900mhz Range is short!?

I got the $60 900Mhz 200mW system with 520TVL camera from Hobbyking (video rx is exactly the same) that worked great straight out of the box... I'm sure there's plenty of profit in the extra $ you paid for some customer service.
and my transmitter has 300 more mW so that might be part of it. I need to get a 600tvl camera. All i have now is my gopro and ts alright. weird contrast but no lag cept when using it on my laptop with easy cap. using a tv screen or goggles eliminates any noticable lag. (ithink gopro 2 is the one people claim lags). I guess ill see when they respond today