Secure ways to carry APX 4000

[Radio147]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. If this question came up before, please kindly point me towards the thread, as I don't think I was able to find it.

My agency is going to renew its radio infrastructure. As part of that move, we will be moving to the APX 4000 portables. We have been using the 2.5" belt clip to secure our last generation of Motorola portable radios (a mixture of XPR 7550 and models going back from there). We have seen quite a few breakages as a result, since the belt clip is not a secure way of carrying a radio. The main user group is Public Works department (so Water, Sewer, Road Maintenance, etc).

From your experience, what are some ways to carry an APX 4000 in a more secure fashion for non-Public Safety type of scenarios like Public Works?

 

[Tank67]

You could get radio straps with the radio pouch or get the carry holster/pouch. I believe most of the Motorola pouches come with the D-rings that allow you to attach it to the pouch if you went the radio strap route.

 

[N4KVE]

A back pocket. Haven’t lost one yet.

 

[K2NEC]

I'm a big fan of leather holsters. Very secure and can still remove the radio quickly and effectively to talk.
2 Knob APX4000 holster is PMLN7182
Alternatively you could try a D-Swivel which is similar to the leather holster in the way you mount the radio however it takes out the holster part and just clips onto the radio battery in place of the belt clip like so:

 

[daine1619]

2 Knob APX4000 holster is PMLN7182

I use this exact product on an occasion and will say it’s a good product that protects pretty good

I use a ZERO9 hard plastic holster in an everyday manner but definitely not the best for on and off belts often.

 

[N1GTL]

The belt clip on the 4000 is pretty decent. The 7550 is not as solid so you may find that the belt clips work. Try one out first.

 

[Radio147]

Thanks a lot everyone for your input.

Curious if anyone uses things like chest pack or other type of harness?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Nobody seems to like chest packs. Every single time I've seen them issued out, everybody switches to ANYTHING ELSE as quickly as they can. If you want to try a chest pack, order ONE so as not to waste too much money.

 

[Radio147]

I tend to agree with you regarding chest pack, though one user specifically ask for it, so want to get a feel on how others think about it.

 

[RodStrong]

We've used Porta Clips for decades. Have bought hundreds of them. Never broke one yet.

APX4000 with battery PMNN4424AR (Motorola)

motorola apx4000 with battery PMNN4424AR

porta-clip.com

Main Site: Porta Clip - Law Enforcement Supply

Good luck.

 

[PACNWDude]

I have many users with the HLN6602A chest pack, and find them spread out in lockers, hidden in desk drawers, and not being used often as well.

What works for me, I carry a Motorola APX4000 4-5 days a week, is to put it in a cargo pocket of my pants. I remove the belt clip, as it does not work well, being short and feeling loose on the battery. I also use the longer antenna, for better signal. Many end users that wear their APX4000 on a belt, via that belt clip complain about the antennas jabbing them in the fat/ribs, so they also seem to want the stubby antenna, which does not always work in concrete/steel structures as well.

Many users also wear work vests with dedicated pockets for a radio as well, which also works if you have to wear a vest anyway.

 

[Radio147]

Thank you for everyone's input.

 

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

If you have work vests with a pen pocket and the belt clip is slim enough to fit in it I have found decent success with clipping it to my vest and it also sort of acts like a shoulder mic. Otherwise, I would definitely try a swivel leather holster. Use it for my Saber and I love it, it just works, no ifs ands or buts about it. Of course, if it's brand new, it'll probably be a bit tight but with use they break in and become really easy to slide in and out.