Are you sure that the first radios were FRS and not GMRS?

GMRS radios will transmit 5 watts vs .5 watts for the FRS.

Either way, if you need something to reliably communicate over distances of a mile or more in varied terrain, you're not gonna be happy with FRS.

Regardless of any marketing claims, FRS radios are limited by several things, power output and antennaes. It is illegal to transmit more than .5 watts and it is illegal to use an external antenna on an FRS radio. Might be silly but facts is facts. FRS was never meant for long distance work. Midland can claim any sort of range they wish as can Kenwood or Cobra but the reality is that FRS radios are simply not meant to do what a lot of people wish them to be able to do.

Having said that, I have a pair myself and will be getting another pair for myself for Christmas. They're handy for short distance communication, ie, on 4wd trails, events with kids running around, etc. For anything else, I use my Ham equipment.

John E