Tait Tough: MIL-STD-810G Testing on the TP9800 and TP9900

How Tait Tough durability testing works: MIL-STD-810G, IP68 and IP65 ratings on the TP9800 and TP9900 portables.

Tait's portable radios are built for genuinely rugged conditions. Your people need a radio that will not fail them, no matter what the environment throws at it. This is what "Tait Tough" actually means in testing terms, not just a marketing phrase.

// Key Takeaways

Tait's current TP9000 series portables, including the TP9800 and TP9900, are tested against multiple MIL-STD-810G environmental conditions.
These radios carry an IP68 rating for dust and water immersion, plus IP65 protection against water jets, not a single blanket rating.
MIL-STD-810G testing covers shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, salt fog, and drop tests onto hard surfaces.
This is the same standard of durability that has made Tait a trusted name across New Zealand emergency services, forestry, and industrial sectors for decades.

// Contents

The Toughest Portables in the Industry
What "Tait Tough" Actually Tests
Frequently Asked Questions

01 · Overview

The Toughest Portables in the Industry

Tait's current TP9000 series portables, including the TP9800 and TP9900, are tested against multiple MIL-STD-810G environmental conditions, covering shock, vibration, temperature extremes, and dust and water ingress.

These radios carry an IP68 rating for dust and water immersion, plus IP65 protection against water jets, meaning they are dust-tight, resistant to hose-directed water jets, and capable of surviving submersion and repeated drops onto hard surfaces.

02 · What's Tested

What "Tait Tough" Actually Tests

This is not marketing spin, it is the same standard of durability that has made Tait a trusted name across New Zealand emergency services, forestry, and industrial sectors for decades.

Shock & Vibration

Simulates the constant jolting and vibration of vehicle mounts, machinery, and rough handling.

Temperature Extremes

Tested across high and low temperature ranges, including temperature shock.

Dust & Water Ingress

IP68 rated for dust and water immersion, IP65 rated for direct water jets.

Drop & Impact

Repeated drops onto hard surfaces from typical carrying height, plus humidity and salt fog exposure.

See our guide to the wider rugged radio range, or get in touch to discuss which Tait model best suits your working environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tait Tough durability testing

What does the IP68 rating on a Tait portable actually mean?

IP68 means the radio is completely dust-tight and rated to survive submersion in water. Tait's TP9800 and TP9900 carry IP68 for dust and water immersion, alongside a separate IP65 rating for resistance to direct water jets, since these test different scenarios.

What is MIL-STD-810G testing?

MIL-STD-810G is a US military testing standard covering environmental durability, including shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, salt fog, and drop testing onto hard surfaces. It is widely used across the industry as a benchmark for genuinely rugged equipment, not just radios.

Which current Tait models carry these ratings?

The current TP9000 series, including the TP9800 and TP9900 multiband portables, are tested against MIL-STD-810G and carry IP68 and IP65 ratings. Specific ratings can vary by model, so it is worth confirming the exact spec for the model you are considering.

Do I need this level of ruggedness for my industry?

If your team works in genuinely tough conditions, forestry, emergency services, construction, or industrial sites, this level of durability is worth the investment. For lighter, office-based, or occasional use, a less rugged model may be more cost-effective.

Find the Right Rugged Radio

Not sure which Tait model suits the conditions your team works in? Get in touch with the Mobile Systems team for advice on the right rugged radio for your operation.

Talk to Our Team →