Replacing Motorola LCS2000

[lbirdcan]

I am a complete newbie when it comes to trunking radio but have been asked by my organization to looking into replacing our Motorola LCS2000 radios which are now obsolete.

Our LCS2000 had been customized with an additional circuit board to add the following features:

1) Emergency Button
2) Secure Channel (one on one connection)
3) Vehicle ID

Having looked on Motorola site they state that the upgrade path would be the XTL2500.

Can some advise what would be the best upgrade path and why? I was looking at the GTX Mobiles which I would believe cheaper but I don't think they are programmable.

Also, it is possible that we may be integrating the radios with AVL (automated vehicle locating) system. Any recommendations?

 

[Josh]

GTX is as old and obsolete as the LCS2000, they're basically the same radio except that the LCS2000 does APCO-16 Public Safety features while the other does not.

The XTS2500 is the cheaper end of their current public-safety driven series. If you are in the USA and have to deal with rebanding on your system you may want to find out what Sprint/NexTel is going to do for/with you.

-Josh

 

[lbirdcan]

Actually I am in Canada and won't have to deal with the rebanding issue. Thanks.

 

[N4DES]

Actually the XTL1500 is the entry level radio and I would not call the XTL2500 cheap in any way shape or form.

Both the 1500 and 2500 are fine radios and we have both styles in service in PS and LG applications. You should compare them side by side as the main differences between the two are:

Larger display & more characters on the 2500
Additional Soft Buttons on the 2500
The 1500 is not remotable, but then again neither is the LCS2000

In the field we have had no complaints on the 1500 and even have some in
service with digital, so you can save probably $1K per radio by going with the XTL1500.