Customer Reviews

Motorola TalkAbout EM1000R 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This radio works very well in hilly terrain and is easy to use. Reception is clear. One suggestion: the online product information should indicate that the "R" in EM1000R refers to the fact that the pair of radios comes with a recharging bay (with a slot for each radio). This will make comparison among products clearer.

The EM1000R radios are very good. They are good for short range 2-way radio general usage. You must remember that there is NO scramble mode on these radios, so absolutely no possibility of any privacy at all (000%). Motorola refers to the CTCSS & DCS codes correctly as Eliminator Codes. Too many manufacturers refer to them as Privacy Codes (which is INCORRECT). CTCSS/DCS do not offer any privacy at all. They help keep out unwanted conversations from being received by the radio. But do not block or prevent anyone else on any other FRS/GMRS or SCANNER radio from hearing you. The EM1000R has all 38 standard CTCSS tones. And has 83 DCS codes available.

Here are a couple of things I really like about the EM1000R radios:

- Very good pickup on the built-in MIC
- Very good audio on the built-in speaker (perhaps the best)
- the QT mode is very cool. When ENABLED, it prevents other
radio users using the same CHANNEL and QUIET CODE from being
heard by blocking reception of those radios. Very very cool
feature. It blocks the other non-motorola radios even if they
are using the same CTCSS/DCS code. Again, very cool feature.
- the ALERT button is cool. Its very similar to EMERGENCY
buttons used on Motorola Trunk and Conventional Radio Systems.
It activates the PTT with an ALERT for 8 seconds, then turns ON the MIC
automatically on the affected radio for 22 seconds. And turns
the VOLUME UP all the way on any and all other Motorola EM1000R
radios that are receiving the signal. Then cranks the VOLUME
back down to the regular level after the 22 seconds. Very cool
function/feature. Very well thought out Motorola. Congrats!
- Weather Radio Alert is always nice, thank you Motorola
- LED flashlight is very cool, thank you Motorola
- The many, many ways to recharge the batteries. Way to go Motorola.
- The END Squelch Tail is eliminated when using either CTCSS or DCS codes on any channel. Hooray, glad to see the END Squelch Tail finally eliminated. Motorola, you are the BEST, thank you. I have been wanting radios that eliminate that darn END Squelch tail. It is so annoying. Thank you Motorola for including this feature in the EM1000R radio!

Now for the things I do NOT like about the EM1000R:

- No basic SCRAMBLE mode (Inversion Mode would have better than none)
- Power output is at fixed level while on GMRS channels. Would of
liked to have either HI/LO or HI/MED/LO options while on GMRS channels.
FRS channels 8-14 are locked at 1/2-watt power output on all radios, of course, per the FCC.
- There is a SCAN/SEARCH feature. No FRS/MURS/GMRS radio should have ever been manufactured with a SEARCH/SCAN feature. It is the reason we have so many problems/complaints with these services. If you want to SCAN, get a SCANNER radio. That is what they are designed to do. FRS/MURS/GMRS radios should have never been made with SCAN/SEARCH feaures. One of the biggest mistakes ever made to these radio services.
That is why we have so much on-air HARRASSMENT and RF STALKING that takes place by your snooping neighbors.

To summarize, I really really like the QT mode. It keeps out non-EM1000R radios from being heard on your radio even if they are using the correct CHANNEL and CTCSS/DCS code. Having a RF power setting would have been nice while on the GMRS channels, to control the power output. And no SCRAMBLE mode means there is <Zero> privacy from other FRS/GMRS and SCANNER radios. Of course, Audio-Inversion scrambling does not offer much protection from ease-dropping anyway. But it offers at least alittle bit. So, when operating these or any FRS/MURS/GMRS radio, make sure to use CODES, NICKNAMES and do NOT give out REAL NAMES, PHONE NUMBERS, EMAIL ADDRESSES and try not to give out your location. Use abbreviations when possible, and use CODED-LOCATIONs, if you must. Say things like: I am on the A street, or B street, or similar. Remember, there are KIDDIES-PUNKs listening. There are OLD-FARTS and CROOKS listening too, just waiting to use your personal info against you.

These are very nice radios. I am very happy with the purchase.

Pros:
- These radios came with a free car charger in the box! The sticker on it said it was for a limited time..
- They look nice. They have a high quality feel to them.
- The rechargable batteries included are the 3 AA cell batteries. That's a plus because I can easily use AA alkaline Batteries from the shop if I run out of juice.
- It comes with built-in LED flash light.

Cons:
- The batteries are only 650 mAh Ni-Cd, which are a bit low compared to current NiMH. Maybe I'll throw in a trio of eneloops in if I start running out of battery.
- The stand alone charger is a dumb charger which I think keeps on charging once full (potentially dangerous). The manual is a bit confusing regarding this fact.

I was a bit hesitant that this was overkill and too serious for my kids but was pleasantly surprised:

pros:
-size works well for even a 4 year old
-the beep after send makes it easy for them
-menu lock makes it very simple for them to just press PPT and not worry about anything else
-rechargeable cradle is easy to use
-manual says must be 5 feet away but seems to work fine even if the kids are right next to each other

cons:
-auto charger was not a standard Motorola-quality - seemed like a cheap knockoff

Overall, very highly recommended.

I've been using these radios constantly for a couple months now and I'm very pleased with them. They get very clear reception and are perfect for road trips, hunting/fishing trips, or a way to communicate in a large work environment. The batteries hold a good charge, and can be used constantly for about 8 hours before they're drained. As the batteries lose juice the radios do lose some signal distance however. These are a much better deal than radios that require AA batteries. A little most costly at first, but they make up for it if you use them a lot. These are great little radios. If you need a set, these are a good option.

I have purchased a total of 5 sets (10 individuals). My daughter and I take my grandkids camping each year and these are so handy. Each person gets their own and they (the walkie talkies) all communicate with each other, as long as their are all on the same channel. My grandkids, ages 16 months, 9, 11 and 13 yrs can all use them. Yes, even the 16 month old can push the button, we just don't know what he's saying, although this is not the fault of the walkie talkie. They allowed the kids more freedom since the cell phones didn't work but the walkie talkie's did, the kids could go exploring and still check-in without having to run all the way back to camp.
They were turned on for approximately 6 hours a day for 3-1/2 days. The little flash light is great, we dont have to pack as many individual flash lights for each kid. At no time during our trip did they not work for us. So far I have found the distance limits to be correct as listed on the packaging. In the city has been about 2-1/2 to 3 miles.
As far as the seller, I flet the price was reasonable, I received my order on time with no problems. I would order from this seller again.

Design and function are much better than Cobra. Especially the range is longer with Motorola EM1000R. I use it for hiking trip to Angeles National Forest, Yosemite, and San Jacinto Park area. When used with several, meaning with more than two persons and each person with their own EM1000R, we can easily relay the signal and repeat the message down to the last person at the end. Thus, the range and capability is proven for 16 miles round trip trails for 40 members with about 10 Motorola EM1000R amongst the hikers every week on the trails. I highly recommend this over any other products for two-way radio communication.

We needed a reliable, clear and reasonably priced communication system recently to help us run a huge outdoor event spanning two days. After reading the reviews and the features and specifications on these, I decided that this item fit the bill for us.

The event was a huge success -- and I'm so pleased with these that I'm buying 4 more.

Drove from California to Ohio in a 2-car caravan in 4 days using these radios. The range was fine for this purpose. Even when we were separated by over a mile of LA traffic, we were still in communication.

Only things that would need improvement are bigger battery capacity (zonked out after 8 hours of sporadic use), shorter charging times (on the charger after ru down for 12 hours and still wasn't at fully charged), being able to charge and talk at the same time (plugging in usb charger turns unit off), and auto scanning of weather channels (would have been great to know we were going to drive into a massive storm. Even with emergency alert on, I still had to find the right weather channel for the area manually. Not so convenient when driving in adverse weather.) Otherwise, this set is great and well worth it.

Pros: Great range. Good battery life. Rechargeable batteries with the ability to remove them and use standard alkaline batteries. Mini USB port for charging. Pretty intuitive to figure out how to use them. You can squelch the radio to hear faint transmissions that typically wouldn't break the squelch.

Cons: The only one so far that I've discovered is you can't leave the radio on and use the mini USB port for charging at the same time. When you insert the USB cable, the radio powers off. Not a huge deal but something to be aware of.