Customer Reviews

Motorola T7100R 7-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Silver)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this 2-way radio to use around the rural community I live in, especially for communicating in emergency wildfire situations. It is an area with rolling hills, many pine, oak trees and brush.

The Good: Easy to use, clear instruction manual, more than enough channels, clear sound.

The Bad: It didn't work over a mile as soon as line of sight was lost. If there is a hill between the two radios, I could only hear a click that the other radio was trying to transmit, but no communication.

The Ugly: The radio is very cheaply put together. The rechargeable battery pack is almost impossible to insert into the battery compartment. While trying to insert it, I broke one of the battery poles in the battery compartment. I was able to repair it with some solder and glue, but I wouldn't try to remove and re-insert it. If you use AA batteries only, it shouldn't be a problem. They are easy to insert. I also tried to remove the belt clip from the radio in order to have clear access to the battery compartment. There is a little tab on the belt clip that keeps the clip on the radio, you need to pull that tab to release it off the radio. Well, the first time I pulled the tab, it broke off. After that, the clip wouldn't stay on the radio. All this experience even before I started using the radio made me conclude that this is not a well-constructed radio, and does not deserve the Motorola brand. I am returning it and I will look at the commercial grade ones instead (such as the CP200).

Compared to other motorla two way radios (Eg. 5 miles range) this is a more bulky and heavier version. The 2 extra mile range are difficult to appreciate...Even that in a city where you expect 3 miles at least for this radio...you don't get it even with full battery charge. I know the price is similar to one of 5 miles but the reception is similar and this equipment is bulkier so better buy a 5 miles range. I know the 7 miles range is under optimal conditions...but it seems to be the dessert without mountains of sand....in the city it works up to two miles.

I am in the military, currently deployed and purchased this radio to use as a second form of communication among our squad. Although the set works, its range is smaller, its batteries do not last as long, and its about twice the size as other Motorola sets. In fact both of my radios often miss traffic that everyone else picks up. I would recommend looking at another Motorola radio before you waste your money on this.

I recently got these radios for Christmas and I am pretty impressed. They are easy to use with very clear sound. I previously had a set of Motorola 2 mile radios and in comparison, the T7100Rs work 100x better. I just got back from a vacation in Disney World and found these radios to be extremely handy. In the group of people we were traveling with we had my two 7-miles, and 4 2-miles. No matter where you were in the park you could always hear who had the 7-mile radios which wasn't always the case with the 2-miles. The only draw back was that they were just a little bit bitter than the normal Motorola radios. If you are buying these radios expecting to use them over any 7 mile terrain, don't. When they test the distance, they do so in some flat part of the dessert. I think these radios are great and would recomend them to any casual user wanting a little extra range.

my dad bought 2 sets of these and i bought one. two of his broke when he tried putting the rechargable battery in. and one of mine broke. the ones we got the battery into without ruining the radio we were not impressed with .. very poor sound quality. I hope motorola recalls this radio. I would encourage anyone to avoid this radio.

Depending on the use you would give to the radios they are very functional and cool to use. I use them with my informatic team and we work in a four stories building. Great reception in about 4 kilometers. Great accesory!

As other reviewers have said, this two way radio is not worthy of the Motorola name. The only reason I'm still using mine is that I bought it for $25 (after tax) as part of a damaged two radio package. This radio will go through a fresh set of batteries very quickly, and certain channels can only receive from FRS radios (channels 1-7).

The T7200 would be a better buy, if you can still find it. The T7400 is similar to the T7100 without its shortcomings, but still can't use channel 1-7.

Product is good, business practice is questionable at best. Though pompously advertised at $84.99, no source would agree to furnish it for less than $95 - most at $99.87.

Quite frankly, I expect more from Amazon. Shame on you.