Thinks about purchasing XTS3K - guru opinion needed

[MotoFAN]

Thinks about purchasing XTS3K:

XTS3000 Model II UHF
H09RDF9PW7BN
140008000000, factory tags
F/w 07.09.02.00
DSP N08.02.04

I plan to use it in Smartzone type IIi Hybrid, in P25 Conventional & in analog.

Opinion of the guru is very ineresting:

1. What do you think about this one proceeding from the description?
2. What unpleasant surprises can wait for me with this one?
3. What often demanded FlashPort options are absent in this one?
4. Than it in practice is worse than Model 3 (except a DTMF dialing)?
5. Than it in practice will be worse XTS2500 (at identical Flash Code)?

I ask to give answers ASAP - time presses :)

[batdude]

in order:

1. What do you think about this one proceeding from the description?

it's fine as it stands, but a firmware refresh would be nice (current is host 7.25/DSP 8.03.03, give or take a .01)


2. What unpleasant surprises can wait for me with this one?

radio is no longer in production. parts getting more expensive every quarter...but it's cheaper to replace the whole radio anyway with a new(er) used one anyway.


3. What often demanded FlashPort options are absent in this one?

Digital ID display (first digit in the flashcode would be a 5)


4. Than it in practice is worse than Model 3 (except a DTMF dialing)?


no - if you need to use DTMF, the options can be prestored in the dial lists (i.e. "911"), etc.


5. Than it in practice will be worse XTS2500 (at identical Flash Code)?

that's apples to oranges. the 2500 is a currently in production radio - with current firmware and at least 2 years of production life remaining....it's smaller - more capable - much faster processor, etc. etc. etc. IMHO, i'd take a XTS2500 over a 3000 any day of the week.


doug

[MotoFAN]

Thank you for replies! If you do not object, I suggest to continue.

it's fine as it stands, but a firmware refresh would be nice (current is host 7.25/DSP 8.03.03, give or take a .01)

Any lacks in specified versions of F/W?

How to get new F/W? I mean cheapest legal method. Send it to Moto for e.f. for cosmetic ferurb and M will update F/W free of charge?

radio is no longer in production. parts getting more expensive every quarter...

Isn't critical in my case.

Digital ID display (first digit in the flashcode would be a 5)

This one displays alpha-tag of calling party in P25 conventional mode?

no - if you need to use DTMF, the options can be prestored in the dial lists (i.e. "911"), etc.

I know.

No any other differences between Model II and Model III?

that's apples to oranges.

:)

the 2500 is a currently in production radio - with current firmware and at least 2 years of production life remaining....

I am not an agency, company & etc. I am private user. These arguments isn't critical for me.

it's smaller - more capable - much faster processor, etc. etc. etc.

And more powerful arguments?

Parametres of front-end (I heard that XTS3000 better)?
P25 perfomace (for e.g. demodulation quality)?
Power consumption?

[Astro Spectra]

If you already have XTS 3000 specific accessories (batteries, RIB, cables, etc) then get a 3K.

If you are even considering aftermarket upgrades to H/W or S/W then get a 3K.

If you have no legacy issues then buy the XTS 2500.

If you really want a flagship public safety radio then save up for an XTS 5000.

[MotoFAN]

If you already have XTS 3000 specific accessories (batteries, RIB, cables, etc) then get a 3K.

I have accessories for both platforms - batteries, mics, cables, CPS & etc.

If you are even considering aftermarket upgrades to H/W or S/W then get a 3K.

What you mean? Flashcode hacks?

If you have no legacy issues then buy the XTS 2500.

Isn't powerful argument for me (as stated above).

But what about these:

1. XTS3000 has better front-end (for e.g. better dynamic range, what is critical when you operates via repeater inside one car or in neighboring cars);
2. XTS2500 has better power consumption parameters (asd as result, greater operation time);
3. XTS2500 is more flexible (more features available via CPS);
4. XTS2500 has more channels capacity and channel announcement (both are very useful);

Anybody can cofirm statements 1 & 2 (3 &4 is obvious)?

If you really want a flagship public safety radio then save up for an XTS 5000.

Nice radio, but too expensive for me.

[Astro Spectra]

XTS 3000 (2003 datasheet)

Analog Sensitivity (25/30 kHz) 12 dB SINAD:
VHF 0.25µV UHF 0.25µV 800MHz 0.25µV

Digital Sensitivity (12.5 kHz):
1% BER VHF 0.40µV UHF 0.40µV 800MHz 0.40µV
5% BER VHF 0.25µV UHF 0.25µV 800MHz 0.25µV

Intermodulation (25/30 kHz):
VHF –78 dB UHF –77 dB 800MHz –74 dB

XTS 2500 (2004 datasheet)

Analog Sensitivity (25/30 kHz) 12 dB SINAD:
VHF 0.25 µV UHF 0.25 µV 800MHz 0.25 µV

Digital Sensitivity (12.5 kHz):
1% BER VHF 0.25µV UHF 0.35 µV 800MHz 0.40 µV
5% BER VHF 0.20 µV UHF 0.25µV 800MHz 0.25 µV

Intermodulation
VHF –78 dB UHF R1 –73 dB UHF R2 –75 dB 800MHz –74 dB

So same sensitivity in analog and XTS 2500 showing a slight improvement in sensitivity in digital.

Intermodulation performance the same at VHF and 800MHz, XTS 2500 3 to 4 dB worse at UHF.

Too close to call. Other factors should still dominate your decision.

Operation time is controlled by battery capacity not just power consumption, so you need to look at available battery sizes and chemistry.

As to CPS flexibility – it depends on what you want the radio to do. If you need a certain feature and it‘s not offered on one of the radio models, then the other technical issues are irrelevant.