FRS Radio Recommendation

[mmckenna]

Thanks. I was hoping to get the max which I thought was .5W / 2W

The numbers given on the FCC type certification application are ERP, not transmitter power output.
ERP is the transmitter power output ± the antenna gain/loss. With these consumer radios, the antennas are designed to appease customers, not perform well. End users will usually avoid radios with longer/more efficient antennas, and the manufactures know that.

They don't test transmitter output as part of the certification process, but it's probably pretty close to .5W/2W. The short/stubby/cute antenna lower that to the ERP.

Icom used to sell a nice FRS radio that had a true 6" 1/4 wave antenna, but they didn't sell well. Consumers were more concerned with looks than performance.

My advice:
Get your GMRS license and get some quality commercial radios and enjoy the much better performance.

Consumer gear is designed for people that know nothing about radios and will buy what looks cute.

 

[CanesFan95]

So those 605s come with a car charger kit. It looks like you could just leave it all plugged in the cigarette lighter and it'll keep 'em topped off when you drive.

 

[mmckenna]

So those 605s come with a car charger kit. It looks like you could just leave it all plugged in the cigarette lighter and it'll keep 'em topped off when you drive.

Depends. Some of the chargers are not "smart", and constantly dumping power into the batteries can not be good for them. If you hook up to a circuit that is only on while the car is running, it may help the batteries last longer.
High end public safety radios often have options for mobile chargers, but the chargers usually have some smarts in them that keep from damaging the battery packs.