Walkie-talkies are a useful tool that makes communication amongst groups easier and faster in all conditions. It can get to areas such as the countryside and remote areas where cell phones struggle to receive signals. They are portable and easy to carry along with you at all times. Hiking, camping, fishing, and other activities with family, friends, and groups are more fun with the radio in hand. You do not have to worry much about someone wandering off; with the radio, you can easily communicate and locate straying members of the group.
The Motorola Talkabout 5950 is one of the latest additions to Motorola’s impressive radio range. The radio has a sporty and ergonomic design; it is compact and light, extremely portable, and easy to carry around. Its small size allows it to fit into bags, purses, and pockets without causing any discomfort. The device has multiple channels and codes to make communication more comfortable and more effective.
This two-way radio device is full of numerous functions that serve the needs of users. It also provides accurate weather reports and makes beeping noises when the other device moves out of range. The powerhouse radio covers up to 5 miles in the distance, forestalling any obstructions along the path that can weaken its reach. Also, it uses very little power and has a battery saver mode that helps to save power further. On a full charge, the battery can last for up to 22 hours.
If you love visiting the countryside, maybe for camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, and other attractive outdoor activities, the T5950 is a handy tool to use. While in the countryside you may need to connect with others. Unfortunately, finding mobile signals is difficult in the countryside. Your mobile phone is as good as useless for communication in such situations. You can communicate with fellow campers and hikers at no extra cost bar the device’s cost. It is also advantageous; the T5950 has enough channels and subcodes to cut off distracting noises and faint sounds in the background. Experts recommend using it in remote areas where your phone shows the SOS signal.
The Motorola T5950 two way radio is perfect for making communication easier for you. It can operate anywhere. Apart from the countryside with no mobile signal, it is also useful in schools, homes, offices, malls, and other indoor and outdoor situations. Compared to mobile phones, it is a more affordable tool costing nothing. Instead of expanding your phone bill for simple communications within a five-mile radius, you can use the T5950 to pass the message and not pay a dime as a phone bill.
The communication gear design is suitable for both amateur users and professional ones. It comes with the Motorola Talkabout T5950 manual, which explains all the functions to users. Most users do not use the manual and figure out how to use the device in less than ten minutes. It also comes with accessories such as batteries, belt clips, and chargers.
The T5950 device is built with rugged plastic material to withstand falls and prevent it from damaging easily. The design makes it impossible for dust and water to enter the radio and easily damage the internal system quickly. If you are looking for a portable device with a good communication range, the Motorola T5950 walkie-talkie is your description.
In the walkie-talkie manufacturing world, Motorola is the largest and most reliable product. Over the years, the company keeps making quality walkie-talkies with a wide range of features and benefits. T5950 is one of its best products in the world. This review will go into more details of its functionalities.
Table of Contents
Considerations choosing Motorola T5950 Radio
Before rushing to get a two-way walkie-talkie that will solve all your communication problems, there are some points you have to consider to prevent you from buying wrongly closely. You can buy incorrectly when the radio purchased is below the capabilities of the task you need to use it for. Purchasingwatt a radio without first examining its functionalities and comparing it to your needs is a recipe for disaster. Buying off pictures will result in 8 out of 10 times in you buying wrongly. Playing little attention to details will also not help much. To prevent making such a huge mistake, you have first to identify why you need it.
But why do I need to check the functionalities of the radio? They may all look alike, share some similarities, but they have their differences. For example, a radio with a 2-mile radius will not have the same reach as one with a 5-mile radius. They may have a similar design and size, the same number of channels, but their communication reach is different.
Here are some points to consider before you purchase the T5950 radio at any local or online store. You can also use it to guide your purchase of other walkie-talkie tools.
Design
While you want a radio that can serve your communication needs best, you also want aesthetically pleasing ones. In addition to other considerations, the radio’s design should be among the factors you consider before buying. The T5950 has a sporty and ergonomic design, with lovely curves. It makes use of three attractive colors: yellow, silver, and black. It is a beautiful piece to carry along with you anywhere you go. The design of the radio makes it useful for outdoor sporting activities.
Size
Size is an essential factor to consider before making a walkie-talkie purchase. If you need to carry the tool around frequently, get lightweight, small, and portable. But if the walkie-talkie is going to stay in one position (for example, as an office or school communication device), you do not have to worry much about the size. The T5950 communication gear weighs 5.29 ounces for a single piece. Each has a dimension of 6.4 x 2.9 x 1.3 inches.
The gadget is exceptionally light and portable; you can carry it around comfortably without feeling any added weight pressure. It easily fits the palm. You can conveniently grip and hold. Its small size makes it easy to slot the walkie-talkie into the pockets (including shirt pockets), purses, and bags.
Although the device has a small build, that does not mean that it cannot provide excellent communication services. Technological advancements make it possible for manufacturers to put more features into smaller packages. The T5950 has numerous features and can rival any other walkie-talkie produced by Motorola and other manufacturers.
The size is pretty handy for communication during outdoor sports. Its sporty design and small size make it suitable for outdoor sports, including hiking, running, cycling, etc. You can easily communicate with people using the device. The radio’s light weight and belt clip accessory makes it easy for sports lovers to hook the device on themselves and carry it around while doing sports.
Range
The range is another essential point to consider before purchasing the radio. The appropriate coverage for you depends on your communication needs. For example, a short-range walkie-talkie may serve your needs in an office or school. However, if you want to go hiking and other outdoor activities, a higher range will better serve you.
The T5950 radio has a communication reach of up to 5 miles. It is suitable for both short and long-distance communications. It is ideal for offices, outdoor sports, schools, hospitals, factories, and others. For more details about its range, you can consult the Motorola Talkabout T5950 manual.
Multi-Channel Functionality
Before selecting a walkie-talkie to buy, check the number of channels it supports. Devices that have multiple channels should make the top of your list. It is particularly useful if you want to install it to serve the needs of an organization. For effective communication, you can put different departments under different channels.
The T5950 has 22 channels: 7 FRS, 7 GMRS/FRS, and 8 GMRS channels. It also has 99 codes that help to eliminate disruptions in the communication flow. The channels offer excellent privacy for users. There is adequate spacing between each of the channels that allow for smooth operation.
Battery Power
There are two things to consider here: how long it takes to charge and how long the battery lasts. If you plan to use it in a building where there is constant electricity access, battery power is not a significant factor for you. But if you plan to do outdoor sports and make trips to where electricity is not readily available, this is a question you need to ask before buying.
The F5950 on a full charge can carry you up to 22 hours. Aside from that, it takes about two hours to charge it fully. When not in use or when the battery is low, you can switch to the battery saving mode to conserve power and make the device last longer. It also uses a low power output of 0.5-1 watt, depending on the type of channel used. The device uses both rechargeable battery packs to function. Its long-lasting battery life makes it suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and cycling.
Performance
The performance of the T5950 radio is high; all Motorola T5950 reviews point to its high capabilities. It works silently and produces clear transmissions. For its size, the radio is an all-out powerhouse. It runs successfully 22 channels and 99 subcodes.
On a full battery, it can run for up to 22 hours smoothly. It uses low power to function (0.5-1 watt), but its performance level is comparable to other similar devices in the market.
Motorola T5950 Features
LCD Backlight Display
The LCD box is where the operations users enter reflect. It shows light each time a button is pressed. At night or in the dark, the light is useful to help users operate the device conveniently. The screen display resembles an old cell phone from the early 2000s. On display, you see the battery gauge. There are five buttons on the device: the music button, the ‘Mon’ button, the ‘Menu’ button, and the ‘+’ and ‘-‘volume buttons.
Accessories
The Motorola T5950 accessories include the dual pocket desktop charger, NiCD rechargeable batteries, and belt clips. When you purchase it, you get these accessories as part of the package. It also has an external antenna that receives and transmits electromagnetic signals. Without the antenna, two devices can’t communicate with each other. The antenna is crucial for all radios. It sends out electric signals, which another antenna receives and converts to a form understandable by humans.
The belt clips are useful for holding the radio to the cloth when not in use. It is an essential accessory that makes carrying the radio easy for people, especially for hikers and cyclists. You do not have to worry about the clip damaging; they are durable and suited to the size of the frequencies’ differences.
The dual pocket desktop charger is the accessory you need to charge the batteries. It also comes with two NiCD rechargeable batteries of good quality. There is also a headset jack where you can connect an earpiece or headset, so you do not have to carry the radio in your hand to receive calls. The Motorola T5950 accessories are essential to getting the best out of the walkie-talkies.
Lightweight Device
The T5950 has virtually no weight, and it is portable. It weighs about 5,29 ounces, far lighter than many of the new smartphones in the market. Its sporty and ergonomic design is catchy and easy to hold on the palm. It has an anti-sleepy shape and feels that it makes it less susceptible to falls from the hands. You can place the radio easily in your bags, purses, and pockets. With the belt clip, you can attach it to your trousers or shorts while you go about your normal activities.
The plastic used to build the exterior of the device is strong and durable. It does not easily break when it falls to the ground. Its small size and sporty design make it the device of choice for outdoor sports. You can take it along with you like hiking and camping gear without putting weight pressure on your existing load. It is safe for outdoor use.
Warranty
Most electronic gadgets come with some form of warranty. Motorola also offers different levels of warranties on its products. The T5950 has a one year warranty. The warranty is proof that the device has a long lifespan. When used well, the device can last up to five years. If you encounter any issue with the device before the one year warranty runs up, you can return it for Motorola to fix, or you will get a replacement.
Multiple Channels
The T5950 has 22 channels and 99 codes. The channels are better grouped into 7 FRS, 7 GMRS/FRS, and 8 GMRS channels. The 99 codes help to remove any inconsistencies and disruptions that can affect the communication output. Multiple channels afford you several options for communication. It also receives weather report channels such as NOAA weather channels and NOAA All Hazard Alert Radio. There is also enough spacing between the channels to allow them to function correctly.
Audio Quality
The sound quality is clear and one of the best for walkie-talkies in its range. You can hear what someone is communicating from the other end, and the person can listen to what you are saying. The speaker is audible, and there are no disturbing sounds in the background. Even in crowded and noisy spots, the 99 interference codes do an excellent job eliminating unwanted sounds. You can connect a headset or earpiece to the T5950 and get even better sound quality.
Battery
The Motorola T5950 battery can carry the device on a full charge for up to 22 hours. On purchase, you get a dual pocket desktop charger and NiCD rechargeable batteries to power the device. It uses AA alkaline batteries, which you have to purchase separately. The T5950 consumes little power.
Tones
The device has multiple tones and alerts for different purposes. You can set the device to VibraCall alert so that it vibrates when you have an incoming call. It is perfect when you are in a noisy or crowded environment. Also, there are ten call tones you can use. When the battery runs low, you get an audible beep to inform you.
FAQs
How to pair walkie talkies
Pairing two walkie-talkies of the same model are straightforward. If you buy a two-way radio with two or more radios in the pack, you do not need to bother plenty about the pairing. They automatically pair with each other without any stress. However, if you want to pair with any radio, not of the same model, merely aligning to the same channel frequency may not get the job done. Manufacturers put in stopgaps in the radios to prevent it from communicating with just any device.
Here are some ways to pair radios if they do not pair on the same channel frequency.
- Remove the CTCSS (Continous Tone Code Squelch System) blocking: The CTCSS is what manufacturers use to prevent the radio from communicating with all the devices tuned to that frequency in reach. The radio sends an inaudible tone along with its message carried in that frequency. Only similar devices can receive this tone and message. You can remove this hindrance by turning it off.
- Remove DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) Blocking: Instead of sending an inaudible tone, the radio sends a code. If the other device does not recognize the code, the message you send will not get to it. Like the CTCSS blocking, all you have to do is turn it off to fix it.
- The difference in FRS and GMRS frequencies: Another reason why radios may not pair is the differences in FRS and GMRS frequencies. Channel 1 in GMRS is not Channel 1 in FRS. You can solve this by googling the corresponding channel frequency numbers.
Where to buy the T5950?
The Motorola Talkabout 5950 is available in both online and offline stores. You can buy the two-way radio on Amazon, eBay, and other online platforms. You can also purchase it from your local store or directly from Motorola. You get the one-year warranty despite where you are buying it, except buying a used device whose warranty has expired.
The cost of the T5950 walkie-talkie is different across platforms. Note that your shipping cost may not be part of the price estimations you see on these online websites.
Conclusion
The T5950 radio offers you one of the best alternatives to cell phones for communicating with groups, family, workers, and friends. The best part of the device is that it is affordable and does not cost you those outrageous amounts you get as phone bills. You can spend all day communicating within its range without worrying about mounting phone bills. All you have to worry about is charging it.
The radio has all the advanced technologies to make communication run smoothly for you and your team. It is a powerhouse device despite its small size and can withstand severe weather conditions and dust that can damage it. The T5950 has a sporty, smart, and ergonomic design that adds to its appeal.
There are so many attractive features that it offers to users compared to the ordinary radio. Its audio quality is excellent. When the volume is low, or there is too much noise disrupting communication, it uses its 99 interference eliminator codes to remove those distractions in its path. On both ends, the sound quality is crystal clear. It also has 22 channels and a reach of up to 5 miles.
It is lightweight and portable, the perfect gadget to take along with you for lengthy outdoor adventures or walks. The device weighs 5.29 ounces. You can carry it in your pockets, bags or use the belt clips to hold it on your belt holes. It is beneficial for outdoor sports and adventures such as hiking, camping, running, etc.
The F5950 is a powerhouse; it has a strong battery power that can last for up to 22 hours on a full charge. It comes with a one-year warranty and can last up to six years. It is a rugged device and does not damage easily. There are ten call tones available and a vibrator mode.
The Motorola F5950 walkie talkie is the best for outdoor sports, such as hiking, camping, and cycling.