# MotorolaTalkabout 5000

**URL:** <https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/motorolatalkabout-5000/4977>\
**Category:** Product Reviews\
**Created:** [April 10, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/motorolatalkabout-5000/4977 "2008-04-10T19:44:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ppilot](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@ppilot](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/u/ppilot)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/motorolatalkabout-5000/4977/1 "2008-04-10T19:44:06Z")

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I was underwhelmed by the Motorola 5000 and really disappointed at the audio quality to the point I don’t believe they are even functional at the most basic level.

Scenario: The 5000 was purchased along with the motorcycle helmet inserts (mic/speakers/ptt) for the purpose of bike to bike communication. I attached the helmet system and plugged it into my PDA Phone and the speaker quality was stellar! In addition, people whom I called via cell phone said the audio quality from the mic was also good. I am certain the helmet inserts did not contribute to my opinion of the audio quality, but rest assured, I tested the units in silence without the optional helmet mic and with, on and off the motorcycle. The results were the same. I can only describe the audio quality as tinney, distant, and severely lacks clarity. I might as well have a dozen marbles in my mouth. My friend was a radio DJ, if anyone can speak clearly and annunciate it is he and well, he was almost unintelligable at a normal speaking rate. When we slowed down the speaking rate, things were intelligable, but you had to “squint” with your ears to clearly understand. In all this testing, turning up/down the volume, just made bad quality louder/softer.

On the positive side is price, dual-power, and descent feature set. The user manual was wrong and had numerous misprints. For example, the manual said the ROGER BEEP can be turned off from the menu. Not so! A quick internet search shows that you must turn the unit off, press and hold the + key, and turn the unit on. That toggles the roger beep, contrary to what the manual said, this worked!

They work, they have features, but really makes a walkietalkie functional is the ability to communicate, something this unit doesn’t do well. I have 4 for sale…cheap…only used for an hour. 😃