Motorola's T5320 offers the same overall design as its more expensive T5420 counterpart, but it strips away some useful features to shave a few dollars off the price. A lack of subcodes is the most notable omission, which really hampers the utility of this otherwise solid FRS radio. First the good news: The range and audio quality are right up there with the T5320's cousin, and it will work with the T5420 (or any other FRS radio, including Motorola's T6200 series) as long as the other unit is not using subcodes. The T5320 is extremely easy to use, with a large knob on top controlling power and volume, and smaller buttons on the front for selecting channels, monitoring a channel, and transmitting one of five selectable call tones to let someone on the other end know you are getting ready to talk. Battery life is good, and the radio worked at distances of a half-mile or more in most of our outdoor tests. However, it succumbed to the interference that plagues all other FRS devices when used in a congested urban area.
Oddly enough, the T5320 has a covered jack on the side for a headset but voice-activated communications (VOX) is not supported. Stranger still is the price, which seems a little high considering a pair of T5420s isn't much more expensive.
This is a good little radio, but with the popularity of FRS devices growing--which can mean a crowded channel spectrum--we recommend getting a unit with subcodes. However, if your FRS use will be in an area that isn't drowning in FRS signals, the affordability of the T5320 is hard to pass up. --T. Byrl Baker
Pros:
- Compact, rugged design
- Extremely easy to use
Cons: - No subcodes
- Has a headset jack, but doesn't support VOX
We love these!, September 19, 2002
