APX/XPR RSM comparison

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sjxts3000
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APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by sjxts3000 »

I put together this comparison for another user on this forum who was asking.... thought I'd post it on the forum for all to see. Hope this helpful in whatever way it can be.

I have one of each in my quiver.... so here’s the comparison... All the RSMs shown below are IP68 except the far left (APX/XPR impres RSM... IP57)

Left to right:
APX/XPR impres RSM (volume 2-position hi/low, emergency button, one side no-dot programmable button)
APX XP RSM (volume step up/down, emergency button, one side 1-dot programmable button)
APX DRSM (volume step up/down, emergency button, TWO side 1-dot/2-dot programmable buttons, channel selector, display)
APX XE RSM - gen 2 shown (volume step up/down, emergency button, one side 1-dot programmable button, LED light button)
APX XE500 RSM (volume step up/down, emergency button, one side 1-dot programmable button, LED light button, channel selector)

FRONT VIEW
Image

BACK VIEW (APX DRSM clip swapped out with D-ring clip)
Image

TOP VIEW (XP RSM is thinnest)
Image

PTT SIDE VIEW (XP RSM is thinnest)
Image

Rearranged with longest to shortest cables
- APX/XPR impres RSM has longest, but not interchangeable with other RSMs
- XE500 RSM has slightly longer cable than other three to the right and stretches more – high temp cable
- XP, DRSM and XE units have same cable length
Image


I have used all these RSM's at one point for enough to get a good feel for them.
Pros/Cons on each......

- APX/XPR impres RSM
Pros: long cable, compact head, good audio
Cons: controls not glove or big finger friendly, volume is "hi/low", not "up/down" step, sensitive PTT

- XP RSM
Pros: not bulky, loud audio, volume "up/down" step, IP68, good tactile PTT
Cons: D-ring clip too tight to hang over antenna, almost too thin to use with gloves, no display

- DRSM
Pros: IP68, channel selector, volume "up/down" step, good audio, two programmable buttons
Cons: sensitive PTT, no D-ring clip, audio port is somewhat non-standard (though IP68), side buttons are kind of hard to use for gloves or big fingers.

- XE RSM
Pros: IP68, glove and big finger friendly, large emergency button, LED flashlight (Gen 2 or later), volume "up/down" step, award-winning ergonomic design, good tactile PTT, clip rotation easy to use, dual mic ports, reflective strip
Cons: no channel selector, no display

- XE500 RSM
Pros: channel selector, dual mic ports, Bluetooth indicator LED, Tx/Rx LED, large emergency button, high temp cable standard, volume "up/down" step, good tactile PTT, LED flashlight is also button for that feature
Cons: a tab bit bulky/wide, fitment on case/housing pieces not perfect, no display, pricey
motorola_otaku
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Re: APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by motorola_otaku »

I've personally found the XP and XE RSMs to have the best objective audio quality of any RSM in the catalog, when used on an APX. To my admittedly unsophisticated ear they all sound like garbage on XPR radios. I haven't had my hands on an XE500 mic long enough to gauge their audio quality.

If you don't need to run into burning buildings the XP mic is probably the best all-around solution, but they're less common/more expensive on the gray market.
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NSPD
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What radios do you own?: Motorola FR50!

Re: APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by NSPD »

I have an XP mic on demo... Love it.
Jake
JeffFireRadio
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Re: APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by JeffFireRadio »

I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to do this and posting it.
sjxts3000
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Re: APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by sjxts3000 »

JeffFireRadio wrote:I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to do this and posting it.
You're welcome!
sjxts3000
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Re: APX/XPR RSM comparison

Post by sjxts3000 »

Well shoot...accidentally deleted the images from the hosting site, but I've uploaded them again. If a mod can change the URLs in the original post, I'd appreciate that (I can't edit it any longer).

Here's the new URL's in order of appearance in the post.
https://s5.postimg.org/rqt0te1w7/1-front.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/m02ufntw7/2-back.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/c1daffv2v/4-top.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/rcrotshsn/3-pttside.jpg
https://s5.postimg.org/gshrb7dav/5-cord.jpg
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