This review will explore the price, setup, features, and other differences between the Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T460 and the Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T600. This aims to help you decide which of these two two-way radio models are a better fit for your needs and which one is the more cost-effective choice.
Motorola T460 | Motorola T600 | |
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Brand | ||
Range | 35 miles | 36 miles |
Power Output | 2 watts | 0.5-2 watts |
Frequency Ranges | 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS) | 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS) |
License needed | yes, if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license) | yes, if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license) |
Waterproof |  | |
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Emergency Alert | | |
Auto Squelch | | |
LED Flashlight | | |
Keypad Lock | | |
Low Battery Alert | | |
Weather Channels | | |
Call Tones | 20 | 20 |
Power Source | NiMH rechargeable batterie or 3 AA Alkaline batteries | NiMH rechargeable batterie or 3 AA Alkaline batteries |
Size | 7.54 x 2.26 x 1.37 inches | 7.78 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches |
Weight | 0.43 lb | 0.4 lb |
Scope of Delivery |
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My Rating | ||
Comparison – Motorola T460 vs. T600
Setup
Even beginners will find that the Motorola T460 is not that difficult to set up. If you are a first-timer in using walkie-talkies, the package for the Motorola T460 contains a user-friendly manual that will easily guide you through the process of configuring and using the radio. If you have been using Motorola two-way radios for some time now, setting up and using the Motorola T460 is quite intuitive. Make sure that the batteries are fully charged before you put them in the device. Configure the devices to your preferred channel and frequency. Once that is done, that is pretty much it for setting up the device. Press the PTT button, and you can already start communicating with others.
Because the Motorola T600 has more features than the Motorola T460, you might need a bit more help setting up and using the Motorola T600. Still, once you have familiarized yourself with the feature functions, buttons, and icons, the Motorola T600 can also be easy to use after the first setup. A user manual is included in its box, and it is user-friendly, so you can easily consult this until you are sure you can operate the radio without any trouble.
You do not need to buy additional items first before you can get both the Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 to work the first time you set them up. All the items that you will need for this are already in the box, so that is definitely a plus.
Waterproof
The Motorola T460 is both waterproof and weatherproof. It has a rating of IP54 on the Ingress Protection (IP) Code. This means that it can endure extreme weather conditions with heavy precipitation.
The Motorola T600 has a higher rating, though, with an IP67 rating. Not only is it waterproof and weatherproof — if it gets submerged in up to 1m of water, but it will also still work just fine. It can even stay underwater for 30 minutes without suffering malfunctions.
Power source
Both the Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 have dual power options. This means that you can use rechargeable batteries as well as single-use batteries to make these walkie-talkies work. The package includes NiMH batteries and a charger for these. If you want to use single-use batteries, you will need to buy AA alkaline batteries. You can use the Motorola T460 for up to 10 hours on NiMH batteries on one full charge. Using AA alkaline batteries for the handsets can make it last up to 26 hours. By comparison, the Motorola T600 lasts up to 9 hours on NiMH batteries and 23 hours on the AA alkaline batteries.
Range
The manufacturer guarantees up to 35 miles of maximum range for the Motorola T460 under the best conditions. The maximum range for the Motorola T600 is 36 miles. However, you have to manage your expectations. The reality is that, again, these numbers are projected under the best conditions. Both their ranges can reach up to 6 miles with minimal obstructions and open water.
One notable fault in the Motorola T600 is that its range somehow weakens when used over open bodies of water. This somewhat contradicts its design, which is meant to be used in open water. Still, the range of the Motorola T600 is a bit better compared to the Motorola T460.
Frequencies
Both the Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 can transmit over GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and FRS (Family Radio Service) frequencies within the frequency range of 462MHz to 467MHz. This frequency range covers 22 channels, which have 121 privacy codes each.
If you want to transmit over GMRS channels, you will have to obtain a license before doing so. This complies with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) guidelines for radio use.
Features
The Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 do have some similar features. They both have customizable call tones and keypad tones and a keypad lock so that your settings are not easily changed when you press any of the buttons by mistake. They both have backlit LCD, so you can use these even at night time or in places that are not lit well. The two models also have auto-squelch and Motorola’s signature Quiet Talk (QT) feature, both of which reduce noise during transmissions. The PTT button for both radios also has a power boost option to help increase range. Note, however, that this only works if you are transmitting on GMRS channels. Otherwise, it is not going to make any difference. You are better off not using this function since it will just lessen battery life. While on the subject of battery life, both models do have battery-saving features. They will go on time-out mode when you are not using the handsets and will also alert you if the batteries are running low. Both models also have the VibraCall alert that disables ring tones and lets the handsets vibrate instead for incoming call alerts. They have an iVOX/VOX hands-free feature that lets you switch to voice command to operate the radio.
Both the Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 have emergency features. They have a built-in LED flashlight that can come in handy when using the two-way radios at night or during emergencies. A plus feature of the flashlight of the Motorola T600 is that it has a red-colored LED option, which will help you with night vision. Both the Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 have an emergency alert button that, when activated, sends out a loud distress signal and a transmission that is up to 22 seconds long to help other people locate you in case of emergency. They can also access the weather channels of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The major edge of the Motorola T600 over the Motorola T460 is that it is fully waterproof and weatherproof. It can stay submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, and it will not easily malfunction after you retrieve it. The durable handset is made of lightweight material that prevents it from sinking underwater. Coming into contact with water also activates the LED flashlight of the device so you can easily find it and retrieve it when you drop it in water.
The Motorola T460 and the Motorola T600 are both reasonably durable, given their IP Code rating and the handsets’ built. However, the size of the Motorola T600 is more on the bulky side compared to the Motorola T460.
Price
The Motorola T460 is priced at $90. The Motorola T460 has almost the same features as the other, more updated models in the Motorola Talkabout T4xx series but is cheaper in price, which is worth noting. On the other hand, the Motorola T600 is within the price range of $83 to $120. It has many more built-in features than the Motorola T460, which makes it a bit pricier than the Motorola T460.
You have to keep in mind, though, that just because one walkie-talkie model has far more features than the other, it does not automatically mean that it is superior to the simpler model. Depending on the nature of the activities in which you will be using the walkie-talkies, one model can still be the better, more cost-effective choice than the other regardless of the number of features included. If you need a walkie-talkie that will not be unusable if it accidentally gets soaked or dunked in water, then the Motorola T600 is a good purchase despite being more expensive. Think water sports or going camping near open bodies of water.
However, if you do not really have much use for the additional waterproof features of the Motorola T600, it is definitely not the cost-effective choice. If you need a walkie-talkie that is reasonably waterproof and weatherproof, then the Motorola T460 is the better choice for its price and performance. It will not be good to submerge it in water, but it is durable enough to survive use during heavy rains and snow.
Conclusion – Motorola T460 vs T600
Consider the nature of the activities you will be using the walkie-talkies before deciding which of these two two-way radio models is the better purchase for you. The Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T460 does have fewer built-in features than the Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T600. However, it is important to consider that the additional features of the Motorola T600 are mostly more sophisticated waterproof and water-activated features. The emergency features in both models do have slight differences but will generally serve their purpose well enough.
Go with the Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T600 if you do not want to constantly worry whether your walkie-talkie will still work even if it is accidentally dropped in water. This is good if you need to bring and use these walkie-talkies while engaging in water sports activities like kayaking, water rafting, parasailing, or going camping near open water bodies. However, do note that the range of the Motorola T600 slightly weakens when used over open water. Frankly, that seems to run counter to its highly waterproof design. However, if you compare this range to the Motorola T460, the range of the Motorola T600 is still slightly better.
Go with the Motorola Talkabout Two-Way Radio T460 if there is hardly any risk that the walkie-talkie will be submerged in water. For example, if you are going in hiking or camping in places that are not really near open water. Because the Motorola T460 is also reasonably waterproof and weatherproof, you can also use it in extreme weather conditions with precipitation like snow and storms. It is also a bit easier to set up and use since it has simpler features than the Motorola T600.
View the Motorola T460 on Amazon* View the Motorola T600 on Amazon*
