I agree with Gator, GMRS/FRS is line of sight and VHF will bend around hills, go with the Marine radios they are VHF.

First I want say thanks for all the info. everybody submitted. Last nightI gave one radio to a co-worker/ hunting partner to take home. During the stormIhad decent reception and transmitting, then both of us inside our homes ( with noticeable static) could still talk. Unbelievable results thatSMOKE the Motorola's I have. In case your wondering,he lives 2 miles away "by way the crow flies". Sniper you weren't kidding and Gator, I had already purchased the GXT650's before considering the VHF models. Maybe in the future there will be a need. Thanks again and Good Luck catching up Motorola.

I have some Motorolas, 5 mile GMRS. We get good reception on my property, but are no farther than 1 mile away through woods and over hills, etc.

DougMD, the guy that helped me had just bought Moto's with 5 or 8 mile range - not makin this up, he said " these motorola's are going in the next yard sale", and has the Midland's as his next purchase. By all means, if they work good for you , keep them. I'm sure there may be better unit's out there but for the money and performance, these are hard to beat.

Thanks. WhenI need new ones, I will definately give them a look. The biggest problem I have with the Motorola's is that even with the beeps off, if someone accidentally pushes the beep button, it will ring/beep anyway.