- Communicate from a distance of up to 10 miles away
- 22 channels to communicate from along with 121 codes per channel
- Comes with rechargeable batteries and drop-in charger
- QT noice filter to minimize interference
- NOAA weather channels with a weather alert feature
As an outdoor enthusiast, I placed the "regarded" Motorola T5950R FRS/GMRS 2-way radio pair on my Christmas list. While attempting to acquire this set in a "big box" chain sporting goods store, my father was "steered" to the alleged Motorola model T6500 by a store associate who said that model was a new replacement for the T5950. Subsequently, he placed an order (for $40 less) on Amazon. After being informed of this, I decided to do some web research, and interestingly found that the model T6500 was NOT to be found ANYWHERE on the Motorola web site. A second order was placed here a few days later for the "trusty" T5950 set.
Seems the T6500 is "licensed knockoff" of the T5950 by Motorola's mainland-Chinese electronics manufacturer. The units look the same (except for the khaki face plate cover). The features are identical--as is the packaging. Only a small indication on the rear of the T6500 package discloses that the product is "Manufactured and sold by Giant International, Ltd., official licensee for this product." Furthermore, it is warranted and supported EXCLUSIVELY by the MANUFACTURER-NOT MOTOROLA! `Just ask a world-band shortwave radio hobbyist about "warranty service and support" from ANY Chinese OEM producer selling "direct" here in the states, and you'll run away...FAST!
Now...To the "differences"...and there ARE some-ALL performance related. While Motorola may license their name, logo, and design to an offshore OEM producer, you can be sure that they reserve their customer support AND several technical enhancements for models THEY specifically brand and market.
A side by side comparison between the genuine Motorola T5950 and its T6500 "imposter" reveals several performance issues. The T5950 has relatively good coverage (considering the communications class); audio loudness and clarity that are sufficient for reliable reception on a congested and "spotty" broadcast service; and NOAA Weather Station reception that is fairly good...even 30-50 miles from the desired station. I did not compare the T6500s transmit-receive coverage, but its audio quality and "punch" are WELL BELOW that of the "genuine" T5950. Furthermore, Weather Band reception on my T6500 sample (both units in the set) was very nearly NONFUNCTIONAL.
In conclusion: It is well worth spending a few bucks more for the "Real McCoy" genuine Motorola T5950 (I actually spent $4 LESS with a rebate here on Amazon). You'll appreciate the "domestic support", improved transmit audio quality, and a weather receiver that actually may save your life when you're out on the water!
Buy Motorola TalkAbout T6500R 10-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Black) Now
I don't know what the fuss from other reviewers is all about. These radios work fine. Like the rest of life, have realistic expectations. They sell for $43.69. Why do people expect the performance of a short wave radio? That is a recipe for disappointment. If you want the performance of $1000 2 way radios, buy that flavor and do not buy the inexpensive one.
I use them for skiing. So far, nothing else. They've been perfect. Compact size fits neatly into a pocket. Battery life is sufficient for a weekend trip. Nothe signal doesn't wrap around mountains or curve into valleys. But anyone who actually reads about the declared range should have noted that the proclamation is based on "line of sight". I can't see how this should be a surprise to anyone. So far they've kept me in touch with my party mates on big mountains without any letdowns. No, they don't reach from the summit to the pub at the bottom, but again that is a line of sight issue have realistic expectations for a $45 radio. They did however reach between the summits of Whistler and of Blackcomb. That seems like a reasonable range to me. Check out a map and see if you agree.
There's a comment in another review about them not seating well in the charger. This is true, but there is a super-simple remedy. There's a cradle for the handset that nests into the charger. If you remove the cradle, fit it on the handset, and then slide the two into the charger presto, problem solved.
One feature I really like that isn't made obvious in the description is that the rechargeable battery is the same size and shape if three AA batteries. This is a nice option if your battery dies on the road, and your charger is at home.
All in all, I am 100% satisfied with this purchase. So far, the quality has been exactly what I expected from inexpensive electronics. The Chinese manufacturer that licensed these from Motorola put together a solid product.
Read Best Reviews of Motorola TalkAbout T6500R 10-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Black) Here
I use my radios for back country hiking, cycling, paintballing, kayaking, amusement parks, car to car communications, and hunting.
I own four Motorola T4900 "3 mile" radios, four Motorola T5000 "5 mile" radios, and two Motorola T6500 "10 mile" radios. I have also owned earlier versions of Motorola radios. I am returning ALL of them. I have replaced them with four Midland GXT550 "14 mile" radios. Why? Because I was a dink and believed that Motorola would perform as advertised. NOT!
Because I was disappointed with the reception of the T4900s before I bought the "5 mile" Motorola's I called Motorola and asked, "If both the T4900 and the T5000 have the same wattage how can you double the distance with the T5000?" They said because of improved circuitry. I believed them and bought the radios. I was very disappointed with the T5000 so I looked for a better radio. I found the T6500 units and bought a pair two days ago. I have tested all three units for distance and clarity on the same route. All three units had the exact same distance. They all lost reception after 3/4 of a mile. I was using channel 16 which is GMRS 1 watt. I did not have a straight line of sight for this test. I re-tested the T6500 "10 mile" units on a 1 mile clear line of sight road on level elevation and got the same results. No matter how you cut it 1 watt is 1 watt. I have read several reviews about the Midland GXT400 where the users complianed about getting only 4 miles of reception while hunting in wooded and hilly terrain. If I get 2-4 miles with the Midland with a clear line of sight I will be very happy. I don't expect 14 miles, but 3/4 of a mile, to me, is just a joke.
Want Motorola TalkAbout T6500R 10-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Black) Discount?
From cellphone and also the pager era I began my love affair with Motorola. Don't need to read much farther into my review to get to the meat of it. Sometimes companies make a lousy product even though they have others that are great! Don't Buy These! They fall into the former category
I needed them quickly (to give my in-laws time to practice using them before we went on a cruise) so when I went to their house for the weekend I bought them from the hated "Best Buy". I am returning all 4! (2 sets of 2 handsets). Here was my experience:
I went in and saw the Midland and the Cobra along side the Motorola. Not knowing much of Midland, but recognizing Cobra from their history with low-end phones and electronics, I opted with the very stylish Motorola T6500R's. I know. Big Mistake! I am a computer programmer and very intelligent, but when confronted with products I do not undestand, I go for the brand name. Which is something that can be forgiven if, as now, you find out what the problem is and correct it.
I took them home and recharged them. First things first: The feel in your hand. EXCELLENT. They feel as good as they look. I purchased these to go on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and to maintain contact both on the boat and in the ports: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo san Lucas. We wanted to make sure we did not "lose" my in-laws (really! I mean it! No, really ....)
Anyway. Charged them up and turned them on. They come with a plastic-encased group of 3 AA rechargable batteries that fit nicely (and only one way--they are keyed) in the dual-purpose battery compartment. This is nice: if you are out and running around and your charge goes down, simply buy 3 AA alkaline batteries and go on your way. There is no problem if you forget you have the NORMAL NON-RECHARGABLE AA batteries in the case if you put it in the charging stand. Unlike other units, the physical metal conductors to charge the battery pack are actually built into the pack, not the handset. If you put it batteries, the charger makes no connection to the handset. If you put in the rechargable battery pack, 2 silver contacts from the battery pack contact the charging stand and VOILA the unit charges. Fitting the handset into the recharger is a nightmare, though! It must be generic and able to fit several different Motorola products (production outsourced to Giant Int'l Ltd--so if you thought this was a genuine Motorola built item, you are mistaken. The entire Talkabout line are outsourced for production) as the dual-compartment charger has 2 inserts in each compartment and no indication of which one to use for the T6500R's. I am a smart person though so I chose the one that looked like it best fit and inserted it. Then I attempted to insert the T6500R's. I say attempted because the bottom of the handset is rounded and thus does not seat well in any direction. After you get it to EXACTLY the right position (look on the charger to watch for the LED to light up) the the hard part (of charging, that is) is over.
Next item: Bad red LCD backed screen. Hard to read in ANY light and impossible in the sunlight. Settings were easy enough. Channel, sub-channel, vibrate, NOAA broadcasts, etc. However, the advertised QT (ensures no one can talk through your handset unless they are using a compatible Motorola handset) does not work unless you hit the PTT (push to talk) button (or the CALL button), wait about 3 seconds and begin speaking. My in-laws are new to technology and are used to experiencing walkie-talkies when their kids were young. Therefore this is unusual. They automatically want to push the button and talk. So, the first part of what they say is immediately lost.
I say "first part". I am assuming I actually caught a portion of what they said. This brings me to the second major flaw. This unit contains a HORRIBLE speaker. If the volume is too low then you can't hear it. Too high and it is garbled beyond your ability to understand it. We were really hard-pressed to find a happy medium. AND, in a noisy room, it would've been impossible to hear anything.
Some merchants list these as 5 mile radios. The packaging says 10. The 1 watt GMRS suggests about 5-10. We got less than 1. Directly over a lake. In vehicles on the I-5, we drove less than 2 miles from their house (which is DIRECTLY ON the interstate) and got no signal.
I got back to my house in San Jose (on top of Communications Hill...the largest "hill" in the area) and could not communicate to my spouse less than 1/2 mile away while he was coming up our road!
Since the weekend, I have spent all my extra time on Amazon.com and Consumer Reports reviewing all the offerings. (the latter, Consumer Reports' reviews are from July in 2002!) So, I think I am going to return these and purchase the Midland 5 watt GXT500's from Amazon. Remember, doubling the wattage (in this case MORE than doubling) does not give double the signal. As another others have stated, increasing wattage increases only another portion of the distance--ie: 2 watts to 4 watts does NOT double the distance the signal can reach.)
Hope this reveiw helps you.
I bought this T6500R set 2 weeks ago and to my dismay, this claimed 5 miles range 2-way radio barely even reached 1 mile of successful clear transmission. It wasn't even operated in a closed area like in a house or a building. I used it in an open area, with the 2 radios seperated by couple of blocks. As a matter of fact, it didn't even reach 1/2 mile when transmission starts breaking up and gets noisy. If gone further than that, it's a total transmission lost. Moreover, the battery drains pretty fast also. Gotta say that it's really dissapointing having to spend 50 over dollar for below 1/2 miles of talking range.
