Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3222 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black/Silver
• Brand: Midland
• Model: XT511
• Released on: 2007-06-15
• Dimensions: 6.00" h x 7.00" w x 2.25" l, 2.85 pounds

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 an charger to recharge other Midland radios
• 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

Amazon.com Product Description
The Midland XT511 Dynamo 22-Channel GMRS Emergency Crank Radio with NOAA All Hazard Weather Alert and AM/FM represents the state-of-the-art in high-tech engineering, for a compact package that is big in both performance and sound. Skillfully constructed with the finest components, the Midland GXT850 is built with all solid-state circuitry mounted on a rugged, printed circuit board to provide you with reliable and trouble-free performance for years to come.

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 eaves-dropping, as well as all 10 NOAA weather channels and a NOAA weather alert function. This powerful radio has an easy-to-read backlit LCD display that shows status information at a glance even in difficult lighting, and is operated by large easy-to-use dials and buttons on the front, providing quick access to important features and push-button communication. More than just an emergency radio, however, this unit provides you with an AM/FM radio for entertainment, a clock with an alarm clock function, and a three-LED flashlight for illuminating your way at night.

The XT511 radio is full of convenient features such as five separate call alerts that identify incoming calls from your group, and a e-VOX function with three selectable sensitivity levels for voice-activated, hands-free operation. This radio also features a channel scan for locating active channels, and a keypad lock so you don't accidentally change your settings. This unit provides both High and Low power settings so you can choose to maximize transmission distance or save your power. The XT511 also acts as a base station for big outings by providing you with a built-in charger that allows you to charge other Midland radios, so you are never without the power to communicate in the wild.

Midland's XT511 radio is constructed to be water resistant, so it can be used in most any environment, and has a dynamo power crank to recharge its batteries without access to electricity. This radio runs on a Midland rechargeable NiMH battery pack that can be recharged while in the radio, or can be powered by alkaline batteries in an emergency, with a battery source switch to change between the two. The XT511 comes with external jacks for a speaker/microphone/headset option, and a USB cable to charge your cell phone as well. The Midland XT511 pack comes with the radio, as well as a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, an AC wall power adapter, a DC power adapter, an accessory microphone. This radio comes in a stylish black and silver color scheme, and is backed by a manufacturer's three-year warranty.

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.

Customer Reviews

Big features, small performance
I have to think that there is tremendous quality control variability with this radio based on the wildly different reviews.

I'm a radio geek and have been collecting radios for the last 40 years. When I saw the ad for this Midland I just had to have it. I thought it would be a perfect addition for my camping adventures. The radio seems to be totally loaded with just about anything you would need. It has a GRMS/FRS 2-way radio, an AM/FM radio, a weather radio, a clock with alarm and even a 3 LED flashlight. Add to this the fact that it runs on both alkaline and a wind-up rechargeable battery! Wow.

Sadly, none of the functions work very well. Both the AM and FM reception are very subpar. AM reception could only receive the strongest stations and they bled over adjacent frequencies. Many stations that I could pick up on a cheap pocket radio could not be picked up on this radio. FM was worse, only picking up a couple of very powerful local stations.

Weather band worked, but only barely. I was able to pick up many more channels on a little Grundig/Eton wind-up.

FRS/GRMS radio functions were similarly mediocre to poor.

Cranking was more awkward than on other emergency radios that I have used including those by Freeplay and Grundig.

On a positive note, the LED flashlight is nice and the clock/alarm is also a nice feature. You also get a lot of accessories, including an external mic, both car and AC chargers and a carrying strap.

Overall, I was disappointed by this radio. The fact that others like it suggests to me that there may be a lot of variability between radios. However, in general, I would pass on this radio. There are many inexpensive GRMS/FRS radios that would do a better job. If you are looking for a good emergency broadcast band radio check out those made by Freeplay or Grundig/Eton.

Surprise Performer
I bought this radio based on Google reviews as I wanted a crank AM-FM primarily. But the GMRS side of this radio is superb, the NiMH battery with additional AA alk options, hand mic/speaker are most welcome.

I use FRS/GMRS quite a bit both on the Motorola commercial side, Ham and family. I have used scores of different radios from $10 junk FRS walkies to $1000 commercial 2-way. For the price, the GMRS performance is excellent. Sensitive receiver, credible power (not published; but I'm guessing 2 watts on the GMRS channels), good carrier and PL/DCS squelch systems and all the junk beeps and bops are disabled by default. The weather and other features are icing on a a fine cake.

Only downside for my application is that the size of the unit is fairly large. It currently is on 7/24 in my office sitting on GMRS channel 7, PL 22. It is replacing my desktop Audiovox 2000 as my full time monitor radio.

Disappointed
I purchased this radio for this years hurricane season. Figured it would be nice to have an NOAA radio and the ability to charge cell phones in the case of a loss of power. Decided since Midland has been in the business for awhile, this would be my best choice. Unfortunately, this radio just didn't perform as expected.

I'm not sure how others are able to get the advertised run time on the crank feature. You have to charge it with the crank (powered off) and hopefully you don't mind cranking for a while. A couple of minutes doesn't cut it.

The light is pretty weak (it's an led light, so I didn't expect much). Reception with our NOAA station was decent and radio stations seemed to be average. Scanned the area's UHF and didn't pick up anything, so I'm not sure what kind of range it has (didn't really purchase it for the UHF anyways). The backlight is nice, but if you are running off battery you can't afford to use it (hopefully, you aren't in the dark or still have power). Haven't tried out the cell phone charge. It's also not very user friendly.

In the end, I regret buying the Midland radio.