I have seen a few of the radio guys on the forum talk about the mcs2000 and how great a radio it is with the big display and if you can get rid of your spectra and get an mcs2000, you will probly never go back to anything else.
I constantly see them on rec.radio swap and ebay being bought and sold by most who decided they should give up thier spectra and be a bigstrapper like the rest of the group.
Well, being open minded and always favoring Motorola, I thought I would check them out for myself. So instead of putting in my two cents, you are going to get $150.00 worth.
The mcs2000 and all like it is a big pile of #$@@%^$#%&&^%#$@##$%^%&&$$#^&^&&*(((*^@$&&*!
If Motorola was Afganistan, the enginners that designed this radio would be the taliban and the ceo is bin laden.
They took some of there greatest technology and stuck it in a used kotex mini pad.
I hope one of the MOTHER F'RS reads this and shows up at my door , or at least sends me an email. He needs his ASS kicked in a serious way.
Motorola needs to go back to the Spectra and Maxtrac instead of ripping off there customers with $4000.00 disposable CRAP.
What makes them think this was a good idea to begin with. It did not last with nextel, so they reprogrammed all the leftovers and shoved it up the consumers ass.
Unfortunately, my chief had me install one in his unit to try out. Now he is ready to drive all over the US looking for the SOB in charge that thought this radio was a good idea. (I HOPE I AM WITH HIM IF HE FINDS HIM).
My self and my chief will both stay with Motorola but it will probly not be with any of the new product line until we are satisfied that the quality is as supperior as the technology.
Just my $150.00 worth!
mcs2000 @$#%%^%$&*&^@@!#$%&*&*(*())(*&%$#@@!
Moderator: Queue Moderator
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raymond345
- Posts: 268
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2001 4:00 pm
Now don't be timid, tell us what you really think about this radio!!!
Actually, it might be helpful if you identified the specific shortcomings of this product which prompted your post. Display legibility? Reliability? Audio quality? Failure to meet specifications? Then others might share their experience and opinions on specific characteristics.
Actually, it might be helpful if you identified the specific shortcomings of this product which prompted your post. Display legibility? Reliability? Audio quality? Failure to meet specifications? Then others might share their experience and opinions on specific characteristics.
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Salem The Cat
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2001 4:00 pm
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.....best laugh I had inOn 2001-12-16 19:01, metro121 wrote:
<snip>
I constantly see them on rec.radio swap and ebay being bought and sold by most who decided they should give up thier spectra and be a bigstrapper like the rest of the group.
Well, being open minded and always favoring Motorola, I thought I would check them out for myself. So instead of putting in my two cents, you are going to get $150.00 worth.
The mcs2000 and all like it is a big pile of #$@@%^$#%&&^%#$@##$%^%&&$$#^&^&&*(((*^@$&&*!
<snip>
quite sometime....I agree with you 100%, that
radio is definitely low rent junk....
Whoever made the claim that they're better
than a Spectra is out of their mind. The high
end Astro Spectra blows it away. Even an old
Spectra is better than a new MCS2000!
All the MCS2000 series is are portables put
into a big box with a big PA. It's another
move by the marketing people (courtesy of the
moron going by the name of Chris Galvin), who
are making these awful decisions in order to
compete with the likes of the kenwoods, and
yaesu's, etc.
The old man would never have allowed this
type of crap to go on (trying to compete on
the basis of cost, instead of quality and
reputation).
MCS...
hmmm.
wideband. (spectra ain't -- not even astro)
trunks w/ smartzone on UHF/VHF (spectra can't unless you special order an E model)
display. (spectra+sunlight = crap)
channels. VHF/UHF 250 modes..? spectra....
yes, the spectra is a "better" radio. BUT
i replaced 3 UHF spectras with ONE RADIO.
Worth every penny. I don't care that it's built by robots.....and not quite as durable... I'm not the one dropping my mobile 10 feet onto concrete to see if it still works...
receive/transmit performance is at least equal to my old spectra(s), and RF power at 110watts in the footprint size of a high power MCS is commendable.
Thank god for service plans and flat rate repair tho - there's only two freakin' boards inside the whole rig!
doug
hmmm.
wideband. (spectra ain't -- not even astro)
trunks w/ smartzone on UHF/VHF (spectra can't unless you special order an E model)
display. (spectra+sunlight = crap)
channels. VHF/UHF 250 modes..? spectra....
yes, the spectra is a "better" radio. BUT
i replaced 3 UHF spectras with ONE RADIO.
Worth every penny. I don't care that it's built by robots.....and not quite as durable... I'm not the one dropping my mobile 10 feet onto concrete to see if it still works...
receive/transmit performance is at least equal to my old spectra(s), and RF power at 110watts in the footprint size of a high power MCS is commendable.
Thank god for service plans and flat rate repair tho - there's only two freakin' boards inside the whole rig!
doug
Yes. I was directed to buy one for our fire chief. He had it for a few months and had it replaced with a Kenwood. (we traded it to a neighboring fire dept.)
Some of the problems were:
Analog freq. selection. The Maratrac type is much better when there are a lot of channels in 1 group.
Too many buttons - Most were not used for a conventional system so just confused the operator. I heard that one state agency had to order blanks and do changeouts on hundreds of radios.
I complained to our sales guy that the radio looks like a copy of a Kenwood or Midland and a poor copy at that.
Some of the problems were:
Analog freq. selection. The Maratrac type is much better when there are a lot of channels in 1 group.
Too many buttons - Most were not used for a conventional system so just confused the operator. I heard that one state agency had to order blanks and do changeouts on hundreds of radios.
I complained to our sales guy that the radio looks like a copy of a Kenwood or Midland and a poor copy at that.
Hi:
With all due respects to Mr. Galvin and
his group, I too must agree that Motorola
Communications & Electronics is pretty much
on they way out much like the leadership in
Afgan. Its just a matter of time.
We as Customers have been warning them for
years !!,but the upper end management is
only concerned about profit, and not
how it is supported or evolved.
As a Specialized Tech supporting Motorola products for 25 plus years, I never
thought I would see the day, Motorola in the US may give way to total, absolute, and complete JUNK radios, and have persons blieve to risk their lives on High-Tech toys.
Even Radio Shack has Motorola Products
Sad to see they ( Motorola ) are forcing Techs and Consumers to think Newer Motorola Radios and Products are still the best in town....
This is done by making good reliable radios
Obsolete in not suppling parts ( or Service )
or increasing the Price on replacement parts
( or service ) to a level that makes a customer steaming mad.
<b><h2>The later series radios are just horrible</b></h2> and although they may ( or may not work ) I am sure tired of playing QC tech and having
to explain why 100's of radios have to be returned for Upgrades, and or repairs.
Why does a NEW radio have to be upgraded 2, 3, 4, times a year? ( or even returned at all for that matter )
Fortunately, Not all Gov agencies are as dumb
as the " Younger " group @ Motorola think.
Its these " Younger " persons who are truly
clueless about Two-way that will be the undoing of Motorola. <b><h2>They " believe" that trying to increase the Profit on Parts and supplies ( or radios ) from ( $ .10 ) to ( $1.00 ) will make them look good</b></h2>....Too bad, after 2-3 years pass, their job is eliminated, or they are laid off leaving the " Residue" of their High-priced parts for us to deal with not to mention the horrible radio performance.
I have supported Motorola Products for many
years, and fortunately I see the true value
of supporting what the customer wants, and
I have enough resources to get most items at
a reasonable price.
Hopefully the lights will come on at the
corporate headquarters before its too late, but most of the " original " crew has left
as they saw this coming years ago, and did not want their professional name tied with a Horrible radio product like the Mostar or some new radio with a life span of a few months to a year or two.
Many of Motorola's competitor are seeing the
true value of keeping the parts and supplies
within reach of Techs and Customers and valuing the end users pocket book and not
trying to rape it.
Ever wonder why Motorola had to layoff 20,000-40,000 persons. Ask the Corporate
Staff....The company is getting to " Top Heavy" and took a super company and turned
it upside down, and the only ones crying
are inexperienced corperate personnel.
Reason: <b><h2>Greed</b></h2>
Results: Typical
Future: Questionable
Thank God Motorola can't distroy all the good radios made in the 80's and 90's....They do not have enough professional persons that know how to use battery operated drills,( only pencils ) and a pencil can't do much damage to a Older Radio ( Like a MT1000, Saber, ect ) , but a pencil can definately distroy a 4000.00 XTS5000 with ease.
To bad we can't erase some of the corperate
thinking !or at least get them to see the value of keeping a customer.
As far as MCS2000's are concerned, I will
stick with my faitfull, and reliable Spectra
which " never " has failed or has needed a
upgrade
MS
With all due respects to Mr. Galvin and
his group, I too must agree that Motorola
Communications & Electronics is pretty much
on they way out much like the leadership in
Afgan. Its just a matter of time.
We as Customers have been warning them for
years !!,but the upper end management is
only concerned about profit, and not
how it is supported or evolved.
As a Specialized Tech supporting Motorola products for 25 plus years, I never
thought I would see the day, Motorola in the US may give way to total, absolute, and complete JUNK radios, and have persons blieve to risk their lives on High-Tech toys.
Even Radio Shack has Motorola Products
Sad to see they ( Motorola ) are forcing Techs and Consumers to think Newer Motorola Radios and Products are still the best in town....
This is done by making good reliable radios
Obsolete in not suppling parts ( or Service )
or increasing the Price on replacement parts
( or service ) to a level that makes a customer steaming mad.
<b><h2>The later series radios are just horrible</b></h2> and although they may ( or may not work ) I am sure tired of playing QC tech and having
to explain why 100's of radios have to be returned for Upgrades, and or repairs.
Why does a NEW radio have to be upgraded 2, 3, 4, times a year? ( or even returned at all for that matter )
Fortunately, Not all Gov agencies are as dumb
as the " Younger " group @ Motorola think.
Its these " Younger " persons who are truly
clueless about Two-way that will be the undoing of Motorola. <b><h2>They " believe" that trying to increase the Profit on Parts and supplies ( or radios ) from ( $ .10 ) to ( $1.00 ) will make them look good</b></h2>....Too bad, after 2-3 years pass, their job is eliminated, or they are laid off leaving the " Residue" of their High-priced parts for us to deal with not to mention the horrible radio performance.
I have supported Motorola Products for many
years, and fortunately I see the true value
of supporting what the customer wants, and
I have enough resources to get most items at
a reasonable price.
Hopefully the lights will come on at the
corporate headquarters before its too late, but most of the " original " crew has left
as they saw this coming years ago, and did not want their professional name tied with a Horrible radio product like the Mostar or some new radio with a life span of a few months to a year or two.
Many of Motorola's competitor are seeing the
true value of keeping the parts and supplies
within reach of Techs and Customers and valuing the end users pocket book and not
trying to rape it.
Ever wonder why Motorola had to layoff 20,000-40,000 persons. Ask the Corporate
Staff....The company is getting to " Top Heavy" and took a super company and turned
it upside down, and the only ones crying
are inexperienced corperate personnel.
Reason: <b><h2>Greed</b></h2>
Results: Typical
Future: Questionable
Thank God Motorola can't distroy all the good radios made in the 80's and 90's....They do not have enough professional persons that know how to use battery operated drills,( only pencils ) and a pencil can't do much damage to a Older Radio ( Like a MT1000, Saber, ect ) , but a pencil can definately distroy a 4000.00 XTS5000 with ease.
To bad we can't erase some of the corperate
thinking !or at least get them to see the value of keeping a customer.
As far as MCS2000's are concerned, I will
stick with my faitfull, and reliable Spectra
which " never " has failed or has needed a
upgrade
MS
I don't recall anyone on this board claiming the MCS was BETTER than a Spectra. The Spectra is probably the best there is, was & always will be as far as Motorola radios go. Some people (myself included) do like the MCS, and for good reason.
Now, Metro121, let me ask you a question. How many of these radios have you seen? What were your specific problems with the unit? Your opinion, although yours to give, is not an informed one based on a single unit.
We service 2 customers who have a total of over 700 (not a typo, Seven-Hundred) of these units, all covered under a maintenance agreement. A competitor services 2 customers with nearly 500 units. Neither one of us has ANY major issues with these radios. We have found them to be extremely reliable, with performance that does rival the Spectra. We've NEVER had to have the radios upgraded, firmware or otherwise. They only suffer in comparison to the Spectra in terms of bulletproof durability
<b><font color=red><h2.
So does every other commercial radio in the world!!</font></h2></B>
Kens, I'm HOPING you're talking about the "Model III" when you talk about too many buttons...5 buttons + a rocker switch on the "Model I" is not too many. The Spectra (non-rotary models) usually came with a minimum of 9, plus 2 rocker switches!
I'm not sure what some of you qualify as a "new" product, but the MCS has been aroung since at least '94. Entire product lines for both Motorola & other manufacturers have come & gone in that time. The MCS & JEDI platforms may have been the LAST good designs from Motorola, but they were exactly that, good.
Todd
Now, Metro121, let me ask you a question. How many of these radios have you seen? What were your specific problems with the unit? Your opinion, although yours to give, is not an informed one based on a single unit.
We service 2 customers who have a total of over 700 (not a typo, Seven-Hundred) of these units, all covered under a maintenance agreement. A competitor services 2 customers with nearly 500 units. Neither one of us has ANY major issues with these radios. We have found them to be extremely reliable, with performance that does rival the Spectra. We've NEVER had to have the radios upgraded, firmware or otherwise. They only suffer in comparison to the Spectra in terms of bulletproof durability
<b><font color=red><h2.
So does every other commercial radio in the world!!</font></h2></B>
Kens, I'm HOPING you're talking about the "Model III" when you talk about too many buttons...5 buttons + a rocker switch on the "Model I" is not too many. The Spectra (non-rotary models) usually came with a minimum of 9, plus 2 rocker switches!
I'm not sure what some of you qualify as a "new" product, but the MCS has been aroung since at least '94. Entire product lines for both Motorola & other manufacturers have come & gone in that time. The MCS & JEDI platforms may have been the LAST good designs from Motorola, but they were exactly that, good.
Todd
I have to agree with Monty- they're on their way out. What really pissed me about the Spectra is QCII...other than that, 'ya can't beat 'em. I'm getting tired of upgrading garbage like the CMD/HT series every other month. Look at the Minitor III. Junk.
If I had a truck load of MT1000 lowbands, Mintitor IIs or HT1000 VHFs, I'd have them sold in a week.
There aren't many of the 'high line' radios in this area- most are just on the order of the Radius line, in terms of $$$. I don't get to see many XTS3000s or any o the other "latest/greatest", but I'm sure if they're anything like the lower level radios, they're causing problems too.
I have an MT1000 on the bench right now that was run over by a 1980 American LaFrance engine. Guess what happened to it? The front cover got scratched and the battery case cracked and yes, it works fine. Throw your HT750 under a truck and see if it works.
If anyone's seen the new Icom portables, they are definitely competition for mother "M"s products.
WE WANT THE OLD MOTOROLA BACK !!!
QUIT BUILDING JUNK! FIRE YOUR "BEAN COUNTERS" AND START MAKING REAL RADIOS INSTEAD OF KENWOODS!!
If I had a truck load of MT1000 lowbands, Mintitor IIs or HT1000 VHFs, I'd have them sold in a week.
There aren't many of the 'high line' radios in this area- most are just on the order of the Radius line, in terms of $$$. I don't get to see many XTS3000s or any o the other "latest/greatest", but I'm sure if they're anything like the lower level radios, they're causing problems too.
I have an MT1000 on the bench right now that was run over by a 1980 American LaFrance engine. Guess what happened to it? The front cover got scratched and the battery case cracked and yes, it works fine. Throw your HT750 under a truck and see if it works.
If anyone's seen the new Icom portables, they are definitely competition for mother "M"s products.
WE WANT THE OLD MOTOROLA BACK !!!
QUIT BUILDING JUNK! FIRE YOUR "BEAN COUNTERS" AND START MAKING REAL RADIOS INSTEAD OF KENWOODS!!
Well since all this started I will throw in my 3.74 cents worth. The MCS SUCKS in my book. Held together with clips instead of screws, A push/turn vol pwr switch that a knob only lasts 2-3 months on in a typical cop's hands, (sever of our officers carry their own rubber knob cover so if they get in a car that is bad they can turn the radio on !). critical heat sinked parts held to the sink with a CLIP ! This brings another point. about 1/3 of our fleet of almost 300
so far has had one or more of the regulator chips de solder from the board from heat that cant sink due to P*&^ poor thermal transfer caused by improper pressure. All you have to do is bang the "head" once in the right place and the snap holding it to the main chassis (is that what you call that plastic thing) and a clip is broken. ON ON
and ON ad nausem. You get the idea.
pure P.O.S. Granted the specs are great in a controled environment but in the real world
after a short time &%$#&$*&^( Phrawg
so far has had one or more of the regulator chips de solder from the board from heat that cant sink due to P*&^ poor thermal transfer caused by improper pressure. All you have to do is bang the "head" once in the right place and the snap holding it to the main chassis (is that what you call that plastic thing) and a clip is broken. ON ON
and ON ad nausem. You get the idea.
pure P.O.S. Granted the specs are great in a controled environment but in the real world
after a short time &%$#&$*&^( Phrawg
OK, I have been asked to respond to a couple of replies.
First, Batdude does bring up some interesting points. MCS2000 is wide band and could possibly replace 3 radios with one, However, "MOST" of the users buying these types of radios are public saftey of some kind, and not hobbiest, thus making it more practical to stay with a Spectra or Maxtrac.
If it is wide band, digital, apco25, ect, that is needed, then motorola should make the mods to these type of radios instead of a one piece throw away, constantly failing , cross your fingers, I'm on duty and do not have time to send this back to motorola and have them fix it , I NEED IT NOW!
Howmany of these have I personly have delt with. 1, the one I picked up for testing.
Howmany have I seen with problems, I quit counting 2 years ago. I have seen a slow migration of these radios within the county and have talked with several officers while on duty. I have seen the display showing fail codes, or flickering, or other functions not working properly forcing the officer to 10-19 back to the station and get another unit or rely stictly on his still working, never had a problem, always ready to bounce off of someones head, "STX RADIO".
I have seen Orange County Califonia use a radio system and equipment that dated back 30 years to the early 1970's. Sure they had to repair when things fell apart but, they could repair it without sending it back to motorola for 2 weeks and waiting for a new shippment of one piece control boards to come in from Taiwan. They usually went down to Radio Shack and bought the parts they needed.
The point is , do you beleive radios such as the MCS2000 will live that long. HELL NO.
I have been able to take a Spectra that got scrambled because the officer on duty decided to help out some stranded motorist, (which I have no problem with, BUT), while jump starting the car, he forgets to shut off the unit radio, thus getting 01/90. It pisses me off because I tell them to make sure the radio is off but they know I can replace the MLM with maby that I have in stock because I can redo MLM boards, or I can hook up the computer and redump the archive and make it work again. How can I reprogram an MLM board while still in a radio and flashing 01/90.
Good question, We all know that this is nearly impossible to do especially while still in the car and the radio does not stay on long enough to get an active serial bus to allow the computer to finish its job. Well you will have to keep checking the info section on spectras. I will submit that info to batwings. I stumbled on it by accident and has never failed me yet.
The point i am trying to make is , even if the newer radios can be repaired, the equipment will cost more than a new radio. as far as the MCS2000, the biggest problem I see is that the radio will not take the abuse from a pursuit, or constantly being turned on and off, funtion buttons eventually not making good contact,(your remote control for you tv is a good example of that) and power glitches or voltage spikes causing fail codes.
I do not want anyone to think I am old fashion and want to go back to the MICORS and HT500's. I am in fact a gadet guy and enjoy playing with the newest technology. I beleive we need the advancement in wireless communications especially for public saftey. I just feel that we have sacraficed quality and reliablity for $$$$$$$$$$.
Sure , radios built in the 30, 40 or 50 years ago were not of the greatest advancements compaired to todays achievments but they were built well and lasted along time.
First, Batdude does bring up some interesting points. MCS2000 is wide band and could possibly replace 3 radios with one, However, "MOST" of the users buying these types of radios are public saftey of some kind, and not hobbiest, thus making it more practical to stay with a Spectra or Maxtrac.
If it is wide band, digital, apco25, ect, that is needed, then motorola should make the mods to these type of radios instead of a one piece throw away, constantly failing , cross your fingers, I'm on duty and do not have time to send this back to motorola and have them fix it , I NEED IT NOW!
Howmany of these have I personly have delt with. 1, the one I picked up for testing.
Howmany have I seen with problems, I quit counting 2 years ago. I have seen a slow migration of these radios within the county and have talked with several officers while on duty. I have seen the display showing fail codes, or flickering, or other functions not working properly forcing the officer to 10-19 back to the station and get another unit or rely stictly on his still working, never had a problem, always ready to bounce off of someones head, "STX RADIO".
I have seen Orange County Califonia use a radio system and equipment that dated back 30 years to the early 1970's. Sure they had to repair when things fell apart but, they could repair it without sending it back to motorola for 2 weeks and waiting for a new shippment of one piece control boards to come in from Taiwan. They usually went down to Radio Shack and bought the parts they needed.
The point is , do you beleive radios such as the MCS2000 will live that long. HELL NO.
I have been able to take a Spectra that got scrambled because the officer on duty decided to help out some stranded motorist, (which I have no problem with, BUT), while jump starting the car, he forgets to shut off the unit radio, thus getting 01/90. It pisses me off because I tell them to make sure the radio is off but they know I can replace the MLM with maby that I have in stock because I can redo MLM boards, or I can hook up the computer and redump the archive and make it work again. How can I reprogram an MLM board while still in a radio and flashing 01/90.
Good question, We all know that this is nearly impossible to do especially while still in the car and the radio does not stay on long enough to get an active serial bus to allow the computer to finish its job. Well you will have to keep checking the info section on spectras. I will submit that info to batwings. I stumbled on it by accident and has never failed me yet.
The point i am trying to make is , even if the newer radios can be repaired, the equipment will cost more than a new radio. as far as the MCS2000, the biggest problem I see is that the radio will not take the abuse from a pursuit, or constantly being turned on and off, funtion buttons eventually not making good contact,(your remote control for you tv is a good example of that) and power glitches or voltage spikes causing fail codes.
I do not want anyone to think I am old fashion and want to go back to the MICORS and HT500's. I am in fact a gadet guy and enjoy playing with the newest technology. I beleive we need the advancement in wireless communications especially for public saftey. I just feel that we have sacraficed quality and reliablity for $$$$$$$$$$.
Sure , radios built in the 30, 40 or 50 years ago were not of the greatest advancements compaired to todays achievments but they were built well and lasted along time.
The only thing that constantly make me want to buy another radio to replace my spectra is the fact that the radio will hold on priority channels if there is not traffic that matches the PL. THIS constantly pisses me off, as the channel one of the ambulance cores I work for is shared with a local supermarket (it's on a college campus, so it's considered business...)
That's probably the only reason I have to want another radio. If anyone wants to trade their MCS for a A9 VHF 50Watt Spectra, send an e-mail my way... I'd like to play with one of these...
-Alex
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alex on 2001-12-17 14:13 ]</font>
That's probably the only reason I have to want another radio. If anyone wants to trade their MCS for a A9 VHF 50Watt Spectra, send an e-mail my way... I'd like to play with one of these...
-Alex
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alex on 2001-12-17 14:13 ]</font>
I'm curious where you "picked up" the one for testing & it's service history. Since you were apparently aware of enough problems to stop counting from other people's experiences, I'm also curious why you'd even bother to get one, since even the advocates of the MCS here admit the Spectra is a superior design. I guess it's because you're a gadget guy, like you say.How many of these have I personly have delt with. 1, the one I picked up for testing.
Howmany have I seen with problems, I quit counting 2 years ago.
I haven't seen the heat transfer problems that Phrawg talked about, but then again, I'm sure it doesn't get nearly as hot up here in Canada in the summer as it does in Texas year round. I guess the radio gets off lucky up here. The volume knob I've already pointed out as a problem in previous posts.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wavetar on 2001-12-17 15:31 ]</font>
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Bugs Bunny
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2001 4:00 pm
The bean counters at Motorola have provided an entry level ANALOG SmartZone platform in the MCS2000. It's price is OK, maintenance issues not included. The next step up is a big leap in dollars to buy the Astro Spectra digital with SmartZone. There doesn't seem to be an entry level DIGITAL SmartZone radio. If there was one, there would be that much less reason to purchase MCS2000 or even build a dual mode ANALOG/DIGITAL network.
RFDude
RFDude
Wrong. The entry-level mobile radio for analog SmartZone is the LCS2000, running about $1000 (CDN) cheaper than the MCS2000. It is essentially a GTX with upgraded firmware. If you want to see a SmartZone capable radio with it's share of issues, take a look at one of those. While not so bad physically, they usually require factory SmartZone settings to be changed in order to work properly in a given system. Even then, they don't affiliate or provide system access nearly as quickly as the MCS or Spectras do. The same goes for it's portable counterpart, the LTS2000.
Wavetar, your point about a $1000 entry level SmartZone radio drives the point even deeper... that there isn't an inexpensive entry level DIGITAL smartzone radio. I've seen a couple of other companies now courting a digital smartzone radio, but the price is still ASTROnomical (pun intended). Any suggestions?