SP50 Vs. Visar

[MT2000 man]

Good day all,
Ok, perhaps an odd question, but a good friend of mine is wondering what radio is "better". I know they are both not that great of a radio, but if you had to choose one over the other (for durability only) which would you choose ? I know that the Visar can do 16 channels, is a HT1000 folded in half, etc. but which would be more useful in the field? I believe he just wants to use it as a ham/in vehicle radio. I told him to trash the Visar, and keep the Sp50 (I would think the SP50 would have the slight edge in durability over the Visar no?). I've heard too many horror stories about the Visar, but then again, the Sp50 is just a slight step forward of an FRS radio.

Thanks for any input !

Mike

[Tony.RI]

You're comparing a Visar to an SP50? I might be new here, but that doesn't seem right.

Anyway, I understand being a ham you don't necessarily need the bells and whistle, but the extra 6 channels is a big plus for the Visar. I'd say keep both since you never can have enough radios, but if I had to choose between those two it'd be Visar, hands down.

[MT2000 man]

I know it's like comparing apples to oranges, and I'm trying to convince him to get an HT1250, or HT1000, but talking to him is like talking to the wall lol So, I just wanted all of your professional opinions so I can give him something else to go by

Thanks again, and sorry for the stupid question lol

Mike

[lm2032]

+1 on the Visar. As you said, neither are great radios, but both are better than the normal "ham grade" gear from Yaesu, Kenwood, or ICrap. At least he's into Moto gear! My opinion is that the SP50's are junk. I carried one years ago and if you happen to drop it, you'll have to go one way to pick up the radio, another way to pick up the battery, and yet a third direction to pick up the battery cover (if it didn't break upon impact).

[WB6DGN]

The Visar is a JEDI series radio, ALMOST the same RF board as an HT1000. It's weak point is the antenna mount (where's the beef?) and, like all JEDIs, the battery contacts. The SP-50 is a Radius product, also has gimpy battery contacts, the volume control comes loose from the board, the remote mic jack gets intermittent, the radio has NO RF shielding, the frequency select switch shaft occasionally falls out and it's BIG and UGLY! From being a "portable shop" tech during their heyday.
Tom DGN

[Bat2way]

Gotta love the SP-50 for repeat business. The Visar is an oddity around here.

[Will]

This is a no brainer, get a real Jedi, a HT1000 or MT2000. That is what the real Motorola repair guys and gals use on the ham bands.

[WB6DGN]

That is what the real Motorola repair guys and gals use on the ham bands.

BOY!!! Sure glad my boss never found out I wasn't a "real" repair guy! Wonder what I was? DON'T ANSWER THAT! I had both VHF and UHF Visars on the ham bands and liked them both. Of course, I didn't pick them up by their antennas either.

Tom DGN

[MT2000 man]

From what I gather (hey, even I'm learning new stuff lol) is to stay away from the Visars all together, unless you are going to use the radio as a desk/not much "abuse" radio. From what I also understand the "DN" Visars are built a "little" better because it's a later model, and M fixed a lot of the "Visar Bugs". I'm not sure what model revision he has, but I'm sure its at least a BN.

Speaking of Visars, I was wondering myself does any public safety (fire, police, FED's, etc.) use, or used to use the Visar ? Or, was the Visar marketed towards Industrial (supermarkets, warehouse, landscaping, etc.) type work ?

[wavetar]

The Visar was a fine performing radio. They weren't quite as delicate as they've been made out to be, but make no mistake, they were a far cry from their larger Jedi siblings in terms of durability. The main problem with them that couldn't be repaired was the controller board would flex and the internal traces would break...no fixing that! The SP50 generally doesn't perform as well RF-wise, but is a reliable radio, as long as you keep it away from any type of moisture...not water resistant in the least. Accessories are inexpensive as well. You'd need to break out the platinum card for the Visar accessories.

Todd

[Karfield]

Definately and apples to oranges comparison.
The other posts were awesome but the one issue that hasn't been addressed is the availability of parts. One of the many issues with the visar was the display, unfortunately that's no longer available (please tell me if I'm wrong and there's a new part number). The castings and the covers were also pretty weak and in my opinion way overpriced (comes from knowing cost I guess). The SP50's however being a radius product are showing better signs of "afterlife" repairs since many of their parts are still available far after the offical end of depot repair.

The other issue not addressed is the Visar's natural tendancy to have tx noise issues (UHF models mainly) I remember fighting with those for hours and still ending up completely changing the radio 2x before it was fixed. However the SP50 doesn't have as much of a problem with it (not that it isn't there).

But all in all despite the dogging of the Visar I'd still go with a visar over a SP50 anyday for overall quality.

[ces911]

Visar hands down the SP50 is a very weak and retail enviroment radio, The visar is more sturdy..