Astro Saber is History!

Post by **xmo** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 2:15 pm

Just in case anybody missed this:

PORTABLE ASTRO DIGITAL SABER
Intent to Cancel Date: 31-Dec-2002
Last Order Entry: December 1, 2002
(No orders will be accepted after this date)
Last Customer Scheduled Ship: December 30, 2002
(No customer ship dates will be scheduled after this date)
Last Parts, Local & Depot Service Support: December 30, 2007
Last Field Service Support: December 30, 2007

mancow · Post by **mancow** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 9:02 pm

That blows!!! now all we get are the snap together ugly ass Jedi series from now on huh?

Good one M.

As you can see I am a little partial to the saber style. I think if they made an astro saber series that was smaller (shorter) and included all the features of a high level XTS they would sell every last one. From what I've seen the saber series is the most rugged and reliable of the modern series radios out there, short of something military. You just can't beat the module style of construction.

mancow

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Wed Dec 04, 2002 10:20 pm

Sure looks like a mistake to me. A less tall version would be great, but lets all do what the cell phone folks did and smack our radios together with compression fittings and more plastic.

UHG!

Anyone remember when radios were screwed together?

I played with a MA/COM Jaguar the other day. Cool radio and it was built REALLY well. Damn thing felt like it was 2 pounds worth and VERY solid. No twist in the case like you get out of a jedi series radio.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 1:04 am

Folks lamenting the loss of ASTRO Saber should cosider an HT-220 or MX-360...

Maybe DOS is better than Windows 2000? Or, Super 8 film versus miniDV, etc.

Larry

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 2:39 pm

Well I'll be sure in 2-8 years to send my Astro Sabers to you XTS s' funeral, some of my MX-S and Sabers will be in attendance.... :] Fortunately for those who have them they will be around for a while. Don't get me wrong the XTS isn't bad, but Motorola is already acting likes its dead down here and really pushing the 5000 and 3500... have not seen much in posts about their performance and after some field time.. hopefully will have some input from here... As to some of the other stuff... its may be new, but its not always the best in some fields and definitely not always progress... as some of our banks have found out with their new digital surveillances systems. Actually have one group putting their analog back in after poor 3:1 + compression digital stufff made it impossible to ID suspects... oh yeah progress.
We are in the process of testing some VHF Digital EF Johnson 5100, will post how they worked.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 3:11 pm

just what's wrong with the HT220 or the MX360? Both good radios in their day and will take a hell of a lot more beatings than an XTS will.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Thu Dec 05, 2002 5:30 pm

EF Johnson 5100---I thought EF Johnson was bankrupt! Also, last time we checked, EFJ P25 radios were every bit as expensive as an XTS, so why bother?!

Larry

Post by Pj » Thu Dec 05, 2002 6:05 pm

Could be a good competitor to M with the EFJ radio's. I love M radios just as much as the next guy or gal here, but hey, if its built tough and works with everything else...us comm mangers must take a second look...

1 Adam 12 · Post by **1 Adam 12** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 6:43 am

Transcrypt Johnson just got a huge chunk of the Federal upgrade and also DOI approval for purchase. Last time I looked a CAI Project 25 convetional w/OFB etc was about the same as a full blown MTS in VHF. On the full blown size and feature for feature they where 400-700 cheaper than the XTS, and thats and when you are buying a bunch .... that difference adds up. We have been using Thales Racals P25s also but the battery life leaves something to be desired.

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Fri Dec 06, 2002 12:12 pm

When we priced out Johnson P25 gerar, it was virtually the same as Motorola ASTRO equipment. The choice was pretty simple! (BTW, Motorola also has HUGE discounts when you buy in volume!).

JM2C,

Larry