Motorola TalkAbout SX700R 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair)

by Motorola

Product Details

Product Manual [1.25mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 1.3 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009P5YA2
• Item model number: SX700R
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who often get separated from their groups, such as mountain bikers, serious hikers, and whitewater rafters, this pair of Motorola rechargeable two-way radios keeps you connected from up to 12 miles away (based on terrain and conditions). The wide-ranging signal also works for more pedestrian tasks, such as keeping tabs on the kids while they're playing at a friend's house or calling your pals in the lodge while you're skiing on the slopes. Each radio comes equipped with 22 channels--including eight GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), seven FRS (Family Radio Service), and seven GMRS/FRS combo channels--giving you plenty of frequencies on which to communicate. The radios also receive a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration channel, which delivers up-to-the-minute storm warnings--a must for mountain climbers. And thanks to the rugged housing, convenient side grips, and included holsters, you'll enjoy quick, constant access to the radios in the midst of almost any activity.

To ensure that your conversation is always between you and your mates, Motorola included 121 privacy codes, which, when added to the 22 channels, gives you 2,662 options for exclusivity. The Priority Scan function lends a hand by searching for the most private channels in crowded environments, as does the Quiet Talk feature, which filters the signals from other radios to ensure an interruption-free conversation. And unlike the walkie-talkies of old, the Talkabout's signal is always strong, employing a Motorola-exclusive digital technology to filter out the static between words. This allows the radio to deliver noticeably clearer transmissions. Other bonuses include 10 distinct call tones, so your group can identify who's calling at a given time, along with a talk confirmation tone that lets others know when you've finished talking.

All Motorola two-way radios are also designed with compatibility in mind. The radios can communicate with other Talkabout models when set to the same channel/code sequence, or with competitors' products provided the channel and code sequences are compatible. Additional features include a backlit LED display that's easy to read even in dark environments, an audible low battery alert and battery meter, a keypad lock, and a VibraCall vibrating alert.

The SX700R radios come ready for recharging, with a pair of Motorola NiMH battery packs and a dual desktop charger. The battery packs offer approximately 7 hours of two-way use per charge. As an alternative, users can pop in a quartet of AAA alkaline (high capacity) batteries.

Note:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that operators on General Mobile Service (GMRS) and Private Land Mobile (PLM) frequencies obtain an FCC license prior to use. To learn more, please visit the FCC web site.

What's in the Box
Two SX700R two-way radios, 2-pocket desktop charger, two NiMH battery packs, two replaceable faceplates, two holsters, user's manual.

Product Description

The Motorola Talkabout SX700 is the ultimate communication tool for the seious outdoor enthusiast. With a range of up to 12 miles, the Talkabout SX700 series uses both FRS and GMRS frequencies, providing more channels. And it's loaded with every possible radio feature so you'll know that with the SX700 you are ready for the extreme outdoors. Lightweight and rugged, with side grips to help you hold on, and a holster to provide you with quick access, the SX700 is built to handle any challenge without weighing you down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Head and shoulders above earlier Motorola Talkabouts for our tour, July 24, 2006

By 

M. J. Mccaffrey "Matt OneLANE" (Conn., United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout SX700R 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Electronics)

I have been using an increasingly-mongrelized mix of Motorola Talkabout radios for a youth bicycle tour I have co-led since 1998. The radios have had their good points and their bad, but this year (because we had the budget to do so) I decided to retire all the old radios and re-equip ourselves with a single radio model. I chose this particular model based on its slightly beefier dimensions and the capability to receive National Weather Service broadcasts. I purchased six (three pairs). I also purchased six holders [ASIN B000056I6K] to give us options for protecting and holding the radios.

Each pair comes with (two of) a plastic belt clip/holster, an extra faceplate, a rechargeable battery pack, a small "wall wart" transformer, and a single cradle designed to hold both radios. The pilot LEDs that indicate charging are on the cradle for this model.

Although all six radios worked fine out of the box, one had a defective battery that would not charge. It was too close to our tour to do anything about it, so I equipped that radio with four AAA alkaline batteries and changed to the black faceplate to remind me not to put it in the charger. (The design precludes any charging current getting into the system when disposable batteries are installed, but I like to be safe that way.) We managed the problem of three wall warts by plugging them permanently into a small surge strip, binding the cords short, and simply plugging in the surge strip and the cradles at each overnight stop.

We travel through the mountainous Litchfield Hills of Connecticut for a week, and for the most part these radios did not let us down. They feel much more solid and easy to manage than their predecessors--a good thing since Motorola has had so long to perfect the design. They are also a little larger than their predecessors, both in the overall body and in the antenna. I have other GMRS models by Motorola, which don't appear to have antennae any larger than their non-GMRS counterparts. I think the size is a bit of an improvement.

Range was much better, using a GMRS frequency (licensed, of course!), than other Talkabouts I have used. These are all "line of sight" radios, and they also seem to work best in a relatively horizontal plane...but the only significant loss of signal we encountered seemed to be on a winding, steep mountain road on our last day, when the range seemed to drop to less than half a mile. These radios are not miracle workers, and that is a perfectly understandable and acceptable loss.

The batteries held up to an eight-hour day of bicycling, and sometimes beyond that as we use them for coordinating some evening activities as well. The AAA alkalines should be considered an emergency backup power source only: while they held up through four days of work before they were depleted, the contacts inside the radio are very flimsy and will not hold the batteries in place through even a mild shock. There is no padding on the battery cover to "snug" the batteries in place, and I suspect that would interfere with the rechargeable battery which is after all the radio's primary power source.

The NWS radio feature worked very well for us--we were able to find stations wherever we were, and for the first time we were able to get forecasts during our riding day. The radio claims to have an "alert" feature that will monitor the selected NWS channel and switch to it when NWS is broadcasting a warning. Thankfully, we did not have the occasion to test that feature.

The scanning feature worked reliably when I tested it. I did not test the VOX feature (which has adjustable sensitivity in contrast to earlier Talkabout models), but plan to purchase headsets for that purpose. We abandoned VOX for our bike-based staff years ago because it took just one "heavy breather" to jam our entire system.

I received many good comments back from our staff, both bike-based and in chase vans, about the improved quality of radio communication this year. It certainly seemed like the experience was less frustrating than with our old, scratchy, worn-out radios! But this model also gave us more flexibility in how we used the radios, and I would recommend it without reservation.

Oh, and the dead-on-arrival battery? Amazon sent a new pair of radios the next day after I reported it, and made it easy for me to return the old ones. I remain impressed with Amazon's civility, efficiency, and willingness to make things right with items like this.

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deceptively nice, November 2, 2005

By 

A. Wertheim "werthla" (Brookeville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout SX700R 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Electronics)

These are the only Motorola 2 watt radios on the gmrs market. Although they are larger than most radios, they are very lightweight and come with an excellent belt clip - not the cheap breakable clips that Motorola usually supplies. The reception is very good, the ability to choose high or low transmit power by pressing the p/t button is nice. No way you will get 12 miles out of any radio but Motorola usually has the best range of any brand so if you want a real 2 watt radio, with NOAA, this is the one.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars better than 5 mile, September 12, 2005

By 

Mr. Jason A. Rogge "whitetail fanatic" (oshkosh, wi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola TalkAbout SX700R 18-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios (Pair) (Electronics)

i had a pair of the motorola 5 mile range radios that i liked, but the range of them wasn't very far. i use them for hunting so i can chat with my hunting buddy so we don't get bored while we are sitting there. with the 5 mile range radios, if i was on one corner of a square 40 acre parcel we hunt i couldn't reach him if he was on the other corner. but with these radios we have 3 times the range. i like the weather function that these have also. the only downfall that i don't like is that they are a little big and bulky, and they don't have a "12 mile" range like they say. i would be happy with half that. but the true range through tree's is around 3/4 to 1 mile. which is better than the 5 mile's 300 yards.