Interesting read here. I'm working to upgrade our fire department radios from Hytera (yuck, wasn't involved in getting them) radios to literally anything else. We are on VHF DMR as the sole user of our frequency pair, we have mutual aid with the US (800MHz P25PII) and with The Quebec departments to our north (UHF Analog, might be going DMR). I've been trying to decide if it is worth the push to get the VP8000 or just get something like the NX-5200 and roll with it for now and forget inter-agency stuff. This thread gives me pause though to wonder what's on the horizon and if investing in the NX series now might be short sighted. Curious if others have takes on the matter. Is it worth waiting for new NX series stuff at this point, or just roll with it. I realize this could be it's own topic, but also feel it is in the spirit of the discussion at present. Too bad the VP5000 portables don't do DMR lol, I've heard Armada is amazing to use.
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VP8000 NXDN confirmed
- Thread starter wd8chl
- Start date
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Good question.
I was trying to think what they could add to a NX-5K replacement that would make it "better".
WiFi/LTE?
More memory so you could have all 3 digital modes active at the same time instead of just 2?
Better software?
I mean, the product line does a lot as is. Maybe a refresh to more modern components?
I've been buying NX-5K's and don't really plan to stop. They've been solid radios and I have no concerns with them. Even if they do EOL them in the next couple of years, they'll still be supported for quite a while.
I'm involved with a rather large project and Kenwood bid the NX-5000 line for some of the applications, so they don't seem to be too concerned.
I was trying to think what they could add to a NX-5K replacement that would make it "better".
WiFi/LTE?
More memory so you could have all 3 digital modes active at the same time instead of just 2?
Better software?
I mean, the product line does a lot as is. Maybe a refresh to more modern components?
I've been buying NX-5K's and don't really plan to stop. They've been solid radios and I have no concerns with them. Even if they do EOL them in the next couple of years, they'll still be supported for quite a while.
I'm involved with a rather large project and Kenwood bid the NX-5000 line for some of the applications, so they don't seem to be too concerned.
kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
I'd seriously consider the VP8000. Just the software experience alone is worth it. One radio, all three bands, and both modes you will need. The ONLY issue is if the DMR is trunked. AFIK the VP8000 is ONLY Tier 2 at this point(Conventional DMR) and if it does get Tier 3 Trunking, it will not be compatible with Capacity Max enhanced or what ever Motorola calls it to make it vendor locked.
The NX5K is a very solid line, and will be supported even when the gen2 version comes out and I think you won't see gen2 until 27ish. D1N is probably the biggest drawback to the line.
A top screen would be nice, Wifi (especially for OTIP like the VP/M8000) and LTE would be great but those options would only be something that would be proprietary to a Kenwood system (I would guess), multi-band in the same footprint would be great, CPS modeled after Armada.
A top screen would be nice, Wifi (especially for OTIP like the VP/M8000) and LTE would be great but those options would only be something that would be proprietary to a Kenwood system (I would guess), multi-band in the same footprint would be great, CPS modeled after Armada.
EFJ supports Tier 3, it's been out for a few months, EFJ confirmed that it works on Leonardo T3 and Tait T3 with more features being supported for DMR in every release of FW. They won't work on moto proprietary protocol, but what will?
The Viking 8000 series would make the most sense considering you need multi-band and multi-protocol, this platform is proven on the P25 side, and as the product matures the other protocols will be more refined.
Don't forget that you can purchase the radio configured with specific bands that fit your needs, and if you opt to leave a band out it can be added later on, same for protocols. Very scalable.
Interesting replies and I appreciate the views. The fun part in all this is that all our radios are take home and function as our pagers as well. So for a 37 member department, that's 37 radios..... Funding is always a ***** isn't it lol.
I've often thought about a 3 tier system for those who consistently go on calls out of territory, those who are in territory only but are interior, and the older folks who are still very much appreciated for traffic and driving, but aren't doing anything fancy inside. The tiers would be VP8000, NX-5000, Hytera (what we have already). It seems it is going to be a hard sell to the older members of leadership, but I know every young member who's done anything interior just hates the Hyteras and can definitely get behind anything better.
Half of the problem is (thankfully) we don't really get sue happy people here, so we don't have the same mentality as the US. If it squaks and makes noise, that's good enough it seems. The classic argument of "We only get 3 house fires a year, we don't need anything fancy" drives me nuts lol.
Thanks all for the feedback
Who knows, the NXDN feature will probably be handy when some department beside us inevitably breaks compatibility by going that route.
I've often thought about a 3 tier system for those who consistently go on calls out of territory, those who are in territory only but are interior, and the older folks who are still very much appreciated for traffic and driving, but aren't doing anything fancy inside. The tiers would be VP8000, NX-5000, Hytera (what we have already). It seems it is going to be a hard sell to the older members of leadership, but I know every young member who's done anything interior just hates the Hyteras and can definitely get behind anything better.
Half of the problem is (thankfully) we don't really get sue happy people here, so we don't have the same mentality as the US. If it squaks and makes noise, that's good enough it seems. The classic argument of "We only get 3 house fires a year, we don't need anything fancy" drives me nuts lol.
Thanks all for the feedback
Who knows, the NXDN feature will probably be handy when some department beside us inevitably breaks compatibility by going that route.
kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
It sure is. Honestly, it's the stupidest thing too. A well funded and equipped fire department should never be a question. We(Canada as well) fund police and pay them decently, we fund ems and pay them decently. Yet Fire(and SAR to be honest) are like the red-headed step children of first responders. They scrape and fundraise to be able to provide an essential public service.
PLEASE don't do that. Maybe not equip ever fire fighter with a VP8000.
But don't put your self in the position of having to support 3 different radios, 3 different batteries, 3 different chargers, 3 different speaker mics, 3 different manufacturers, 3 different tempates and 3 different software packages.
That is not any fun, and it's just going to cost you in the long run.
Maybe get VM8000 mobiles for all your apparatus, featured for DMR and P25 phase 2. That way you can communicate with your mutual aid partners and not rely on your dispatch to relay while enroute. Then and stick to VHF only portable radios. Not sure if the other Viking radios are getting DMR and NXDN as well. Then you can stick to similar chargers, batteries and audio accessories and only need.
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Batteries, speaker mics, and chargers are the same between the VP and NX.
Not to hijack this thread any further, made a new post: http://forums.radioreference.com/threads/fire-department-radio-selection.485980/
Thanks all
Thanks all
