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Overall Rating:  (out of 37 reviews)
More Info
One of the rugged â¿¿Value Seriesâ¿¿ models, the SX600 has a range of up to 14 miles and is designed specifically for active families. Combining General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) technology with the Motorola engineering, this radio is ideal for active outdoor communications. With a compact and rugged design, the SX600 is light enough to fit in a pocket and sturdy enough to take anything that is thrown its way. Take it to the lake to keep in touch while boating, or stick it in your childâ¿¿s pocket so they can communicate with you without racking up expensive charges or relying on cell phone towers. Worried about being on the same channel of others? The SX600 has a full 22-channel capacity each with 121 privacy codes, giving you 2,662 combinations to choose from. It even features iVOX, which acts like a speakerphone, allowing to you chat hands-free without stopping what you are doing.
- Uo to 14 mile range.
- 22 channels with 121 privacy codes for 2662 possible fequency combinations.
- iVOX hands-free communication without the need of an audio accessory.
- Light weight for easy portability yet sturdy enough to take anywhere.
- 10 call tones, belt clip, and backlit display.
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(out of 167 reviews)
(out of 63 reviews)
Review submitted by B. Beckwith
Author’s Rating:
I bought this CD player for it’s size. We use it on our kitchen, where it fits nicely on a shelf.
Aside from being a space saver, there isn’t much to say about this unit. It plays CDs fine and hasn’t had any trouble playing discs I’ve burned using iTunes. Being able to see the disc spinning is kind of cool.
There are only two things I don’t really like about this player: the AM/FM radio tuner and the volume control. The radio tuner is not digital, so you have to manually tune in a station every time you want to listen to the radio. It does seem to get pretty good reception though. The volume doesn’t go up very high. Don’t get me wrong, it’s loud enough, it’s just not loud enough for me to hear well from the other room. Of course, some might see this as a positive thing.
Overall, I would recommend this CD player if all you need are bare bones CD player functions.
Review submitted by Johnny Stugots
Author’s Rating:
On a recent weekend getaway, when my wife and I arrived at the hotel I realized I’d neglected to pack one of our portable radio/CD players. Plenty of CD’s but no player. Oh well. The radio, I figured, would have to do. I switched on the clock radio by the bed. It only got one FM station, got it rather poorly I might add and it was a country music station to boot. (pun intended) Nothing against all you C & W music fans out there but that music just isn’t our cup of tea (cup of grits?) so we drove over to the local __Mart (oooh! good guess!!)to pick up a cheap FM radio. I already have two portable radio/CD players at home, expensive ones, and didn’t need another. I just wanted something we could listen to that weekend, a cheap FM radio, a throw-away if you will. Was I ever surprised to find that for about the same price as we’d paid for breakfast that morning I could buy the Emerson PD5098 Portable CD System! In spite of poor in-room radio reception, as evidenced by the sorry little clock radio, the FM stations came through on the Emerson clear as a bell. Our CD’s, even ones I’d recorded on two different PC’s, played flawlessly. Is this unit a throw-away? No. No way. Being way smaller, lighter, cheaper and much easier to pack and to carry than our old ones it is now our official traveling radio/CD player. Will I use it every day? No. We’ll only use it when we travel. It’ll probably last forever! Did the three inch speaker do the trick? Yep, it sounded great and we could hear our tunes just fine even over the noise of the whirlpool tub jets and the sound of all the moaning.(Let’s get our mind out of the gutter, shall we? The moaning came mostly from me. When I knocked the bottle over. And spilled the last half of the champagne.) Will I break down and cry uncontrollably (like with the champagne)if I ever accidently leave the unit behind somewhere? No. I’ll miss it but at such a reasonable price I won’t miss it for long. I’ll quickly purchase another Emerson PD5098 to replace it. Good job, Emerson. Nice size. Nice sound. Nice price.
Review submitted by C. J. Campbell
Author’s Rating:
Great sound and doesn’t skip. Works great next to your bed because of the way it is designed it does not take up a lot of space.
The only thing it doesn’t do is play mp3’s.
If it did I would buy ten of them.
This is really a nice machine.
Buy one, you won’t be sorry.
Review submitted by Traci
Author’s Rating:
I was quite disappointed with this product. I have owned other Emerson products in the past, and usually their products are of decent quality. The design and footprint were very nice, but the product didn’t function as it should. I found that CD’s (in good condition) will skip when the player has been playing for an extended period of time. Mine was playing steadily for about an hour or two when the CD’s started skipping. I switched CD’s twice, and the skipping just got worse.
Review submitted by Carl Talerico
Author’s Rating:
I’ve owned this unit for three years and it works flawlessly. The CDs don’t ever skip, even when I move the unit. It has exceptionally good sound though the maximum volume could be a bit more powerful. I basically bought the unit for its portable size and smart design. It takes up little space on my nightstand or kitchen counter or out on the patio table and loading a disk is a snap. The radio tuner has good reception and it doesn’t bother me that it isn’t digital. However, I do wish it was a stereo unit. Its compact size, I don’t think, would suffer terribly if another speaker were attached on the other side. The outlet for the detachable electrical cord is recessed and unobtrusive. It’s built solidly yet it’s light-weight. For the money you can’t beat this unit but does any one know if Emerson has an upgrade stereo version of this item? If so, I’d buy ten of ‘em!
Review submitted by A. Fiesta
Author’s Rating:
I purchased 6 of these radios for my Squad. I am currently on my second deployment in Iraq and my squad has been split up to cover down on multiple jobs. Not everyone has an Army issued radio so I bought these in order to keep in contact with my soldiers during our daily tasks. I’ve tested these as far as 3 miles and they do a pretty good job. Clarity is always an issue when comparing them to Military issue radios, however, they work well for they are designed for. I’ve dropped mine more than a dozen times and it still works perfect.
Review submitted by Peter B.
Author’s Rating:
I bought these (my first walkie-talkies)for my 8yr old daughter so she can let us know where she’s playing in our neighborhood. For this purpose, these seem to work very well. Battery life is sufficient so far, and reception in an urban environment up to about a mile away is perfect. I have yet to try them at further range. The call tone and keypad lock are useful features. The charging station is convenient and small enough not to take up too much room in a house already full of ipods and cell phones! They will also charge via a mini USB port. This connection is becomming increasingly used (I have a couple of Motorola and HP products that use it) so chances are many people will have a car or mains adaptor to use this feature. the rechargeable battery pack is also replaceble with AAA bateries should that be necessary. Clever versatility.
The radios themselves are small enought to fit in a pocket, or securely on the included belt clip.
Only criticism so far is the combined on/off switch and volume control knob which is too easy to accidently turn down too far to hear.
Overall: Recommended.
Review submitted by Scott A. Koons
Author’s Rating:
As an owner of many FRS radios, including some commercial grade, I bought these with some apprehension having some not so great experiences with Motorola. The quality of the speaker and microphone was immediately apparent, after a quick test. Most other models I own either have a weak speaker, or the mic gain is turn down so much that you can barely be heard. Not so with these and am very glad I got such a good deal on them. The voice quality is 100% better than more expensive models which is a very important feature. They are light weight, and a pleasure to hold. Have not done a range test with these yet, but all my other radios of various power levels will do 1-2 miles in an urban area with some hills and trees, and expect these will do the same. Even the best commercial handheld radio won’t do much more than 5 miles, but these work great for keeping in touch with the kids. The mini usb charging port is a big plus too. The batteries should last a full work day with a typical 95% monitoring and 5% transmit. Please charge the batteries the full 16 hours before using the first time. The only thing I would change would be including LiIon batteries rather than NiMh. These have satisfied my latest quest for a good radio.
Review submitted by Dr. A. Hendricks
Author’s Rating:
For my large dental office, these have been wonderful!! No static!! We use it with an ear piece. The clip on the back is a little loose, so sometimes falls off my pants, but no big deal. Would definately purchase these again. Fast shipping also.
Review submitted by A. Gulbas
Author’s Rating:
I bought the walkie talkies for my 6 year old. We are using it for the skiing trips. They were dropped many times but no problems so far. They are easy to use, even my 3 year old can use it.
Review submitted by Traveler
Author’s Rating:
This radio works very well in hilly terrain and is easy to use. Reception is clear. One suggestion: the online product information should indicate that the “R” in EM1000R refers to the fact that the pair of radios comes with a recharging bay (with a slot for each radio). This will make comparison among products clearer.
Review submitted by Todd D. Hartzel
Author’s Rating:
The EM1000R radios are very good. They are good for short range 2-way radio general usage. You must remember that there is NO scramble mode on these radios, so absolutely no possibility of any privacy at all (000%). Motorola refers to the CTCSS & DCS codes correctly as Eliminator Codes. Too many manufacturers refer to them as Privacy Codes (which is INCORRECT). CTCSS/DCS do not offer any privacy at all. They help keep out unwanted conversations from being received by the radio. But do not block or prevent anyone else on any other FRS/GMRS or SCANNER radio from hearing you. The EM1000R has all 38 standard CTCSS tones. And has 83 DCS codes available.
Here are a couple of things I really like about the EM1000R radios:
- Very good pickup on the built-in MIC
- Very good audio on the built-in speaker (perhaps the best)
- the QT mode is very cool. When ENABLED, it prevents other
radio users using the same CHANNEL and QUIET CODE from being
heard by blocking reception of those radios. Very very cool
feature. It blocks the other non-motorola radios even if they
are using the same CTCSS/DCS code. Again, very cool feature.
- the ALERT button is cool. Its very similar to EMERGENCY
buttons used on Motorola Trunk and Conventional Radio Systems.
It activates the PTT with an ALERT for 8 seconds, then turns ON the MIC
automatically on the affected radio for 22 seconds. And turns
the VOLUME UP all the way on any and all other Motorola EM1000R
radios that are receiving the signal. Then cranks the VOLUME
back down to the regular level after the 22 seconds. Very cool
function/feature. Very well thought out Motorola. Congrats!
- Weather Radio Alert is always nice, thank you Motorola
- LED flashlight is very cool, thank you Motorola
- The many, many ways to recharge the batteries. Way to go Motorola.
- The END Squelch Tail is eliminated when using either CTCSS or DCS codes on any channel. Hooray, glad to see the END Squelch Tail finally eliminated. Motorola, you are the BEST, thank you. I have been wanting radios that eliminate that darn END Squelch tail. It is so annoying. Thank you Motorola for including this feature in the EM1000R radio!
Now for the things I do NOT like about the EM1000R:
- No basic SCRAMBLE mode (Inversion Mode would have better than none)
- Power output is at fixed level while on GMRS channels. Would of
liked to have either HI/LO or HI/MED/LO options while on GMRS channels.
FRS channels 8-14 are locked at 1/2-watt power output on all radios, of course, per the FCC.
- There is a SCAN/SEARCH feature. No FRS/MURS/GMRS radio should have ever been manufactured with a SEARCH/SCAN feature. It is the reason we have so many problems/complaints with these services. If you want to SCAN, get a SCANNER radio. That is what they are designed to do. FRS/MURS/GMRS radios should have never been made with SCAN/SEARCH feaures. One of the biggest mistakes ever made to these radio services.
That is why we have so much on-air HARRASSMENT and RF STALKING that takes place by your snooping neighbors.
To summarize, I really really like the QT mode. It keeps out non-EM1000R radios from being heard on your radio even if they are using the correct CHANNEL and CTCSS/DCS code. Having a RF power setting would have been nice while on the GMRS channels, to control the power output. And no SCRAMBLE mode means there is privacy from other FRS/GMRS and SCANNER radios. Of course, Audio-Inversion scrambling does not offer much protection from ease-dropping anyway. But it offers at least alittle bit. So, when operating these or any FRS/MURS/GMRS radio, make sure to use CODES, NICKNAMES and do NOT give out REAL NAMES, PHONE NUMBERS, EMAIL ADDRESSES and try not to give out your location. Use abbreviations when possible, and use CODED-LOCATIONs, if you must. Say things like: I am on the A street, or B street, or similar. Remember, there are KIDDIES-PUNKs listening. There are OLD-FARTS and CROOKS listening too, just waiting to use your personal info against you.
Review submitted by Slasher
Author’s Rating:
These are very nice radios. I am very happy with the purchase.
Pros:
- These radios came with a free car charger in the box! The sticker on it said it was for a limited time..
- They look nice. They have a high quality feel to them.
- The rechargable batteries included are the 3 AA cell batteries. That’s a plus because I can easily use AA alkaline Batteries from the shop if I run out of juice.
- It comes with built-in LED flash light.
Cons:
- The batteries are only 650 mAh Ni-Cd, which are a bit low compared to current NiMH. Maybe I’ll throw in a trio of eneloops in if I start running out of battery.
- The stand alone charger is a dumb charger which I think keeps on charging once full (potentially dangerous). The manual is a bit confusing regarding this fact.
Review submitted by Nathan Beauchamp
Author’s Rating:
I’ve been using these radios constantly for a couple months now and I’m very pleased with them. They get very clear reception and are perfect for road trips, hunting/fishing trips, or a way to communicate in a large work environment. The batteries hold a good charge, and can be used constantly for about 8 hours before they’re drained. As the batteries lose juice the radios do lose some signal distance however. These are a much better deal than radios that require AA batteries. A little most costly at first, but they make up for it if you use them a lot. These are great little radios. If you need a set, these are a good option.
Review submitted by Jong Lee
Author’s Rating:
I was a bit hesitant that this was overkill and too serious for my kids but was pleasantly surprised:
pros:
-size works well for even a 4 year old
-the beep after send makes it easy for them
-menu lock makes it very simple for them to just press PPT and not worry about anything else
-rechargeable cradle is easy to use
-manual says must be 5 feet away but seems to work fine even if the kids are right next to each other
cons:
-auto charger was not a standard Motorola-quality – seemed like a cheap knockoff
Overall, very highly recommended.