XTS5000 volume knob tightness

[MotoVio]

Just got my first XTS5K & was wondering if it's normal for the volume knob to be extremely tight to adjust? It's a bear compared to the volume on an XTS2500/PR1500 which is smooth & easy as butter to adjust..

[35-K9-1]

In my experience, yes it is. I have recased used XTS5k's and the volume knob is tight until it is broken in. Personally, I like it more that way, but that's just my opinion.

-AJ

[tsunami_australia]

Yes it seems, my re-cased 5000R is MUCH MUCH tighter than my 2500i.

[MotoVio]

Good to know, another thing I noticed about the 5K is the balance sucks when placed on a flat surface lol, oh well!

[tsunami_australia]

You mean on it's back? When placed on it's bottom/butt/below the 0 key I have no issues with mine. I have a yellow M3 5000R case with NTN4435 and 4437B batteries if that makes any difference??

[MotoVio]

I kinda jumped the gun, I had an RSM attached & clipped to it's connector (next to the antenna); hence the reason it was so front heavy. Oops!

But! I did notice while it's standing in the upright position you can lean it back & rest it against it's bottom 'fangs' or, if you bump it, it'll wobble back & forth a little & end up resting flat on its bottom again (NTN4437B on mine also).

By "fangs" I mean these little contoured edges on the bottom of the case:



Is it just mine or can yours do that also? Lol

[sjxts3000]

Hate to the bearer of bad news, but your radio was improperly disassembled by someone who didn't have the proper XTS case removal tool. Whoever it was probably used a flat-head screwdriver. Not only are those "fangs" not supposed to be like that, but you can see evidence of "prying" right under the ASTRO on the edge of the housing.

[MotoVio]

Well damn, I had a feeling it was a half-assed recasing job when I saw the marring in the middle that you noticed. I paid $595 shipped for this thing off eBay, paid with PayPal & it was less than 30 days ago.

Everything else seems fine on it though... suggestions on what I should do?

[sjxts3000]

Doubt there's a return policy....or one that's still in effect. So you might be stuck with it. You could always buy the XTS case removal tool and a new case and fix it that way.

[MotoVio]

The guy agreed to replace it with another one, minus the marring. Let's see how this goes.

[tsunami_australia]

My recase job.


Radio itself.


This came off fleabay $550ish new case old M2 upgraded the dirty way with UCM and DES-OFB plus whatever else installed.
have the RF adapter for my recent acquirement (XTVA) with the plans of possibly shuffling some radios around. Whilst the radio itself was second hand it is clean and behaves well.

[MotoVio]

Your pics aren't loading /:

[tsunami_australia]

HMM... try again not sure what happened to the links, could be OneDrive being a dog again . Yes unfortunately the radio pic is at 90 degrees (iPhones are a pita for this) but should get across what I'm showing and meaning. *EDIT: should note that the radio + 2 new batteries imported and whatever else probably cost around $800USD somewhere and I'm using the charger at the moment from my old 2500i. Both batteries and the charger are impress.

Radio Bottom


Radio itself

[MotoVio]

That's a nice looking 5K! I see what you mean now.

The guy made good on his word and sent the radio back with a brand new case, now here's another issue lol


Notice the slightly crooked LCD? I know this won't effect functionality or anything but it seems like an easy fix for a radio tech to open it up & center it wouldn't you agree?

I think it's an OCD thing

[sjxts3000]

The displays are only meant to be positioned one way on the chassis. If it's crooked that means the moron who sold you this radio and tried to re-case it did not position the display back on the chassis properly before putting a new cover on the radio. You should just return it and get your money back

[tsunami_australia]

Yes I have to roll with SJX there I think. Twice bitten third time shy. If he knows he farked up the first and you caught him on it then surely they should have made a better attempt to have the replacement in A1 shape.

My radio came from a well known Asian frankenstein radio dealer for a nice price custom made to what I wanted for a price I negotiated and I have to say I haven't had an issue other than programming software arguing with my FPP modifications (not the sellers fault the radio borks at that) and I've tested my radio enough with the new 37B NiMH waterproof Impress battery and 35 regular NiMH Impress battery that I would trust it on the fireground (with the waterproof rated battery for obvious reasons there) (takes a few months for me to trust a radio and get a feel for it but have been doing it long enough).

So TBH I wouldn't have any issues dealing with that said dealer again. Postage was the fastest I've EVER seen (something like 4 days (including a weekend and pubhol) from order to front door) (if only the batteries were that quick out of the US... they each took a month bouncing around the states ). So that may be something to consider if you want a cheap working hobby radio . I think I paid around $500-550USD with the UCM and cyphers I wanted, new M3 R case etc as a barebones radio. When I got it the 1 button was a little screwy (lot of pressure required) and thought I'd have to send it back but with use it come good and haven't had an issue since.

So as much as many pick on said supplier, I think he did a decent job. Was supposed to come with R12 firmware and came with 19.5 or somewhere around there. If I didn't know to look at the back tags I wouldn't pick it, so another dumb user wouldn't know the difference since it performs and looks the same as the gov radios over here.

[MotoVio]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice but I think I'm just gonna hang onto it since everything else is A1 on it and it's performing like a champ thus far. Plus shipping it would just put me out more money anyway.

One question though sjxts3000, is this fixable?

[sjxts3000]

Yes, it's fixable... but I wouldn't advise that you do it yourself if you've never done it before. It requires the proper XTS case removal tool (p/n 6685833D01).

[MotoVio]

Oh yeah I definitely wouldn't trust my impatient self, I did extensive research on the XTS5K before I took the plunge including watching tons of SnarlingRabidDog's videos on YouTube like his XTS5000 recasing tutorial.

I think I'm just gonna look for somebody reputable on here & ship it to them to have it done.

I have a feeling the radio shops around here would screw me sideways in price if I went that route.