Motorola Talkabout T42 Triple Walkie-Talkie (Review and Range Test)

Discover why walkie-talkies such as the Motorola Talkabout T42 are so popular in Europe.
Part 1 - Motorola T42 on Amazon* ➜ geni.us/WmU7z
Part 2 - Unboxing ➜ (3:46min)
Part 3 - Range Test ➜ (11:21min)
Part 4 - Summary & Conclusion ➜ (14:47min)
*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead:
For example - Motorola Talkabout T100 ➜ geni.us/BBwBaP
In this product review, we will have a closer look at two license-free 2-way radios from Motorola.
While we find a maximum range of 4 km (2,5 miles) listed on the package, in my opinion, such distances are only reached under optimal conditions (e.g. open line of sight).
More realistic is to assume a shorter range, because houses, trees, and other obstacles can reduce the signal quality significantly.
According to government regulation, PMR446 radios are not allowed to have a replaceable antenna, and can only transmit at a low output power of 0.5 watts.
Because of this, it is perfectly normal that these radios perform best in close range communication.
At first, a short range may seem like a disadvantage, but if you think about it, it also has advantages.
In a city with many users, simultaneous transmissions on the same channel, are less likely if the radios only have a short range.
The benefit, users are not constantly bothering each other on one of the 8-16 available PMR frequencies.
In addition, the low output power extends battery life, and you can use the radios longer while consuming less power.
Also, if your radio would transmit over longer distances, more people could listen in, which is also avoided by the weak transmission power. Because a potential eavesdropper would always have to be close enough to receive the signal.
In my test, the communication quality was good, but with the increased distance the quality would sometimes start to deteriorate.
If you need a longer range, you should look at other solutions such as CB radio, because there are more channels and significantly higher transmission power.
Personally, I think the Talkabout T42 Triple set is best suited for beginners who don’t use the radios on a regular basis.
#ReviewTechTV
/ Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /
// This video does not include product placement. I got the product myself. //

[@ReviewTechTV]

*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead: For example - Motorola Talkabout T100 ➜ geni.us/BBwBaP

[@tykenneth1]

I was successfully transmitting to my friends while half of us were having drinks at a winery and the other half were 3.7 miles away on the beach

[@rareshanza]

Hello! Me and my friends are going on a road trip with 3 cars and we were wondering if theese walkie talkies would be good for us. We would mainly use them to communicate with each other about where to stop. Please let me know! Thank you!

[@_max-g]

4 kilometres = 2.485 miles for anyone wondering

[@WilliamBolger]

Excellent, I will now proceed with my purchase. Thanks for this good presentation 👍

[@ReviewTechTV]

You are welcome!

[@slifloks1827]

thanks a loot for this . It was really helpful!! Thx again

[@HobsNobs]

Very useful review many thanks

[@ReviewTechTV]

My pleasure

[@courtneylemonnier6552]

Do u belive this will work at around 300m in a residential area. I was going to buy them for my friend group

[@exequielperez4630]

Hi! when you tested the range, your location was an open field or with buildings, parks ..etc? I'm interested in getting one. Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@ReviewTechTV]

Both!

[@exequielperez4630]

@@ReviewTechTV thank you

[@yusufdonmez621]

how is the walkie talkie range so far?@@exequielperez4630

[@RustyX2010]

They look like baby monitors.

[@junyih1191]

Nice review. Have a question, how long could the battery last on a normal use?

[@ReviewTechTV]

Last nicely during the day if on standby, if talking it can vary based on amount and length of your conversations.

[@tykenneth1]

Just got done with a 4 day trip with friends up north, and we didn’t start having low battery alerts until the 4th day

[@SebastianDaniec]

Good review. But i would like to share my view on the "Why buy more expensive when you only use them few times a year". I'd rather see to what you are doing and not how many times you use it. If you go on a week long hike in the mountains and they get wet and stop working then you spent money for nothing. Some people apply the same logic to for example sleeping bags. Why buy expensive warm sleeping bag if you only hike 1 week in the year. So they buy a cheap one and are cold for one week and have a bad experience and most likely not go on a hike next year remembering the cold nights. If the item affects safety i would buy a appropriate product for that purpose.

[@frankferrero5827]

Sleeping bag doesn't apply to this situation. I bought these walkies so my pops could call me if needed (he is a bit ill),i have 20 meters of a hallway and 5 walls between us. Him yelling my name everytime was getting tiresome so i got these. He uses them to contact me about 5 or 6 times a day,that is like in total less than a minute of talking time. Why spend 100 plus euros if these do the job? Had them for a year and they do the job,sleeping bag analogy? bad analogy,even if i only go for a hike once a year i am not getting a cheap ass sleeping bag,i am getting a good one so i am warm and can have a decent nights sleep.

[@SebastianDaniec]

@@frankferrero5827 I don't think you understand my comment. You answer like i was prefering a cheap sleeping bag. And i am not. In the case of your dad, i agree, cheap ones would do well. I am saying buy depending on how you will use it, not the frequency.

[@aes30006]

Does it have support for earphones? Bluetooth?

[@CagnusMarlsen15]

What is better? Motorola T41 or T42?

[@ReviewTechTV]

It is a matter of taste.

[@JoeKundlak]

I guess it is an older vs a newer model of basically the same?

[@funpao]

I saw i review and the person say that is the same

[@matiaswohlwend8464]

Thanks!

[@Orionman8]

Measuring in ft. You are special. Meter is de unit. Strange country.

[@mariaelenalareabarajas3103]

I don't like now Espanihs

[@Tofik-89]

0.5w all the same

[@1000Orgasms]

Blue's Clues.

[@R.U.cARroT]

Is it a flat area where you tested the radio distance? Or did you test it in a city with many buildings?

[@ReviewTechTV]

Yes, the test was done in good conditions, few buildings but some trees.

[@mikg5572]

Great review! Great Talkies ! Actually you convinced me to buy the set of these for my family. Thanks!

[@michab.2640]

Which one will you choose for kids T42 or T62, sometimes it will be used by adults, e.g. while driving by 2 cars

[@ReviewTechTV]

I would prefer the Motorola T62

[@stevolarry420stevenslozz3]

Excellent and informative video! Thank you so much!

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

01:00 4 km = 2.48548 miles

[@pedersteenberg2010]

MORE PEOPLE WORLD WIDE SHOULD HAVE THIS FOR SAFETY BETTER THEN NOTHNING . JOGGING , WALK , CHILDRHEN , NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH . MAXIMUS 4 KM OPEN SPACE STILL MORE THEN WIRELESS PHONE . WORKS IN THE HOOD . BAOFENG IS ALSO GREAT I WANT A MINI BAOFENG .

[@TheShaukeen]

You helped me decide which one to buy, so much clarity and to the point reviews. Thank you so very much and keep it up 🙏

[@shartbox6868]

Hola

[@michaelloughlin734]

Great review just one question does the Motorola hunter when you put the key lock on and switch it off does it temember next time you switch it on I've got a similar one and mine does not remember the key lock and next time I switch on I have to activate the keylock again...Michael great britain....

[@ReviewTechTV]

I think the Motorola T80 and T81 are pretty much the same.

[@bulijaja]

I really wanted to buy this and then I saw this review. On the box, it says 4km range and you test it up to 1,5km. And you never mention that difference? Not a very unbiased review style IMHO. :(

[@ReviewTechTV]

First all PMR/FRS radios have the same output power, second range is often overstated by manufacturer.

[@ReviewTechTV]

Long range only under ideal conditions, e.g. free line of sight, short range in the city center.

[@ReviewTechTV]

The range will vary based on where you use the radios.

[@milanmedakovic104]

In ideal situacion this range can bee 15km

[@EscanorGames7]

Make this video in portuguese of Brazil our Portugal

[@aes30006]

Learn English

[@VoeViking]

Thumb down, why are talking feet?

[@ReviewTechTV]

The newer videos have metric and imperial, so feet and meters.

[@ReviewTechTV]

In any case, for European PMR (0,5 Watt) radios expect a lower range, and for America FRS (2 Watt) it will be higher depending on the channel.