we have similar radios at work.....the extra channels are just repeats of the regular 22 channels with permanently set "privacy codes".
I am skeptical of the claim of 5watts output, you ought to look up the FCC ID on the back of it and look up their paperwork. The ones we got are the same chassis as the GXT785 but only put out 1.5w. I am curious what these will actually do.
I personally do not care for them, they are flimsy, especially the shell, of thin, brittle plastic. The solder joint of antenna on these breaks real easy too, and a similar issue is the plastic shell of the antenna (hard non flexible plastic), just falls off. Also next to impossible to tape to a shoulder strap because of where the buttons are located, but I doubt any manufacture thinks of this, just some happen to put the buttons where you can tape it better.
On a good note, their audio is good as motorola, the NiMH battery packs are sufficient, i think 1100mAh compared to 300 or whatever the motorolas are, and they take a common microphone/speaker plug like most professional and ham radios.
I like the motorolas better, about 1.25w, one less battery than the midlands, smaller in size, hold up alot better, will display the "privacy code" someone else is using when its scanning the channels, and just feels good in the hand.
And I use these more than anyone, I also talked to another crew 35 miles away from top of a tower up on a mountain, so it is theoretically possible to get advert range. Typically on the ground level more like 2 miles, much less in rugged terrain, sometimes less than 1/4 mile.
It is what it is, a cheap blister pack radio, but for $20 you got a steal on them.