R8600 2 week review R-8600

[batdude]

BLUF: if you can afford it, this is an amazing radio.

1. This radio is awesome. The sensitivity and selectivity are amazing.

> having visited a TRACON / FAA Center in the past, the audio on the AM airband is of EQUAL / BETTER quality than what the controllers receive on their headsets.

2. The UI is fairly intuitive, but some features need significant improvement:

> CTCSS / DCS decoding should be INSTANTANEOUS, not a "code search" from 1995 - and should be a "pop up" just like NXDN/P25 decoding

> the "data bursts" on federal VHF/UHF systems do not decode the NAC on the 8600, but my PSR-600 decodes just fine ... see this thread: federal data bursts

> the lack of DMR is a real Achilles heel for me... but that's why we have the Airspy and DSD+... LOL

overall, coming from a long time R7100/8500 user... the radio is amazing. the display, the performance, etc. make it a worthwhile radio for those that can afford it. that said - the price point is way too high IMHO, this thing would sell like hotcakes if it was priced in the 1200-1300 range... but (understandably) the volume of sales probably isn't there to justify that kind of price point.

 

[TailGator911]

Agreed with everything said here, amazing radio. DMR would be nice, but obviously not a deal breaker for me. Paired with the WLVP loop and a PAR end-fed dipole, I am more than satisfied with this receiver. Having more fun DXing than ever before. The Icom R8600 has opened new doors for me in the radio hobby. If you can afford it, buy one and treat yourself. Sure am glad I did.

JD
kf4anc

 

[wb4sqi]

I agree with your price point statement. While it may be a nice radio I also think the price point is too high. If it were in the $1300 range sales would be much higher and if it had DMR sales across the globe would be tremendous.

I am very surprised that CTCSS decoding is slow, with the technology available today that should be instantaneous.

I had been considering selling my R8500, DV1 and AR8600 MK2B to purchase an 8600 but now I'm not so sure.

 

[prcguy]

If the R8600 were an HF only receiver then yes a $1200-$1300 price point might be appropriate. But the R8600 continues on up to 3GHz with the same high performance and features as it does on HF. There is nothing I know of on the market that can even come close to the performance and frequency range except for some Govt contract receivers that cost a bloody fortune.

the display, the performance, etc. make it a worthwhile radio for those that can afford it. that said - the price point is way too high IMHO, this thing would sell like hotcakes if it was priced in the 1200-1300 range... but (understandably) the volume of sales probably isn't there to justify that kind of price point.