Motorola T5000 Talkabout 2-Way Radios with Rechargeable Pack
From Motorola
Item #: MTRT5000R. Stay in touch with someone up to five miles away instantly, with the push of a button. Features a range of up to five miles on GMRS frequencies. Channels- 7 GMRS/FRS 1 watt, 7 FRS 1/2 watt, 8 GMRS 1 watt. A total of 22 channel options with five audible call alerts. Talk confirmation tone. GMRS license, issued by FCC, is needed for use of these radios. No monthly fees or service contracts required. Offers VOX voice-activated feature, 10 call tones, priority scan, time out timer, keypad lock and QuietTalk noise filter, backlist display and transmit LED signal. Also offers audible low-battery alert and battery meter. Uses rechargeable batteries and comes with a two-pocket desktop charger.
Amazon Sales Rank: #37585 in Consumer Electronics Color: BLUE Brand: Motorola Model: T5000R Number of items: 2 Dimensions: 1.00" h x 2.00" w x 6.00" l, 7.50 pounds
Motorola's T5000 2-way radios offer excellent performance at a price that can't be beat. With a maximum range of eight miles, 38 privacy codes, and more, these little wonders pack a lot under the hood. But how do they perform in the real world? To find out, we put the radios to the test in the urban jungle. Design Compact and easy to hold, the T5000's are also rugged and up to the task of any outdoor adventure. While they aren't completely waterproof, the ports and buttons have rubberized covers for keeping the elements out. The controls are relatively simple to figure out, and after a brief glance at the user's manual, you'll be up and running. The antennae on the radios are just small enough that slipping the radio into your front pants pocket is feasible. The all-important transmit button is easy to depress and hold, and to save battery, an automatic shutoff function will turn the transmitter off if the button is accidentally depressed continuously for more than 60 seconds. The radios are powered by included NiMH battery packs, which are rechargeable (a charger comes with the radios, too). You can also opt to use old fashioned AA batteries (three of them per radio) if you're on an extended expedition without AC power. Features The T9500XLR supports up to 22 channels across the GMRS and FRS spectrum. GMRS channels offer high range and power for longer distance communication. There are also 38 analog interference elimination codes, also known as privacy codes, and they provide interference blocking when both radios are set to the same code. There's also an additional noise filter that filters out unwanted transmissions from other radios, something that's especially useful in places where there is a lot of radio traffic, such as a ski resort. The radio can even scan its 22 channels for transmissions from other parties. Not only is this fun and often entertaining, it also also allows you to scan for members of your party who may have changed channels inadvertantly. Real World Testing Motorola claims a 8-mile range for the T5000, but they add that this is really only attainable under ideal conditions, such as when transmitting from the top of a mountain down into a wide open valley. Moto says a range of five miles is more feasible in day-to-day use, while one mile is the maximum range in dense urban areas. In downtown Seattle, that turned out to be pretty much true. Reception was good throughout the urban core, but when one tester ventured beyond that magical mile radius reception started to fade. The radios did a good job filtering out unwanted transmissions, thanks to the privacy codes, and the number of available channels. Finding an unused channel in a busy city is a challenge, though. When in range, transmissions were clear and distortion-free. Pros Good range for an inexpensive radio Good interference elimination Rugged Cons No digital privacy codes or hands-free voice activation What's in the Box 2 T5000 radios, 2 battery packs, charging stand, AC adapter, 2 belt clips, and user's manual.
Good Radio, Could use more features (Updated) These are the radios that as a daily user, and owner of several older and newer Motorola models, consider my favorites. Thankfully, the T5000 does not incorporate the 'compander circuit' that the newest Motorolas have. Very clear audio for a consumer radio. Range is decent, have tested them up to 3/4 mile in urban terrain on the one watt channels, and that is the best to be expected. UHF frequencies are easily affected by hills and trees, and is best to consider these for use in the neighborhood or mall. Have tested 5 watt commercial radios on GMRS, and honestly, the range is not much better than the T5000. The PTT button is more recessed than other models, giving it less tactile feedback. They do not have the advanced scan feature, no vibration, nor can the audible programming feedback be muted. Durability is average, my friend knocked the scan button off of his radio, and briefly lost the battery cover. The standard plastic swivel belt clip can get stretched out. The included NiMH 600mah battery packs need the initial 16 hour charge, and battery life improves with several charges. After several 10 hour days, we realized that AA 2500mah rechargeables will last longer, and recommend Duracell over Energizer. A drawback to using any rechargeables is the battery meter is designed for alkalines, which causes the audible low battery chirp to sound early. To summerize, these are worth $39 for the pair and the belt clip is ok if you're careful with it. They fit well in your hand and pocket. I recently bought a second pair of the T5000 after many weeks of using my first pair, and very satisfied with this model. GMRS WQHW755 Make That a Short Mile The product description talks about how the real range of this radio is basically a mile - make that a short mile. We have used this radio in a wide range of settings including the outerbanks with little cause of interference - and we get very poor range. Basically, when you are in range, you could yell at the other person and they could hear you. It's a VERY nice radio but it constitutes little more than a toy Good Short-Range 2-Way Radios I use this radio at work and they are good short-range radios. My son and his girlfried also used them deer hunting this past season and they worked well from ridgetop to ridgetop at the 2-5 mile range. I plan on also using them on road trips when we have to use two cars to save on cell phone use. Great Price also!
