CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 12/26/2001
Hip style
The design of the FreeTalk FM is a welcomed departure from the boxy shape of many . It has rounder edges, comes in stylish colors, and is fairly compact (3.9 by 2.2 by 1.1 inches; 4.8 ounces) and ergonomically well constructed. The radio's backlit LCD screen is big and bright enough to read in even the worst lighting conditions, and the seven rubberized function buttons are well placed, making one-handed operation a breeze. The antenna is fixed and a bit bulky, but it is extremely flexible and more comfortable than the when worn on the waist with the included belt clip.
While the FreeTalk FM has many of the features we would expect to find in a radio of this class, we were concerned that it lacked some basics, such as a battery meter as well as call-confirmation and roger-alert tones. However, it did have a low-battery warning, and we were impressed with the channel-scanning capabilities, which can be used to scan for signals on both the 14 main and 38 subchannels as well as for scanning FM radio signals.
As the radio's name implies, the FreeTalk FM does have a built-in FM tuner, which worked extremely well, locking on to local radio stations throughout New York City. We used the included ear bud-style headset to listen to stereo music and radio transmissions. However, we were a little disappointed by the buds' sound quality, which is just average.
Fine-tuning
As noted, we tested the FreeTalk FM in New York, where tall buildings and other structures tend to limit the transmission range. We were surprised by the radio's range, which was better than average (just less than two miles) and certainly better than that of its sibling, the FreeTalk WX. We were even able to communicate clearly from inside an elevator, which normally blocks signals on FRS radios.
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