Motorola Solutions Talkabout MU350R

28 11 2014

motorolaRecently I traveled to two different extremes for cell phone coverage; out on the Atlantic Ocean and to Northern Saskatchewan. While in either place I couldn’t communicate with my trusty cell phone. Thankfully I had the Motorola Solutions Talkabout® MU350R series radio with me.

These handy radios are ready to go right out of the box! Photo: Motorola Solutions

These handy radios are ready to go right out of the box!
Photo: Motorola Solutions

These radios are powerful and hold up to an adventurous life, plus the MU350R radios can be connected via Bluetooth headset and let you communicate wirelessly. These are weatherproof and give you up to 35 miles of communication, depending on the terrain you are in. So rain, shine, dust, or snow these radios will continue to provide reliable communication.

There is an emergency alert feature that informs you of any weather dangers heading your way or emergency evacuations and Amber Alerts; although the NOAA radio service may not be available in all areas. With the emergency preparedness abilities, you can transmit an emergency alert of your own; an alert siren followed by transmission of spoken or incidental sounds. There is also an emergency light source built into the radio allowing you to see your way out or to signal someone else. If you need both of your hands free to be grasping or carrying gear, activate the iVOX and use the radio like a speaker phone.

The MU350R packaging includes: 2 radios, 2 (AA) 1300 mAh high capacity NiMH rechargeable battery packs, 2 belt clips, 1 Y cable charging adaptor with dual mini-USB connectors, 1 emergency preparedness checklist, 1 Accessories brochure and the User Guide. Make sure to read the user guide to become familiar with all of the functions and features these Talkabout radios have. The radios themselves are comfortable to hold in one hand, with the talk button being conveniently located near your index finger. They weigh in at a mere .69 pounds, and are 7.77 inches high and 2.58 inches wide by 1.43 inches deep.

I keep them on VibraCall so that no ringing disturbs my surroundings. There are 22 frequency channels with 121 privacy codes, to ensure privacy, or use the scan feature and be in touch with many people. The radios run on either 3 AA batteries or rechargeable batteries. Camping we take advantage of using the regular AA batteries, since we have no power to recharge them with.

We stayed in communication, even when the weather turned bad.

We stayed in communication, even when the weather turned bad.  Photo: Diane Hassinger

Using the radios while fishing out of the Florida Keys, we stayed in communication with friends who stayed on dry land. While we were fishing the radios remained silent, but when the weather turned bad and we were headed in, we were able to inform them of our intentions, and an ETA that they could expect us. We were close to the 35 mile range of these radios, since there was little obstruction to the signal.

In Northern Saskatchewan, the radios were used as a safety measure. Cell phone service is completely out of the question and I was hunting many miles from my husband.  With the Mortorola Talkabout I was able to alert him when I shot a bear during the morning so that we were able to retrieve it while it was still daylight rather than waiting till dark for my designated pick up. It was also nice on previous evenings to have the ability to inform him of a problem, if one had arose. Some evenings I had long walks out to the designated meeting place and I was hunting during the black bear rut. I use my head when I am in situations like that, but still having the ability to let him know of a change of plans, locations or an emergency is most valuable.

The MSRP on the pair of radios is $149.99 and they can be purchased by calling 1-800-638-5119 or online at http://www.motorolasolutions.com/US-EN/Two-Way+Radios/Two-Way+Radios+-+Consumers/MU350R. You can also find the complete line of accessories online.

Motorola Solutions logo is the sole property of it’s rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer.

Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed in these product reviews is an endorsement and the writer may have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product.

 

This post originally published on Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2014/07/21/motorola-solutions-talkabout-mu350r-diane-hassinger/





Stay in Touch with Motorola 2-Way Radios

8 03 2013

This product review was originally published in Ladies in Camo at http://ladiesincamo.com/licpr/2013/03/07/stay-in-touch-with-motorola-2-way-radios-diane/

There probably isn’t anyone who spends time in the outdoors that hasn’t used a set of Motorola 2-Way Radios at some point.  In our family they have been the radio of choice for many, many years.  And I am sure if you looked hard enough, you could still find our original radios, they don’t seem to wear out, but I am like most people and want the newest, with all the bells and whistles!

The Talkabout 2-Way Radios model MS355R have many features that appeals to the outdoors-woman in me!  Let start off with WATERPROOF!  So many times I have wished all products made to be used outdoors would be waterproof.  Well these are, and they float!  No more losing our radios over the side of the kayaks, or crossing a creek. Plus even more important for our area, they function perfectly in extreme cold temperatures.  Another great feature is that there is no more having to search for your flashlight at the end of your day, it is now built right into the base of the radio, I love products that do double, or more, duty.  You also have easy access to the NOAA Weather Radio so that you can receive any weather alerts for the area you are in.  And they come in Realtree AP!!  All of this, and they are rated for up to a 35 mile range.

MS355R_single

I was impressed and surprised that you can now use your favorite set of head phones with these radios, that will keep the sounds muted, so you do not alert any game you are after.  Plus they come with a set of external ear piece/microphone that allows you to leave the radio attached to your belt or straps.  They also come with rechargeable batteries and recharging base.

My husband and I hunt in a lot of areas that cell phone reception is non-existent, and you do not want to take a set of cheap radios in with you.  I for one would not want to risk my life with a bargain brand.  I need reliability and function, thus we use Motorola 2-Way Radios!  We hunted Anticosti Island not long ago, and our Motorola 2-Way radios were a god send.  Each of us had our own area to hunt in.  It just so happened that I was all by myself, several miles from my guide and husband, when I shot my buck.  If it had not been for these radios, I would have been on my own, trying to drag my deer up out of the river bottom.  It would have been well after dark before any help showed up, and even then it would have been hard for them to find me that far into the woods.  The MS335R is the best multi-function, foul weather loving radios I have ever tried!  With a MSRP of $109.99, they are the most affordable also!

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You don’t have to be out of the loop anymore!

 

I will not go into the wilderness without a radio, and I wouldn’t ask my grandchildren to either.  Motorola has made a set of Talkabout 2-Way radios perfect for the smaller hands of children.  Their model FV300 is about a third of the size of the “adult” version.  These radios feature only four buttons, so they are simple for the children to learn and use.  Don’t get me wrong, I know plenty of adults that would be perfectly happy using this set of radios.  These have a range of 10 miles under perfect conditions, and will interact with the adult Talkabouts.  I like the belt clip for on the kids version, simply because they tend to set things down, often to pick up treasures from the wild, radios could be left behind.  The FV300 is a great all around radio for children, they can use it both for play and for real life situations, and with the retail price of $29.99, that is a small price to pay for peace of mind.  I would buy a set of rechargeable AAA batteries (6) to use in these radios, simply because kids will still leave them turned on.

FV300_single

I found a very welcome bonus with these kid sized radios.  My grandchildren have taken responsibility with them.  Since they are designed for them, and are not toys, they use them often, and immediately put them away.  That way they are easily accessed and ready to go for the next time.

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A great way to let your Dad know you just shot a buck!

 

Both of these 2-Way radios, and more, can be purchased at http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services, or you can purchase them at many retailers near you.

http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services/Two-Way+Radios+-+Consumers/Talkabout+FV300+Two-Way+Radio_B2B_US_EN

http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services/Two-Way+Radios+-+Consumers/MS355R_Talkabout_Two-Way-Radio_US-EN00#

Stock Photo Credit:  Motorola/Giant International

Photo Credit:  Diane Hassinger