BKR9000 Cost

[Project25_MASTR]

Right.
However, Japan, and the EFJ/K home office, have decided that LTE isn't necessary and these will only have WiFi for now. Doesn't matter the head configuration. Maybe some day they'll catch up.

Meantime, most of us do not need 'glove friendly' radios.

Fixed ^

I wonder what the ratio is for PD v FD portable quantities per jurisdiction. FD seems to be the marketing target, don't think I've ever seen a portable advertised as
"stays firmly on your hip during a foot pursuit or when a suspect high on drugs is pulling your firearm from your holster".

I think the gloved hand thing is largely blown out of proportion but IME 90% of LE tends to keep their radios on their duty belts or on their PC. 90% of fire also seem to keep their radios holstered in the strap. In many cases, a lot of what the users need "should" be available by navigating the channel knob selector, ABC(D) and secure/clear (which may not be configured for encryption related functions) switch. Add in some of the newer voice assisted functions and the radio may not need to come out of the hostler as long as the top display is easily read. Keep in mind though, through the process of an investigation many police officers now wear gloves. Either nitrile or tactical/mechanix if not both to keep abrasives and contaminants at bay.

It's us as the admins, detectives, cheifs, power users, COMU personnel, and otherwise "channel surfers" who are the loudest regarding the form factors.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I wonder what the ratio is for PD v FD portable quantities per jurisdiction. FD seems to be the marketing target, don't think I've ever seen a portable advertised as
"stays firmly on your hip during a foot pursuit or when a suspect high on drugs is pulling your firearm from your holster".

Not that my county system speaks for anyone or everyone else but we have 500+ "regular" 6000s in our city PD while only 200+ 6000XEs in our city FD.

 

[DeoVindice]

Early next year there is an 8000S being released. Thinner head design, single line top display. Designed for people that are not wearing structural fire gloves when they use their radios.

I'd like to see a VP6000/APX6000-style monochrome top LCD for better readability in direct sunlight; the color top display seems like a solution in search of a problem. So long as knob spacing is reasonable, we've found that knob size/shape is the primary consideration for gloved use. The bladed channel knobs are easily usable with everything from cut-resistant to leathers to Fuzzy Duck driller's gloves, but we don't use fire gloves. For a few bucks per radio they're a no-brainer.

I think the gloved hand thing is largely blown out of proportion but IME 90% of LE tends to keep their radios on their duty belts or on their PC. 90% of fire also seem to keep their radios holstered in the strap. In many cases, a lot of what the users need "should" be available by navigating the channel knob selector, ABC(D) and secure/clear (which may not be configured for encryption related functions) switch. Add in some of the newer voice assisted functions and the radio may not need to come out of the hostler as long as the top display is easily read. Keep in mind though, through the process of an investigation many police officers now wear gloves. Either nitrile or tactical/mechanix if not both to keep abrasives and contaminants at bay.

I might take my radio out of its pouch once or twice a shift to send a call alert or check elevation on GPS, otherwise all day-to-day functions are accomplished with control top or RSM controls as you suggest.

 

[speedway_navigator]

check elevation on GPS

How accurate is that compared to a phone? I use map my tracks app when I jog and ride my bike, even though my start and stop spot
are the same it always shows a delta of a few to maybe 40'.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

How accurate is that compared to a phone? I use map my tracks app when I jog and ride my bike, even though my start and stop spot
are the same it always shows a delta of a few to maybe 40'.

The issue is that some departments don't issue phones or don't approve personal phone uses for specific purposes. Not all COC's are in the, let's give them all possible means of communications as possible mentality.

 

[DeoVindice]

How accurate is that compared to a phone? I use map my tracks app when I jog and ride my bike, even though my start and stop spot
are the same it always shows a delta of a few to maybe 40'.

Much better in my experience. Most places we work don't have cell service at all which further reduces accuracy.

 

[speedway_navigator]

LE tends to keep their radios on their duty belts or on their PC

I've noticed radios being clipped on external body armor vests now that this seems to be in use more than underneath a uniform shirt.
An advantage is the antenna is higher and not radiating directly into the body.