XTS1500 vs MT1500

bezking · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 09:14 AM

Hi all,

Is there any difference between the XTS1500 and the MT1500? They look identical - and they are starting to appear pretty cheap here and on eBay.

TIA

mm · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 11:51 AM

MT1500 is analog, P16, analog conventional and analog smartzone trunking.

The XTS1500 is analog/digital, P16 analog/digital 3600K smartzone trunking, or P25 9600K trunking and conventional analog/digital.

Notice the 'or' between the 2 trunking formats, P16 and P25 trunking, The XTS1500 is not dual mode digital trunking however like the XTS2500, XTS5000 and APX radios are.

By this I mean you order it as standard analog and digital conventional with the following options, #1. either full digital 9600K trunking or #2. analog/digital smartzone trunking, P16 3600 K control channel, but not both P16 and P25 trunking.

For the Motorola price the MT1500 can be flash upgraded to a XTS1500 but again you need to choose on your desired trunking format when you order the upgrade kit.

Mike

MTS2000des · #3 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 01:39 PM

the MT1500 cannot be upgraded to IMBE trunking or conventional at this time, the PR1500 (built on same chassis) CAN be upgraded to IMBE conventional, for $400. Supposedly the MT1500 could do IMBE, but Motorola has yet to release an uplift kit for it (I cannot find it on my MOL account, but do see the IMBE conventional upgrade for the PR1500).

All of the XTS1500, MT1500, PR1500, XTS2500 are built on the same Astro 25 platform, use the same CPS to program, and use the same batteries and accessories.

NickH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:55 AM

The ECAT shows the MT1500 is flash upgradeable:

Description Nomenclature APC Price
ENH: SFWR ANALOG 3600 BAUD Q443BM
ENH: 9600 TRUNKING FLASHPORT Q574AH
Compatible with T7018. Upgrade from P25 Conventional to P25 Digital Trunking.
ENH: SOFTWARE ANALOG CONV TO 9600 TRUNKING Q574AX
ENH: SOFTWARE 3600 TRUNKING TO 9600 TRUNKING Q574AY
ENH: SOFTWARE ANALOG CONVEN TO P25 CONVEN FLASHPORT Q811AR

MattSR · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 06:07 PM

There we go - MT1500 can do IMBE after all

bryanknj · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 02:52 AM

Is it correct to say then that the MT1500 can be upgraded to all of the features of the XTS1500 so in essence, the only difference is that the XTS1500 comes with these features while the MT1500 has to be flashed?
We are looking at upgrading the portables from HT1000s at my Police Department in the near future and at the time currently only use a conventional VHF system. However, we want to be prepared in the event that in the future we do decide to change the system around and go to P25 or Motorola trunking and it looks like the MT1500 will meet our needs. There are no intentions to do so at this time, but we do not want to have useless radios if this changes.
Thank you for your replies.
Bryan K