Motorola T200 vs T600

Are you looking for the best walkie talkie to buy? Or, are you not sure which one to buy between the Motorola T200 and Motorola T600? This comparison will help you. I compared these units according to their setup, features, price, maximum range, frequencies, and others. I hope you’ll find this comparison review useful.

Comparison – Motorola T200 vs. T600

Setup

The first thing that a new user has to deal with is the setup. With the Motorola T200, everything is a breeze. First, insert the batteries and turn the handset on. Next is to set it to a channel and interference elimination code. Then you are ready to start. The user’s manual provides a list of frequencies and channels.

The same is also true with Motorola T600. The setup is so easy, except for the opening and closing of the battery hatch for the first time. You may find it somewhat hard to do, but soon as you get familiar with it, it becomes easier.

The information in the settings and menu is okay, except that the user interface is not user-friendly. It may take you a little longer to get used to it. So I recommend that you do a lot of practice using Motorola T600 before you go out with it. You must know all its features and how to use them so you can enjoy it to the fullest.

 

Waterproof

Going fishing and bringing your Motorola T600 with you? No worries. It has a rating of IP67. This means it can withstand being in the water for 30 minutes.

If you drop it and it takes you only a few minutes to grab it, you have no problem as it will still work. Buttons are all water-proofed. On the other hand, the thick neon-green plastic covers its body.

While other walkie talkies will no longer function when dropped in the water, the Motorola T600 isn’t affected at all. This feature is definitely one of the reasons it’s the best choice for radios.

So, if you love going to the sea or fishing every weekend, Motorola T200 is not suitable for you as it is not water-proofed. Soon as you drop it, it may no longer work at all. Therefore, if you have this handset, never go near the waters.

 

Power Source

With Motorola T200, running out of power will not be an issue. If your rechargeable batteries get empty, you can use alkaline batteries after. Regardless of how long you are outdoors, as long as you have a good number of alkaline batteries with you, you can use this unit for as long as you want.

You can use the NiMH rechargeable batteries (included in the package) for up to 12 hours. Once it gets empty, you can recharge them using the micro USB battery charging adapter, which is included in the package. Using 3 AAA alkaline batteries, you’ll enjoy talking using your Motorola T200 for up to 29 hours. However, you will have to buy these batteries on your own.

Similar to Motorola T200, Motorola T600 gives you two options to power your unit. The pack comes with 2 NiMH rechargeable batteries. If you only need to use your walkie talkie for up to 9 hours, then use these batteries. However, it takes 8 hours to charge it. That’s the amount of time that you will have to wait before you can use your rechargeable batteries again. So it’s not recommended that you only have these batteries when going outdoors, especially if it will take you several hours before going home. You must always carry 3 AA alkaline batteries, so when your rechargeable batteries get empty, you have another option to power your handset. Using alkaline batteries will give you about 23 hours of use.

What’s good with Motorola T600 is that it has a low-battery alert feature. Before your power totally runs out, you can change batteries immediately.

 

Range

The paper says that Motorola T600 can reach as far as 36 miles—if under ideal conditions. This means no factors (like obstruction in the landscape, elevation, weather, noise from other radio signals, and others) will affect your signal. But 36 miles? That range isn’t something that most users will get.

Using Motorola T600 in sloping terrain, I got a couple of miles range. In the open, I got as much as 6 miles. This is already fine. Do not expect that 36-mile range. You will only get frustrated. The best walkie talkies there are only give an average range of 3 to 6 miles.

The same is the scenario with Motorola T200. The maximum range, the manufacturer says, is up to 20 miles. Again, if under ideal conditions. But to avoid disappointment, do not expect to get that range. Getting a couple of miles or farther with 3 to 6 miles is already okay.

 

Frequencies

The Motorola T200 works within the 462 to 467 MHz frequency range. This particular range already covers a total of 22 channels. Each of these channels carries 121 privacy codes. This walkie talkie will operate as General Mobile Radio Services or GMRS and Family Radio Service or FRS.

If your purpose for using this walkie talkie is for FRS only, you need to get a license. For FRS operations, channels 8 to 14 are the exclusive channels. Channels 1 to 7, and channels 15 to 22, are channels shared with the GMRS system. Getting a license is a requirement, as set by the Federal Communications Commission or FCC.

As a radio user, it may be good for you to get familiar with the FCC rules and regulations for FRS operations. Read here.

The Motorola T600 also works for both the GMRS and FRS frequencies. The range, however, is from 462MHz to 467MHz.

The 0.5-watt power button works only for the FRS frequencies. On the other hand, the 2watt power is suitable for the GMRS frequencies. Don’t try to use the 2watt power for FRS frequencies. You will only waste the life of your battery.

 

Features

Motorola T200 offers the following features:

Channels – 22 channels to choose from, with 121 privacy codes for each.

Scanning ability – With 22 channels available, you would not know which channel to use. It is a good thing that the Motorola T200 has a scanning feature that tells you which channels are already in use.

20 call tones – Crazy over tones? This handset has 20. You will enjoy choosing which tone to use for each of your friends and family members.

Eco smart – When idle, this specific walkie talkie model of Motorola is consuming less power when not in use.

Micro-USB charging – Charging your batteries get easier by using this micro-USB charging port.

Battery meter – You’ll know when your batteries are almost empty.

Talk confirmation tone – The Motorola T200 tells you if you are being heard by the user on the other line with the talk confirmation tone.

Range – The manufacturer says that the maximum range for this is up to 20 miles.

Two power sources – Rechargeable batteries that will work for up to 12 hours or 3 AA batteries that will last for up to 29 hours

Radio compatibility – This will work for both the FRS and GMRS radios.

 

Motorola T600 offers the following features:

Channels – 22 channels to choose from, with 121 privacy codes for each.

Micro-USB charging – Charging your batteries get easier by using this micro-USB charging port.

Range – The manufacturer says that the maximum range for this is up to 36 miles.

Two power sources – Rechargeable batteries that will work for up to 12 hours or 3 AA batteries that will last for up to 29 hours

Radio compatibility – This will work for both the FRS and GMRS radios.

IP67 waterproof – This is the best feature of the Motorola T600.

Built-in flashlight – Available in white and red LEDs, you’ll get to use it during the night or when there’s a power outage.

Weather alert – Isn’t it satisfying that you will know the weather condition with this weather alert feature even if you are in the mountains?

 

Price

On Amazon, Motorola T600 costs $82.50. REI sells it at $119.95. If you check similar brands, you’ll notice that Motorola T600 is a little pricey. But looking at its features, you know that you get the value for its price.

On the other hand, Motorola T200’s price is within the medium range. No doubt, you’ll say it’s still affordable. Why? It’s packed with features.

 

Conclusion – Motorola T200 vs T600

When staying most of the time near the waters, the Motorola T600 is the better companion. With an IP67 rating, you will not worry even if you drop it in the waters. Even if it gets under the water, it will still work. Just make sure that you get it within 30 minutes. The Motorola T200 is not water-proofed. As much as possible, avoid being near the waters whenever you carry this handset.

Suppose you’ll believe the maximum range of Motorola T600 (up to 36 miles). You’ll choose this walkie talkie over the Motorola T200 (up to 20 miles). But because this may not be the range you will truly get, you can opt for either unit even with ideal conditions. Both will give you an average range from 3 to 6 miles.

Another feature that makes the Motorola T600 more interesting than the Motorola T200 is its weather alert feature that tells you the current condition of the weather. Additionally, it also has a built-in flashlight that is of huge help during the night.

View the Motorola T200 on Amazon* View the Motorola T600 on Amazon*