I've had a chance to do a mini field test at Downtown Disney on Friday. It works great, great reception, able to send & receive from other FRS. All the extra features, Digi compass, thermometer, weather channels, etc are great to have available. I don't know if I will have a need to use them all, but the digi compass is one great feature, I think it's pretty accurate. Signal strength seems pretty good, I would like to field test to see if 2 miles is possible w/ the T6320. The volume is good, seems pretty clear & crisp. But the reception does get a bit garbled if the volume is set too high. Haven't tried the VOX feature yet.
Ergonomics, it's a bit bigger & bulkier than the T289 & T6220, but it is easy to hold. But it's thinner than the T250 or
FR 50/60 models. The "push to talk" button in the middle & not a problem, easily reachable. Actually it's a good idea, you will not accidentally press it like other models w/ the "push to talk" on the side of the FRS. The call, mode, & power button on top are also easy to get to. But I did on a couple occasions press the call & mode buttons accidentally. When you have it clipped on the belt clip, this can happen. A mere annoyance, I just have to get used to where the buttons are. But when it is clipped to my backpack, no problems of accidentally pressing these buttons. It also has a "lock" feature, only a few buttons can be pressed, the call & talk buttons.
The menu is easy to understand & work with. But the mode button, if you want to get to a particular item, say the weather channel, you have to scroll through a few screens. I wish it had a way to set what you would use most often, instead of scrolling to get to it.
The looks of the T6320 are rugged. It seems that it can take drops & work like a champ! The rubber coating makes it easy to hold on to, also the finger grooves on the sides give you a good hold. The screen is big to see what's going on, you can see all the icons that you have set for use also. A nice feature on the T6320 is you can have the clock showing the time when it is on standby mode. The battery cover fits snugly, no openings for moisture or dirt to get in. The T6220, the battery cover would push up just a bit. I've secured the battery cover w/ electrical tape. This is more of an insurance that the cover stays in place, also the tape covers the charging points, if you use Motorolas recharable kit. Doing this, those points will not corrod w/ time.
The manual claims that battery life is 30-35 hrs for alkaline batteries. What I don't understand is, if you use NIHM batteries, the battery life is only 12 hrs, why? Motorola's reputation would suggest that this is pretty accurate. I carry a second set of alkalines just in case it runs out of juice.
I suggest buying a Motorola arm/belt ( model 56323) carry case. I made a little hole on top of the carry case, so I can clip (using a mini link) it to my backpack. On the bottom part of the antenna, there is a hole that you can attach a lanyard through. I don't think that this is all that secure, it looks to me that eventually it will tear off, after hanging on the lanyard. The Motorola carry case hold the T6320 secure, it also adds a bit of protection if you happen to drop it. You then have the option to carry the T6320 on your arm, belt, around your neck or backpack. The belt clip that is included works great. It has a secure hold when the T6320 is clipped to it. I can use the belt clip for work use.
The T6320 is pricey, but IMHO worth the money. This FRS is defintely made for outdoor use. I suggest to buy a one T289 or T6220 or T250 or T6300, & one T6320, if you are in the market. This would make a great combo. The other person can communicate w/ you w/ the other FRS & you can carry the T6320 & know exactly your direction, weather, or temperature at all times. Whether this is necessary is up to you, but having these features will come in handy at some time. Now I'm my families mobile communications dude!
1) The bottom of the barrel cost around 20-40 bucks. They have 14 different channels, and as long as there aren't more than 14 groups of people trying to communicate within a given two-mile radius they will serve your communication needs. If you are going camping where there aren't going to be a whole lot of people around, this category will work just fine without getting mixed up in other peoples' conversations.
2) The next step up offers 14 channels and 38 privacy codes, which in layman's term results in the equivalent of 532 different channels. They can be used in a more crowded area without much interference from other people's radios. They are good for keeping in touch on the ski slopes or the beach on a moderately crowded day.
3) The Motorola 6300 series is the top of the line. It's got 14 channels, 38 privacy codes, and three scramble settings. The scramble settings enable as close to a private conversation as can be achieved on a public radio band. Unless two (or more) radios are set to the exact same channel, privacy code, and scramble setting, clear communication is not possible. You and your group armed with Motorola T6300 series radios all set to the exact same channel, privacy, and scramble settings will have virtually uninterrupted communication, in even the most crowded of venues. The 6300 series is backward compatible with older less sophisticated radios. Simply turn off the scramble settings, and you will be able to communicate with older models.
This particular model, the T6320, comes with extra features including a compass, barometer, alarm clock, and other bells and whistles may be more than you need. Such extras may come in handy for the outdoor enthusiast. For those just looking for the best communication device possible, these features may simply add unneeded complexity to the user interface, in which case the basic (Motorola) 6300 model may be more desirable and a little bit cheaper.
I've used this radio during many jam-packed days on the (ski) slopes and it has never let me down. Though it is not waterproof, a little snow here and there has never hindered it's function.
Bottom line:
If you are a gadget freak, and do not need a radio that may get submersed in water, snap this one up without hesitation. Don't need the added features, but still want the best pure radio out there, go for the (Motorola) 6300. If you are just looking for something for the kids to play with around the house, one of the lower priced radios ought to do the trick just fine.
Tested the barometers at sea level and they were within 0.01" (on the sea in downeast Maine). These do not have an adjustment to bring you back to sea level if you are above the latter. You will have to interpolate for your altitude. In use, however, it is the relevent rise of and fall of the barometer that counts weatherwise, and not the absolute number. The altimeter also works off the barometer and good for 20 foot intervals. You should set it each time you go out...read the instructions....it is all there.
Compasses were very accurate assuming you know the magnetic declination in your area (-18 degrees in my case). These radios were also a good deal quieter than the t250's that my kids use.
Would definitely buy again.
