Viking VM8000

[Project25_MASTR]

I can tell you I've had to have as many as four or five different files for a dept that were for identical radios, because of some unknown difference in them. They look identical, but would not take the same programming file. These were CDM's and HT1250's. I hate those radios...

I've got right around 2300 APX subscribers under my management right now. I have well over 150 different model/flash combinations.

 

[W3AXL]

The one thing EFJ does not have, and IMO needs to have before they can truly compete with Moto & Harris, is a radio-native SmartConnect/BeON competitor. The gimmicky LTE speaker mic from Tait isn't going to cut it for most users. The radios already have all the hardware there to compete with the APX and XL (minus LTE I suppose).

 

[DeoVindice]

Good point. I have a relatively new XL200M in my car that I bought brand new, I'm already starting to see the PTT boot coming off of the microphone, the user interface is laggy, it's just not very refined. Certainly not anything I'd put in service at work (it's not compatible anyway).

It'll probably get replaced with a VM8000 some day, when I can get a good price on one personally.

A friend of mine recently built a portable interop box for his county EMA; it contains three VM5730s, an XL200M, and an RSP-Z2 for patching. The agency probably would have waited for VM8000s to be available for the multiband portion but I'm told physical size of the deck was a deal-breaker.

Their 200M reportedly runs very fast with minimal lag. I haven't spoken with him in any great detail about code version or channel/system load so that data point is worth what you paid for it. So far as I know it's currently got a conventional-only mission plan which may be a factor.

 

[WB5UOM]

The one thing KENWOOD doesn't have.....even on the little efj website it says KENWOOD VIKING.
just sayin

 

[d119]

The one thing KENWOOD doesn't have.....even on the little efj website it says KENWOOD VIKING.
just sayin

What is that supposed to mean? Because it doesn't say EFJohnson on it? That's probably a good thing these days, we'd rather forget the 5100 series, et. al

A friend of mine recently built a portable interop box for his county EMA; it contains three VM5730s, an XL200M, and an RSP-Z2 for patching. The agency probably would have waited for VM8000s to be available for the multiband portion but I'm told physical size of the deck was a deal-breaker.

Their 200M reportedly runs very fast with minimal lag. I haven't spoken with him in any great detail about code version or channel/system load so that data point is worth what you paid for it. So far as I know it's currently got a conventional-only mission plan which may be a factor.

I'm running 100% conventional. Latest code. Not sure what the deal is, just the way it's always been. Maybe by Harris standards, it's not laggy.

The one thing EFJ does not have, and IMO needs to have before they can truly compete with Moto & Harris, is a radio-native SmartConnect/BeON competitor. The gimmicky LTE speaker mic from Tait isn't going to cut it for most users. The radios already have all the hardware there to compete with the APX and XL (minus LTE I suppose).

I've no use for LTE integration in my use case at work (and personally) and in my opinion it isn't what it's cracked up to be. If that's a deal-breaker, go 100% LTE and move on, that's how things are going to end up anyway.

 

[wd8chl]

What is that supposed to mean? Because it doesn't say EFJohnson on it? That's probably a good thing these days, we'd rather forget the 5100 series, et. al

I'm running 100% conventional. Latest code. Not sure what the deal is, just the way it's always been. Maybe by Harris standards, it's not laggy.


I've no use for LTE integration in my use case at work (and personally) and in my opinion it isn't what it's cracked up to be. If that's a deal-breaker, go 100% LTE and move on, that's how things are going to end up anyway.

And people are forgetting how flippin' expensive it is. $20/month per radio is far beyond what most departments can afford, besides the initial cost. Most dept's can't even afford to go P25 VHF conventional!

 

[MTS2000des]

And people are forgetting how flippin' expensive it is. $20/month per radio is far beyond what most departments can afford, besides the initial cost. Most dept's can't even afford to go P25 VHF conventional!

Value added services! Smart Programming, Find My Radio, are what many people are accustomed to. Everything is a subscription- it's becoming part of human DNA. OTA TV and radio are free but millions pay to watch spam ads and content.

LTE/broadband integration isn't a fad. I just rolled out 100 APX N70s to our school police. I'd much rather them use and rely on CEN based WiFi and LTE than wonky and interference generating BDAs that just cause more problems than solved. Ask me how I know.

 

[d119]

CEN based WiFi is one thing. That I can get on board with, because there is a degree of customer control to that.

I know I can program my VP8000 via WiFi and I love that - maybe someday that WiFi can be leveraged for backhaul. I don't know.

Did I mention that @MTS2000des is... Ah, of course I did.

 

[DeoVindice]

CEN based WiFi is one thing. That I can get on board with, because there is a degree of customer control to that.

I know I can program my VP8000 via WiFi and I love that - maybe someday that WiFi can be leveraged for backhaul. I don't know.

Did I mention that @MTS2000des is... Ah, of course I did.

For what it's worth, the VP8000 supports VPNs and allows TMS over Wi-Fi. I won't be surprised in the slightest if a future release integrates VoIP for in-building coverage.

 

[wsp44]

I've got right around 2300 APX subscribers under my management right now. I have well over 150 different model/flash combinations.

Sounds like a lot of fun

For what it's worth, the VP8000 supports VPNs and allows TMS over Wi-Fi. I won't be surprised in the slightest if a future release integrates VoIP for in-building coverage.

The VP8000 won't support LTE until the next hardware refresh which will be years from now.

As for the VM8000, does anybody actually know of any body who has demo units in the wild?

 

[d119]

Sounds like a lot of fun

The VP8000 won't support LTE until the next hardware refresh which will be years from now.

As for the VM8000, does anybody actually know of any body who has demo units in the wild?

They are out there, and it's an available product that can be ordered.

 

[wsp44]

They are out there, and it's an available product that can be ordered.

We are a dealer and the quoting tool says "The VM8000 Multi-band mobile is a roadmap item and not yet released. Configuration options and accessories shown are not yet final and may require adjustment before order acceptance"

I have yet to see one other than at roadshows and expos

 

[d119]

We are a dealer and the quoting tool says "The VM8000 Multi-band mobile is a roadmap item and not yet released. Configuration options and accessories shown are not yet final and may require adjustment before order acceptance"

I have yet to see one other than at roadshows and expos

I'm about to order four of them through the Kenwood MR for our area. They didn't indicate any concerns about it. One of them is slated to be paired with a VM7630.

 

[wsp44]

I'm about to order four of them through the Kenwood MR for our area. They didn't indicate any concerns about it. One of them is slated to be paired with a VM7630.

I believe if you order one you are placed in a queue, we haven't ordered any VM's yet, but we've quoted them to customers. I will be anxiously awaiting the dealer demos. I've talked to a handful or dealers in our area and none of them have a demo.

 

[d119]

Well, I got my personal VM8000 finally! Slated to be installed tomorrow, we'll see how goes. I'm very optimistic this will be a good replacement for the XL200m in there now.

 

[RodStrong]

Here's a couple pics of the one they had at IWCE last week:

 

[d119]

Here's a couple pics of the one they had at IWCE last week:

I was there! Put my hand on that exact radio.

 

[wsp44]

Well, I got my personal VM8000 finally! Slated to be installed tomorrow, we'll see how goes. I'm very optimistic this will be a good replacement for the XL200m in there now.

aside from being multi protocol, why swap from the XL?

 

[kayn1n32008]

aside from being multi protocol, why swap from the XL?

Armada. Kenwood is far easier to deal with

 

[n3obl]

Holy no dash mount in console. Think the tait may be a better option size wise.