MTS2000 or Sys Saber III for VHF?

kyledooley · Post by **kyledooley** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:26 am

Well I promised myself some time ago that I would buy myself a decent /\/\ portable for 2m ham and scanning some of my favorite local public safety (rx only).

Here's the dilemma... I really love the sabers, and I bought a systems saber III vhf on ebay and will have it shortly.

The more I think about it, though, the fact that it is discontinued and the availabiliy of someone to program it for me is scarce makes me wonder if I would be better off with an MTS2k VHF?

The MTS would have parts and support readily available for the forseeable future and someone local who can program it for me.

Any comments?

Thanks,

Kyle

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:29 pm

Both radios are discontinued. The advantage of the MTS is: the ability of later models to do narrower channel splits and the ability of the MTS to remember scan state through a power down/up or channel change sequence.

Rayjk110 · Post by **Rayjk110** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:39 pm

I have an Astro Saber III in UHF. I know it's not VHF, so I can't vouch on how well it preforms (although I would assume excellent), they are alot more rugged in my opinion, and have a better feel in the hand, compared to my HT1000's (same general design, minus display etc)

I have the really short Li-On battery on mine, I've never had the big one, but if you have the small one it, has a good sturdy feel to it at least.

kyledooley · Post by **kyledooley** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:54 pm

Thanks for the replies, guys. I actually just bought an MTS2000 locally.

After I posted up, I searched the classifieds and there just happened to be one locally for a great price. So the decision is made. I picked it up about an hour ago.

As chance would have it, my saber was sitting on the doorstep when I got home. Damn it is nice too. I'll have to keep them both now.

Kyle

MTS2000des · Post by **MTS2000des** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:23 pm

it's a tough call. the Systems Saber is probabbly one of the neatest most capable radios as far as signalling you can buy. No doubt one of the most ruggged and they can be had cheap these days. OTOH, the MTS2000 when flashed can do quite a bit. they are full bandsplit VHF (no sub ranges), and they are still supported (though no longer made) at least until 2010. And they're smaller, and accessories are generally less expensive.

you will love them both. Nothing of this caliber from Mexirola these days unless you buy high tier "mission critical" aka XTS5000 and for what one costs (that's not a legit hackjob), you can outfit a whole ham shack with. And we havent even added the cost of legit CPS and programming hardware...

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:40 am

They are both great radios & I have both. The Jedi has louder RX audio & a brighter display. The Jedi is made up of 2 circuit boards with SMT. Not really servicable unless you're really good. The Sys Saber is made with numerous plug in modules which can be harvested from cheap Saber 1's if necessary, & easily installed. Seeing as you now have both radios, enjoy. If I had to sell 1 of them, I'd keep the Sys Saber. Good luck. GARY N4KVE