Motorola T5100 AA 2-Way Radios (Pair)

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Product Details

Product Manual [141kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005LPSB
• Item model number: T5100
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,816 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Two-Way Radios > FRS Two-Way Radios

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

While Motorola's T5100 lacks many of the fancy features found in other two-way radios, it still delivers solid performance at a great value.

After our rather difficult trial opening the package, the T5100 unveiled itself with standard, no-frills features such as 14-channel reception, key lock, channel scan, ring tone, battery meter, and belt clip. The overall design felt very solid and reliable with a blue removable faceplate (so you can put in your favorite design). Yet it was still light and very easy to carry.

We set up a distance of more than a half-mile between the two radios with lots of trees and buildings in between and found performance to be very good. Our messages came across loud and clear, punctuated by nifty, audible tones before and after the calls. We found that we didn't need to hold our mouths close to the mic in order to make clear and legible transmissions. In fact, radio mics are so sensitive these days that quality diminishes if you hold them too close.

We did experience a few minor distractions. The positioning of the call button on the front of the radio felt a bit awkward. It should be on the side where the radio fits naturally in the palm of your hand and you don't have to thumb-wrestle your way while trying to make a transmission.

Another potential problem is the lack of privacy codes, which allow for more secure transmissions over the same channel to prevent others from listening in. This could be an issue if you plan to transmit to others in an area congested with other FRS radio users, such as a busy ski slope.

But if privacy codes aren't an issue for you, the T5100 is a great, reliable radio at a winning price. --Bao Tran

Pros:

• Good performance
• Light, solid design
• Great value for the price

Cons:

• Call button should be on the side
• Lack of privacy codes

Product Description

Don't let the stylish design fool you. Keeping in touch in the neighborhood, at the park or at that secluded fishing hole has never been easier. Perfect for small groups of family and friends. Push a button to talk, release to listen. With 14 channels, you don't have to worry about others disturbing your conversations. The Talkabout T5100 proves that communication doesn't have to be complicated.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite perfect., August 7, 2001

By	Adam J. Pettus "Adam" (Pineville, LA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have owned 1 motorola Talkabout Distance for about a month and a half. Two weeks ago I recieved my Talkabout 5100's. I brought all three radios on vacation to Sandestin, Florida with me last week. It is a huge place, and a lot of people were using FRS there. My channel choices were limited, but interference was a problem only 2 or 3 times. The choices were limted by both the Distance radio, which does have the 38 interference eliminator codes but only channels 1-7. And the choices were limted by the 5100's which have all 14 available channels, but no interference eliminator codes. Therefore, I had only 7 channels to chose from. My point is that interference elimator codes would have been appreciated by me on this trip. On the other hand, there have been a couple of times I got to communicate with parties not originally intended to be in my talkgroup. Had I had Interfernce codes available to me and in use, I would not have been able to communicate with other people who I just happened upon, and sometimes it is fun to do so. So, I think that the codes can be a nice feature but definately are not necessary, even in places where FRS is in moderate to heavy use by others. The range of the 5100's is noticably shorter than that of the Distance radios. These are the only two models of FRS radios I have ever used, so I cannot compare the 5100 to other radios very much. But I will say that if you're contemplating on getting some radios with extra features, I say, for what? Who needs a compass, or a thermometer or barometer on a radio. There was no instance in which I thought, "Man, I really wish that my two way radio had an altimeter." If you pay more for a two-mile range FRS radio (Unless you are getting a rechargeable battery), that is probably all you are paying for--useless features. If you want to know what time it is, look at your watch. The only feature that some of the more expensive radios may have that I can imagine using would be the FM radio to allow you to listen to music. But what is that going to do but undermind your original intension of having effective two-way radio communications by running down the battery in your communications device. Stick to the basics. Spend more money on a two way radio only for two reasons. Number one--a rechargable battery. Rechargeable batteries for two-way radios are almost necessary. I use standard AA rechargeable batteries and a battery charger from Radio Shack for my Talkabout 5100's. Reason number 2 to spend more, for a radio--for a longer range. For example, the Motorola Talkabout Distance.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smaller is not always better, September 17, 2001

By	George Gallardo "geobgn" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This compact, stylish and catchy item is very lightweight and attractive, but seems to have very short frequency. I tried it from home to outdoor and could only get a block or 2 of frequency. So unless both parties are really outdoors (beach or park) your frequency is really a little more than a mile.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great For Foreign Travel, July 18, 2001

By	Peter F. Orlando (Hampton Bays, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I traveled to Italy in 1999 with a family group of 25, we used 5 of these radios. The family would split up in groups of 5 at each sight seeing location and each group would have a Motorola TalkaAbout, we were able to keep in touch with one another no matter where we were. When it came time to meet for lunch or in the parking lot for the next journey, the Motorola TalkAbouts brought everyone back together. We love them.