Weatherproof: With an IP-54 rating, the MT series flaunts its weatherproof ID design making it ideal for protection not only from dust, but from wet weather conditions be it snow or rain splashes. Its emergency alert feature, built-in LED flashlight and NOAA weather alert channels provide a total emergency preparedness communication solution. Talkabout Clear: Boasting a high efficiency class D amplifier, the MT series radio delivers enhanced sound quality by reducing distortion at high volumes.
$ 69.95
Test Results: Motorola MT352R vs Motorola MR350,
Just to give you some background, I have been an Amateur radio enthusiast for about 3 decades now. I collect radios and I am a member of a Disaster volunteer radio group. I have 2 Base Stations and dozens of professional and consumer radios of all brands spanning 3 decades.
I really wanted to give you a very detailed comparison of these 2 radios. Prior to buying these radios I called up Motorola and Giant and got information from them about these MT352R handhelds. They told me that it is generally the same as the MR350 except that it is more forgiving to bad weather and has a much better battery. I ordered them and when they arrived I did a side by side comparison with my favorite consumer radio, the Motorola MR350. I have 4 of MR350s and I have had them for about 4 years now, and they are still working great. So when I did my field test I was expecting the same performance out of both radios in terms of distance and clarity.
Here is my side by side comparison between them:
1. Menu Features – They have very similar features. Not much to write about there. The menus are the same as well. You can read about their features from Amazon. I will not waste time on this.
2. Battery – The MT352 has a superior battery. Specs say it has 15 hours of battery life as compared to the MR350 which has 9 hours. But in the field, I have never been out longer than 9 hours, so I do not think this really matters as much.
3. Size – The MR350 is hands down the better radio for carry. The MT532R is long and wide, whereas the MR350 is svelte and sleek. The MR350 design is excellent if you intend to put the radio in your pocket. You will not even know it is there.
4. Weather resistant – The MT352R says that it is Weather resistant. It has an IP-54 rating. The “5” is the dust resistance and the “4” is the Water resistance. This just says it can withstand a dusty or rainy environment. Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact. Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect.
5. Distance – see test below
******Range Comparison: MR350 vs MT352R********
Scenario: I had my daughter stand in the front of my house and she had an MR350 and a MT352R. I walked away from the house and would radio in every .1 miles. I also had an MR350 and a MT352R. I would transmit first on the MR350 which she will only use her MR350 to receive and transmit. Then we would try to transmit with the MT352R. I live in an LA neighborhood so there are many houses and trees. I believe this would be a typical scenario for most. We were also transmitting on a GMRS Channel pressing the High Power PTT button. I do have a GMRS license.
Test: 0.1 Mile
1. MR350 – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
2. MT352R – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.2 Miles
1. MR350 – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
2. MT352R – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.3 Miles
1. MR350 – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
2. MT352R – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.4 Miles
1. MR350 – There was a little static. We could hear each other clearly.
2. MT352R – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.5 Miles
1. MR350 – There was a little more static. We could hear each other. I had to ask her to repeat what she said. She heard me but asked me to repeat as well. Sporadic noise, but we could still communicate.
2. MT352R – Crystal clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.6 Miles
1. MR350 – Her transmission was getting a little choppy. It was choppy on both sides. We both had to repeat ourselves in order to understand.
2. MT352R – There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.7 Miles
1. MR350 – Our transmission was choppy. It was very choppy on both sides. We both had to repeat ourselves in order to understand. It was very difficult to understand what she was saying.
2. MT352R – There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends.
Test: 0.8 Miles
1. MR350 – We could barely understand each other. It was extremely choppy on both sides. I could hear her trying to transmit but could not understand anything she said. She said she heard me but it was very, very choppy.
2. MT352R – There was a little noise in the background but it was still very clear on send and receive on both ends. I actually used the MT352R to check if she was having problems hearing me with the MR350.
Test: 0.9…
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|Good buy and great functionality,
I bought these to use at work and they needed to be able to work in difficult situations. They needed to reach through four to five cement block walls then 1/8 mile distance and inside of a metal pole barn. They do this well with very little fuzz or distortion. I am very happy with these radios.
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|Nice +,
good machine. lots of features. The range in a city is about one KM. looks good and may be used with regular or original batteries. recommended
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