Kenwood OEM carrying cases

[lucasec]

Are the OEM carrying cases for the NX5000/NX3000 line any good (I was primarily looking at the nylon one, not the heavy-duty leather)? Curious if/when people prefer the case vs. the standard belt clip for carrying on the waist.

I'm trying to figure out the best carry setup for using the radios while skiing (when wintertime rolls around). Everyone is using in-helmet wired headset kits or speaker mics, so no one should be fumbling with the radio controls too much. The main situations I'm trying to avoid are losing a radio (clip gets knocked off the belt when sitting down on a chairlift), and maybe the radio taking too bad of a beating if someone goes down in a fall.

 

[kd4efm]

I have one due in from Kenwood Monday sept 8th, I will send you a photo before it heads to customer.

 

[mmckenna]

I've got a lot of the Kenwood's in use at work (about 350 NX-410's/NX-210's and maybe another 50 NX-3400's and 3300's).
Never had any issues with the belt clips. I've been carrying my NX-410 and NX-3400 that way since about 2011 and never had the radio come off my belt, and that included getting in and out of trucks, a few tower climbs, etc.

I doubt you'd have any issues with the stock belt clip.

Most of my users are using the clips and that includes a lot of maintenance guys. While the radios get scratched up, never had any issues with them. I don't think hitting some snow is going to be an issue.

Our PD used the leather cases and were happy with them. They do a good job of protecting the radio from dings and scratches,and make some more sense for that application when they are carrying so many other things. I tried one for a while, but I found the extra bulk to be a problem.

Never tried the nylon cases, would be interested to hear Evan's feedback on them.

 

[Wicho]

I’m not familiar with the cases you mention but would go with a chest pack (under or over a parka) for skiing. I’ve been using the Motorola and Holster Guy ones with NX-3300, NX-1300, DTR700 and (gasp!) Retevis RB17V skiing for a few years and really like them.

 

[n7maq-1]

Bee Case has some good options.

Bee Case

 

[tweiss3]

For skiing have my radio in a chestrig under my coat. Keeps it up out of the way and protected from most falls.

 

[Wicho]

Motorola chest pack with an NX-1300 and RB17. The pouch is great for keeping a cell phone or wallet accessible. Retention strap on cell phone is so it doesn’t fall off the chair if dropped.

Switched to stubby antennas on the NX-1300 and 3300's for skiing to avoid the antenna bend. Wife wears the chest rig under her parka. We don't normally bother with speaker mics since you can hear and speak fine without them.

 

[lucasec]

I’m not familiar with the cases you mention but would go with a chest pack (under or over a parka) for skiing. I’ve been using the Motorola and Holster Guy ones with NX-3300, NX-1300, DTR700 and (gasp!) Retevis RB17V skiing for a few years and really like them.

Do you have a preference between the Motorola and Holster Guy chest packs? Looking at your photos the Motorola seems to have wider straps, IMO looks a bit more comfortable.

I was also looking at the 3-strap Holster Guy models potentially for a more minimalist option.

For skiing have my radio in a chestrig under my coat. Keeps it up out of the way and protected from most falls.

I guess you don't notice much attenuation from it being zipped up inside the coat? Of course this would only matter when my group is split up and on opposite sides of the mountain.

 

[DeoVindice]

The three-strap Holster Guy chest pack is nice and stays out of the way while working. I used one for the last year with an XPR7550e in field service work at a copper mine. Now it periodically gets used with a VP5230 when toplanding or running surface equipment. I usually don't use the antenna retainer strap.

 

[Wicho]

Do you have a preference between the Motorola and Holster Guy chest packs? Looking at your photos the Motorola seems to have wider straps, IMO looks a bit more comfortable.

I was also looking at the 3-strap Holster Guy models potentially for a more minimalist option.


I guess you don't notice much attenuation from it being zipped up inside the coat? Of course this would only matter when my group is split up and on opposite sides of the mountain.

For skiing I prefer the Motorola one, primarily because of the pouch. The Holster Guy one is easier to get on and off though. One thing to consider is the Motorola places the radio on your right side, the Holster Guy one on your left. You could also just use the belt clip on the Holster Guy one by removing the radio retention straps. Not sure I'd completely trust the radio to not fall out using just the belt clip though.

Really, I think it comes down to personal preference - something a bit bulkier (Motorola) with the extra pouch or as you said, more minimalist. And the side you want the radio on.

 

[kd4efm]

Here is the Kenwood nylon case

 

[lucasec]

I got in both the Motorola chest pack and the Holsterguy RCH-101U. I'm not sure the side matters a ton when using the headset kits, but good point if being able to easily operate the PTT is paramount.

For wearing outside the jacket, the Holsterguy is definitely more convenient to take on and off. Also a little easier to unzip the jacket if you get too warm in the middle of the day.

One caution... when you fasten the metal button on the Holsterguy, this presses straight into the radio (the back side is not covered by fabric). This put a few nice gouges into my pretty much new NX-5300's display. Oh well, I assume that won't be the last time that plastic screen takes a scratch in its lifetime. I stuck the fuzzy side of one of those industrial-strength adhesive velcro strips over the back of the button to prevent it from happening again.

 

[wncrescue]

Here is the Kenwood nylon case

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any chance kenwood makes one for the vp8000?