Digital MCS 2000?

[KAA951]

When my agency went to 800 Mhz I was happy to retire the old low band for a Spectra radio. Then, we upgraded to MCS 2000 radios with their outstanding two line alphanumeric displays- a great improvement over the small display on the Spectra. The control head on the MCS series was also easier to work through.

Now, as we are updating to an APCO-25 system they remove my MCS 2000 and what do I get- a "brand new" digital Spectra! Same poor display- same old clunky hand mic (kind of got used to the "new" style Motorola mic in my hand!), same small control head buttons. Did Motorola just have a surplus of Spectra cases lying around a warehouse somewhere they wanted to get rid of?

To get to my question- Does anyone know if Motorola has plans for an APCO-25 MCS 2000 or something with a better alphanumeric display? With 500+ modes on the Spectra we are using (statewide system) the Spectra isn't very user friendly!

Thanks!

 

[grem467]

hard to say, their top of the line astro mobile is the XTL5000, rumor is that there are new LCD type control heads in the works for them, and perhaps the astro spectra as well.

 

[joescanner]

I have heard that the reason is because of agencies that had fleets of Spectra equipment (remote mounted?) not wanting to have to spend "so much" on new heads. Apparently the cable harness is the same as for the spectras.....

 

[WayneH]

At the time they wanted something analog trunking capable the MCS2000 was what was being marketed. Now, due to their poor planning, they need digital, which there are a few mobile models for, and go for the base model in the digital line....the ASTRO Spectra.

The Spectra remote cables are the same (the only thing) but no installer in their right mind would not install a cable that came with the radio, even if they were the same. When you do an install you should replace everything from power to antenna coax as it will minimize problems in the long run. You never know who did the mobile install before.

-Wayne

 

[PJH]

The XTL's will be able to use the next generation control heads when the are released next year. There will be 2 styles of heads...a W7 and W9 style which look like ham radio heads. They are LCD dot matrix.

The MCS2000 will also be able to use similar looking heads when released.

The Astro Spectra and XTL5000 standard heads are interchangable, but you will not be able to use the new style heads with the Astro Spectra/Spectra+

In real world operations, you really don't need all the fancy stuff showing on the head. Nice to have, but operationally not needed. The new displays are to accomidate the ASTRO IP services being tested right now (text messaging, etc).

The XTL series is going to be the only line right now to support digital trunking options. The MCS2000 line will still be the high tier analog trunking radio (to be replaced within the next year or two).