 |
Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) by Motorola
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Motorola Brand: Motorola Edition: Electronics Release Date: 2011-12-11 Model: MH230R Color: Yellow and black Publisher: Motorola Studio: Motorola Music Label: Motorola Product features: - 10-hour alkaline or 8-hour rechargeable battery life
- 11 weather channels (7 NOAA) with alert features
- 22 channels each with 121 privacy codes for superior interference protection
- Pair of two-way radios with up to 23 mile range
- iVOX hands-free communication without the need for an audio accessory
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)Customer Review: Sturdy High Quality Buildmanship With Good Sound Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first review out of many that I will be posting on the Motorola MH230R which I have bought for Christmas for my sons. My thought was if this pair is as good as I think they are so far, I will be ordering a second Motorola set; the MR350's.
I ordered this set on Saturday, and I received them today - not bad for FREE SUPER SAVER SHIPPING. Next, packing was very good; in a large box with "pillow packs" I opened them up from the sealed casing because I wanted my sons to start using them right away on Christmas day. To my surprise, the batteries were fully charged out of the box, neat!
Then I tried to figure things out without reading the user's guide which I got it to transmit and receive; I was just blown away with the sound quality. Then, after fumbling, figured out how to turn on the Weather function. So far so good. Next, I tried to see what else I can try but then I decided that it would be a good idea now to read the manual because I wanted to try the full power testing. Then I found that the User's Manual is not as good as most manual like a book, rather, it's like a map that you unfold, and not really organized. I had hard time trying to find the items that I wanted. I think Motorola could have done a better job here.
I was able to go full power, and find out how to change the weather channels. But another disappointment; no vibrate mode on the walkie talkie which is one function that I really liked on the MR350. But, MH230R is really compact and the swivel belt clip that allows the radio to be removed from the clip without having the remove the clip and the radio is a real plus. It's similar to belt clips that are used on cell phone, which I really like.
So far, overall, I am really please with these units, and these will go to my kids room so they can go "spying" right away on Christmas day. For my Christmas present, I will be getting the MR350's or even the MR355R's with repeater function. I am currently waiting to take my amateur radio licensing exam so getting on the GRMS channels should not be a problem - even with 5W GMRS radios. More reviews to come..
---Second Review---
I received my other radios, the ones my son really wanted for Christmas, the MR350R's. I am really having tough time distiguishing the difference between the MR350 and MR355R, which I paid few bucks extra for. But nevertheless, I am happy with the MR355R's even if I paid few bucks extra for them.
I must say, the first thing I noticed about the MR350's are that they fit my hands perfectly, and the vibrate and LED flashlight features are just exactly the items that I wanted after all. LED flashlight is actually a white, super bright LED. Now the MR350's have slightly taller antenna, and the unit's body is approximately 15% bigger than the MH230's. I am contemplating now to return the MH230R's and get the second sets; MR355R's which has 10 repeater channels. For those of you that are not familiar with Repeaters in general, they are stationary signal regenerators that "repeats" signal received on one frequency in the 430-450MHz range (GMRS), and repeat those signals back out on another frequency but when sent out, the signal is regnerated which allows for further travel. To make the repeater come alive, you need the CTCSS tone which the MR355 has which is a real plus for a walkie talkie in this price range.
I would like to keep all 3 pairs LOL, but I think I'm going to settle with a pair of MR350 and MR355. Just as an FYI, on the packaging of the MR350R's is a Motorola Talk About promotion which allows you to get a second pair of covers for the MR350's just by going to a website and selecting the color of the covers you want. You have to provide either an image of the receipt for the purchase or mail in the copy of the it. Now keep in mind that the promotion is good until 12/31/2010 so you better hurry if you want those extra covers. Personally for me, I ordered two yellow colored ones in anticipation for the MR355R purchase, to make it easier to distinguish which are MR350's and which are MR355's.
---Third Review---
After some thinking, I am returning the MH230R's back to Amazon. Although I will have to cough up shipping for the return, on the long run, it probably is better for me to get the MR355's as an extra pairs. My sons will be using the MR350's and I will have the MR355's in my room to use so that they don't take the beating like the other set. I am very pleased with these Motorola Walkie Talkies, I know some people have complained about range but if I get access to the Repeaters which are located about a mile from my house, I will be talking to people all over with these things, which is a real plus for sure.
---Final Review---
I mailed the Motorola MH230R's yesterday in anticipation for the new purchase of the MR355R's from Amazon. Hope the price go down by the time I order because for the MH230R's, price went down by $2 after I ordered it (no price protection Amazon?). I'm looking forward to using the MR350's and MR355's - and I know that some folks complain about range but just keep in mind that channels 1-14 are FRS (Family Radio Service) which has a maximum power output of .5 W (yes, half of watt) and the GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is on channels 15-22 and the maximum power output is 2W using Power Boost mode. So be sure to get your GMRS license from FCC.gov website (which is good also for the immediate family members) and use the maximum power output which should give you better range.
Description of Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)- Up to 23-mile range- iVOX hands-free communication- 11 NOAA weather channels with alerts-Quiet talk(TM) filter-10 call tones- Rechargeable- Battery save feature- Mini-USB charging port. Item is water resistant. The Motorola Talkabout MH230 is a great choice for nearly any outdoor enthusiast. With a powerful range of up to 23 miles, this radio is perfect for family and friends to stay in touch, whether you're tackling a back country trail or trying to brave a crowded shopping mall. The MH230 has more than exceptional range. Tune into one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on your MH230 for continuous local and regional weather broadcasting, and get real-time weather alerts to protect you from the danger of a sudden storm. The MH230 has full 22-frequency capacity with 121 privacy codes to reduce interruptions. Motorola's QT (Quiet talk) functionality allows the radios to be set so they can communicate with other compatible Motorola products. A great choice for nearly any outdoor enthusiast. Click to enlarge. | The MH230R radio features flexible charging options for ultimate mobility. Users can choose to charge in the included dual drop-in charger, or use the mini-USB port in the radio to charge in the car or connect to a PC. For remote adventures standard alkaline batteries can be used when no power is available. Additionally, hands-free communication is available by using the iVOX speech-activated feature, which provides active families the freedom of mobility in even the most remote settings. MH230R Features Keypad Lock Lock your keypad to avoid accidentally changing your radio settings. Channel Scan Use scan to search the 22 channels for transmissions from unknown parties, to find someone in your group who has accidentally changed channels, or to quickly find unused channels for your own use. Charging Options You can charge the MH230 using the Motorola standard charging port (with the included charging adapter), the Drop-in cradle charger (also included), or purchase a mini-USB cable for use with the Mini-USB charging port, especially useful when traveling. 121 Privacy Codes Interference Eliminator Codes help minimize interference by blocking transmissions from unknown sources. The MH230 features 121 codes for superior interference protection. Includes drop-in dual charger for easy charging. | Brilliant LCD with battery indicator, channel, and other info. | Ten Call Tones The MH230 can transmit different call tones to other radios in your group so you can alert them that you want to talk. Choose from ten different tones. Hands-Free Communication Use the iVOX feature to transmit hands-free without the need for any headset accessories. Once iVOX is turned on, the radio detects your voice and transmits when you speak into the internal microphone. QT (Quiet Talk) Noise Filtering The QT noise-filtering feature helps to ensure uninterrupted communication with other Motorola radios, filtering out unwanted transmissions from other radios. This is useful in places where there is heavy radio traffic, such as amusement parks or ski resorts. Talk Confirmation (Roger Beep) Alert You can set your radio to transmit a unique tone when you finish transmitting. It is like saying "Roger" or "Over" to let others know you are finished talking. Weather Receiver Tune in to broadcasts by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and Environment Canada Weatheradio. Both NOAA and Environment Canada have transmitters located throughout the United States and Canada, respectively. These transmitters broadcast watches, forecasts, and other information 24 hours a day. Weather Alerts A special alarm tone sounds an alert and turns on the weather receiver to give you immediate weather and emergency information. What's in the Box Two MH230 Radios with Removable Belt Clips, Dual Drop-in Charger, Charging Adapter, Two 2 NiMH rechargeable battery packs
|
 |