The Motorola DP1400 was one of the most widely deployed two-way radios in the UK — reliable, straightforward and trusted across industries from construction and retail to events and facilities management. With the DP1400 now discontinued, its successor, the MOTOTRBO R2, is the natural next step for organisations looking to maintain or upgrade their radio fleets.
This article explains what has changed, what has stayed the same, and whether the R2 is the right choice for your operations.
Why Motorola Replaced the DP1400
The DP1400 had a long and successful run, with Motorola shipping over one million units across Europe. But after years of strong demand, supply chain pressures and the evolution of digital radio technology made a refresh necessary. Production of the DP1400 has now ended, and Motorola has introduced the R2 as its direct replacement.
The R2 is built on the same entry-level foundations as the DP1400 — an analogue/digital radio designed for simplicity, durability and all-day reliability — but it improves on the original in several meaningful ways.
Motorola R2 vs DP1400: Key Differences
Here is a full specification comparison drawn from the official Motorola brochures for both radios:
| Specification | Motorola DP1400 | Motorola R2 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency (VHF) | 136–174 MHz | 136–174 MHz |
| Frequency (UHF) | 403–470 MHz | 400–480 MHz |
| Channels | 32 | 64 |
| Audio Output | 0.5 W | 1 W |
| Weight | 341–406 g | 261–286 g |
| Battery Life | Up to 25 hours | Up to 26.5 hours |
| Ingress Protection | IP54 | IP55 |
| MIL-STD-810 | Yes | Yes (11 conditions) |
| Operating Temp | -30°C to +60°C | -30°C to +60°C |
| Slim Battery Dims | 128x62x39 mm | 125x55x32 mm |
| High Cap. Battery Dims | 128x62x44 mm | 125x55x37 mm |
| SINC+ Noise Cancel | Not available | Optional (licence key) |
| Selectable Audio Profiles | No | Yes |
| Programmable Buttons | 2 | 2 |
| Analogue Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Digital DMR Mode | Yes (licence upgrade) | Yes |
| Accessory Compatibility | Standard | Compatible with DP1400 chargers |
What stands out in the R2? The R2 is around 15–20% lighter than the DP1400 with the same battery type, making it noticeably more comfortable over a full shift. It also doubles the channel capacity from 32 to 64, delivers stronger audio output at 1 watt compared to 0.5 watts, and has improved ingress protection with an IP55 rating versus IP54 on the DP1400. Range is also improved, thanks to higher receiver sensitivity and a redesigned antenna.
What Stays the Same: Protecting Your Investment
One of the most practical aspects of the R2 launch is that Motorola designed it with migration in mind. If your organisation is already running DP1400 radios, you can switch to the R2 without replacing everything else:
Charger compatibility: The R2 uses the same charging profile as the DP1400, so existing single and multi-unit chargers will work with R2 radios. Note that the batteries themselves are not interchangeable between models.
Accessory connector: The R2 uses the same 2-pin audio accessory connector as the DP1400. Earpieces, remote speaker microphones and other audio accessories will transfer directly to the new radio.
User interface: The button layout and operating logic are familiar to anyone who has used a DP1400, minimising the need for staff retraining.
Analogue and digital modes: Like the DP1400, the R2 supports both analogue and digital DMR operation. You can run it on your existing analogue system and migrate to digital at your own pace, one channel or team at a time.
This backward compatibility is a significant advantage for organisations managing large fleets, where replacing chargers, accessories or infrastructure on top of the radios themselves would add considerably to the cost of upgrading.
New Features Worth Knowing About
SINC+ Noise Cancellation
The R2 introduces SINC+ as an optional feature, available via a software licence key. SINC+ is an advanced noise suppression algorithm that isolates and eliminates background noise — whether that’s machinery on a factory floor, crowd noise at a venue, or equipment at a construction site. The DP1400 had basic digital noise cancelling in its audio processing, but SINC+ takes this significantly further, making the R2 a better fit for high-noise environments.
Selectable Audio Profiles
Users can select from different audio profiles on the R2 to amplify low, mid or high frequencies depending on their environment. Combined with the 1W speaker (double the DP1400’s 0.5W output), this makes the R2 considerably louder and clearer in practice.
64 Channels
The jump from 32 to 64 programmable channels gives larger teams much more flexibility to segment communications by department, zone or task — an important feature for multi-team operations such as events, facilities management and construction sites.
Accelerated Life Testing
The R2 has undergone Motorola’s Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) programme, which simulates up to five years of real-world use. Both radios meet MIL-STD-810 requirements, but the R2 is tested across all 11 environmental conditions within that standard.
Which Industries Is the R2 Best Suited For?
The MOTOTRBO R2 follows the same broad positioning as the DP1400 — it is an entry-level professional radio, ideal where simplicity and reliability matter more than advanced data features. The sectors where it performs best include:
Construction and facilities management — lightweight, tough, long battery life for outdoor and on-site teams.
Retail and hospitality — easy to use with minimal training required.
Events and temporary deployments — compatible with hire fleets; straightforward to configure for short-term use.
Education and healthcare — where staff need a radio that simply works without complex setup.
Security and lone-worker environments — SINC+ noise cancellation and clear audio are essential where communication must be immediate and reliable.
For organisations that require more advanced features — such as GPS tracking, data applications, Bluetooth or integrated dispatch software — Motorola’s R5 and R7 models sit higher in the R series and are designed for those requirements.
Hire or Buy?
The R2 is available to purchase outright or hire through 2CL Communications. Radio hire is a practical option for events, short-term projects or organisations that want to trial the R2 before committing to a full fleet purchase. For longer-term deployments, buying the R2 as a DP1400 replacement makes strong financial sense — particularly given the charger and accessory compatibility that reduces total migration costs.
2CL offers full-service support on both hire and purchase, including programming, Ofcom licence management and ongoing maintenance. As a Motorola Solutions Platinum Reseller with over 50 years of experience, we can advise on the right configuration for your specific environment and team size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Motorola R2 a direct replacement for the DP1400?
Yes. The R2 is Motorola’s official replacement for the DP1400 series, which is now discontinued. It is designed as a like-for-like upgrade with improved specifications across weight, audio output, channel capacity and ingress protection.
Are DP1400 batteries compatible with the R2?
No. The battery design has changed between models. However, the charging profile is the same, so existing DP1400 chargers — including multi-unit gang chargers — will work with R2 radios. Batteries must be purchased separately for the new model.
Will my DP1400 earpieces and accessories work with the R2?
Yes. The R2 uses the same standard 2-pin audio accessory connector as the DP1400. Earpieces, speaker microphones and other audio accessories are fully compatible.
Does the Motorola R2 support digital radio?
Yes. The R2 supports both analogue mode and digital DMR (Tier II) operation. This allows organisations to continue using their existing analogue infrastructure while transitioning to digital at their own pace. A software licence upgrade is available if the radio is initially purchased in analogue mode.
What is SINC+ and do I need it?
SINC+ is an advanced noise suppression algorithm available on the R2 via an optional software licence key. It is particularly useful in high-noise environments such as construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and large-scale events. It is not included as standard and requires purchase as an add-on.
How much does the R2 weigh compared to the DP1400?
With a high-capacity battery, the R2 weighs under 290 grams, compared to up to 406 grams for the DP1400. This makes the R2 noticeably lighter for staff wearing the radio throughout a full shift.
Can I hire the Motorola R2?
Yes. 2CL Communications offers the R2 on both short-term event hire and long-term hire arrangements. This is a practical option for organisations with seasonal peaks, one-off events, or those evaluating the radio before purchasing a full fleet.
How many channels does the R2 support?
The R2 supports 64 programmable channels — double the 32 channels available on the DP1400. This gives teams greater flexibility to separate communications by department, site area or operational group.
Is the R2 suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. The R2 has an IP55 rating for protection against dust and water jets, and meets MIL-STD-810 military standard requirements across 11 environmental conditions. It is suitable for use in construction sites, outdoor events, wet weather and other demanding conditions.
What is the battery life of the Motorola R2?
The R2 offers up to 22.5 hours with the slim PMNN4600 battery and up to 26.5 hours with the high-capacity PMNN4598 battery in typical operating conditions. A low-battery LED indicator activates when pressing the PTT button, giving users advance warning before the charge runs out.
If you’re running a fleet of DP1400 radios and considering what comes next, our team can help you plan a smooth migration to the R2 — making the most of your existing chargers and accessories while improving performance across the board.
Talk to 2CL About Your Next Radio Fleet
With over 50 years of experience and a track record spanning Glastonbury Festival, the Royal Albert Hall and major facilities management estates across the UK, 2CL designs and supports radio systems for organisations of every size.
The R2 is available to buy or hire. Contact us to discuss pricing, programming and availability.
Call: 0800 389 2278
Email: contact@2cl.co.uk