I’ve had this question pop up a lot, so I wanted to share a few insights that might be helpful for anyone in the market for a Motorola two-way radio.
Where are you going to be using it?
If your work environment is security, a school, a hotel, or warehouse, a portable Motorola two-way radio is probably the way to go. They're lighter, more portable and effective.
If you are typically in a vehicle- whether in transportation, construction, utility or field service, a Motorola mobile radio may be your answer. These have higher power output than portable devices and longer range.
If your priorities include clear digital audio, and modern day communications, you can't go wrong with the Motorola MOTOTRBO series. You can get excellent audio quality, extended battery life and even gps and text on many models. If reliable everyday communication is key to business operations then MOTOTRBO is a sound choice.
If your user group consists of emergency responders or other mission-critical users, Motorola’s APX series has been engineered for such applications where ruggedness is vital.
What do people forget about when purchasing a radio?
People often overlook the value of accessories. Getting extra battery power, a quality speaker microphone, or a spare charger can make all the difference when your radio is going to be utilized all day.
If you're trying to cover a large property or several buildings, then perhaps you might need to explore a repeater system to increase your coverage area.
A while back when I was searching I stumbled upon UsedMotoRadio (https://usedmotoradio.com/), they have a full range of tested used and refurbished Motorola radios. This includes MOTOTRBOs, APX, XPR, portables, mobiles, repeaters and accessories. If you're interested in purchasing without the full price retail rate check it out.
What are your thoughts? What Motorola radios do you guys run, and what's the best way to approach getting your first radio set up?