Not using 4x3 Keypad on my M3 XTS2500 can I swap for M2?

[EindhovenOne]

Hey, everyone. I know this is going to be a little odd of a question, but when I initially bought my M3 XTS2500 I thought I would be needing and using the full 4x3 keypad but alas, I really am not and it just looks too busy and I am always getting sand and crap in there. I was wondering if it is okay to just pop it into a M2 case (still using the C04 screen) and just be good to go from there. I saw on another thread that going from M2 to M3 was okay but obviously the keypad wouldn't be operational, so now I am asking about going the other way with it. Thanks for your time. -E

[akardam]

If you're having proplems with FOD with your existing keypad, changing to a M2 keypad isn't going to aleviate the problem. Kind of curious, what are you doing that you're getting sand physically into the keypad?

[EindhovenOne]

It's not so much that the FOD is constant but that the keypad is just the largets vulnerability for stuff to get in there. I am on the job and my main jaunt is at a State Park out here that is mainly a large ocean beach. For this reason I got the XTS2500I because I do get some water on it sometimes and sometimes it does get dropped where I really wish it didn't. As of yet I haven't had any problems with the radio and its performance I just figured that if I could take away the keypad I would.

[akardam]

If it's an 2500I, then swapping out the case will probably void the IS rating and unless you have it done by a shop with the capacity to vacuum test the radio, will assuredly lead to the radio's internal integrity being comprimised, which if you drop it when you really wish you didn't would probably make your radio go tits up.

If it's really that much of an issue, I'd suggest you ask your agency to issue you an actual model 2 (or even a model 1.5 of a lower tier), or find some way to keep from dropping your radio in the sand so much.

[EindhovenOne]

Thank you for your input, sir, it definitely gave me a few things to think about. If I did go ahead with it though, is it physically possible to put the M3 components into an M2 case?

[SYNTORX71MAN]

You might look into having a custom case made, I have seen them on Hand Held Scanners, usually a clear front to read the displays and actuate the buttons. but had a velcro flap at the top to keep the radio from popping out unexpectedly. Probably cost between $25-50 bucks

[W3MOT]

Here's an idea.

Since they issue you a radio anyway, keep your XTS at home and use the one they give you. Then this way when you bounce the radio off a rock, you wont care about it because it's not your radio.