Why the XPR 7550?

[LukeB]

Looking to purchase a new Trbo radio and there are a few options. The 7550 carries a hefty price tag compared to other radios in the line. Why spend the extra money on a 7550 vs a 6550 or a 3500?

I get the full leypad & display but what makes the radio worth the cost? I'm looking to be sold on the 7550 and additional feedback supporting it.

 

[kg9nn]

At one point in time, the XPR 7550 supported over-the-air programming whereas the XPR 6500 did not.

 

[KG4INW]

At one point in time, the XPR 7550 supported over-the-air programming whereas the XPR 6500 did not.

Still true. You also get a full color display, a continuous rotary knob and many other things I'm sure I'm forgetting!

 

[LukeB]

Something I haven't been able to verify, is the 7550 FPP capable? Ive read the features but other then display, full keypad and the contiuous rotary knob, I am not sure what makes the radio so much more expensive? We all have our deal breaker fearure requirements but I was hoping for more justification in spending the extra money.perhaps something I missed or overlooked.

 

[mikewazowski]

If it's like the other radios offering DMR, it's a pretty limited FPP.

The Euro versions apparently offer a true FPP which let's you edit everything.

 

[MTS2000des]

Built in Bluetooth is a big plus, allows not just audio but CPS read/write over Bluetooth (still need to use cable for firmware updating), color display, continuous rotary- the audio is also quite a bit better than the 6550 IMO.

On the downside,the fancy display sucks the battery down!

 

[Res21cue]

Can you scan more then 16 channels at a time or has Motorola stuck to this ridiculous limit?

 

[MTS2000des]

Can you scan more then 16 channels at a time or has Motorola stuck to this ridiculous limit?

Nope, still 16 scan list members.

I would not say the 16 member list is "ridiculous".

From a public safety/business user standpoint, one can not effectively scan more than that, without missing SOMETHING. These radios are designed for business and industrial users who may need to scan a few channels/talkgroups, not radio hobbyists.

I have a Kenwood NX700, and it allows mutli-group scan. Even with the hang time set to 0, it will still miss things because of the vast number of channels in the radio being scanned.

 

[N4KVE]

Should you want to use the 7550 with an external antenna, you can't, as the connector is NOT SMA like the 6550. To some, this is a big letdown. Since the 7550 is still pretty new, firmware upgrades [fixes] are still coming, while the 6550 is pretty well refined. For me, even though I have a mobile radio, the different antenna connector was the game changer.

 

[LukeB]

Thanks for the input guys. I didn't think about an issue with battery life being the radio has a full display. Is is considerably worse?

The antenna connection is not a big deal for me although I have read about the connections being different then previous radios. I am still baffled by this unless it's a ploy along the lines of the cellular carriers to change the adapter connections on cell phones to get you to pay for the overpriced accessories required to charge them. I will be using the radio from a purely handheld perspective.

Audio quality is of decent concern and I do like the continuous rotary dial. I am not using it for public safety so it's not required for me to have a "stop." I do see how this would be a problem in the public safety sector. I would love to see Moto offer increased scan options but completely understand their thoughts with limiting at 16. MTS2000 touches on this point nicely.

The Bluetooth feature is nice, convenient. Has the trend showed any signs of following what Euro versions allow with FPP? Is something that one can look forward to in future firmware upgrades for the 7550?

Overall, it's still a fair price to pay in comparison to some of the other radios. I am still unsure but thank you all for your input. I did find it helpful.

 

[otobmark]

Coverage

XPR7550 in UHF covers the whole band in one radio (approx 400-500mhz). I use the bluetooth with my phone earpiece and it works fine--I have to press the on radio PTT, not sure if I could do vox. You have the ability to do TDMA in simplex (2 virtual channels on 1 freq). You have a really large eprom for channels, voice prompts etc. The antenna is threaded stud with no convenient ground for adapter. They also left out the antenna contacts for the side connector (no speaker mic with antenna on it). You need a special cable to connect the radio to a service monitor (pain). You can make much larger zones even though the 16ch scan is still in place.

 

[Mars_P25]

I have both the 6550 and 7550. Both radios are great, but are limited by the same firmware/codeplug restrictions. (One RID per radio, one encryption mode (basic or enhanced) per radio and some other stuff I can't remember.

The UHF 7550 covers 403-512 MHz. This is UHF-L and UHF-H. You would need two 6550s to cover that. I modified my 7550 for 380-520 and it works throughout; it has very wide capabilities.

The 7550 DOES have better audio than the 6550 -- on both RX and TX. That's a fact. Is it worth paying extra for? Depends on your budget, RF connector and bandsplit needs.

Both have internal GPS. As others have mentioned, the 6550 does not have bluetooth; the 7550 does.

I love the 6550 for the FPP GOB option. The 7550 doesn't have a realistic FPP option (yet). There's a company in Italy which makes a "TRBOLABS" board, but it's a total piece of crap. I tried it. No FPP; just a volatile VFO which barely works. (Power-cycle radio, and VFO resets...very useless).

For ham use, I recommend the 6550. It's about 1/2 the price (used) with accessories, can have FPP, has a usable RF connector and it's a mature (firmware) product.