Comparison on APCO 25 /\/\ products

[bundy125]

Hello all,

I am hoping that some of the enlightened folks on the board might help me with comparison of the XTS 5000, 2500 & 1500 handhelds. My Vol. Fire Dept. going up to a county-wide trunking system and have asked me to do some research on which would be the best "bang for the buck". We are surrounded by several larger cities which have big bucks to spend, and for hand-held radios, they are saying go with the XTS 5000. We... on the other hand, are small and don't have those big bucks, and the grants just don't seem to be getting to small departments such as ours. I would appreciate any advise, recommendations, etc... anyone can give. Any input on mobiles would be appreciated as well, because I'm pretty much "trunking illiterate".

BTW we're talking 700-800 mhz and APCO 25

Thanx,

Bundy125

[Batwings21]

The 5000 has 850 modes, the 2500 only has 512. Other than that, there are almost no differences in features. 2500's are smaller but if you want to do p25 9600 bps trunking, and older 3600 trunking you have to order another option but its included in the p25 option on the 5000. 1500's do not support encryption and do not have keypads, but can come with display and are limited to like 48 modes.
All that being said, I see no reason to go with a 5000 for most customers when the 2500 does so much...

[Wowbagger]

The 5000 has 850 modes, the 2500 only has 512. Other than that, there are almost no differences in features. 2500's are smaller but if you want to do p25 9600 bps trunking, and older 3600 trunking you have to order another option but its included in the p25 option on the 5000. 1500's do not support encryption and do not have keypads, but can come with display and are limited to like 48 modes.
All that being said, I see no reason to go with a 5000 for most customers when the 2500 does so much...

APCO-25 CAI is 4800 BAUD, 2 bits per symbol, 9600 bits per second.

[Batwings21]

Corrected my mistake...

[bundy125]

Thanks for both replies. If you don't mind, I've got one more question as to where the XTS3000 falls in with these type radios? If memory serves me, the /\/\ site, the 5000 and the 2500 are listed as their mission critical APCO25 radios, but I've seen discussion of the 3000 series. Where does it stand with the 2500 and 5000 series?

Thanks again,

Bundy125

[dxon2m]

3000 is no longer manufactured, so the only currnet production radios are the ASTRO25 line, namely XTS1500, 2500 and 5000

[bundy125]

3000 is no longer manufactured, so the only currnet production radios are the ASTRO25 line, namely XTS1500, 2500 and 5000

Thanks dxon2m. Anyone have a ballpark idea of what they are going for price wise?

[Pj]

I could be wrong here (haven't looked in a bit) but I am under the impression that the newer 2500 "B" models are capable of 3600/9600. I know the 1500 is one or the other.

Unless you need fancy encryption, the 2500 should do just fine. Figure 3k each, but I would have to check pricing.

Also keep in mind that you may fall under county or state contracts and you can get them cheaper than what the local radio shop may quote you. Contact the people in charge of that system and they should be able to help you with that.

[bundy125]

Thanx PJ and everyone who responded.

Bundy125