Motorola Talkabout MR350 2-Way Radio (Review)

Everyone should have a Motorola Talkabout MR350 2-Way Radio set. They really come in handy, are an inexpensive way to communicate, and save money, unlike cell phones which usually have a monthly fee.

I was given a Motorola Talkabout MR350 2-Way Radio and I have discovered that it is a wonderful communication device for students, families, and people that enjoy the outdoors. The MR350 has an extensive range of up to 35 miles, has twenty unique call tones, is lightweight, sturdy, and has extra large buttons that are easy to push even with thick gloves on.

The MR350 has special features that many other 2-way radios do not have, such as an emergency alert feature that allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with confidence, knowing that other people can be informed immediately if you are in danger. With a push of the alert button, the radio transmits a unique siren sound and allows the signal to reach other radios, warning of impending danger. The MR350 also has a hands free option called iVOX, which acts as a speakerphone and allows you to communicate without needing to manually push the talk button or having to stop and answer a call. You can tune into one of seven local and regional weather broadcasting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration channels to check the weather 24 hours a day and the VibraCall silent vibrating ringer is great for locations where ringing sounds are not welcome.

I use the 2-way radio set primarily in my home to communicate with my daughter when she is in another room of the house. My daughter uses one handheld radio and I use the other. Now our communication is a lot easier and I no longer need to call out for her in a loud voice. I simply pick up one of the radios, push the talk button and my daughter can hear my voice clearly and responds with the other radio.

Also, when my daughter walks to the store and I am at home, we can still talk to one another using the radioswithout the need of a cell phone. The only time that I cannot hear her is when she is in a store, behind tall buildings. That is when the frequency fades and the signal is lost. But in areas where there is an unobstructed line of sight and not a lot of interference from buildings or other structures, the frequency is strong and the sound quality is excellent. If the frequency fades or breaks up, my daughter and I simply switch to a different channel and we can hear each other again. The actual range is limited by various elements, such as terrain, electromagnetic interference, weather conditions, and obstructions.

I think that the Motorola Talkabout MR350 2-Way Radio setis great to have if you are a student at school and you want to communicate with someone else who is across campus or you want to stay in contact with your parents who live a few blocks away. They are also great to have when you are at an amusement park. I wish I had the Talkabout MR350 set the last time that my daughter and I went to Disneyland at Christmas time. It was so crowded and there were at least two times that I briefly could not find my daughter in the crowd of people. I thank and praise God that I was able to eventually find her, but if I had a pair of these 2-way radios, that would not have happened. I would have been able to communicate with her with the push of a button and we would have been able to easily find each other.

I also use the Talkabout MR350 when I go to different stores. If I stay in the car and my daughter goes into a store, we can talk to one another using the 2-way radio set and can hear each other very well without any problems.

Another feature of the radio set that I believe elevates the Talkabout MR350 above so many others is that it has a LED flashlight, which is wonderful to have in dark areas or places where there is little to no light. Simply push and hold the flashlight button and the LED light shines brightly and illuminates dark sidewalks and shady paths. This feature comes in handy if you are walking on a dimly lit road, in the woods at night, experience a power outage, or you need to find your keys.

Unlike using cell phones, you do not have to pay a monthly fee for the Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radio set. No, the frequency is not the same as a cell phone, but if you mainly want to communicate with someone that is within the radios frequency range, then the need to use a cell phone in such situations is not necessary and you can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year.

The Motorola Talkabout MR350 includes two radios, two belt clips, a dual drop-in charger, charging adaptor, two NiMH rechargeable battery packs, and an emergency preparedness checklist sheet.

My experience using the radios has been a positive one and I highly recommend it for parents, students, and anyone that wants to stay in contact with friends and family nearby. I love the Motorola Talkabout MR350 2-Way Radio set and I believe that you will too once you use it.

You can find Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios at www.store.motorola.com for $79.99.