| Range
Advertised 5 mile range.
Criteria: Flat land sending and
receiving, suburb setting. |
| Clear |
< 2.5 miles |
| Faint/Static yet usable |
3 miles |
| Signals lost |
> 3 miles (max range TBD) |
|
| Clarity |
Voices are very understandable
and clarity is fine. |
| Features |
Radio is advertised as a
FRS/GMRS hybrid. It has the standard 22/38 channel settings and includes a
battery meter. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 are 1 Watt. Channels
8-14 are 0.5 Watt (FRS). It includes a "QT Noise Filter". I
really like the battery meter so I know when I turn it on if the batteries
are ok or not. Radio has a small red blinking light just under the
volume knob to indicate that the radio is on. Radio scans not only main 22
channels, but the 38 subchannels at the same time! Radio has a
rounded base so it won't stand up. I saw this as a problem and a
feature lacking that many people would like. Similar to the Motorola
T4800 but with more features. |
| Ergonomics
Ease of use, and general feel |
Radio is slightly pear shaped
in your hands. The shape is probably a love it or "not-so much" design,
but I thought it was fine. Buttons are easily and logically placed.
Radio has easy change volume knob on top. I
didn't care for the belt clip attachment that gets
in the way of your hand when holding it. It's right where your top
finger wants to go. You can easily remove the belt clip
though. The push to talk button has only a subtle tactile "click"
which caused me to accidentally let off on occasion. The T4900 has a
much better PTT button where you can feel the clicks on and off. |
| Quality |
Motorola is well known for
designing and manufacturing a very solid and quality radio. This is
no exception. Antennae is short and flexible and isn't likely to get
snapped off. |
| Overall Impressions |
A more advanced performer than
the T4800 with greater range Design wise, the
belt clip gets in the way, it won't stand up, and the PTT button is
lacking, but this radio has overall great clarity and quality. Has
better than average GMRS range. If
you need a the scanning and QT features (which the T4800 lacks) and don't
mind the design issues noted above, it's a very solid basic radio.
|
| Rating (1 worst, 10 best) |
6 |
