Rating: 
Summary: Microphone placement is not a problem!
Review: Let me start out by saying that I agree with all of the positive points made in earlier reviews, so there's no need for me to discuss the cool features such as weather alert and "roger" beeps.I was very concerned about the microphone placement after reading the other reviews. I even considered returning the package unopened as soon as it arrived. I am very glad that I did NOT do that! Unless you have some oddly configured hands, it's virtually impossible for your hand or thumb to cover the microphone while pressing the talk button. I've held it in both hands and it isn't covered no matter how I hold it! Try picking one up in the store if you don't believe me and you'll see what I mean. Great radios, easy to use, tons of cool features. And no, I don't own stock in Motorola. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Could be better BUT, ok for the money.
Review: Ok, So I didn't REALLY need these but, I wanted a set for those times, when I lose the little lady in one of those Meg-a-lo marts!!(Can you say HUGE Stores) The one thing I've noticed is, just HOW MANY folks use these radios for EXACTLY this same purpose. I've discovered some new found friends, while trying to find my significant other, in the deepest darkest parts of the store. I'm not that excited with the over all quality of the radios. I've owned SEVERAL Motorola business radios in the past and, these(6220) fall short in quality.(Are you listening Motorola?!) I found that the back cover of the units doesn't fit tightly, and that rain could easily enter in through the open space. Considering that one of the MAIN selling points for these units is, "RECREATIONAL" I would have thought that Motorola, would have paid better attention to this matter in manufacturing?! As far as the range goes, well, it's fairly adequate for MY PURPOSES but, your mileage may vary. One thing I would HIGHLY recommend is, that while shopping for this type of radio, you ALSO consider a GRMS unit. I find that the FRS band is VERY active, and this poses some problems trying to get a clear channel at times. So, would I purchase these units again?......Probably. Would I ALSO look at other units by another manufacturer....YES!!!! Bottom line, for the price, and the amount of time I'll use these, they work fine for me.
Rating: 
Summary: poorly designed
Review: Problems:
Battery door didn't fit tight. Pushed hard and it still stuck out as if poorly manufactured. The first day I used the radio, the battery cover fell off somewhere and now the radio is useless unless I wrap rubber bands around the body to keep the batteries from also falling out. Motorola's excellent battery cover on its first Talkabouts misled me when buying the T6250 into thinking this too was well designed. I wouldn't buy another one. It also didn't receive transmissions from other peopled' FSRs. I've had the older Talkabout 250 and the newer T6250 both turned on but only the 250 would receive those transmissions. Don't buy this radio; Motorola discontinued it for some reason and I suspect we've identified two of the reasons. Sure, some of the features are nice. But the flaws make those benefits hard to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Out Of Many Tested!!
Review: The Motorola Talkabout T6220's are the best 2-way radios i have ever owned, and I have owned around 15 pairs. About a month ago and after much research I bought a pair of T6310's. They were packed with features, but had horrible voice quality. It might be acceptable for a $20 pair of 2-way radios, but not a $100 pair. So I returned them. The T6220's are phenomenal! They have all the features of the T6310's, are smaller, and half the price. There voice quality is great. The QuieT600 feature and scramblers are perfect for on a cruise ship or busy hotel where every family is on 2-way radios. They are voice operated with the headset, and easy to use. The design feels solid and they are built well. The backlight is perfect for nighttime use.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly Placed Microphone Really Affects Voice Quality
Review: These new Motorolas are definitely a nice upgrade from the previous models. Comparing it to my T289s, it is slightly smaller, more feature packed, and generally more fun to use. The new features, such as the "Roger Beep" after releasing the Talk button, and the scrambling options, really make it much more attractive than its predecessors. I even found that the T6220 was able to RECEIVE transmissions (from a T289) more clearly and with less static than my T289. Everything sounds great right? Not exactly. I really don't understand what on earth Motorola was thinking when they placed the microphone inside the right-hand side button (I believe the Scan button). The instruction manual specifically states to be careful not to cover the microphone while using the Talk button. In order not to cover it, however, you can forget using your right hand because unless you feel like contorting your hand in some strange position while using the radio, it WILL cover the microphone. Even so, when using my left hand the microphone did an extremely poor job of picking-up my voice. When comparing it to the T289, my wife and I agreed that voice transmissions SENT on the T6220 are probably only half as loud and clear as on the T289. A number of times my wife had to ask me to repeat what I was saying. Unforturnately, the poor performance of the microphone alone was enough to warrant my returning the T6220 and staying with the T289. I hope enough people complain about this problem that Motorola revises the unit to place the microphone in the same location as their older units. If it wasn't for the voice transmission quality issue, I would have given the T6220 an easy "5."
Rating:
Summary: Great Radio and a great price
Review: These radios once were a little pricey but the price has dropped recently making them an excellent deal. I have three of these units...used them in the heat of Central America and the cold of the Colorado ski slopes. Very nice features set with the privacy codes, scrambling, weather radio, scanning, etc. This radio might actually have too many features for some users but you can put the radio into a "simple mode" that turns the fancy stuff off. Nice touch.
Rating:
Summary: Motorola reliability
Review: These radios really lived up to my expectations. For starters, the transmition clarity is quite good. It can get scratchy when you are really far appart or when you are in the mountains with alot of clouds. Fairs, expos, museums, wherever these radios keep us in touch. I've been using these when I go up snowboarding, and my family is always able to keep in touch regardless where we are on the mountain. In fact I've often picked up conversations from the next resort over! The radios are also slightly water resistant. These radios also have Motorola durability, I've dropped them many a times, and no problems. The weather radio (NOAA) is useful for picking up very accurate and regularly updated weather reports from the National Weather Service. The battery door does feel like it's not seated correctly and seems like it will pop off. I've only had a door pop off once or twice and we never lost the door. The Eavesdrop eliminator, (which is an aditional 3 encryption codes) really helps to prevent crosstalk when using them in crowded enviroments when other people might also be using FRS radios. These models also have a VibraCall (vibrating alert) which when used along with the QT200, the radio will silence itself, and when someone calls, it will vibrate. Only until you respond will the radio speaker become active. A great investment for a low price. I'd highly reccomend buying a set. Also, if you have other FRS (Family Radio Service) radios that aren't Motorola, don't worry, they are all cross-compatable.
Rating:
Summary: Pros, Cons and the Irony of Time
Review: This product was top 'o the heap when it appeared in the fall of 2001, almost two and a half years ago. And no pun intended, in many ways it is still an "Evergreen" because it can do a thing or two that are fast disappearing from the latest models in this hyperspeed technology: "lock onto" (hunt, troll for) the strongest signal is a feature that used to be routine but is fast disappearing except on pro models such as those for mall security guards. Lock is (was?) a darn handy feature, too, but precisely because two-way radios have become so popular the radio-makers are eliminating it because it's intrusive to other users, especially professional users and semi-pros like mall security guards. (Hint: the politic thing to do at a novice mall is check with a security guard to see which is "their" channel--and stay off it.) Is this particular model, Motorola T6220AA, still available? If this price is right, go for it PROVIDED your kids can handle the PTT (push-to-transmit) button. It's more awkward than on later model, 'tho in my opinion it isn't as disabling as "The Leading Consumer Magazine" would have us believe. Nonetheless, it takes the oppposable thumb of a nine-year-old to work it fluently, something to think about before hitting the trail. I would not recommend paying any extra money for a recharging stand if it uses the obsolescent Nickel-Cadmium form of rechargeable battery pack. Those little devils use a battery cell with a "memory" -- for example, if you recharge a cell that's only 60 percent deleted, from that point on, the battery will only have a sixty percent capacity! (Fortunately, that format is rarely sold, having given way to the Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium-Ion formats.) Just buy your AA Alkalines in the cheapest format -- store-brand eight packs or whatever's on sale -- and change them at the first sign of weakness. Also please be sure to dispose of them in accordance with your local environmental regulations! While I have your ear, I want to say that I have had the very best of experiences with the Motorola brand, especially with their walkie-talkies. I use what is basically a longer-range, later-generation version of the above. Sometimes it's useful in the woods, on "Mall patrol" and it's even handy at home as a kitchen-to-TV room intercom! Motorola's help-line people are wonderful, too. I've been following this field for the past several years. Just some recommendations in general: (1) You are unlikely ever to get MORE than the mileage range the unit indicated. However, if you go for the extended-range models, expect to pay almost double, contend with some very confusing FCC forms, and pay an annual fee of $70. Nonetheless, it doesn't pay to skimp if you intend to use them for hiking, car caravaning, or even failsafe team-shopping in the largest cruciform malls. (Few things stop radiation better than heavy stone like granite or marble.) (2) Besides the PTT aspect, kid-friendliness is a factor. Few people regret friendlies such as glow-in-the-dark handles and handles that clip to the belt. (3) Once you decide to pay the upper brackets...you might as well get units that include the NOAA weather service, especially those that can be set to warn you of impending disaster like tornados that have just touched-down. (4) For an additional $20-30, rechargeable battery packs and a recharger stand are a dandy (except for the obsolescent Nickle Cadmium format mentioned above). Proprietary battery packs provide the exact voltage the unit requires (expressed in "milliamps" not volts) and last longer. Save a good deal of money in the long run, provided the family is disciplined enough to recharge them when necessary. (5) These little walkie-talkies are pretty tough but for heaven's sake, don't let the kids swing them by the "rubber duck" antenna! (6) If you're comfortable with the above technical and legal restrictions, a two-way unit can save its users quite a lot of money compared to a cell phone. Walkie-talkies are not a warmed-over genre; they are here to stay! (7) Amazon itself is a great way to comparison shop. They did not twist my arm to say this. ;)
Rating:
Summary: Good Recreational Two-Way Radio
Review: Transmission impressively clear and crisp, as long as you are not out of range, battery life is excellent, and the weather station feature is a total blast.
Rating:
Summary: Advantage timber color is evergreen with a jacket.
Review: When I received my "evergreen" and "advantage timber" color radios, I was suprised to see that the advantage timber radio was an evergreen radio with an extra camo color jacket. If you're thinking about getting the evergreen color, consider getting the advantage timber instead. You'll get both colors in one radio. Just check the price and see if the extra color is worth it to you. (They were the same at one time.)
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