Saturday 18 May 2013

The Motorola gp340, a basic evaluation of this immense walkie talkie

The other week celebrated the 40th anniversary of the world’s 1st cell phone communication. Predictably, it is a Motorola engineer who completed the historic phone call and, much more predictably, the call was made on the Motorola telephone (or, in this instance, prototype telephone). If you are taking one thing away from this introductory part, it needs to be this: Motorola are chief, and when it pertains to comms.

With that in mind, I reviewed the GP340 Portable Radio, the admired in a extensive string of very good Motorola two way radio devices. The following is what I thought about it.

THE SPECS

With up to eleven hours of battery, signal encryption and a selection of VHF or UHF radio bands, the GP340 hits the ground successively and goes from there. A sturdy, somewhat military-esque design gives the GP340 a specialized look and facilitates for significant sturdiness across many environments.

At 137mm high, 57mm wide and weighing just 420 grams, the Gp 340 is also easily transportable, which adds to the general feel of this device as an ‘action’ radio, perhaps better suited than most 2 way radios to more working use.

What is further, you get sixteen channels, as well as a ‘channel scan’ operation.

There’s no screen to be found here, that is maybe a shame, but I query this will influence the radio in any major way, to be frank.

THE PRICE

Anywhere among £230 and £280, depending on wherever you shop. It pays to work a thorough internet search at this point, because there appears to be several deals going on at the moment.

THE PERFORMANCE

The GP340 is certainly more of a team-friendly 2 way radio, particularly if that company transpires to be posted a sizeable distance away. To quote frankly from the Motorola site,

“Streamlining operations with two way radio comms increases efficiency and can outline part of an businesses health and safety procedure which is predominantly vital for those who work alone or remote from the squad”.

This is exceptionally true, as the inclusion of a intense orange ‘emergency button’ as well as an ATEX-approved ‘mandown’ option board competently demonstrates Motorola’s pledge to consumer protection. If you are a company owner and looking to setup a group (particularly one going into a potentially dangerous circumstances) with 2 way radio models, you could do a lot worse than a set of Motorola gp340s.

In addition, the audible ‘low battery’ alerts are helpful and generally unassuming. However, if you use the modifiable power level use, you can make the battery life survive that little longer and save yourself the sound.

The ‘Call Forward’ function is also an conclusive treat, allowing you to, in essence ‘leave a message’ for a user who is otherwise indisposed.

THE VERDICT

This looks like an alternative great radio from Motorola. The numerous, well-designed and considerate protection features on this one are a real plus point, as is the general sturdiness and craftsmanship inherent to almost all Motorola 2 way radios.

The whole impression of this 2 way radio is one of carefulness and attention. Workers can feel that their employer genuinely desires to keep them safe at all times and employers can know that their workforce are always contactable, especially in an crisis.

It lacks the crystal clarity and audio-level adjustment of the Dp 3400, but that’s about the only weakness I can find with it. Even then, the signal is generally clear and passable. This premium level of presentation, along with a pail load of features to aid all from user protection to battery life, is what makes the GP340 a real winner.



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