VP600 or VP6000?

[DeoVindice]

I have a small fleet of UHF 5100ES and XTS5000 portables that are used for mining exploration/development field work. Our 5100s were purchased as NOS/factory refurb surplus after EFJ dropped support for ES portables. With limited parts availability I won't be able to keep them in action indefinitely so piecemeal replacement with newer units is the plan.

I'm between VP600s and VP6000s for our eventual successor units. Does the VP6000 offer enough advantages over the 600 to justify the additional expense and need to purchase all new chargers and audio accessories? I know the 600 is out of production, that's not a problem.

Before anyone asks, I've tried XPR7550s and they didn't make the cut. They were prone to controls getting bumped/snagged and changing channels, turning off, etc.. Some shafts and manways I've had to enter are about 24" square and snags are a constant issue.

 

[n7maq-1]

The VP600's are at end of life.

 

[2154]

A big advantage you'll have with the VP6000s is that their chargers and accessories are also compatible with a large number of other Kenwood radios (NX-2/300, 210, 5000s, VP5000s, & quite a few more) compared to the VP600/900s that are much more narrow and opens up a wide range of aftermarket accessories not available to the VP600. Though you can use some older Motorola XTS series mics and such, if I recall correctly, the batteries & chargers are not interchangeable. Radio features, the 6000s will support GPS and bluetooth, have a larger screen which I feel like makes it easier to navigate the menu. The top zone switch on top is a 4 way vs a 3 way, and the 6000 offers the dedicated two way switch as well.
Outside of features, having both, I'll say the 6000s feel a lot more solid, is more ergonomic, and has better audio quality. I would pit the 6000 against a Motorola XE though I don't have any direct evidence to support that. One fault on both is Kenwood/EFJ has some work to do on the ruggedness of the mics. The KMC-72 is a nice step in the right direction but is a ways away from the Moto XE mics.

 

[MTS2000des]

World of difference. The VP600 was first gen Armada. VP6000 is current production and the way forward. Ive got some VP6430s on my 800 Motorola Astro 25 2019.2 simulcast network. They work well and zero failures.

 

[DeoVindice]

World of difference. The VP600 was first gen Armada. VP6000 is current production and the way forward. Ive got some VP6430s on my 800 Motorola Astro 25 2019.2 simulcast network. They work well and zero failures.

Could you go into more detail about the differences you've experienced on your system? I should have mentioned that we are conventional only.

 

[MTS2000des]

The 6000s are way better at holding onto weak signals. Granted, we are in a linear simulcast configuration, but the VP600 would give BER and lose control channel in places where the VP6000s keep on trucking.

 

[TheRadioGuru]

I bought a VP6430 from MTS2000 and couldn't be happier. The 6000 series from Kenwood can be very customized in the Armada software, down to the PTT talk permit tone. The audio on both receiving and transmitting is crystal clear and loud. The range is equivalent to any nearby Motorola radio as well. Very solid radios.

 

[DeoVindice]

Thank you both for your input. It definitely looks as though the 6000 is the better option. We've used some TK-3180s in the past and have compatible chargers and mics. Much of the draw of the 600 is being able to reuse chargers and mics (not batteries) from our 5100s.

Are you aware of any good sources for a used VP6330 or two? The only options required are P25 conventional and AES, full-featured radios aren't necessary for us. 380-470 is preferred, 450-512 is acceptable.

 

[MTS2000des]

They are hard to come by as they are fairly new and especially UHF. I would reach out to KD4EFM on this forum, he is an authorized JVC Kenwood dealer and may have a line on a demo or used unit, and can get you a decent deal on a new one with the options you need. His reputation speaks for itself. Uncompensated endorsement here.

 

[MTS2000des]

Let me reiterate what was already said about Armada: hands down the BEST programming software EVER. Easy to learn, easy to use. The template/codeplug work flow JUST MAKES SENSE. It also tracks RIDs across codeplugs so you don't goof and duplicate IDs. You can also easily "transition" between different models with different software options. All the headaches of drag and drop and fixing hundreds of errors, incompatible cloning operations because firmware/flashcode/model don't match disappear.
And it doesn't take 32GB of RAM and a friggin octo-core machine to run it either.

 

[DeoVindice]

Let me reiterate what was already said about Armada: hands down the BEST programming software EVER. Easy to learn, easy to use. The template/codeplug work flow JUST MAKES SENSE. It also tracks RIDs across codeplugs so you don't goof and duplicate IDs. You can also easily "transition" between different models with different software options. All the headaches of drag and drop and fixing hundreds of errors, incompatible cloning operations because firmware/flashcode/model don't match disappear.
And it doesn't take 32GB of RAM and a friggin octo-core machine to run it either.

I ended up picking up a pair of VP600s since UHF 6000 availability is poor without spending more than we'd like on new units. Your comments on Armada are spot-on- PCConfigure is pretty good, Armada takes everything good about it and runs with it.

The units I got are fairly new, 2017 manufacture date, and performance has so far equaled or bettered our ES units. Build quality is subjectively better (and objectively better, the logic/UI board interface weakness of the 5100 was corrected) and I love having a top display again, being an old TK-390 user. They'll be placed into full service once I get a couple license keys from the dealer. I'm okay with these being an older design, they're a nice step up.