INTRODUCTION
Commercial Two-Way Radios from Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial two-way radios for a variety of applications. In terms of build quality, audio experience, and reliability, Motorola radios offer superb value for money, with a long working life and low maintenance requirements. The Motorola two-way radio range includes a large variety of licensed and unlicensed models, available at all price points, for many different industry sectors:
- Security
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Lone Working
- Commercial/Manufacturing
- Logistics/Warehousing
- Construction
- Education
- And More
With a product range this wide, it can be difficult to choose the best model for your budget and specifications.
In this guide, we explain the features, benefits, and applications of five key two-way radio models from the Motorola range. Each is available to purchase through DTS Solutions at competitive prices per unit.
Feel free to get in touch with one of our knowledgeable communications technology specialists for help making the right investment for your organisation.
MOTOROLA XT420 & XT460 LICENCE-FREE TWO-WAY RADIO
SLEEK IN DESIGN AND DURABLE IN NATURE, THE XT420 AND XT460 ARE THE LEADING CHOICE FOR LICENCE-FREE RADIOS.
The Motorola XT420 and XT460 are the go-to choice for license-free radios, with an impressive array of features and sturdy design, they have a strong level of connectivity, performance and durability making them suitable for use in various hard-wearing environments.
Battery Life
Approximately 20 hours
Dimensions (mm)
H:116; W:58; D:40
Weight
XT420 – 244g; XT460 – 256g
Licencing Requirements
Licence-free – as the XT420 and XT460 are licence-free, this means that they can be used right away without needing a licence from Ofcom, and you’ll never be charged for using them. However, their licence-free nature means that the communication range is limited compared to a licenced radio equivalent. Licence-free radios also cannot have their signal “boosted” by repeaters. The licence-free spectrum can become congested, particularly in built-up areas and this may result in users experiencing interference.
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Why buy this radio? Durable design, no Ofcom licencing required, enhanced audio quality, back-to-back coverage, 20 hours of battery life.
Our verdict: The XT420 and XT460 are similarly lightweight and durable radios with many great features for use across multiple channels. The crisp, clear audio allows for fast and effective communication across multiple channels, though as with any licence-free radio, the XT4 range isn’t suitable for large sites or business-critical communications.
MOTOROLA EVX-S24 LICENCED DIGITAL RADIO
AFFORDABLE, ENTRY-LEVEL RADIO IS SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF USES.
The Motorola EVX-S24 is a small, robust digital radio with an impressive range of features and protective standards for its price.
Battery Life
12 hours digital, or 11 hours analogue per charge
Dimensions (mm)
H:91; W:55; D:31
Weight
215 g (with belt clip)
Licencing Requirements
Licenced – you will need an Ofcom radio licence to operate these units. Licenses are available through DTS Solutions from as little as £100 if you do not already own one. Purchase a Simple Site Licence here (for using the radios at a single site), or a Simple UK Licence here (for using the radios across the UK).
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Why buy this radio? Very small and light, 12 hr battery life, lone worker alerts, emergency button, operates in digital and analogue modes, ideal for phased migration to digital.
Our verdict: The EVX-S24 is a budget-friendly and very lightweight radio with all the basic features you will need for routine communications on a single site. The radio’s ability to switch between analogue and digital makes it perfect for incorporation into an existing two-way radio fleet.
Note: The battery life is relatively low for longer shift work and may mean you need to charge mid-shift, which can cause downtime, but for light use, this is an ideal radio.
MOTOROLA MOTOTRBO™ SL2600 LICENCED DIGITAL RADIO
SLIM AND LIGHTWEIGHT, THE MOTOROLA MOTOTRBO™ SL2600 PORTABLE TWO-WAY RADIO IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR BUSINESS.
The Motorola SL2600 is a sophisticated portable two-way radio that gives you instant and effective communication across multiple channels with a modern, sleek, lightweight design. The SL2600 can blend seamlessly with professional attire despite being surprisingly robust and durable.
Battery Life
Up to 12 hours
Dimensions (mm)
H:125.7; W:55; D:22.7
Weight
190g
Licensing Requirements
Licenced – you will need an Ofcom licence for this radio. Please see above for details.
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Why buy this radio? With a lightweight design, virtual keypad and display, Bluetooth connectivity, integrated Wi-fi, and 256 channels available as well as many other features the SL2600 is perfect for businesses. It is ideal for teams that need instant communication with discretion and elegance.
Our verdict: We think that the SL2600 is ideal for businesses who need a stylish, compact radio to further enhance their communication requirements. Whether it’s a small or large network, communication will be enhanced without boundaries for all involved, especially with the use of Bluetooth audio accessories and Wi-fi integration for over-the air programming updates. The SL2600 is the perfect mix of style of substance.
Note: Are you looking for a device like the SL2600 that provides an even greater range? Have a look at the Motorola TLK100 WAVE PTX LTE radio that operates over 3G/4G and Wi-Fi networks to enable instant communication across campuses, cities, and countries.
MOTOROLA R7A LICENCED NON-KEYPAD DIGITAL RADIO
Motorola R7A Digital Non Keypad Two-Way Radio
VERSATILE RADIO WITH BASIC FEATURES AND EXCELLENT RELIABILITY FOR CLOSE COMMUNICATIONS
The Motorola R7A, part of the versatile R7 series, is a lightweight, powerful digital two-way radio with excellent sound quality for clear, reliable connections over long distances and multiple sites. The R7A is tested to MILSTD-810 military standards and IP68 waterproof rating making it extremely dependable for use in almost any environment.
Battery Life
Up to 28 hours per charge (depending on the type of battery)
Dimensions (mm)
H:132; W:56; D:31 (with 2200mAh slim IMPRES battery)
Weight
289g (with 2200mAh slim IMPRES battery)
Licensing Requirements
Licenced – you will need an Ofcom licence for this radio. Please see above for details.
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Our verdict: This radio is ideal for skilled professionals who need a radio that keeps up with their communication requirements. With excellent battery life, this radio is perfect for continuous coverage over long shifts without downtime for charging. It’s accessibility and ability to offer durability and best-in-class audio quality makes the R7A a mainstay for retail, construction, healthcare and public office environments in which the radio is in continual use – without the need for many additional features.
MOTOROLA R7 FKP LICENCED FULL KEYPAD DIGITAL RADIO
A PREMIUM DIGITAL RADIO WITH ADVANCED FEATURES FOR INTENSIVE USE AND HIGHPERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS
The Motorola R7 FKP is an advanced, full keypad digital two-way radio, providing high-quality audio across 1000 channels, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi integration. The R7 FKP is the most feature-rich and robust member of the R7 family, which also includes the entry-level R7A discussed above. The R7 FKP can be purchased as “capable” or “premium”. “Capable” means that the R7 FKP is supplied without a range of premium features, as these can be added latest via purchase of additional software licence keys. “Premium” means that the R7 FKP will come with these premium features already activated.
Battery Life
Up to 28 hours per charge (depending on the type of battery)
Dimensions (mm)
H:132; W:56; D:35 (with 2200mAh slim IMPRES battery)
Weight
316g (with 2200mAh slim IMPRES battery)
Licensing Requirements
Licenced – you will need to purchase an Ofcom licence to use this radio.
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Why buy this radio? With a battery life of up to 28 hours, auto-fall alerts, a full-colour display screen, an emergency button, and an excellent waterproof rating, the R7 FKP is an excellent radio for high-performance applications. Although the price point is higher than other models in the R7 series, you get a lot of features for your money, and this is one of the best digital radios to rely on if you need immediate assistance or need to raise an alarm to other radios within range, particularly when paired with an advanced software application like InteraX or TRBOnet PLUS.
Our verdict: This powerful radio is ideal for skilled professionals who need a radio with advanced smart features and superior connectivity. This is a professional-grade radio ideal for a vast range of scenarios, including on-site security, events management, emergency response teams, and large hospitals.
Note: If you are looking for a feature-rich and durable radio for use within a zoned ATEX environment, check out the Motorola DP4401Ex (non-display/non-keypad) and Motorola DP4801Ex (display/full keypad) ATEX radios models. The DP4000Ex ATEX series offer many of the features of the R7 range but DP4000Ex radios are intrinsically safe units suitable for use in many ATEX zoned environments within oil & gas, petro-chemical, mining and power stations.
NEXT STEPS
DTS Solutions stock an excellent selection of Motorola radios for any budget and commercial application.
If you would like help deciding on which features you need, and the best model to meet your requirements, please get in touch with one of our experts for a free consultation.
Click here to book your free consultation
Please call 01480 407740 for more information