Need help on Purchase
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Need help on Purchase
So the time has come for me to upgrade my personal radio supply (in other words, huge tax return!) I have the option to buy the following but I still don't know which one I should get. I need it for the VHF band. Cost is not an issue. I'm looking at the following radios. Motorola Astro Saber type III; Motorola XTS 5000 type III. Any suggestions and/or pro cons on these would be greatly appreciated. I read the Newbie sticky but I am still unsure.[/code]
The Astro Saber is the tried and true favoriate of many. I personally had 3 of them in each of the bands. This radio is now disconinued, and parts will start to become a little harder to find as time goes on. There are still thousands of them in service. Many saber products will work with the AS.
The XTS3000 was introduced a couple of years afterwards, and was just discontinued. Parts will be available for some time. These are a tad smaller than the Sabers. Display models are two characters less than the Sabers. Many Jedi products will work with the XTS. People either like these or hate them.
The XTS5000 was introduced a couple of years ago and is the current product. Since these are still "new" they are going for a pretty penny. These are about as top of the line as you can get. Display models feature a nice display and can do all sorts of snazzy things that the others can't, but most of those extra bells and whitles will only work on trunked systems anyways.
As for modding/expoliting the radios, the XTS5000 is pretty much a locked safe that hasn't been cracked yet. These employ ESN's and other little anti-hacking features. The Astro Saber and XTS3000's are pretty easy to mod.
I recently sold my VHF Astro Saber and picked up an XTS5k, and I am happy with it. CPS sucks in programming it, but other than that, the radio is nice.
The XTS3000 was introduced a couple of years afterwards, and was just discontinued. Parts will be available for some time. These are a tad smaller than the Sabers. Display models are two characters less than the Sabers. Many Jedi products will work with the XTS. People either like these or hate them.
The XTS5000 was introduced a couple of years ago and is the current product. Since these are still "new" they are going for a pretty penny. These are about as top of the line as you can get. Display models feature a nice display and can do all sorts of snazzy things that the others can't, but most of those extra bells and whitles will only work on trunked systems anyways.
As for modding/expoliting the radios, the XTS5000 is pretty much a locked safe that hasn't been cracked yet. These employ ESN's and other little anti-hacking features. The Astro Saber and XTS3000's are pretty easy to mod.
I recently sold my VHF Astro Saber and picked up an XTS5k, and I am happy with it. CPS sucks in programming it, but other than that, the radio is nice.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Well, the XTS5000 CPS does have one nice feature if you're into maintaining fleets: the clone features now have options one of which is ideal for initial programming of a fleet (with unique MDC IDs) and another of which is ideal for updating the fleet via a cloneplug (without chaning the individual IDs).
There's a Astro Saber III VHF on sale on the board right now that you might want to look at:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=54253
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=54253
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Thanks for the price info... I've got a company that I'm looking at buying a couple Astro Sabers III off.
Also, is there any type of vehicle adaptor that a AS3 can be put in, to charge, and have an external antenna port for outside the vehicle? Like Part #NTN8560F (but thats for XTS radios) looking for that type of features, but the closest thing I can find is part # NTN7227E but it makes no mention of an external antenna port... again, all help is greatly appreciated.
Also, is there any type of vehicle adaptor that a AS3 can be put in, to charge, and have an external antenna port for outside the vehicle? Like Part #NTN8560F (but thats for XTS radios) looking for that type of features, but the closest thing I can find is part # NTN7227E but it makes no mention of an external antenna port... again, all help is greatly appreciated.
From http://www.batlabs.com/astrosab.html
NTN7227BSP01 is listed as the correct number for the AS
NTN5487A is listed as the regular Saber unit.
NTN7227BSP01 is listed as the correct number for the AS
NTN5487A is listed as the regular Saber unit.
AVA-Auto Vehicle Adaptor
I have one myself that I may be looking to get rid of. Never mounted yet, don't think I am going to. It charges the battery and you can use it as a vehicle mounted radio (but still limited to the radio's rated power).
I have one myself that I may be looking to get rid of. Never mounted yet, don't think I am going to. It charges the battery and you can use it as a vehicle mounted radio (but still limited to the radio's rated power).
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system