The Motorola Talkabout MU350R Radios are best-in-class communication radios. We like to call them walkie-talkies because we are old school like that. The only thing old school about these radios is that they have an antenna and a PTT (push to talk) button. Otherwise everything about these radios is pretty cutting edge.For one, the Motorola Talkabout radios are equipped with Bluetooth so you can pair your wireless headset with your radio thereby eliminating headsets and wires that are extremely cumbersome in a hunting situation. In fact, I got these radios specifically because of the Bluetooth capability. I keep one in my pack because I feel safer knowing I can communicate with my hunting partners in an emergency.
We hunt some farms in Nebraska where, depending on the cell carrier, reception is just non-existent. This leads to complications when you are hunting with others, each of whom is on a different plan. Texting works but in an emergency situation the last thing you want to do is text and then wait and wait for a response, not knowingif the other person received the text. Radios, on the other hand, provide instant communication. And with Motorola’s Talkabout radios we cancommunicate at longer ranges than ever before.
We have set rules with our hunting partners that we don’t talk about hunting, animals seen or where folks are seeing animals. The only time we discuss hunting is if we have an animal down and we need help packing it out. Most states have laws against using radios, phones and texting to communicate about animal movements,
locations or directing hunters to specific areas while hunting. In this sense, we have the radios pretty much exclusively for emergency situations.
Motorola MU350R Talkabout radios allow 22 channels and 121 privacy codes for 2,662 possible combinations. In addition, the radios provide radio weather updates via NOAA. This is especially important to me and one of the reasons one of these radios stays in my pack even when I am hunting alone. Hunting in Nebraska, weather can change quickly and dramatically. Sometimes knowing the weather can keep you alive. These radios are IP-54 rated for their weatherproof design so if the weather turns ugly you don’t have to worry about your radio getting wet. The radios provide an emergency alert feature that allows you to inform others in an emergency. The radios also come with a built in LED flashlight just to have a little bit of extra light in an emergency.
These radios can be charged fourdifferent ways including a mini-USB cable that can draw power from your vehicle or even from your computer. Batteries last up to 15 hours of use and the radios offer a low battery alert. These radios also offer a silent VibraCall feature so ringing will be lessintrusive. Nothing is worse than sitting on stand and having the radio ringing in your headset.
We paired the radios with Motorola Buds SF500 Bluetooth headset and found the entire system easy to use. The buds are reasonable in price and allow you to move away from your radio. By using the IVOX system you can keep moving without digging the radio out of your pack.
If you like the added security of a radio, these are some of the best we have found and the Bluetooth functionality makes them exceptionally easy to use. The price of the MU350r pair runs $149.99 including the dual charger. That’s a pretty good value to insure that those in your hunting party are safe and accessible in an emergency situation.
Features
BLUETOOTH® COMPATIBLE
Cut the cord! The MU series radio allows you to pair your BLUETOOTH® headset with the MU series so you won’t be tangled up while communicating. Enjoy hours of freedom while listening to what is happening on your channel. Press the PTT button on the radio when you are ready to chime in. For complete freedom you can also pair the radio with a wireless BLUETOOTH® PTT button that can be located at a convenient location of your choice. (BLUETOOTH® headset and BLUETOOTH® button not included)
Its emergency alert feature, built in LED flashlight and NOAA** weather alert channels provide a total emergency preparedness communication solution. So, escape to the great outdoors with confidence that others can be informed of any dangers that may come your way. The flashlight feature offers peace-of-mind during evening adventures or unexpected emergencies and power outages. The NOAA** channels provide emergency alerts including tornadoes, winter storms, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, emergency evacuations and Amber Alerts.
WEATHERPROOF
With an IP-54*** rating, the MU series flaunts its weatherproof ID design making it ideal for protection from not only dust, but wet weather conditions be it snow or rain splashes.
**NOAA WEATHER CHANNEL
Want to keep in touch with changing weather conditions during your family camping adventure? No need to stop the fun — weather alerts will provide your group with warnings of incoming storms or dangerous conditions. And, by tuning in to one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on your MU350R radio, you will always know what to pack with continuous local and regional weather broadcasting.
EASY CHARGE – 4 WAYS TO CHARGE
Designed to fit every lifestyle, the MU Series allows you the convenience of charging four distinct ways. Use the MU series desktop charger at home or mini-USB car cable on your way to soccer practice. Pack a mini-USB wall cable for recharge in the hotel during your family vacation or simply use a min-USB PC cable to charge from your PC when no power outlet is available. (Mini-USB car, PC cables and desktop charger – sold separately, wall charger included)
TOTAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The MU series include an emergency alert feature, allowing you to enjoy your escape to the great outdoors with confidence that others can be informed of any dangers that may come your way. When the alert button is activated, the radio transmits an alert siren followed by transmission of spoken or incidental sounds. This allows you to send the signal to other radios and warn of impending danger. There’s also a built-in LED flashlight for peace-of-mind during evening adventures or unexpected emergencies and power outages.
EMERGENCY LIGHT SOURCE
A light source is always essential during any emergency situation. It’s crucial to be able to see what you are doing and where you are going. The MU series has a built-in LED light that offers emergency lighting when needed.
MINI-USB CAR CHARGER
Keep your Motorola two-way radio charged on the go using this USB car charger that plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter.
WEATHER ALERTS
Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or just making sure you and your family are informed, you will have 24/7 access to alerts ranging from flash floods to tornado warnings to national emergencies. Use the radio feature to team up with someone in your neighborhood to check on each other in case of emergencies. The MU350 provides the ideal combination for those who want real time accurate weather monitoring capabilities and the ability to communicate in case of emergencies.
SILENT SIGNALS
The VibraCall™ silent vibrating ringer is especially useful for locations where ringing can be intrusive. This feature is also great when noise from a sporting event would drown out your ring tone.
HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION
When you are hiking up a steep mountain trail, you really need to keep your hands free to brace the rocky terrain. With iVOX acting like a speakerphone and allowing hands-free communication, you can keep on moving without stopping to answer a call.
FULL-FEATURED PRIVACY
The Talkabout® MU series has full 22-frequency capacity with 121 privacy codes to reduce interruptions. The Motorola QT (Quiet talk) functionality allows the radios to be set so they can communicate with other compatible Motorola products, adding yet another level of distinction from the other manufacturers.
DUAL POWER
Are you running out of battery power and with no power outlet around to recharge the batteries? Just pop in 3 AA batteries and your unit is operating again for another 15 hours of estimated talk time.
CALL TONES
Call tones are what people calling you can hear instead of the normal default ring. Choose what your callers will hear from ten audible call tones to grab the attention of your family and friends before you start speaking.
EXTRA POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
Push-To-Talk Power Boost, when activated, allows you to extend the transmission range by increasing the transmitter power output while saving battery life when no power boost is necessary.
EXTENDED LIFE BATTERIES
Enjoy hours of uninterrupted outdoor activities. The MU350 series allows for maximum battery life in a small package and is designed to withstand hours of extended usage providing users with double the amount of talk time. (High capacity batteries included.)
DSP AUDIO
Are you finding yourself asking what the other party was saying because it was just not clear? Through the use of Digital Signal Processing technology the MU series provides best in class audio clarity not to be found in any other 2-way radio. Over and out!
TALKABOUT CLEAR
Boasting a high efficiency class D amplifier, the MU series radio delivers enhanced sound quality by reducing distortion at high volumes.
ECO SMART
The collective energy wasted in powering handheld electronics has become a Global issue. Most of the energy wasted while charging a mobile device occurs within the charge. On an individual basis, the amount of energy wasted per year is negligible. However, there are hundreds of millions of chargers in use today. The large‐scale incorporation of energy efficient chargers benefits the planet both economically and environmentally. The MU series does its part by using the latest technological design to produce a high efficiency wall adapter which consumes one half watt of power during idle conditions.
SCAN
Use the scanning feature to see which channels are currently in use.
LOW BATTERY ALERT
Low battery alert reminds you when batteries are running low.
KEYPAD LOCK
Keypad lock prevents your personalized settings from being inadvertently changed.
MU350R Includes:
• 2 radios
• 2 (AA) 1300 mAh high capacity NiMH rechargeable battery packs
• 2 belt clips
• 1 Y cable charging adaptor with dual mini-USB connectors
• 1 emergency preparedness checklist
• 1 Accessories brochure
• 1 User Guide
*Works with qualified BLUETOOTH headsets from Bluetooth SIG, Inc. 2-Way Radio BLUETOOTH Specification version 2.1, supports Headset profile version 1.2.
**NOAA radio service may not be available in all areas. Check with your local weather for frequency and details, or visit www.weather.gov/nwr.
***IP-54: Dust/Splashproof from any direction.
