Motorola Motorokr T501

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars
    Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

Average User Rating

3 reviews

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Motorola Motorokr T501
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CNET Editors' Review

CNET Editors' Rating

4.0 stars Excellent
    Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
Edited by: Wayne Cunningham

The good: The Motorokr T501 looks and sounds great. Features, such as a rechargeable battery, built-in FM transmitter, and A2DP music streaming make the T501 an excellent option for hands-free calling and more.

The bad: The T501 is not a full duplex speakerphone, which can lead to awkward pauses in conversation.

The bottom line: The Motorokr sports a superb set of features beyond that of a simple speakerphone, also integrating Bluetooth music devices with car stereos.

Review:

Editors' note: The Motorokr T501 is identical to our Editors' Choice Motorola Motorokr T505 in every way, but given a unique model number by Motorola because it is sold in a different market. For this reason, we're also awarding the Motorokr T501 our Editors' Choice.

At first glance, the Motorokr T501 seems like an average visor-mounted speakerphone. Its calls are clear. Its design is unobtrusive. However, when we looked a little deeper and really explored its features, we found that there is a much more complex and flexible device hiding under the T501's simple exterior. A2DP music streaming, ... Expand full review

Editors' note: The Motorokr T501 is identical to our Editors' Choice Motorola Motorokr T505 in every way, but given a unique model number by Motorola because it is sold in a different market. For this reason, we're also awarding the Motorokr T501 our Editors' Choice.

At first glance, the Motorokr T501 seems like an average visor-mounted speakerphone. Its calls are clear. Its design is unobtrusive. However, when we looked a little deeper and really explored its features, we found that there is a much more complex and flexible device hiding under the T501's simple exterior. A2DP music streaming, a built-in battery, and a built-in FM transmitter make this device much more than just a speakerphone.

Design
Clipped to our test vehicle's sunvisor, the T501 is a handsome-looking device. Smooth and devoid of any sharp angles, the T501 is made of matte-finished metallic plastic. In a world of high-gloss fingerprint magnets, the T501 looks high quality and subdued.

The bottom surface of the device is dominated by an omnidirectional speaker with a bright chrome Motorola logo set into the center. The front of the device is home to a call answer/end button, a play/pause button, and a multicolor LED that communicates the device's status. On either side of the T501 are volume up and down buttons, while the back is where you'll find the power and FM buttons as well as the USB charging port.

Features
The T501 features a built-in rechargeable battery with up to 18 hours of talk time. We like this feature because it lets you ditch the power cord while driving, which means there's no cable dangling in your field of view. There is also an auto power feature that puts the device to sleep when unused and wakes it for a call. The long battery life coupled with the device's auto power meant that during a week of testing, we only had to charge the battery once. When the time to charge does come, the T501 gets its power over USB and comes with a micro USB car charger. So, if you want to charge the T501 outside of your car, you'll have to supply your own USB cable.

We'd like to see a caller ID display on the face of the T501. The device does speak aloud the number of the incoming call, so the lack of a display isn't too bad. However, if your phone offers a text-to-speech caller ID, you should probably use it instead, as recognizing a caller based on phone number alone can be a bit unwieldy. Calls are answered and ended with the call button, and the last number called can be redialed by holding the call button for 2 seconds.

Motorola didn't just stop at the basics for the T501. If, for example, the built-in speaker still isn't loud enough for you, you can use the FM transmitter function to route calls through your car stereo's speakers.

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Average User Rating

4.0 stars out of 3 user reviews

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star: 2
  • 4 star: 0
  • 3 star: 1
  • 2 star: 0
  • 1 star: 0

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Most recent user reviews

Showing 3 of 3 reviews

5.0 stars

"Works great with My Iphone 3gs, and plays music." By briansalak

Pros: This product is easy to pair. I didn't have to read instructions to set up. I read the reviews on this and saw that it did not play Iphone music, but it does it very well.

Cons: If there is a music channel trying to come through it will make the call sound like it has static. But other than that it is an awesome buy.

Summary: I work for a local phone company and I am always on the phone while driving. I get tired of having an earpiece in my ear and this will break me from that. I also like the fact that it can utilize the speakers which increases the sound of the ... Expand full review

4.5 stars

"Great Device and works great with IPhone 3GS" By cnardi

Pros: I was looking more for an IPHONE fm transmitter for music purposes and not for making phone calls. Not only is it easy to set up, the music sounds great and with My XM Radio app I am able to ditch one of my radios and save some money.

Cons: If i am standing to close to the car when my phone rings it wil atomatically switch to the T501 and can make calls confusing.

Summary: Best transmitter I have used with any IPod device (and I have had many)
Sound is great, its easy to use and I do not have to keep something smashed into my ear for safe driving. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!

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Specifications

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Quick Specs

  • Headphones Type: Speaker
  • Product type: Speaker phone
  • Sound output mode [Sep 14, 2011 from CDS: Audio Output]: Mono

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