Batboard

$1,300. Not bad for a new P25 portable.

Larry

No, that seems rather reasonable.

I've been thinking about those radios as replacements for some of the HT1000's we have.

-Alex

Studying the 4Q 2004 Motorola price book a little more closely, it appears that a Model II and/or III of the XTS 1500 may be on the way.

For instance, the XTS 1500 VHF and UHF capabilities chart is just like the chart for the other XTS models that have 3 Model versions. The current XTS 1500 chart currently shows only a Model I, with the other Models currently being blank. I don't know why Motorola would specify a Model I, unless other models were on the way. Hot damn!!

Larry

What would a model II or III be like? Just an XTS3000 without encryption, and maybe less modes?

Maybe there will be only a Model I and II, with no III? Who knows. I do know that they show DTMF on the XTS 1500 as a "future option," which would take a keypad. I don't know if perhaps it would be limited to analog DTMF in FM mode only (e.g., no Data 12 packets in ASTRO mode).

As you can see, there are a ton of options that they can choose to include or not, so that the other more expensive XTS models will continue to make sense.

Don't forget that leaving out the possibility of ever having encryption is a huge consideration. A lot of Public Safety agencies (especially The Feds) would probably rule out the XTS 1500 on this basis alone.

In any event, it appears that the XTS 1500 is not likely to end at a Model I only, given 1) the future DTMF option noted in the current Motorola price book sheets, and 2) the "Model I" designation, in and of itself.

Makes things interesting, no?

Larry

Last I heard, the 1500 will only we available in model I config, with a DTMF option, like the HT1000 was.

Youll most likely have to move to the 2500 to get a display and/or keypad. What I did hear is that the Model I 2500 is supposed to get a refresh to a top display, like the MTS2K had, with a limited keypad/display model II, and a full keypad/display on the III. Right now the Model I 2500 has 48 channels, but its a rotary only. The MT and XTS1500 is 16 channel only.

That will be great if the MT1500 comes in a flavor other than 800. Perfect replacement for the HT1000, if you dont ever plan for P25.

Also, we arent likely to see securenet on the stingrays. We asked, probably wont happen. Would take a complete retool.

Great Radios!

Would the top display on the 2500 be a graphical one, like the one on the SSE5000?

Hopefully, ICOM and Kenwood will push the price/performance issue so we can see a rapid and substantial price reduction in P25 subscriber equipment. I think the XTS1500 is the first step in this regards, as you have a 16 mode IMBE portable for under $1,300. Motorola is also supposedly coming out with a low end IMBE mobile in 1Q05.

Larry