Motorola Talkabout T5720 (7 Channels) Two Way Radio
- Maximum Range: 5 Miles
- Battery Indicator: With Battery Indicator
- Power Output: 0.5 Watts
- Channels: 7
- LCD Display: With LCD Display
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Don't expect too much
Pros
Well-built, small units that pack away easily
Cons
Not water resistant, limited range due to GMRS limitations
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Good for environments such as parks, malls, or ski hills. A nice toy that works when you understand its limits.
I got the Motorola T5720's with great anticipation to be able to connect to lost biking buddies on the trail but much to my disappointment had to realize that they might be better used in Disney Land than in a Mountain Bike area.
But lets not skip ahead:
The units are well built and don't get damaged easily. The buttons are well placed and I had no problems figuring out what the menu options are. Each unit is small enough to stow away easily (I carry it in the back pocket of my bike jersey and it is not distracting at all).
However, don't take these near the water. The "splash resistant" does little to protect it from actual exposure to water. After taking a quick dive into a puddle the unit disconintued to function. The display changed and stopped to work altogether. Once the unit was dry (3 hours later) it was partly operational and regained full functionality a few days later.
Battery power is ok but I suggest getting the charger package. Otherwise prepare to become a good Duracell customer. Battery power drops quickly after 6 hours of use.
Overall I am sobered by the experience with this GRMS unit but that's nothing new. You can read about people's disappointment witgh GRMS pretty much everywhere. Expect it to work up to a mile max in the forest and 1.5-2 miles in a city environment.
:: UPDATE December 18th, 2003 ::
I have upgraded my opinion on the Motorola Talkabout radios after spending a week in the swiss alps. The units provided excellent quality and endurance in the mountain range. A few dips in the snow did nothing to harm my unit and performance was solid for 3 days in a row. The radios proved excellent for keeping in touch while skiing and we plan on purchasing an additional set for next year.
But lets not skip ahead:
The units are well built and don't get damaged easily. The buttons are well placed and I had no problems figuring out what the menu options are. Each unit is small enough to stow away easily (I carry it in the back pocket of my bike jersey and it is not distracting at all).
However, don't take these near the water. The "splash resistant" does little to protect it from actual exposure to water. After taking a quick dive into a puddle the unit disconintued to function. The display changed and stopped to work altogether. Once the unit was dry (3 hours later) it was partly operational and regained full functionality a few days later.
Battery power is ok but I suggest getting the charger package. Otherwise prepare to become a good Duracell customer. Battery power drops quickly after 6 hours of use.
Overall I am sobered by the experience with this GRMS unit but that's nothing new. You can read about people's disappointment witgh GRMS pretty much everywhere. Expect it to work up to a mile max in the forest and 1.5-2 miles in a city environment.
:: UPDATE December 18th, 2003 ::
I have upgraded my opinion on the Motorola Talkabout radios after spending a week in the swiss alps. The units provided excellent quality and endurance in the mountain range. A few dips in the snow did nothing to harm my unit and performance was solid for 3 days in a row. The radios proved excellent for keeping in touch while skiing and we plan on purchasing an additional set for next year.
