PCR/R-1500: Is 1Hz vs 10Hz tuning step a big deal?

[smokeyjones666]

I'm trying to decide between the PCR-1500 and the R-1500, but I notice in the specs that the PCR-1500 has a (minimum) tuning step of 1Hz while the R-1500 has a (minimum) step of 10Hz.

The potential versatility of having the remote head as an option appeals to me, however I am unsure of the usefulness of having 1Hz available as a tuning step (on what I'm assuming to be certain specific bands). I'd like to see what some of you think about the pros and cons of each and whether or not any of you think the difference in minimum tuning steps would be a dealbreaker for either model.

(As a side question, does anybody use this to monitor the air bands and if so, have you ever tried it versus an old Realistic Pro-2006?)

 

[Turbo68]

Gday Ryan i got the Icom-PCR1500/R2500 and both radios are excellent on vhf/uhf mainley monitor the airbands & they are as good as my Aor/Realistic/Uniden/Yaesu with an Icom-AH7000 discone and as for the remote head its a waste of money unless u are going to use it in a car.

Regards Lino.

 

[DickH]

... I am unsure of the usefulness of having 1Hz available as a tuning step

If it tunes the shortwave bands and you copy CW, 1Hz is a necessity.

 

[smokeyjones666]

It must be either a typo or incomplete information in the listing on the Icom America web site, because I received this response when I emailed Icom technical support:

An IC-R1500 is nothing more than a PCR-1500 with a remote controller which provides for stand alone operation. True the controller limits some features, but when extra power is needed just operate the IC-R1500 as an IC-PCR1500 connected to a computer now it has all the specs and features of an IC-PCR1500 because it is...the IC-R1500 best of both worlds and flexibility.

After taking a look at the PDF manual (which I should have done in the first place), I notice it lists 1Hz as a tuning step. So now the only question I have in my mind is do I want to spend the extra $100 just to have a remote head that will be rarely used? I could see myself out in the boondocks once or twice with a 12 volt battery and a wire strung between the trees just to see what was available without city interference, but the more I imagine it the more the novelty of it just seems ridiculous.

I think I just talked myself out of the remote head.

In my email I also asked about the stories that have been circulating regarding the discontinuation of these products (I had asked about the PCR-1500 and R-1500 specifically), this was the response:

They are being discontinued by ICOM America not ICOM due to recent changes in government regulations, better not wait to long to make your purchase.

Edit: I see the PCR-1500 now going for $449.99 plus a $20 mail-in rebate. So, now it's $170 more for the version with the remote head? I don't think so!