ECKSJAY
Water is dirty
- Location
- Covington, WA
Alright, I saw these Motorola Talkabout EM1000R and tried to do some quick research. All I really found was that they are a new 2k8 model by Motorola...and there weren't any reviews yet. They're marketed as 'emergency' radios with some nifty features built in. I thought I'd take a chance and pick 'em up. If they turned out to be crap I'd return 'em. Picked this pair up at a local Home Depot for $59/pr. Web prices vary, but I wanted them 'now' with the ability to throw them at someone if they sucked.
Features according to Motorola's website:
* Up to 20 mile range1
* 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations
* 31 hr. alkaline (3 AA) or 10 hr. NiMH estimated battery life
* iVOX hands-free communication without the need for an audio accessory
* QT (Quiet Talk) interruption filter
* Emergency alert button
* Flashlight
* Mini-USB charging port
* 11 weather channels (7 NOAA) with alert feature
* Backlit display
Here's what we got in the package (description again from Motorola's website):
* 2 EM1000R radios
* 2 belt clips
* 1 dual charger
* 1 charging adapter
* 2 NiMH rechargeable battery packs
Everything was in the package as promised. I opened the package and noted that the radios weren't tiny, hollow boxes like other recent Moto garbage.
I put a battery pack in one radio and turned it on. The HT powered up and I saw the red glow of the LCD backlight. All of the buttons on the radio give a positive 'click' when pressed, so they leave no doubt that you have engaged them. Immediately I heard someone talking, so I decided to leave the radio on while I drove home. I heard the same people talking for the better part of 2 miles through busy commercial warehouse areas. I even clicked in and said 'HI!' to the surprised users.
This morning my wife and I tried them out while I drove my daughter to school. School for her is about 3 miles away, through various residential areas and up on the hillside adjacent to our apartment. Again, for the most part of 2 miles we were in contact until static got too heavy. Not bad, IMHO, considering my wife was sitting in a chair, downstairs, behind the brick that makes up the front wall. I have no doubt we would have had more range had she been upstairs next to the window.
The NOAA weather channels work brilliantly also. This radio offers the possibility of switching over to monitor NOAA weather broadcasts or enabling 'alert only' mode, when NOAA sends out alert notification of pending doom.
Some other features I saw as thoughtful included the mini USB port on the bottom of the radio for charging. I have a Kenwood car stereo with a powered USB port in it, so I can charge the Moto without any additional equipment. Of course, you can also use the AA batteries with this radio, which also provides longer talk/standby time (one can also charge them overnight in the included dual radio charger). I thought the LED light on the bottom was kinda neat. With a small, momentary button next to the PTT, you can engage the LED for built-in 'flashlight' use. Even in the light, it has a fairly decent throw. This would really be usable outdoors, in total darkness. Finally, there's a 'panic' button on the top, located in between the volume control and the antenna. Some might be familiar with these buttons on their work radios or police gear. When this is held down for 3 seconds, an alert tone goes out over the air AND audibly from the radio itself a full volume. After this tone goes on for about 5 seconds, the iVOX turns on and the radio broadcasts for 22 seconds. This enables anyone on your current frequency to hear your emergency broadcast, whether it be your own distress or something that affects the entire group. Excellent peace of mind when in a 'dangerous' environment.
In conclusion, I think these radios were worth the coin and I may be adding another set to my current pair. I have yet to give them the 'distance' test via GMRS and 'line of sight', but I have no doubt they'll perform almost as well as Motorola's claims suggest.
Here are some pics, click thumbnails for larger.
Front view of dual charger
Back of dual charger
View of the LED flashlight
Flashlight on
Mini USB port for charging
Alert button/Top of radio
PTT/Flashlight buttons
Spiffy red backlight
Obligatory '1911 for scale' shot
Battery bay
Next to Nokia 6263
Full specs:
Talk Time: 31 hr. alkaline (3 AA) or 10 hr. NiMH
Range: Up to 20 miles
Connectivity: Mini USB
Backlit Display: Yes
Battery Type: NiMH Rechargeable
Feature: LED Flashlight
Number of Call Tones: 10
Channels: 22
Drop-In Charging Capable: Yes
iVox: Yes
Keypad Lock: Yes
LCD Battery Meter: Yes
Low Battery Alert (Audible): Yes
NOAA / Weather Alert: Yes - 11 Weather Channels
Privacy Codes: 121
Talk Confirmation Tone / Roger Beep: Yes
QT: Yes
Radio Base Color: Black
Volume Knob: Yes
Features according to Motorola's website:
* Up to 20 mile range1
* 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations
* 31 hr. alkaline (3 AA) or 10 hr. NiMH estimated battery life
* iVOX hands-free communication without the need for an audio accessory
* QT (Quiet Talk) interruption filter
* Emergency alert button
* Flashlight
* Mini-USB charging port
* 11 weather channels (7 NOAA) with alert feature
* Backlit display
Here's what we got in the package (description again from Motorola's website):
* 2 EM1000R radios
* 2 belt clips
* 1 dual charger
* 1 charging adapter
* 2 NiMH rechargeable battery packs
Everything was in the package as promised. I opened the package and noted that the radios weren't tiny, hollow boxes like other recent Moto garbage.
I put a battery pack in one radio and turned it on. The HT powered up and I saw the red glow of the LCD backlight. All of the buttons on the radio give a positive 'click' when pressed, so they leave no doubt that you have engaged them. Immediately I heard someone talking, so I decided to leave the radio on while I drove home. I heard the same people talking for the better part of 2 miles through busy commercial warehouse areas. I even clicked in and said 'HI!' to the surprised users. This morning my wife and I tried them out while I drove my daughter to school. School for her is about 3 miles away, through various residential areas and up on the hillside adjacent to our apartment. Again, for the most part of 2 miles we were in contact until static got too heavy. Not bad, IMHO, considering my wife was sitting in a chair, downstairs, behind the brick that makes up the front wall. I have no doubt we would have had more range had she been upstairs next to the window.
The NOAA weather channels work brilliantly also. This radio offers the possibility of switching over to monitor NOAA weather broadcasts or enabling 'alert only' mode, when NOAA sends out alert notification of pending doom.
Some other features I saw as thoughtful included the mini USB port on the bottom of the radio for charging. I have a Kenwood car stereo with a powered USB port in it, so I can charge the Moto without any additional equipment. Of course, you can also use the AA batteries with this radio, which also provides longer talk/standby time (one can also charge them overnight in the included dual radio charger). I thought the LED light on the bottom was kinda neat. With a small, momentary button next to the PTT, you can engage the LED for built-in 'flashlight' use. Even in the light, it has a fairly decent throw. This would really be usable outdoors, in total darkness. Finally, there's a 'panic' button on the top, located in between the volume control and the antenna. Some might be familiar with these buttons on their work radios or police gear. When this is held down for 3 seconds, an alert tone goes out over the air AND audibly from the radio itself a full volume. After this tone goes on for about 5 seconds, the iVOX turns on and the radio broadcasts for 22 seconds. This enables anyone on your current frequency to hear your emergency broadcast, whether it be your own distress or something that affects the entire group. Excellent peace of mind when in a 'dangerous' environment.
In conclusion, I think these radios were worth the coin and I may be adding another set to my current pair. I have yet to give them the 'distance' test via GMRS and 'line of sight', but I have no doubt they'll perform almost as well as Motorola's claims suggest.
Here are some pics, click thumbnails for larger.
Front view of dual charger
Back of dual charger
View of the LED flashlight
Flashlight on
Mini USB port for charging
Alert button/Top of radio
PTT/Flashlight buttons
Spiffy red backlight
Obligatory '1911 for scale' shot
Battery bay
Next to Nokia 6263
Full specs:
Talk Time: 31 hr. alkaline (3 AA) or 10 hr. NiMH
Range: Up to 20 miles
Connectivity: Mini USB
Backlit Display: Yes
Battery Type: NiMH Rechargeable
Feature: LED Flashlight
Number of Call Tones: 10
Channels: 22
Drop-In Charging Capable: Yes
iVox: Yes
Keypad Lock: Yes
LCD Battery Meter: Yes
Low Battery Alert (Audible): Yes
NOAA / Weather Alert: Yes - 11 Weather Channels
Privacy Codes: 121
Talk Confirmation Tone / Roger Beep: Yes
QT: Yes
Radio Base Color: Black
Volume Knob: Yes
It also has a keylock like a cell phone so bumping the front buttons doesn't do anything, except the 'call tone' button. I'm probably going to get a Maxpedition holster for it also.
