Motorola
Motorola is a very well known electronic device brand and their two way radios are famous worldwide. They produce a wide range of both consumer radios, the famous Talkabout two way radios, and business radios.
Talkabout Two Way Radios
This is the consumer GMRS/FRS range by Motorola. It includes more than 20 products, but we will only present some of the most popular here. For more information, you can always visit Motorola’s website.
Talkabout FV300 Two Way Radio
This is one of the simplest and cheapest Talkabout two way radios. It has a range of 10 miles under optimum conditions, a small screen with no backlight and no support for privacy codes. Alerts for low battery and talk confirmation are provided. Additionally, the keypad can be locked when not in use. It works with 3 AAA batteries or an optional NiMH battery pack. If you’re not looking for any special features, it’s a perfect low cost radio for simple activities.
Full specs can be found here.
Talkabout EM1000 Two Way Radio
This rugged and reliable two way radio has a range of 20 miles under optimum conditions and supports 121 privacy codes. Gimmicks include Motorola’s Quiet Talk filter and the iVOX which enables VOX communication without an additional accessory. It has an emergency alert button, as well as a backlit screen and lockable keypad. An on-screen battery meter enables you to track your 3 AA batteries’ charge. The AA batteries provide up to 31 hr. battery life, while the optional NiMH battery pack provides up to 10 hr. battery life. Charging is achieved through a mini-USB port and this radio comes with a drop-in charger. This radio provides higher range and more features than the VF300 at a slightly higher price. It’s a good entry choice for the radio enthusiast.
Full specs can be found here.
Talkabout MR355R Two Way Radio
The Motorola Talkabout MR355R two way radio is a great communication tool for the outdoor enthusiast. It features a range of up to 35 miles under optimum conditions (which don’t actually exist, but it’s impressive nevertheless). Hands-free communication is facilitated through the iVOX feature, which does not require an additional accessory to work. A vibrating alert is available, along with a built-in flashlight and a small backlit LCD screen. They keypad can be locked when not in use and an emergency alert button is also at your disposal. Motorola claims a battery life of 27 hr. with its 3 AA alkaline batteries or 9 hr. with a NiMH battery pack. A battery meter informs you about the battery charge level. This radio has the standard Motorola charging port, as well as a mini-USB charging port and comes with a drop-in charger. All in all, it’s device with very decent features and build quality and one that I would definitely recommend.
Full specs can be found here.
Business Two Way Radios
RDV 2020 On-Site Two Way Radio
The RDV2020 on-site two-way radio operates on 27 VHF business-exclusive frequencies. Enhanced audio quality, a rugged design and versatile customer programming software make this radio an exceptional choice for all of your on-site business needs. It meets military specifications for sealing against dust, wind, shock, vibration and other adverse conditions, has a Li-ion battery with up to 12 hours of battery life and has VOX capabilities. It does not have a screen, but that’s just to enhance its durability.
It’s an excellent all-rounder solution for business usage. It delivers solid performance, without being too sophisticated and, consequently, expensive.
Full specs can be found here.
XPR 6550 Portable Two Way Radio
The XPR 6550 is a much more sophisticated device than the RDV2020. It features a display and has an integrated GPS modem for advanced location tracking. The radio delivers reliable communication by combining two-way radio functionality with digital technology. It permits easy migration with operation in both analog and digital, and is available in UHF and VHF versions, both with 160 channels. This radio is part of the MOTOTRBO series, delivering increased capacity and spectrum efficiency, integrated data communications and enhanced voice capability.
In digital mode, its Li-ion battery lasts up to 13 hours (based on a 5/5/90 receive/transmit/standby cycle). It is, of course tightly sealed against wind and dust, and submersible in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. It also has an emergency button which alerts the supervisor or dispatcher in case of emergency, as well as a full keypad.
Full specs can be found here.