VXD-720 being disco'd?

[FastusBirdus]

So I'm hearing from my sources that the VXD-720 (re-branded Mototrbo XPR) portables are being discontinued.

These have only been on the market for about 18 months, so I'm kind of surprised. Then again, V-S rolled out the eVerge series not long after these were introduced, which created a bit of a redundancy in their product offerings. I knew something had to give.

I'm anticipating the VXD series becoming the red-headed step child of Vertex Standard's product line.

Anybody got any insight on this situation?

Going to rant a little bit now....

I run a mixed fleet of VXD-720s and Mototrbo XPR-6350s (and some VXD-7200 mobiles). All in digital mode. Running XPR 8400 repeaters.

Seeing the discontinuation of the VXDs is a bit frustrating. I had been phasing in the XPRs as we moved toward digital. The majority of the fleet are the VXDs which we purchased in 2012 to complete our migration to digital. We (meaning MY MEDDLING PURCHASING DEPARTMENT) chose the VXDs because the price was so attractive vs the trbos, but that also limited the technology (no Capacity Plus or Site Connect on the VXD's). I don't have a whole lot of love for Motorola either, but that's a subject best saved for another rant.

I'm going to be expanding the fleet next year, so now I've got to make another choice for TDMA compatible radios.

 

[WISCOMM]

They have been discussing discontinuing the VXD-720 series since the release of the eVerge line. The VXD-720 was only a place holder while they were delaying the release of the eVerge.

I would expect some guidance during the Q1 annual Vertex Standard meeting.

Craig

 

[WISCOMM]

Spoke too soon, just got the following from my distributor:

Effective immediately, the VXD DMR Digital Series products will no longer be available. We are out of stock on all VXD radios and repeaters and we're unable to order any additional inventory from Vertex Standard.

Models Affected:

VXD-720 SERIES (portables)

VXD-7200 SERIES (mobiles)

VXD R70 (repeaters)

The replacements for these models will be the applicable EVX Series DMR Digital products which we currently inventory.

Per the Vertex Standard service policy, the VXD Series will be supported from a service perspective for 5 years.

 

[FastusBirdus]

So much for standardizing my fleet with the VXD 720...

Guess I'm going back to buying XPRs.

 

[VSTech]

The only difference between the VXD-R70 & the EVX-R70 is the firmware. You can take any of the VXD-R70 and pay the $350 to have it converted to the EVX-R70.

I'm pretty glad the VXD-720 is no longer available, prob replaced 20 or more volume & channel switches weekly. The eVerge CE software is much easier to use and with a FIF-12, you can use the same cables with your analog vertex radios.

 

[FastusBirdus]

I've definitely sent more than a few VXD720s back for new volume switches. Have the same problem on my XPR6530s. I've only had our VXDs in service for about 11 months, and probably sent 15% in for repairs of some sort. Not real impressed with their durability. We're going to get our money's worth from the warranty.

Regarding the repeaters, I've got to wonder how long they'll stick with those. They too are based on the Mototrbo platform.

I'm no fan of Clone Editor 2.0, or the Mototrbo CPS. Both are really cumbersome, especially when it comes to managing contacts. Biggest peeve with them is the inability to import and export contact lists, for editing in excel.

 

[VSTech]

The best way to keep the volume & channel switches from breaking is to make sure the knobs are pushed down tightly.

Poor communication with cable is caused by poor connection, clean the side post with denatured alcohol

 

[62Truck]

Just a few weeks ago when I was on the Phone with VS the Tech I spoke stated they where going to discontinue the VXD series but they didn't have a date yet.

Personally I'm happy with my 720 I don't abuse it. If I had to choose I'd pick CE 2.5 over the CE for the EVX series, that is just me though, I might just have to paly around with the EVX CE a little more.

 

[FastusBirdus]

My 720 sits on my desk 99% of the time, and the volume control is acting a little wonky (drifts). Definitely has not been abused.

Prior to the 720s, we primarily used non-display Motorola HT-750s. Couldn't kill those things. Guys would use them as hammers and they wouldn't quit working. I couldn't believe how rough some of them looked, yet still functioned, when I traded them out.

When we implemented the VXD 720s, coming from the non-display, non-keypad radios, my biggest fear was the the keypads and displays would fail. I haven't seen any issues there. That said, we don't utilize the text capabilities, so the keypads don't see much action.

Next biggest issue we have is the screws breaking on the mic cable. Over-torquing isn't the issue either. Just bump the screw head and they snap off. There is no extracting those tiny screws. Have to send them in to have the case replaced. Once these things are out of warranty, I'm going to have to find a better solution, either in a better screw, or a economical repair.

Contact management just sucks in CE 2.5. Other than Mototrbo CPS (on which CE is based), I've got nothing to which to compare. CE 2.5 is my first experience in programming. I'm still learning, but there are no work-arounds to make contact editing easier.

On a somewhat related note to the discontinuation of the VXD 720, I'm also hearing the Motortrbo XPR 6100 is being disco'd in the near future do to product overlap with the XPR 3000 series. I'm not currently using any of these 6100s, but they were a potential alternative to the 720 since they share batteries and offer the basic functions I need in my fleet.

 

[62Truck]

My 720 had been holding up pretty good.

Internally they aren't built any different then a xpr6500/6550.

My 720 goes every where I go haven't had any issues with the volume.

My friend bought a 720 the same time I did his had to go back to vertex because the display failed but after the replaced it he hasn't had any issues either.


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