Replacing its “best selling radio of all time,” the CP200d, we run down the features of the new R2 handset and why it’s a good move from Motorola.
The age-old adage is, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The CP200d two-way radio was best selling for excellent reasons: it is reliable, rugged, loud, and affordable. And although Motorola kept the CP200 series for years, updating it in 2017 to work with digital systems, technology has evolved to the point where it can no longer be supported due to parts availability and integration issues.
Motorola’s new offering, the R2 handset, is a retooled CP200d with some upgrades: the casing itself is slightly slimmer, and even more so with the available slim battery. It is still rugged and has the same benefits as the CP200d, but with updated technology and design, plus a few new features.
The Skinny
Motorola’s new R2 has measurable gains (or maybe losses, depending on which specs are being analyzed). The handset weighs less than 300 grams (10.1 oz or about half a pound) when carried with a high-capacity battery. Compared to the CP200d at 14.3 oz, the R2 should be noticeably lighter after operating throughout the day at 30% less weight.
The other noticeable improvement is in battery life, providing 19.5 hours (analog), 26.5 (digital) with the high capacity battery, quite a bit longer than 14.5 (analog) / 18.5 (digital) for the CP200d.
The CP200d measures 5 x 2.4 x 1.7”, vs the R2’s slightly slimmer profile at 4.9 x 2.2 x 1.5”.
Maximum speech loudness is another area where the R2 has improved on its predecessor by a small margin. Already considered one of the loudest radio receivers in the market, it is now rated at 101 phon, compared to 98 phon for the CP200d.
Motorola video “Introducing the Mototrbo R2 – a reliable addition to an uninterrupted workday.”
Environmental Ratings
As Motorola has noted, the new R2 is built with the user in mind. It is slim, durable, and easy to handle. Sleek and tough, yet lightweight and strong, it has been tested to meet military standards and survive rough treatment.
Its “All-Weather Confidence” includes features and certifications, including:
- Meets MIL-STD-810 across 11 environmental conditions
- With its IP55 rating, the R2 can withstand wet and dusty environments, protected from dust particles and low-pressure water jets at any angle
- Endures the rigorous ALT program, which simulates up to 5 years of field use
- Its ruggedized form factor provides impact resilience but is also glove friendly
For the audio environment, there are multiple benefits:
- SINC+ noise suppression eliminates disruptive background noise so you can communicate clearly
- Selectable audio profiles to fit your listening preference and environment needs
- High receiver sensitivity for clear audio over long distances
And when audio messaging isn’t convenient, the R2 offers pre-programmed text messaging, which lets you deploy predetermined responses with a single click.
Other Features
Unlike the CP200d, the R2 also offers Dual Priority Scan, a feature that allows users to prioritize certain channels over others during the scanning operation. This provides more frequent checking of the preferred channels over the other channels, so you can capture important traffic.
It also includes a Home Channel Reminder, which alerts the user when the radio is away from the Home Channel for a pre-programmed period of time. This is helpful for making sure handset users don’t miss calls out on their primary channel.
Seamless integration with quality Motorola accessories, including the RM110 RSM remote speaker microphone, is an obvious benefit.
The best news about the new R2 is the price, which is the same as the CP200d, making it an excellent value.
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