Motorola Talkabout T460 Review
When you're out hiking it's important to stay in touch with your group. It's also important to have a way to call for rescue.
With 47.2 million people going hiking last year, having a walkie-talkie is a great way to connect. The Motorola Talkabout T460 offers a rugged design with a reliable battery life.
Before you buy, read our review of the Talkabout T460 for the good, the bad, and the verdict.
Motorola Talkabout T460
Everything needed to use these radios comes with them in a tidy kit. In the kit are two radios, rechargeable batteries, and belt clips.
Features
Users can turn the built-in LED lights on and off with the press of a button. There are a total of 22 channels to choose from.
Privacy
There are 121 different privacy codes. A QT Mode (Quick Talk) mode lets users communicate without interference. Outside listeners cannot tune in and listen to private conversations.
Waterproof
As long as the ports have their rubber plugs in, the walkies are waterproof. They have rated an IP standard of 45.
Emergency
In the event of an emergency, push a button to send an emergency call to surrounding radios. Users can also access eleven weather information bands on the current conditions.
Battery
The included batteries will last about 26 hours with minimal use. This should give users enough power to reach up to 35 miles depending on conditions.
Watts
These walkies transmit at a power of 2 watts. This is standard for most walkies in this category.
Size
Each walkie weighs .43 pounds with the battery installed. Each walkie is 7.54 in. H x 2.6 in. W x 1.37 in. D.
Warranty
Motorola offers a one year warranty on their walkies. This covers both the walkies and accessories for repair and replacement.
It does not cover normal wear and tear. There are also limitations on the battery coverage.
Accessories
Accessories are for sale to use with these walkies. A clip-on microphone and docking station are available. Belt clips and spare batteries are also available to buy.
The Good
These rugged little walkies are weatherproof. They are durable to the harsh conditions of the wilderness. There is no concern about using them in rain or throwing them around.
Power and Recharging
The batteries last as long as Motorola claims. When left on with occasional use they last the 26 hours.
When the battery does start to get low, pop it out and replace it with regular AA batteries. To preserve battery life use the Push-to-Talk Feature.
This lets users choose low and high power depending on how far the communication needs to go. There is also an added boost for when the signal is cutting out.
Recharging the batteries is easy. Choose from USB, charging station, or wall charger.
Hands-Free
For those who are looking for convenience, use the belt clip and earpiece. This allows for hands-free operation.
Flashlight
A flashlight located on the top of the walkie turns on and off by the push of a button. It won't light up the entire surrounding area, but it will light the trail just ahead or a map.
VibraCall
Just like the silent option on a cell phone, the VibraCall feature silences the walkie. This is perfect when users are in a place where the ring would be disruptive.
Ergonomic
When holding the walkie in the right hand, all of the buttons line up comfortable with the user's fingers. These four main buttons allow for easy and quick operation.
The Bad
As with most walkies, these Motorola radios have reduced signal range when obstacles block the signal. Users in the mountains and city will experience this reduction in communication distance the most.
Range
Using these radios inside will make the reduction in reception noticeable. The signal struggles with walls, concrete, and stone.
Using these walkies in city surroundings produces fuzzy communications at one to two miles. While users in the forest had clear communications at a solid three to four miles.
Open water communication has a range of about 6 miles. Users communicating from mountain to valley can take advantage of the full 35-mile range.
Microphone
The microphone struggles to pick up clear voice sounds when speaking. Hold the walkie directly in front and speak loudly and clearly.
Sound Quality
If the walkie isn't directly in front of the user's mouth the sound will be quiet and hard to hear on the receiving end. Ambient noise is also a problem.
These background noises are not filtered out, making it difficult to hear the speaker. Turn the speakers all the way up to help with sound quality and clarity.
Scanning
These walkies are slow when scanning through the available channels. They also produce a loud static noise when they encounter a channel with activity.
This makes them not ideal for those looking to take the walkies on hunting trips. There is no way to prevent the disruptive static sounds.
Not Intuitive
While the screen is basic in its display, everything has an icon. Users will need to take some time with the manual to learn what everything represents.
Waterproof
Not submersion proof. These Motorola two way radios are rain and snow proof only. They cannot withstand submersion in water from a drop or fall.
The Verdict
The Motorola Talkabout T460 is a solid choice for those needing an affordable and reliable radio. The solid construction alleviates worries of damage.
The battery life is solid and lasts a reasonable length of time. When the battery does run out it is easily replaced with regular batteries for continued use.
As with any radio wave device, the reception depends on the surrounding terrain. The safety features are good with emergency calling on all channels and weather alerts.
The small size and lightweight make them perfect for biking, camping, and hiking. When cell phones stop working, these walkies start.
Read more reviews on handheld walkie-talkie radios.