| Display Type: | LCD display |
| Warranty: | 1 year parts and labor |
Product Specifications
Technical Details
- Up to 18 mile range*
- 11 weather channels with alert feature
- iVOX hands-free communication
- 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes
- VibraCall¿ vibrating alert
Product Details
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Product Description
With a range for up to 18 miles the T8500R is guaranteed to not drop a call charge you roaming or be out of cell range. And with a choice of a drop-in charger or battery power you never need an electrical outlet to keep in touch.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Horrible reception,
By et2980 (California) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout T8500 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Electronics)
We got these because one of our older radios broke. The reception was poor, we tested many different channels and it was very difficult to hear someone only 50 feet away. Our older radio (the one still working) had clear reception and clairty. We were very disappointed as we purcased these for a family road trip for which we caravaned. We would have been better off just using cell phones or writing notes and holding them out the window. We are not technically challenged so I don't think it was an "end-user-error". I would like to return these but my husband wants to keep figuring out why they don't work well. Vibrate feature didn't work consistently after setting it up a few times. Why 2 stars, the design is nice.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great radio with one flaw, and updated comparison,
By
This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout T8500 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Electronics)
Having these radios for a few years, please read my updates and comparisons below. I feel this review may also apply to the newer models, as they don't change that much from year to year.
The T8500's ONLY flaw, is the compander circuit (new to 2007?), which is 'supposed to' improve communication. But as other's have stated, it makes it much more difficult to hear the other T8500, but you can make out other radios NOT using that circuitry quite well. (in other words, they're more compatable with older models that with each other). If you're not speaking very loudly and consistently into the mic, it chops out your conversation at times. Too bad, as the rest of the radio is very nice in all ways and features. After more extensive testing, I have found these to have greater range/sensitivity than my other models (3/4 mile outside at best so far with hills and trees to overcome). I would recommend using 2500mah NiMH rechargeables to get a week's worth of daily use rather than the included batteries. It seems also that these have better battery life than previous models. Ergonomically, the radio has good buttons and tactile feedback, and the vibration is a nice feature. Backlight on the display is far better than others. Keep in mind these are manufactured by another company under license from Motorola, and I miss having the higher quality clips that come with the genuine commercial grade radios. I hope they remove the compander circuit or make it optional in future models. 4 stars would be the best I could give this radio, 5 without the 'x-pand' technology. Update for May 29, 2011 I have found after 3 years of owning these radios, that their best use is for scanning or monitoring. If not for the audio compression circuit that is poorly designed, this would be the best consumer radio one could ask for. Battery life is excellent, whether using supplied battery pack or even better with your own recharge-ables. I've had them go for several 12 hour days without needing to be recharged. One thing is clear, this radio works better with any other model of radio than its own counterpart. I have some confirmation that any model having the 121 digital privacy codes, including the most recent models, will have this compander technology. That has been my only hesitation in buying a newer model like the MR or MJ series, but won't know for sure until I buy a set. Changes of terrain elevation of more than 10 feet seem to completely cut off the signal of FRS radios in general. That's why I can barely get a half mile range where I live, along with many trees. The only real solution is to have a repeater which is something I can't afford at the moment. Also if these did cover 20+ miles, 22 channels would be so overcrowded to the point of being useless anyway. I don't need people in the next town hearing me ask where my son is, so limited range has some benefit too. Update for May 31, 2011 Having scoured the reviews mainly for Motorola and Midland, I remembered I had an older 5 watt commercial grade radio programmed for GMRS and dusted it off. The mic and speaker blew away all the Motorola FRS radios I own, and that was to be expected, esp at close range. But in another detailed range test, the commercial radio only extended the maximum usable distance in my case by a tenth of a mile at best. Disappointing for sure, and the audio quality wasn't enough on its own to overcome nature. Back to the T8500; I've found the vinyl holsters widely available for cell phones make an improvement in the transmitted audio while still encased in the holster, along with giving a much better belt clip and protection. It acts as a wind screen, and is acoustically transparent to the speaker as well. I have to consciously speak with a firmer voice to make sure the compander doesn't chop out my transmission in any case. And after complaining about this one particular flaw, I still prefer to carry the T8500 over the older T5000 that I've also reviewed. Many have said Midland out performs Motorola, and that maybe true, but the Motorola is light weight and compact enough to carry effortlessly all day long. My commercial radio on the other hand is thicker, and twice as heavy, and the extra 10th of a mile isn't enough to make me switch. So, with the commercial radio being better than a Midland, I'm still on the fence about switching brands.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed,
By
This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout T8500 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Electronics)
We just bought these yesterday, charged them up and decided to try it out in the house (read instructions too). I was a good 50+ feet away with doors closed and I could JUST make out my husband if I strained my ears enough. The reception on his end with cutting my voice out and he heard a lot of static.
Not worth the price we paid, we'll be returning it asap.
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