This Motorola T480 review will put the radio through its paces to see if it is worth as a mid-range two-way radio. Although it’s priced relatively higher for a single unit, the walkie talkie represents value for money owing to its features and performance. After testing out the radio for a couple of weeks, we’re ready to give you a considered verdict. This is what we think about the Motorola Talkabout T480:
| Performance | Features | User-interface | Value for Money |
| T480 wraps up power, performance, and quality in a single, smart unit. It’s an impressive all-around package at a mid-range price. | This two-way radio excels in terms of design and specs. With features, such as FM radio, weather alerts, and power boost, it’s quite a decent offering! | T480 is a fun-to-use gadget, especially because of its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. It’s also relatively easy to set up and configure. | Motorola T480 offers plenty of bang for the buck in most key areas. But, remember, there are better handsets available at the same price. |
Who Should Get Talkabout T480?
Motorola has designed its T480 two-way radio to aid emergency preparedness for all your outdoor adventures. This FRS/GMRS radio enables you to communicate with family, listen to FM radio, and stay up-to-date with all-weather updates. Under ideal conditions, you can expect a maximum talking range of 35-miles. For this reason, it’s essential in any emergency preparedness kit! But, keep in mind; the actual range in suburbs may be much lower. Furthermore, with an IP54 rating, you can use this handset even in snow and rain.
To summarize, if you live in areas prone to storms, earthquakes, tsunami, floods, or city shutdowns, then T480 is a must-have!
What You Should Know about Motorola T480- Specifications
The Motorola T480 specs are hard to beat. This technologically advanced unit hits the sweet spot in terms of high-end features:
- 22 channels
- 121 privacy codes
- 35-mile talking range
- Emergency alert button
- Weather channels and alerts
- Push-to-talk (PTT) power boost
- Built-in LED flashlight
- FM radio
- Dual-power options
- IP54 weatherproof construction
The Use & Result Phase- Testing Report of T480
This FRS/GMRS walkie talkie is easily one of the most ergonomic handsets. It’s lightweight enough to carry anywhere you do. I tested it out for its weatherproofing and found it to be a solid performer. As for the basics, I had no trouble setting up and operating the radio. The Motorola T480 manual covered pretty much all information, including frequencies, channels, licensing, warranty, and more. Despite having an expansive list of features, the interface was quite intuitive. It’s an excellent pick even for beginners. However, it’s important to note that you may need an FCC license to operate the GMRS channels 1 to 7, and 15 to 22. Overall, T480 meets all expectations in terms of use-phase.
What’s different about this radio is that it offers much more than general communication. It boasts all vital features and packs plenty for its price. The device comes with a whistle belt clip instead of the regular one, which I thoroughly enjoyed using. The best part about T480 is that, unlike most other offerings, this comes as a single radio and is compatible with almost all brands and models.
However, even though the device has plenty of features, one feature that’s really lacking is the Motorola T480 battery. I found the NiMH batteries lasting for 10 hours only, whereas the alkaline batteries run for up to 26 hours. Moreover, in terms of coverage, the device failed to live up to its claim of 35-mile talking range. Instead, I could only hit about 2-miles away in suburbs. Therefore, if you’re only interested in the T480 for its range claim, you may want to look into other options as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| Reasonably solid construction | Insufficient battery life |
| Simple to operate | Restricted range at low power |
| Excellent for emergencies | |
| Intuitive interface | |
| Weatherproof design |
FAQ
What is the difference between regular belt clips and whistle belt clips for Motorola T480?
The standard belt clip allows you to hang your radio onto your pocket or bag pack strap. A whistle belt clip performs the same function, but with the addition of an in-built whistle. This whistle can come in handy when you want to warn those around of any impending danger.
How to reset Motorola T480?
Reset your Motorola T480’s menu settings to factory settings by pressing and holding down M key with either \ or ).
Conclusion
Motorola T480 emergency preparedness two way radio works outstandingly as a durable radio for outdoor communication needs. With its NOAA weather channel and alert system, the device warns you ahead of any upcoming harsh weather. For this reason, it’s a must-have piece of tech, especially if you live in zones prone to harsh weather. However, the device lacks in a few areas, such as its battery and range. The 35-mile range claim is exaggerated, as the original coverage is much lower than that, depending on surrounding conditions. Nonetheless, the handset is dependable and practical for emergency preparedness.