Yaesu: Yaesu FTM 200DR VS FTM 300DR or even the FTM 400DR

[Tenty2]

Need to upgrade what I have. It is old and probably out of date. Anyway, work got in the way the last couple of years. Probably need to start over. Wanted to get a better Radio this time around one that I can learn with and not get frustrated. After looking I have decided that one of these might be what I looking for.
What is the advantage of one over the other?
Any advice and thanks

 

[AK9R]

I'm not impressed with the FTM-200D or FTM-300D. I think the displays are too small for mobile use. The FTM-400D has a much larger display, but it's an old design and many functions are accessed through touch screens which I'm not crazy about in a mobile due to the lack of tactile feedback. Just my opinions.

Keep in mind that the FTM-200D does not have a second receiver so it's one band at a time. The FTM-300D has a true dual-band receiver.

 

[tweiss3]

I never understood the 200, unless you were really hurting for space. The 300 and 400 are very similar, the 300 being newer, but I chose the 400 for the bigger screen.

 

[AK9R]

I never understood the 200...

About $60 less money for a radio that can receive one band at a time.

 

[MTS2000des]

The 300 is a good radio for what you get: true independent RX, cross band repeat capability, Bluetooth built-in, and despite the small size, the mounting bracket is a WIN. Easy to install in tight spaces and easy to slide in and out (quick release).

 

[vagrant]

I have the 300 and 400. The 300 works at home where I am near the control head screen. It also offers simultaneous Fusion on both sides and the other built-in features mentioned above. I doubted I would purchase the 300 due to the screen size, but the local club purchased one for the radio trailer and working with it changed my mind.

I use the 400 in the vehicle as the larger screen helps due to the viewing distance. I also like the touch screen on the 400 making easier to send messages. I added the bluetooth module to the 400 so it has it as well.

I would keep the 400 over the 300 if I had to choose one.

 

[KE5MC]

In the used market avoid the 400DR which I had. The followup updated XDR corrected the poor GPS lockup time of the DR version.
Mike

 

[Tenty2]

Thanks to all who responded. Considering the screen size sounds like the 400 with the updated GPS. Bluetooth comes in handy for me as my Hearing aids work with Bluetooth and that is how 80 percent are answered in the car. I think I would want that with the new radio too.

 

[MTS2000des]

Just remember, you have to buy the optional Bluetooth module (BU-2, $89.99) separately with the FTM-400XDR, whereas it's included with the FTM-300.

 

[mrweather]

I've got a 400 in the car and a 300 at home. Yes, the display on the 300 is smaller but the crispness/detail of the font negates that.

Two things I don't like about the 300:

1) When you get to the end of the memory channels list using the tuning knob, it just stops. It doesn't roll over back to the first memory channel.
2) Unlike the 400, Band A and Band B share the same memory channels. So you can't set up separate scanlists.

 

[mr10pt]

I own the 300. Bought it because it was the latest version. At 60 y/o, the display is small (looked better in advertisements, but also new to ham.) Love the "slide mount". Takes me back to the 70's. Quick connect/disconnect. Audio quality is awesome, like/prefer the "grid" menu although not a touch screen which has not been an issue for me. Don't understand why Yaesu included the faceplate extension cable but not the microphone extension cable. Not currently needed in my setup. What I dislike the most is how hot the unit gets while crossbanding or WIresX PDN. Also dislike scrolling channels to the end of list. It stops there then you have to reverse. "Comments are the opinion of the operator who is subject to many operator errors!"

 

[vagrant]

@mr10pt - I use these USB fans to keep the radios cool at home and in the vehicle as well as other sensitive electronic stuff that needs to remain cool.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085WMNN3Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[GlobalNorth]

I love my 400XDR [I have three of them now, one at home and one each in two vehicles]. The menus are somewhat confusing, but I keep the manuals and cheat sheets nearby. The 300 is fine for those who have size restrictions, but the 200 leaves me puzzled - it is a bit too much for what you get.

 

[kg7jqh]

I bought a 300 a few months ago. Love it. I have it in my 4Runner, so the smaller display works for me. The 200 just seemed lacking for the price. The 400 was a bit dated for the price. Swapped from an Icom 4100 where the screen was impossible to read just because of the lack of contrast. The screen on the 300 is awesome except if sunlight hits it just right and you can't see anything. Probably the best feature, in my opinion, is the scan showing the freq. I have a ft-5d and hate how the scan wont show where it's scanning...

 

[jeepsandradios]

How is the GPS in the FTM300 ? I have a few 400's but looking to upgrade my D700 in my Jeep. Really only sits on a simplex channel and APRS on second channel. Like the 300 for the size vs the 400 head.

 

[kg7jqh]

How is the GPS in the FTM300 ? I have a few 400's but looking to upgrade my D700 in my Jeep. Really only sits on a simplex channel and APRS on second channel. Like the 300 for the size vs the 400 head.

Personally, I haven't tried it yet. I can only hope they put the GPS receiver in the head unit and not the body. I have the body under the seat. One of these days I'm gonna setup APRS... I also have the head mounted low on the dash, so I doubt reception is that great where mine is mounted. Open-top, soft-top, fiberglass-top Jeep probably has a few hundred percent better chance.

 

[AK9R]

Don't understand why Yaesu included the faceplate extension cable but not the microphone extension cable.

Marketing. By including the cable, the marketing people can tout the radio as having a remotely mountable control head.

 

[Radio-Man]

I have all 3 of the units in question and they all work very, very well. The 400 is the easiest to use with that awesome touch screen and is the most versatile. The Voice Guide and Bluetooth modules work as advertised. Keep in mind that while the Bluetooth module is $90 for the 400 (BU-2), it's only $46 for the 200 (BU-4). And while the 200 is a mono-bander, it can do APRS on the "B" band while receiving on the "A" band - and it works very well! I think it's just a matter of personal preference but I don't think there's a bad choice in the bunch!

 

[AK9R]

And while the 200 is a mono-bander, it can do APRS on the "B" band while receiving on the "A" band - and it works very well!

If it only has one receiver, then it's going to miss something. One good way to screw up packet or APRS reception is to have a receiver that goes to sleep or is off on another frequency when the packets arrive.

 

[robertwbob]

i got a ftm 200 yesterday. got it programmed manually. 52 memorys took about an hour. so far tx rx is great. screen is easy on my yeys not like that ic 5100. now to get to wires x . its a work in progress