Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio
by Midland
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Category: Speakers
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: MidlandBrand: Midland
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD-ROM
Release Date: 2007-06-15
Model: XT511
Color: Black/Silver
Publisher: Midland
Studio: Midland
Music Label: Midland
Product features:
- Emergency radio with 22 GMRS/FRS channels and all 10 NOAA weather channels with alert function
- Includes AM/FM radio reception, a clock with an alarm function, and a 3-LED flashlight
- Features VOX automatic voice-activated operation, and a USB port for charging cell phones, radios, etc.
- Rechargeable battery can be powered by dynamo hand crank, or included AC or DC power adapters
- Constructed to be water resistant, and backed by a manufacturer's 3-year warranty
- Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 8 Pack
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio
Customer Review: Can You Hear Me Now? Nope!
Summary: 2 Stars
When you compare the features versus the price the Midland XT511 sounds too good to be true. It is too good to be true. That's because the features do not live up to the hype by the manufacturer's marketing staff. You are likely to be disappointed with this radio.
First and worst is the reception. A radio with poor reception is at best a toy and at worst a doorstop. The external antenna is a whopping 3" tall. It is meant to look like a 1/4 wave antenna but is not. Weather band reception is poor, the worst of any weather radio I own (including two other Midland radios). If you flip through the seven weather bands (manually) while holding the radio in different positions you might be able to receive one if NOAA has a nearby transmitter. Poor reception makes the "alert" function a joke. If the radio cannot pick up the station it cannot get the alert. If you live in an area where dangerous weather is a possibility it would be suicidal to depend on the XT511. There are vastly better weather radios for half the price.
FM reception is equally poor. I was barely able to receive a few of the strongest stations in the region (the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area). Holding the antenna with your hand helps but small, far less expensive FM radios work much better. Reception of strong local AM stations is fair although most have annoying hiss. For a digital tuner the amount of drift on the FM and AM bands is unacceptable. You have to tune back and forth "around" the broadcast frequency to get passable reception. The XT511 feels like a poor analog radio with a digital face.
GMRS/FRS reception is a joke. I tested it with hand-held transceivers from other manufacturers. It works best when the other person is close enough to hear you say, "come here, please" in a moderate voice. Transmit and receive reception from one end of a suburban 3-2-2 house to the other was poor. The person helping me test kept shouting, "did you say something?" The Midland XT511 is in desperate need of a functional antenna or, at the very least, a jack for an external antenna. Then again, once you use the Midland XT511 you may be loathe to waste additional money on accessories.
The manual says the XT511 is "designed to give you maximum range under optimum conditions." These are defined as "over water," "open rural areas without obstructions," and "flat areas where you can see the other person." In other words, in situations where you could easily be seen miming "call me." The manual also notes that, to ensure maximum range, you should "point the ANTENNA upward." I found it actually worked best if you turned the radio on its side. If you need two-way radios buy a pair of hand-held GMRS/FRS radios (with weather channels) and you will get more use out of them.
The mic is also a tiny speaker. Plugging it in disables the radio's built in speaker and there is no option to override this "feature." Given the poor reception under the best of circumstances, trying to understand what is coming over the mic/speaker is a challenge. I suspect doing it like that was a cheap way to cut off the speaker when transmitting. Manufacturers of budget products often cut corners but I wish they wouldn't do that with a chain saw.
The XT511 has a USB jack which the manual claims "can be used to charge a mobile phone" using the dynamo crank. And if you believe that, I have a bridge you might want. If you can do 100 one-arm push ups you might be able to top off a cell phone battery. If you are a normal human, forget it. Even the manual confesses that this feature is "for emergency use only" and that the XT511 "is not intended for recharging a fully discharged battery." I pray I am never stuck with only the Midland XT511 for "emergency use."
For a product this shoddy, the Midland XT511's manual is decently written. That's good because most features are not at all intuitive. I wasn't able to figure out how to set the clock without the manual. Many of the configurable settings have cryptic codes that don't make sense until you read about them in the manual.
The display is odd. The "7:20" time display has a "7" that is 1/2 inch tall next to ":20" that is 1/4 inch tall. The display for an AM radio station at 1080 has a 1/2 inch "108" next to a 1/4 inch "0". Overall it has the feel of a display designed for another location (China?) that was re-purposed for North America.
At half the price the Midland XT511 "base camp" radio might be a reasonable toy for kids. At $50 it costs too much and fails to deliver the promised functions. Mine is going back for a refund. I recommend that you avoid the Midland XT511 and save yourself the return postage.
Description of Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio
Midland XT511 22 Channel GMRS Emergecny Dynamo Crank Radio with NOAA All Hazard/Weather Alert and AM/FM. The unique XT511 Base Camp Radio from Midland combines communication, emergency notification and information all in one package. The Dynamo Crank will power all the functions of the unit including the LED Flashligh when power is lost or no power is available and can be operated with 4 "AA" Batteries. The XT511 can also be used to charge Midlad GXT Series battery packs or charge cell phones that use a USB connection. The 22 channel GMRS radio features 121 privacy codes, Channel Scan, Hi/Lo Power, and can be used with the included microphone or hands frree with the VOX feature. Stay up to date with the latest weather and hazard information with the NOAA Weather/All Hazard with Alert feature or listen to your favorite AM or FM Radio Station. The XT511 features a Large LCD with backlighting with Clock and Alarm.Midland's XT511 is a durable GMRS emergency crank radio with a wealth of features to keep you informed, charged up, and in contact no matter the situation around you.
Stay in touch no matter your environment.
Dynamo crank allows recharging of batteries without access to electricity.
Built-in flashlight and USB port for charging your cell phone or other devices.
22-Channel GMRS/FRS Radio
The Midland XT511 radio provides you with seven GMRS/FRS, seven FRS (Family Radio Service), and seven GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels, for a total of 22 UHF channels. Additionally, the XT511 comes with 121 privacy codes to lessen interference or eavesdropping, which in effect gives you 3144 channel options.
Five separate call alerts identify incoming calls from your group, and an e-VOX function with three selectable sensitivity levels offers voice-activated, hands-free operation. This radio also features a channel scan, for locating active channels, along with a keypad lock so you don't accidentally change your settings.
While communicating, you can rest assured you'll be heard with features like auto squelch, which removes annoying background noise. You can also make sure you're hitting keys with keystroke tones, and use the keypad lock feature to "lock in" your preferred settings.
NOAA Weather Alert Radio
The XT511 offers NOAA Weather Alert Radio to automatically alert you to any severe weather/hazard information near your area, 24/7. Additionally, a Dual Watch feature lets you monitor two channels at once, so you can keep abreast of any developements in an emergency situation while maintaining communication.
Perfect for Power Outages/Mobile Use
The XT511 offers several powering options. You can power with four standard AA batteries, or use the rechargeable battery pack. An AC adapter for wall-charging and a DC adapter for charging in your vehicle's "cigarette lighter" outlet are both provided.
Better yet, a Dynamo crank is provided, for recharging its batteries without access to electricity. A USB port lets you charge your cell phone directly from the radio using crank power (or of course, outlet power when available).
Alarm Clock
Last but not least, an alarm clock is provided, so you can get a jump on the day even if you're out in the middle of nowhere.
XT511 Select Specifications
| Channels: | 22 FRS/GMRS and 7 Weather |
| Frequency Band: | GMRS 462.550 ~ 467.7125 MHz, WX 162.400-162.550 |
| FM/AM Frequency: | AM 530 ~ 1700 kHz, FM 87.9 ~108.1 MHz |
| Unit Dimensions (H x Wx D): | 6.5 x 7.5 x 2.75 Inches |
| Unit Weight: | 1.2 lbs. |
| Display Size (W x H): | 3.375 x .937 Inches |
| RoHS Compliant: | Yes |
| Power Requirement: | 4AA or 5V DC |
| Crank Recharging: | 2 TPS x 90 sec= 60 minutes operating time |
| Operating Temperature Range: | 10 ~ 50° C |
What's in the Box
XT511 radio with dynamo power crank, rechargeable battery pack, AC wall power adapter, DC power adapter, accessory microphone, user's guide and warranty information.
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