Batboard

I have Googled this and found a few things, but I am looking to see if there is anything newer that I should be aware of. We are end users on a statewide 800 mHz trunked system. We currently use XTS2500s and are pretty satisfied with them. I just found out about an opportunity to buy some used XTS3000s. I haven't found out if they are Type 1 or 2, but I suspect that they will be Type 2. Anyway, how do these compare to the XTS2500? Are they generally considered to be a good, reliable unit?

By the way, we also have some Kenwood TK-5400s. They seem okay for monitoring a talkgroup or two, but, if I had my way, I might be inclined to just run over them with a truck!

XTS3000's are an older radio. 2500's and 5000's have features the 3000's never had. i.e. QC-II, battery display, FPP, better p25 audio etc. 3000's are still a solid radio and found relatively cheap on eBay and forums.

I second that the XTS3000 may be an older radio, but they sure are a workhorse. I still have some in active use in my fleet, but the majority live as spares in the command truck or in the office for grab-n-go situations.

They're not a pretty as an XTS2500, 5000, or APX, but they take beating and keep on going. If you have a chance to get some, get them tuned and aligned after you do and I'm sure you'll be pleased with them.

Jim1348 wrote:I have Googled this and found a few things, but I am looking to see if there is anything newer that I should be aware of. We are end users on a statewide 800 mHz trunked system. We currently use XTS2500s and are pretty satisfied with them. I just found out about an opportunity to buy some used XTS3000s. I haven't found out if they are Type 1 or 2, but I suspect that they will be Type 2. Anyway, how do these compare to the XTS2500? Are they generally considered to be a good, reliable unit?

By the way, we also have some Kenwood TK-5400s. They seem okay for monitoring a talkgroup or two, but, if I had my way, I might be inclined to just run over them with a truck!

Hah, I made this mistake when I was first looking for a radio that had digital in it. I thought because the 3000 is higher than a 2500, it was a newer radio. Boy was I wrong.

Anyway, the APX series are the "newest", followed by the XTS1500/2500/5000s, then the XTS3000/Astros.

Workhorse, yes - but depending on your system, the individual unit's feature set (analog/digital/trunking-enabled), and even firmware version (P25/9600 trunking), it may or may not be compatible with your system. A quick question to your radio shop/administrators can probably confirm. This could be why the other agency is getting rid of them.

Another important thing not noted is that older legacy radios like the XTS3000/Astro Saber is that parts like the EEPROMs that are constantly in use when the radio is on do "wear" out and the radios start to exhibit strange behavior like long boot time, random FAIL 01/82 messages, and eventually become unusable. While the parts are cheap, it does require a board level replacement of an chip. The cost involved in having a qualified tech do this can exceed the value of the radio.

the Astro 25 series (XTS2500/5000/1500) are miles above the 3000s in performance, software/firmware capability, and are still (at least for another couple of years) officially supported by Motorola. Not to mention the battery life is night and day, and CPS for Astro 25 is supported under "modern" versions of Windows like 64 bit Win 7/8/10.