Customer Reviews

Motorola TalkAbout T6220 AA 2-Mile 14-Channel FRS Two-Way Radio (Evergreen)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start out by saying that I agree with all of the positive points made in earlier reviews, so there's no need for me to discuss the cool features such as weather alert and "roger" beeps.

I was very concerned about the microphone placement after reading the other reviews. I even considered returning the package unopened as soon as it arrived. I am very glad that I did NOT do that!

Unless you have some oddly configured hands, it's virtually impossible for your hand or thumb to cover the microphone while pressing the talk button. I've held it in both hands and it isn't covered no matter how I hold it! Try picking one up in the store if you don't believe me and you'll see what I mean.

Great radios, easy to use, tons of cool features. And no, I don't own stock in Motorola. :)

I gave the T6220 a chance. I liked this FRS, but a few things about it really bugged me.

The main gripe is, the voice quality isn't all that good. I tried out 2 differen T6220, & both were having the same voice quality issue. The incoming voice sound isn't all that clear, I had to keep asking for a repeat of what was said. I swapped out to use the T289 I brought along, & the voice quality was much better. I adjusted the volume on the T6220, but going lower I could not hear all that well, I was at Seaworld & it was pretty loud. The T289 seemed to bring voice quality in better. When the T6220 is set "loud" you really lose much of voice quality. I believe it might be due to where the mic is located. It's right under the scan button on the right side, not really a good place for a mic.

Also, the battery cover pushes up when it is holding 3 AA batteries. I didn't mind this at first, but when I accidentally pushed up on the remove tab a couple times, it made me think that I can lose the cover quite easily. I fixed this problem by covering the remove tab w/ electrical tape. Minor problem, easily fixed, but I didn't like that the battery cover could be lost if you did not pay attention to it. Also when the batteries push up on the cover, it allows just a bit of an opening. Why this could be a problem, Motorola says it's water resistant. Well, if the battery cover is completely closed, moisture can seep in & damage the internals of the T6220.

The belt swivel clip works pretty good. But you almost have to hunt & peck to find when you want to clip the T6220 to the belt clip. It's a bit hard to push the radio onto the clip. Motorola suggests to push the clip button when securing the radio to it. Really not a problem, but you have to hunt for the clip to clip on. If you own this radio or any of the T6300 series, you'll know what I mean. I prefer to use a carry case, but you can't use a Body Glove carry case. I tried out the Body Glove case I have for the T289. Fits nice & snug, but the mic is covered & the other person cannot hear what you're saying. I had to buy a Motorola belt carry case & jimmy rigged it to work w/ my backpack.

The T6220 is a really nice FRS, but since I first bought the T289 & know how good the sound quality is on those FRS, I was dissapointed when the quality wasn't there w/ the T6220. I do like the shape & small size of the T6220. I do think that for what it offers in a small package, some quality are compromised. I returned the T6220, I hope if you do plan on buying this, that you don't have the same problems I ran into.

I just got this radio last month and I already love it. It has the perfect amount of features: just enough, but not too many. If you want a radio a notch above the usual, with useful features like scan, vibrate, and weather radio, this is the radio for you. Reception is excellent, as with all Motorola radios. This is a great FRS for the money. However, I give it 4 stars because it is a little confusing to learn. For the elderly or small children, I would reccommend the Motorola 5200s. They do not have all the features, but they are super-easy to use. Overall though this is a great buy for the money.

I bought the original Talk About radios and these are nice improvement. Same basic performance and reliability, but many nice features added, specifically the Weather feature, call alert and Roger beep/tones. I have used other FRS radios and found the reliability of the Motorolas to be superior, especially in adverse conditions. We have had Kenwood radios fail to operate due to moisture and Cobra radios fali in the cold, but the Motorolas always seem to be working - I highly recommend this model.

Transmission impressively clear and crisp, as long as you are not out of range, battery life is excellent, and the weather station feature is a total blast.

I have owned these for 3 years approx.. I recently "upgraded" to some GMRS radios. The range of the GMRS radios in the "real" world environment of New England, without vast tracts of flat land, I have not seen much improvement in range over these FRS radios. DEFINITELY not worth paying for the FCC license to gain marginally better range with the GMRS. However, these T6220 are feature rich and of excellent sound quality compared to the newer Motorolas I purchased. I would recommend these head to head with the newer GMRS radios, unless you could use them in wide open environments where you might benefit by the extra power of the GMRS. Additionally, the batteries will last longer!

They are more ergonomic than my T5000 radios, as well.

I bought the 6220 with the T250 (yellow). I was attracted to the 6220 because of its size and the weatherband tuner built in. I like the idea of weatherband radios when camping or hiking because in the southwest thunder storms can come up fast and a little warning is always good. The 6220 seems like it was designed for my hand. As apposed to the T250 which feels bulky compared to the 6220. It fits perfect and the buttons are not hard to use even for me (I have pretty big hands). The display is small, yet easy to read with the red back light and the menus are self explanatory. The 6220 could use a different belt clip. The radio comes with a swivel clip (a cheap version of the swivel clip used on NOKIA wireless phones). I think this is a disadvantage because it leaves the radio hanging out farther from your belt than the clip on the 250. This makes it more likely to hit something that you may walk close to and it just doesnt feel secure. Overall I like the radio, it has all kinds of tones and fun little things that anyone who is into gadgets will like. If your looking for an FRS, I would suggest this model for sure.

I've found over the three years we've used the T6220s that suburban range is often greater than you'd imagine, but where these little radios really shine is giving one to your kid to keep instant tabs on them "just in case," and when you're camping these are the greatest thing since tents for not losing any kids at Scout camp! They're also very useful at the swap meet or someplace like Disneyland to keep track of subsets of your group.

They're tough, we haven't killed one yet. You'll have to look at a few pages in the manual to see how to work the radios, but it's not like it's trigonometry or anything like that. You can easy learn to operate these radios.

Simple, bulletproof, decent performance... this is a good product and I'm glad that I bought a pair.

We tried a VOX headset but it was not a big success. I do like the NOAA feature on this radio, get weather/emergency information when you really need it.

Dandy little radios.

I just got this radio last month and I already love it. It has the perfect amount of features: just enough, but not too many. If you want a radio a notch above the usual, with useful features like scan, vibrate, and weather radio, this is the radio for you. Reception is excellent, as with all Motorola radios. This is a great FRS for the money, currently [price] .... However, I give it 4 stars because it is a little confusing to learn. For the elderly or small children, I would reccommend the Motorola 5200s. They do not have all the features, but they are super-easy to use. Overall though this is a great buy for the money.

This product was top 'o the heap when it appeared in the fall of 2001, almost two and a half years ago. And no pun intended, in many ways it is still an "Evergreen" because it can do a thing or two that are fast disappearing from the latest models in this hyperspeed technology: "lock onto" (hunt, troll for) the strongest signal is a feature that used to be routine but is fast disappearing except on pro models such as those for mall security guards.

Lock is (was?) a darn handy feature, too, but precisely because two-way radios have become so popular the radio-makers are eliminating it because it's intrusive to other users, especially professional users and semi-pros like mall security guards. (Hint: the politic thing to do at a novice mall is check with a security guard to see which is "their" channel--and stay off it.)

Is this particular model, Motorola T6220AA, still available? If this price is right, go for it PROVIDED your kids can handle the PTT (push-to-transmit) button. It's more awkward than on later model, 'tho in my opinion it isn't as disabling as "The Leading Consumer Magazine" would have us believe. Nonetheless, it takes the oppposable thumb of a nine-year-old to work it fluently, something to think about before hitting the trail.

I would not recommend paying any extra money for a recharging stand if it uses the obsolescent Nickel-Cadmium form of rechargeable battery pack. Those little devils use a battery cell with a "memory" -- for example, if you recharge a cell that's only 60 percent deleted, from that point on, the battery will only have a sixty percent capacity! (Fortunately, that format is rarely sold, having given way to the Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium-Ion formats.) Just buy your AA Alkalines in the cheapest format -- store-brand eight packs or whatever's on sale -- and change them at the first sign of weakness. Also please be sure to dispose of them in accordance with your local environmental regulations!

While I have your ear, I want to say that I have had the very best of experiences with the Motorola brand, especially with their walkie-talkies. I use what is basically a longer-range, later-generation version of the above. Sometimes it's useful in the woods, on "Mall patrol" and it's even handy at home as a kitchen-to-TV room intercom! Motorola's help-line people are wonderful, too.

I've been following this field for the past several years. Just some recommendations in general:

(1) You are unlikely ever to get MORE than the mileage range the unit indicated. However, if you go for the extended-range models, expect to pay almost double, contend with some very confusing FCC forms, and pay an annual fee of $70. Nonetheless, it doesn't pay to skimp if you intend to use them for hiking, car caravaning, or even failsafe team-shopping in the largest cruciform malls. (Few things stop radiation better than heavy stone like granite or marble.)

(2) Besides the PTT aspect, kid-friendliness is a factor. Few people regret friendlies such as glow-in-the-dark handles and handles that clip to the belt.

(3) Once you decide to pay the upper brackets...you might as well get units that include the NOAA weather service, especially those that can be set to warn you of impending disaster like tornados that have just touched-down.

(4) For an additional $20-30, rechargeable battery packs and a recharger stand are a dandy (except for the obsolescent Nickle Cadmium format mentioned above). Proprietary battery packs provide the exact voltage the unit requires (expressed in "milliamps" not volts) and last longer. Save a good deal of money in the long run, provided the family is disciplined enough to recharge them when necessary.

(5) These little walkie-talkies are pretty tough but for heaven's sake, don't let the kids swing them by the "rubber duck" antenna!

(6) If you're comfortable with the above technical and legal restrictions, a two-way unit can save its users quite a lot of money compared to a cell phone. Walkie-talkies are not a warmed-over genre; they are here to stay!

(7) Amazon itself is a great way to comparison shop. They did not twist my arm to say this. ;)