palm. Also be gentle when extending or retracting the Zip-Linq cable.

If the purchaser buys the Zip-Linq cable to replace the original Palm cradle, there should be no glitches if he/she has already performed HotSync one or multiple times using the original Palm cradle. It SHOULD be as simple as replacing the original Palm cradle with the Zip-Linq cable.

One reviewer has indicated that his/her Palm data was lost the first time he/she attempted to use HotSync with the Zip-Linq. I'm not sure why this would happen if the Zip-Linq is compatible with the handheld in question, but one could always perform a HotSync with the original Palm cradle before using the Zip-Linq for the first time. Once the user gets comfortable with the device and its functionality, this precautionary measure should be unnecessary with future use of the Zip-Linq.

If the user inserts Zip-Linq into the USB port to run HotSync for the very first time (ie., initial install or reinstall of Palm software), Windows may not be able to read the Zip-Linq through the USB port initially. In the case of Windows XP Home, this writer believes this has nothing to do with the Zip-Linq cradle. Windows XP Home simply needs to find the correct driver from the Palm software in order to run HotSync through the USB port. When the Zip-Linq is inserted in the USB port, Windows XP Home may indicate that it has "Found New Hardware" and then prompt the user to allow the operating system to find the driver that will be used to read the USB port. XP may prompt the user to insert the Palm software CD so that it can find the right driver. This does not mean that Windows XP Home will reinstall the Palm software; it will simply look for the right file to run HotSync. It is a step-by-step procedure (ie., simple). In the case of Windows 98 and first use of HotSync, the operating system may not automatically be able to find the driver. In this case, it would be best to run HotSync on the original Palm Cradle before using the Zip-Linq.

Good travel cable, but NOT compatible with Tungsten C.......2003-10-22

Although this cable lists compatibility with Tungsten W and T, and it will charge a Tungsten C model, it will not sync with C models. This information is buried on the support pages instead of the compatiblity page of the manufacturer's web site. I would have given this 4 stars if they had disclosed this.

If it had worked with my palm, I would say that it is very compact and light weight. It is similar in size to a white board marker when reeled in. The cable isn't long at 30 inches, but usually that is enough. Highly recommended as a compact alternative to a cradle.

The plug where the usb connector is attached to the cable looks like it might not last forever cause the cable is so thin and you usually accidentally push on the connection when plugging in the cable. But if you want compact for travel or as a backup to IR this is the choice.

Product Description

This is a WAN V.36 DTE Interface Cable for Express 8xxx Router.

Average customer rating:

Best for the money

A lot of bang for the buck

Review of the Midland 75-515 FRS Transceiver

Good Radios - minor problems

Hi-Tech Walkie-Talkie in a Compact Size

Midland 75-515 2-Way Radio

Manufacturer: Midland
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
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Accessories:

Midland 22405 EarBud Speaker Microphone

Energizer E91BP-4 AA Batteries (4-Pack)

Energizer E91FP-12 - Battery - AA - alkaline x 12

Product Features:

Privacy code allows 1,694 code and channel combinations

12-function backlit LCD

36-setting voice activation for hands-free talking

Automatic stealth squelch

Range of up to 2 miles on land, 5 miles on water

ASIN: B00004U8GS

Product Description

Your Midland 75-515 SpeakEasy Ultra brings the new FRS (Family Radio Service) to your fingertips. The Family Radio Service is provided for by the FCC and is totally license free. For the first time business and the general public can use the quiet UHF FM band for personal communications at no airtime charge. The 75-515 uses maximum allowable power for range up to 2 miles. Use for fishing, hunting, picnics, biking, business, or any other activity where communications are needed for convenience or safety. The 75-515 model incorporates all 14 channels with 38 different CTCSS and 83 DCS codes to provide the best in quiet communications. Also this radio offers scan, power save, 9 memory channels and a multifunction back-lighted liquid crystal display. This unit also incorporates VOX (voice operated transmit) that allows hands free use when the radio is equipped with certain accessories.The 75-515 has three scan modes. The most popular and most used is the "Busy" channel scan. This allows the radio to stop on a channel that someone is talking on. When the radio stops on a "Busy" channel, the scan will stop and resume after about 5 seconds. The second is the "Open" channel scan. This allows the radio to stop on channels that are not used. This is useful when looking for open channels to use. The third is "Dual Watch". This allows you to scan only two channels. This is useful when you want to keep track of two other people.

Amazon.com Review

Grasp the sturdy-yet-light Midland 75-515 FRS two-way radio in your hand and you'll be staying in touch with friends, associates, and family in a whole new way. The 75-515, like all FRS radios, has a range of up to two miles on land (five miles over water), and it works best in the open, away from buildings and not in enclosed vehicles. It features 14 channels with 38 CTCSS and 83 DCS privacy codes (totaling 1,694 code and channel combinations), enabling you to easily switch to the clearest channel for communication.

The power-save circuit automatically places the radio in a sleep mode if no signal has been transmitted or received for several seconds. A backlit LCD screen displays all 12 functions, including the channel, privacy code, battery strength, and key-lock status. However, the small text read-out can be hard to read in dim light.

Impressively compact and solidly designed with soft rubber covers for the accessory and charge jacks to keep dirt and moisture out, the 75-515 has call and talk buttons conveniently positioned for any right-hander's easy use.

We appreciated the concise owner's manual, which provided a guide to using the functions (channel change, monitor, and scan busy and open channels) and to setting memory channels for faster contacts. Other benefits to enjoy are hands-free operation (just set the VOX sensitivity level) and a babysitter mode (also voice activated).

We found that replacing the unit's back after battery replacement was a bit tricky, and the hinged rubber jack covers (for microphone and earphone/headset) are vulnerable to damage. But that shouldn't diminish from the overall positives of the 75-515's feature set--collected in an affordable package.

Pros:

Stay in contact in the wilderness, on vacation, at the mall
Lightweight and very compact

Cons:

Battery cover tricky to replace
Hinged rubber jack covers are vulnerable to damage

Customer Reviews:

Best for the money.......2001-09-17

This is the best for the money. I successfully used these at Disney World. The DCS codes cut off the first word, so you have to "learn" to use it, but it did come in handy for crowded airwaves (no other radio's I know of have them). The CTCSS codes are a little better and are compatible with other FRS radio's. My daughter left one outside all night through a thunderstorm. It was soaked. After emptying the water, drying it out all night and replacing the batteries it worked just fine! (and she didn't have to spend her allowance on a new one). Makes me feel good about using them for skiing this winter. There is only one call tone and it's a little annoying. There is no vibrate alert. One set of batteries lasted the week at Disney. If your not using them everyday, I see no need for the charger. In all, great for the money.

A lot of bang for the buck.......2001-08-29

I got 3 of these Midland 75-515's for family bike trips, but I've found that they're useful for much more: trips to the mall, skiing, all kinds of situations. I had previously bought and returned some other FRS radios, because I found that they lacked some necessary features (like call tones). What I like about these particular radios is that they have a large number of subcodes (38 CTSS codes and ~83 digital squelch tones) that screen out other peoples obnoxious comments (go to an amusement park and you will NOT be able to use FRS radios unless you can screen out moronic profane comments). The channel lock feature is a must also. Despite all the features, it's pretty simple to use (my nine year old has no problems with it). They're also really small, which helps when you have to carry one on a bike all day. The range is somewhere over 1.5 miles outside on the road, with only trees blocking your way. From car to car, it's probably about 3/4 miles based on my limited tests. So, the obstructions in between senders affects the reception, but overall, I was pleased with the range and clarity of the sound. In my opinion, I got a lot of features for the money, and the radios are very useful

Review of the Midland 75-515 FRS Transceiver.......2001-07-23

Review of the Midland 75-515 FRS Transceiver

This unit has a nice "Walkie Talkie" look to it. I have been disturbed by the unusual designs of many radios. I am glad Midland decided to keep with the more traditional look.

Upon powering up the radio, it indicated its awakening with a prominent tone. The LCD display is large and easily viewed. The only trouble I had was viewing the upper part of the display, where the CTCSS and DCS mode indicators are. Other than that, the display is VERY well laid out and easy to read.

Volume levels are pretty darn loud for such a small speaker. Receive audio qualiy is pretty good. It is easily understood.

Range checks: This unit was detectable 1.5 miles away with my wife inside our house and myself in the car. Effective communications were possible with one mile distance between us. In a mobile environment, I consider this range to be VERY good for an FRS radio.

Also, we were in communication with myself inside the grocery store about .25 miles from the house... Perfect communications was a result while shopping. These units can communicate well between buildings.

Power output is 500 mW ERP, verified by FCC test data. This applies to use of fully charged alkaline batteries. We used the nicad rechargeables for our tests.

The battery life as listed, is pretty good. I have yet to have had my rechargeable go dead, and I've used the radios a bit. although I do admit some charging time.

Intermod and other interference: We experienced no intermod. In our area, though, this is not unusual. We are out of the range of many dirty pager transmitters and such. My computer did interfere with this radio to a small degree... again not surprising. Personal computers commonly interfere with UHF receivers.

Features and evaluations of such:

DCS: Digital Coded Squelch comes to FRS!! This system is the latest in selective squelch systems. It is reported to be more efficient than CTCSS. We used it in our tests and it performed perfectly, even at maximum range.

CTCSS: In case you want to communicated with units without DCS, CTCSS is there for you to use. As expected, the CTCSS system worked perfectly.

Our "home channel" had additional traffic when we were conducting our tests. Our communications was not interrupted by the other signal.

SCAN: This radio can scan for active channels, and clear channels. I would have like to seen a way to lock out unneeded channels; but you can set a CTCSS tone, or DCS code, which will allow the scan function to skip over that channel, unless that code has traffic. With that in mind, the radio scans whatever characteristic you have programmed with that channel. This is useful if you want to scan your group's channels and thay have CTCSS or DCS set.

BABY MONITOR FUNCTION: This function will sit and listen for any noise in its range, sound the call tone and transmit for a period of time, then go to receive mode, and back and forth. It does work as indicated, but we have no use for it (until we get a young 'un). However, it could be useful in many other ways, such as listening for the doorbell, or the microwave beep to go off. Use your imagination...

END OF TRANSMISSION TONE: AKA Roger Beep. It is there, if you wish, and can be turned off if you do not wish.

BATTERY SAVE FUNCTION: during recive, except for scanning, sort of puts the radio to sleep until it receives a signal. Good for unnecessary drain on batteries... Problem though... It takes about a half second or so for it to wake up, so it is likely you will miss the first word or so of your communications. The delay is a bit short for my tastes. Too bad you can't turn it off.

5 MEMORY CHANNELS: This allows you to set up a channel and keep its characteristics set. While this radio holds any Tones or Codes you may set for a channel permanently, the memory function allows you to store the same channel as a memory location. You could have channel 1 as your primary channel, with a differtnt DCS or CTCSS tone set. Too bad this radio doesn't allow memory channel scan.

VOX: This unit allows voice activiation right out of the box. with or without a spaeker mike, you can talk hands free. Good to mount a radio on the sunvisor :) With a selectable sensitivity and selectable delay setting, the VOX on this unit is the best I have seen so far. If you use VOX, this radio can't be beat IMHO.

BATTERY STRENGTH METER: This is a 4 segment LCD that will give you your battery charge state.

TRANSMIT/RECEIVE INDICATOR: Will display the appropriate icon. It will indicate when a channel is receiving a signal, so you can see actibity on another CTCSS or DCS code.

ACCESSORY JACKS: These units have TWO sets of jacks! You will be able to plug almost anything into this radio.

CHARGING CONTACTS: The radio can be charged with a desk charger OR an AC adaptor type charger.... Versatile!

FINAL COMMENTS:

This radio is a clear Winner!

It has a nice look and feel, good sound quality, and range. Plenty of good functions. I have in the past, heard of problems with this series, however, I have discovered NO flaws whatsoever in the operation of these units. The multiple accessory/charging jacks are unique to the industry and allow for greater flexibility. Kudos to Midland for a job well done.

Good Radios - minor problems.......2001-04-24

Just got a pair of these and they work just fine. My biggest beef with these is the rubber covers for the jacks are very hard to get back into place - but not hard to get out. It would be nice to be able to access the channels in memory a bit more easily as well, but for the price these things are just fine!

Hi-Tech Walkie-Talkie in a Compact Size.......2001-03-01

In my opinion this unit offers high-tech FRC radio capability and it is available for a bargain price! Currently Amazon has the best internet price available for the product. I want to offer a few comments about this radio which might be of help to others like myself who knew nothing about the modern high-tech walkie-talkie. The Midland Consumer Radio Company ... has over 40 years experience in 2-way radio technology-mainly CB radios and more recently the FRC (Family Radio Service) UHF FM band radios. They build a variety of radio models with and without weather frequency capability. First, I got the inexpensive Midland combo set from Amazon (Midland 75509W) including batteries/charger. The radio worked amazingly well, but I really needed a more heavy duty case. I went to the Midland web site and read more about their various models. I realized that their 75515 model was a "top of the line" unit with many more features including backlit LCD display and the capability to select 14 channels plus the 83 DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) and 38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System). That gives a total of 1694 code/channel combos for privacy in busy user environments. These "security" settings prevent the user from hearing other radios that do not have the same code. The clear and concisely-written manual reminds people that these codes do not make your conversation private! The 75515 model has a nice heavy duty case including water resistant gaskets for "splash" protection. Initially, I could see why the editorial reviewer commented about the "tricky battery cover" until I discovered that if I slipped off the belt clip first, then I could lift the cover lid and easily load the batteries! By the way, current models of the 2-way Midland radios also come standard with VOX (Voice Activated Transmit) capability in up to 6 levels of sensitivity/delay functions. These small radios use 3 AA --either, alkaline (45 hrs of use) or rechargable Ni-Cad (15 hrs) or Ni-Mh (24 hrs) batteries. An optional batter charger (single or double unit) is available elsewhere on the Internet or from the company direct. If one is really serious about using VOX, Midland recommends using an optional microphone/headset unit. To summarize, the Midland radios are top notch radios built by an established radio manufacturer and packaged in a compact size. For the price, I found no other walkie-talkies currently on the market with as many functions, a high-quality antenna and programmable squelch controls. Amazon should consider offering the optional accessories like battery chargers, headsets & microphone for one-stop shopping. The standard Case Logic neoprene walkie-talkie case fits the Midland radio units.

Product Description

Midland Compact Weather Radio. Receive NOAA weather broadcasts on 7 frequencies with this water resistant Midland Compact Weather Radio. You'll get coverage in 95% of the U.S.A. Digital panel displays up to 56 messages, including built-in Fahrenheit / Celsius thermometer. This Weather Radio also alerts you when it's going to freeze. Its dual alarm clock with snooze is handy when you're camping. In-unit battery charging. Order yours now! Midland Compact Weather Radio, Yellow

Amazon.com Product Description

Stay informed of current local weather and hazard conditions whether you're camping, hiking, hunting, or just hanging around the house with this handheld Midland weather alert radio. Capable of receiving seven National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) channels--each of which receives emergency advisories on tornadoes, floods, severe thunderstorms, civil danger warnings, and more--the 74-250C is a must for people who live in high-risk weather areas, or for people who just want a little extra protection when hitting the outdoors. Plus, the seven NOAA channels offer coverage for roughly 93 percent of the U.S., so most residents are well covered regardless of where they live.

Another valuable function is the radio's Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) reception. SAME allows users to program the radio to sound an alert only when weather and other emergencies threaten a specific county or counties. The technology eliminates all alerts from other areas, so users won't perk up their ears each time the alert sounds only to learn that the emergency is actually 100 miles up the highway. The 74-250C's memory system accepts up to nine counties, so you can monitor a broad swatch of counties at once or restrict it to one.

Should an alert occur, users have a choice of three warning systems: a 90 dB siren, a voice alert, or a flashing red LED light. The siren is the best option for people who might not have their radios nearby at all times, while the latter two alerts are a bit less extreme on the ears. The digital panel, meanwhile, displays up to 56 messages, so you'll instantly know what's coming your way. Additional features include a built-in thermometer with a freeze alert that notifies you when the temperature drops below freezing, a full-function clock with an alarm and snooze button, an external earphone jack, and a water-resistant housing.

The radio, which works with two AA batteries (not included), measures 2.38 by 4 by 1.25 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
74-250C radio, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

Easier than I thought to program.......2007-07-06

I almost decided against purchasing this radio after reading the reviews concerning the difficulties people had programming this unit. However, I found a good deal so decided to give it a whirl. Well, I had very little trouble programming it and didn't find the directions all that unclear. I don't know if my lack of sleep was a plus or a minus but do know I had it programed pretty quickly.

Unfortunately I had another problem with it...there must be a loose connection in the headphone jack because you cannot hear anything over the speaker unless you manage to find and press the "sweet spot" which is somewhere on the rubber pad that covers the headphone and rechargeable battery connection. So, it'll have to go back but I am going to ask for a replacement as it works fine otherwise. I would not use the SAME technology for a long time as it eats up batteries...

Is what's expected.......2007-05-25

It's a nice radio, but the instructions are awful. It's hard to figure out what you're supposed to do with it. Pushing mode takes you through the listening/display options.. but what then? Does it alert you to incoming storms in ANY mode.

Batteries seem to wear out fast.. it doesn't come with a cord even if you did have rechargeables.

Midland, are you listening, give us a charge chord!

EDIT: I have posted another review of this, after having it for a number of weeks.

Piece of junk.......2007-05-06

I consider myself to be fairly computer literate -- I chase storms with a laptop hooked up to a GPS unit attached to a virtual COM splitter feeding into several mapping and radar programs, all while sucking data down via EVDO on my mobile phone. I've been using computers since before there were graphical user interfaces. That said, figuring out how to even change the channel on this radio was like learning how to defuse a bomb built by a dyslexic, colorblind spidermonkey. Doing anything requires pressing a recursive set of buttons in a specific order, and each button press is accompanied by a loud, shrill beep that will kill mosquitos and make everyone within 20 feet of you begin stabbing each other in senseless anger. I swear to god whoever designed the user interface to this radio was angry with the world and was misanthropically looking for ways get back at the universe that created him. The feeling you get once you manage to actually figure out how to set the time, station, and SAME code on this radio would be akin to the feeling one gets after summiting K-2 without oxygen, sherpas, or legs, if only for the fact that deep down inside you will realize that you are not cool and you will never see K-2 and that the sum total accomplishment of your life is getting the cheap, plastic piece of junk you hold in your hands to turn on. The AA batteries run down after about a week even if you never turn the actual radio on, and the settings all go away when you replace the batteries, so you are sure to have hours of fun several times a month rexplaining your radio with six digit random Navajo code numbers exactly where you live.

The plus side to this radio is that the cheap speaker hides the hiss of static fairly well, which you will hear often due to the extremely poor reception. The stylish "eyerape" yellow will go great with your Mexican Hornet wrestling costume, and handy belt clip-on will be sure to attact muggers who will beat you for your expensive radio and then come back and beat you again after they spend three fruitless hours trying to program in the SAME code for their cardboard box under the bridge.

In summary, I suggest that nobody ever buy this radio. The only useful purpose I can devise for these units are to mark land-mines, since surely a field full of these radios would be enough to deter people of any nationality from approaching.

Works well but tak a pass on purchase.......2007-04-21

This unit is difficult to set up as the functions are not at all intuitive. Once set up it performs well but battery life is short lived, about a week at most. After changing batteries you have to redo the complete setup again. There is an external battery charger port for rechargable batteries but no mention of how to purchase a charger.
There are other units that are user friendly w/ chargers in the same price range. Purchase one of them.

poor instructions.......2007-03-14

the instructions were very complicated. if i had been previe to the instructions before buying i would not have purchased this item.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics