CP100 or VX261

[tiggen]

All, I am looking at purchasing a radio, either a CP100 or a VX261. I have been quoted a lower price for the VX. My question is, would the VX work as well for the following needs.

Radio will be in padded aluminum box attached to a go kart chassis or seat. It will be exposed to the elements. We race in the rain. Our races are 6-24 hours. The tracks we run are no more than 2/3 mile across.

The ONLY thing I need this radio to do is transmit and receive on a few different freqs. Don't need any of the amazing bells and whistles that are offered on these radios for their more traditional business uses. I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly?) that the CP100 is more expensive bc it has more features. Is that the case? And will the VX be as rugged as the 100?

I have my salesman's opinion. I am looking for a second opinion. Thank you!

 

[K2NEC]

I'm surprised you were quoted a lower price for the VX. The CP100 is an old radio I don't think they even make them anymore. You are probably better off with a VX261 anyway considering the age of the CP100.

 

[alcahuete]

He is likely referring to the CP100d, which is brand new.

The CP100d is more expensive because it's brand new, and is also digital capable (with a software upgrade).

I have seen the VX261 for around $170, while the CP100d is around $250. The features are pretty comparable, aside from the CP100d being digital capable, as I mentioned. If all you want is analog on a few frequencies, the VX will be fine.

 

[K2NEC]

He is likely referring to the CP100d, which is brand new.

The CP100d is more expensive because it's brand new, and is also digital capable (with a software upgrade).

I have seen the VX261 for around $170, while the CP100d is around $250. The features are pretty comparable, aside from the CP100d being digital capable, as I mentioned. If all you want is analog on a few frequencies, the VX will be fine.

Ah that makes more sense

 

[tiggen]

Wow, I was quoted Cp100d (analog only) @ $350 each.

Edit: and yes, I was referring to CP100D. But I have no real use for digital in this scenario.

 

[alcahuete]

Wow, I was quoted Cp100d (analog only) @ $350 each.

Well...if it includes programming, that might not be too terrible, as they are likely charging you an hour of bench time for that. But if that doesn't include programming, you need to look elsewhere, quite frankly, because that price is absurd.

 

[tiggen]

Programming was not broken out into a line item on the quote, but we did discuss that fact that I already had specific freqs in mind. I will certainly ask!

 

[tiggen]

Btw, what does an hour of programming cost? Do you typically have to buy the radio from the guy who does the programming? Or could I buy radios off eBay (or somewhere else) cheaper and have the local Motorola rep program them for me? This is my first Motorola experience.

 

[K2NEC]

Or could I buy radios off eBay (or somewhere else) cheaper and have the local Motorola rep program them for me? This is my first Motorola experience.

You could do this but keep in mind you won't find any CP100d's on ebay. VX261 are anywhere from $100 to $200 brand new or in like new condition.

 

[alcahuete]

Btw, what does an hour of programming cost?

Depends. A small shop will likely break it down as bench time (even though that's not really what it is), and you can count on that being anywhere from $85-$100/hr.

Do you typically have to buy the radio from the guy who does the programming? Or could I buy radios off eBay (or somewhere else) cheaper and have the local Motorola rep program them for me?

Nope, anyone can do the programming for you. They're happy to have any kind of work usually. So if you buy 2 radios elsewhere, you're likely looking at an hour worth of work to program them both with a radio shop. Some dealers (even folks on eBay) will include programming with the purchase. Some will not.

 

[alcahuete]

And as @K2NEC mentioned, you will not find CP100d on eBay. They are a brand new radio line, just introduced in the last few weeks. So no price break there.

 

[tiggen]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your time answering my questions. I have found the radios cheaper than quoted at buytwowayraios.com. Will call my guy next week to ask about VX261 and verify that programming is included. Might go the CP100D route if he can at least match the pricing.

 

[Floridarailfanning]

They are a brand new radio line, just introduced in the last few weeks. So no price break there.

This is the first I've seen on the CP100d. . . had no idea it even existed!

I was actually quite interested, but of course, the 160 CH display model doesn't appear to come with the channel selector for some reason.

 

[K2NEC]

This is the first I've seen on the CP100d. . . had no idea it even existed!

I too just found out about it like 2 weeks ago. It's a mix between the CP185 and CP200d. As if the CP200d wasn't basic enough lol.

 

[Floridarailfanning]

As if the CP200d wasn't basic enough.

Yea, I'm not really sure what the intended use for this thing would be. IMHO /\/\ needs to stop dissolving the TRBO brand with cheap, low-end radios and actually create a better product for higher-tier users. (Obviously non-mission critical.)

 

[speedy4418]

I cannot recommend the VX-261 enough to anyone who needs a very basic radio. They are bullet proof. I have stood in the pouring down rain for hours at a time with one, and the radio performed flawlessly. The only problem I have had was the hand mic will get some water in the mic, and the transmit audio will sound real distorted. Just needs a good smack in the palm while holding a paper towel and then goes right back to normal. They are cheap, easy to program, and will last a long time.

 

[Kitn1mcc]

go with the VX-261 . the CP200D in analog can be picked up cheap on the bay

 

[ergbert]

Another vote for the VX-261, especially in the durability category. Mine was a go-to all weather radio that saw a lot of hours clipped to a lapel on my raincoat. Never missed a beat.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I also vote for the VX-261. Great, solid radios. Miles ahead of the CP-100d. I use to use a VX-231, which is the VX-261’s older brother. It survived everything I threw at it.

 

[Kitn1mcc]

Those little vertex are great radios. they made Motorola so scared they had to buy the company