Batboard

Hello, I am new to the group. The XTS3000 and the Astro Saber (both type 3 with keypad) both seem to go for $300-$400. Is there any reason to be buying the Astro Saber (a much older radio) over the XTS3000?

Thanks


Aristotle Zoulas

In the real world, with similarly flashed radios, the Astro Saber will go for less, only because it's been around longer. I have both & they are both great radios. The 3000 has a lit keypad which the A/S doesn't. They both function quite similarly. The A/S has the battery on the bottom, so it sits quite tall, but is slim & fits in the rear pocket quite well. The 3000 battery snaps on the back making it shorter, but stouter than the A/S. Both types are becoming quite available now as many dept's are surplusing them out to buy newer equip. Even on this site both types are seen for sale as lot's of us are buying 5000's & APX's because of FPP. Whatever you do, just make sure the radio you buy has the correct flashcode & host/dsp to do what you need. On this site people selling these radios will usually list all that info. GARY N4KVE

If you do a quick search, this question has been asked many times.

Many people prefer the Astro Saber over the XTS, mainly for the build quality / overall ruggedness. Plus, it's so thin, you can just slip it in your back pocket.

Some of the pluses going for the XTS3000 is:
It's slightly newer than an Astro Saber
It has a backlit keypad
I beleive most have 1MEG, where the Astro Sabers had a mix of 512, and 1MEG.
Much smaller then the HUGE Astro Saber

As of now though, BOTH radios are "old", but I'd still prefer the old Astro Saber over the XTS3000, having owned both.

truth is the Astro Saber and XTS3000 are very similar internally, have the exact same HOST and DSP code, and program with the same RSS/CPS. The XTS3K's first showed up around late 1996, the first Astro Sabers were made in 1993, so there isn't that much difference other than all XTS3000's had 1MEG controllers, even those setup for VSELP.

It's really a matter of preference. Some prefer the Astro Saber to maintain compatibility with batteries for their older analog Saber radios, other like the form factor of the XTS3000. The Astro Saber is no longer supported by Motorola, the XTS3000 still is but not for long. Both are equally good radios and functionally equivalent.

Whats has been said is great. One if vertical size is an issue, you can still get the short batteries with decent run time for the AS. Looks kinda funny if you have a VHF radio with the wideband antenna, but works well.

In short, both will do the same thing. Will come down to have feels good in your hand.