What's youre best Motorola portable??

[GJ]

OK guy's, so tell me, what do you think is the best Motorola portable EVER made and why?
In other word's, what's the radio you would NEVER EVER would get rid of...

I have one and one model only, the good old MX3000.
That's the Europe version of the Saber (3?).
Exelent sound, exelent sensitivity, verry tough body and last of all, it looks great!

Second place is the MTS2000
Third place, the HT1250 (very rare in Holland!)

Greetings,
GJ

[MT2000 man]

As of now, my "best" portable is my trusty MT2000, however, I have recently purchased an astro saber III, so that will be my best portable. Why? Because its rugged, and its something I can rely on, and has more features then the MT.

Any other comments on what's the best portable you own? (this could open into a good topic

[Jack]

Well, I would say that the best one I ever used was the MT500. We used to beat the crap out of those things when I was a firefighter and they took it. They got burned, dropped from windows, etc. etc and they rarely would stop working. I loved the audio on them.

Next I would say the MT1000, then the HT600.

MX series can't be left out either!

You know it's funny, I would bet that the older radios get the most votes. I have GP300's, HT's and a JT1000 and they're great and full of features, but they can't handle what we did to those other units.

[wavetar]

Maybe it's because I only see older one's that have had the crap beat out of them off-shore & in refineries, but I really don't see the hype over the Sabers. I must say the receive audio sounds very good, but the transmit audio just doesn't sound good coming across my monitors (R2200, R2001, R2760) or other model radios. It does sound better coming across other Sabers, but still not spectacular. The non-ruggedized versions aren't any more water resistant than the Jedi series, in my experience. The performance difference on a monitor & out in the field is nil. All that said, I haven't seen any Astro Sabers, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing. I do also like the modular design, makes for easy troubleshooting. My favorite radio for shop use so far is a pseudo MTS2000-C5 (somehow converted from an MTX838)...although we recently purchased an XTS3000 (w/SmartZone-OmniLink) as a spare for a contract...might take it's place.

Todd

[jim]

I say the MT500 and HT600/MT1000s.
I've already dropped these 3 stories onto a driveway and they worked. They work after being submerged in swimming pools. They work after the cases are burned and melted.
I am guilty of using my MT for an improvised tool more than once, also.
I just had an MT1000 in for repair after it was DIRECTLY run over by the rear wheels of an American LaFrance fire engine and the only thing that was wrong was the "track" on the battery cracked. A new battery was installed and you couldn't tell anyting ever happened.
You could concievably use any of these three radios for a wheelchock, if needed, although a Saber would be better suited for the job since I wouldn't want to see my old MT get scratched.
Besides, the lowband version's antenna makes one hell of a weapon!

[PETNRDX]

I think that the best I have had is the MT1000 or HT600. I liked the ruggedness of the HT220 and the MT500, but crystal control is the pits. I also still have some MX300 / 350's but they never were as durable as the HT and MT'S mentioned first. We use MTS2000's at work and the QC on them (quality control) is SHITTY!!! to say the least. We had SABER's but I never liked them, they are so skinny but tall, that they like to fall over if on a table or desk that gets bumped. We had a couple of them that went completely dead just from that falling over problem. (these were very early models) I hear from many SABER lovers out there, so that must have gotten fixed.

[RadioSouth]

I go along with Jim on this one. I like my HT1250 for it's great alpha display, BUT I have a like new P-200 that out performs anything else
I've used. I also have a few New In Box MT-500's (posterity purposes-
carried one of those bricks daily for over 10 yrs.)

[Radio_Cowboy]

I would have to throw my vote to the HT-600, P-200 class, as I have seen them survive life on the farm, and life in Search and Rescue... I STILL carry them today...a great, rugged, SIMPLE to program, and simple to use portable.


-RC-

[Znarx]

Best single channel portable I've seen...HT90...saw one survive a 600' drop from a tower...batteries last FOREVER.. tuned one PA to 8.5W and killer sensitivity...and no stinking adapters to put on an external antenna!

[R F Burns]

My crystal-controlled MX-340 once saved my (and probably other's) life when, with an almost-dead battery, I was able to call for backup when pursuing a hit-run drunk-driver (yellow cabbie) down the FDR Drive against traffic at 10PM (couldn't have done that with a battery-sucking synthesized radio.) That crystal MX worked with a voltage as low as 5 volts (probably not much power out, but enough to hit the nearest voting receiver.)

I also like the HT-600/P200 series. Simple, rugged. Local VFD chief had one that he lost during a storm flood here 3 years ago. it was submerged under salt water for a little over a day. When recovered, I rinsed the radio in fresh running water for a few hours, used de-wetting chem. to dry it, and blew it dry with a hair dryer, and it's still working to this day. Only had to replace the speaker recently.

-RFB

[Will]

I would vote for the P200 for its' transmit audio, receiver sensitivity and rugadness. I have worked on them all, from the HT200, 220, MT500 and most models since then.
I worked on a whole lot of MT500's, Police and Fire depts, most of the time was able to repair them in the field, the rest I fixed when I got back to the shop. Very rugad radio, good audio, and good battery life.

[Keygun]

My personal Top-5:

NO 1: ANALOG SABER (this includes also the MX1000-Series)
Why: Nice design (a SABER II or III with small NiMH-battery is a beauty), very good specs, tight frontend, rugged, has (almost) all i need, fascinating modular construction, in my opinion those radios are engineering masterpieces, today it shurely would cost a fortune to make such an radio.

NO 2: ASTRO SABER
Why: Nice design (but a little bit too long in my opinion), very good specs, has all i need (and more), unfortunately it looks more like an JEDI inside...., ruggedness is OK.

NO 3: JEDI-Family
Why: Very good specs, has all i need, but it looks like a cellular-phone inside (no modules, cheap, screwless snap-together scrap - after years of heavy use they are almost falling apart).

NO 4: MX300-Series (crystallized & PLL)
Why: I love the modular construction, very good specs, very tight frontend, has the best IF-Selectivity i saw on any handheld (except MT500), the VHF-models with optional preamp-module are some of the most sensitive handhelds (UHF-models have only average sensitivity), unfortunately not programmable.

NO 5: GENESIS-Family (MT1000, HT800, HT600, P210)
Why: Good specs, incredible rugged, absolute workhorses,
but sometimes i miss something.

Keygun

[1 Adam 12]

I have to give a definite thumbs up the to the HT600/MT1000 series even though I never used them I saw the abuse they take.BUT...
I would have to give my vote to the MX-R series later folowed by the SABER R series. They came through countless times, and even though they are not Motorolas, the RACAL military series,DATRON and last but not least the MAGNAVOX, nothing like having a totally submersible radio with 3 encryption levels with frequency hopping in a portable the size of a carton of cigarettes. Thankfully they built them better than their TVs.....

[fireradio]

My best radio has to be my VHF MT1000. That thing is so freakin tough its not even funny. Plus, mine has awesome audio (at least on RX). I've also got a Saber II UHF and a HT1000 UHF, but the Saber's RX audio isn't that great, and the HT1000 is nice except it kind of feels like it is too easy to break (snap-together )

[John G]

Depends on whether you are talking performance, ruggedness, or sex appeal. My favorite is the MX300 followed by the MT500. The most reliable, easiest to repair has got to be the HT90/440. Worked on a lot of Sabers and don't really understand why they are so popular. Although I hate to work on one, the old HT220 is a rugged, good performing radio. The carrier squelch model drew about 5 milliamps in standby. Like to see a modern portable touch that.

[jim]

Dropped from a 600' tower and it still works! DAMN! Kenwood engineers ought to take one of these radios and reverse-engineer it since theirs can't even take a 4' drop without major damage.
Dunk it in salt water for a day? There would be a pile of green and white "fluff n' stuff" inside of the case when you opened it.

[Yosh]

If I had to pick one radio to take into a burning building, it would be my MT1000. If I was taking a ski vacation and wanted to talk with my family on GMRS, it would be my HT1250/HT1550. If I was sitting at my desk, listening to the world out there, it would be my XTS3000. Different tools for different jobs....

-Yosh

[abbylind]

Hi all. Good topic!
I have to go with the MT500 Had one that was burned up in a car fire where it melted in the CVC. Pried the CVC apart and cleaned the radio, newer front cover and it was up and running. We had an officer who was hit on the freeway by a drunk, his MT500 went flying across 3 lanes of traffic and was run over. A highway worker witnessed the accident and found the radio. He plopped the battery back in it and called for help. Saved the officers life. One tough radio! I repaired one that was dropped during a 100 MPH pursuit. New frame,a couple of ICs, and a knob and they were 10-8! Saw one that got caught between the back tire and the fender of a police motorcycle. Burned the plastic front right to the speaker. It still worked! Saw a sergeant throw his MT500 at a suspect who was running. Bonked him in the head. The sergeant walked over and called rescue for the suspect with the same radio after it bounced around the sidewalk!
MT500s were practical for all kind of uses!
Fowler

[firemed9]

my favorite will always be my HT600's and MT1000's, followed by the SABER III, and then any JEDI radio. I hated my HT90, and never used any older radios.

[alex]

I think my favorite radio has been the HT1550. I've only been a Moto geek for 4 years now, and for a couple of those years I didn't have enough money to play. I've used HT600's, MT1000's, HT1000's, and MT2000 portables, and recently purchased a new HT1550. The HT1550 answers all my lusts for features by having MDC Decode, paging (QCII/MDC/DTMF). A great radio if you have no desire to play with digital or astro. I'm currently lusting after an astro portable - either XTS or Saber... We'll see what the Dayton god's bring.

-Alex

[Bob]

Of all the radios I have ever used, I think the MT500 takes the cake for durability. However, for features, I' love the HT1550. I think the the best comprimise between the two is the genesis line. The MT1000 was the first portable I owned and I beat the HELL out of it. At one point, it fell about 70 feet onto pavement while I was towards the top of our quint. After I got to the ground, I picked it up, and it still worked great. I needed a replacement battery because the case cracked and wasn't watertight. At another time, it ended up through the windshield of a moving car. That's another story though. I once saw a lowband P200 get lost in the basement of a house just before it collapsed. We found it when we were doing overhaul. The speaker/mic didn't make it, but once we hosed the radio off, it worked almost like new. And then there is the local PD who bought a half-dozen UHF MT1000s for the sergeant they affectionately called 'Motorola Tony.' Apparently he had a habit of reaching for his radio before his PR24.

[USPSS]

The MT500 was one tough radio, and it was serviced the OLD way with your ear and a diddle stick, not a computer keyboard. Sorry for going off of "M" but the GE MPA was also a great radio.
Motorola and all the other mfg's need to go back and look at what features were in those old, MX's and MT500 as well as the durability and maybe say the cop / firefighter or ems worker on the street does not need all the whistles and bells but needs a durable radio that will save lives not look pretty and make funny sounds.

What does everyone think the perfect Public Safety radio should have????

Stan

[2wayfreq]

hmm, sounds like the HT500 is the overall best most reliable radio ever made by M

[JAYMZ]

Of my experience(which I admit is limited) this is my list.

Durability:
MT1000/P200

Reliability:
Astro Saber/Saber

Good looks:
HT1000

Worst:
Visar,GP300

[2wayfreq]

yeah..speaking of gp300..when I key them up and listen on another radio..they sound "Windy" like air is rushing over the mic...even with no wind

[Jaqx]

No one best radio for all users but, you can't go wrong with (in no particular order)

MT1000

Saber II/III

MT2000



I think my MT500 (years ago) was a clunker, never really liked it.

[Jack]

Wow, I'm surprised by the GP300 opinions. I have two of them and I really like them. They're not my ideal radio, but they definately do the job. I have beat them pretty bad sometimes too. Never had a problem

[lobos305]

The MT-500. No question. Tough, reliable. Made with a quality not found today. No shortcuts. It doesn't matter how old it is, good quality workmanship is evident. Great design for it's time, even with crystals. Still use them for volunteer groups with hardly a return for maintenance except batteries. If I had a choice for public safety, I would still carry one.

[calif dave]

For My family on GMRS

My 12 year old son - GP300

He uses it while riding his bike
with a headset on VOX.He has ran it over more than once. so far only had to replace the spkr.

Me - HT1000

I use it with a lapel mic.
I rebuilt the batt. using hi current nickle metal hydride.
having trouble with the PTT on the actual radio. sounds scratchy.

Wife - the smaller the better
I guess she needs a VISAR.
she loves the MAXTRAC in her JEEP!

[gafd6913]

I had a GP300 for a little over a year and I loved it! I've dropped it, threw it, kicked it, and even tried to drowned it and it still worked. One member of our county's SAR team lost his in a state park down in the mountains. About a year and a half latter, a person who was camping in the park found it and returned it to the ranger station. It was then cleaned inside and out, given a new battery and it worked great. The only down fall to them is that they are real easy to screw up when programming. Especially with a RIB-Less cable!!

[mike m]

My Best moto HT is my low band MT500 and then my saber II. But my Ge PE low band andmy MPA's and MPD's are right up there in ruggedness with the motorolas. I'd have to say the ge PE is still, my overall favorite for beating the crap out of and still working. I still remember when railroad conductors in the 1970's would use the PEs to hold the wheels of railroad cars, well that was pretty amazing.

Mike

[Stage 1]

I would have to say the HT90 simply because I have had them for many years now,and, they are still in daily service at work. The batteries really do last a very long time, an advantage of a larger radio. We get about 2 days use with moderate to heavy transmission time. On top of that, they have taken their share of bumps ,and, drops while continuing to perform flawlessly. Soon, they are to be replaced with GP300's,but, there will be no rest for the HT90's. Their next assignment will be in GMRS service. My local Motorola rep isn't surprised as he knows of several others in the area still in service. "You can't kill em" is what he said to me. I wear the proof at work everyday.

[smokey705]

the best motorola radios we own are the old reliable ht 90 these things will take the abuse, they have been dropped , cycled through a dumptank full of water, taken apart and dried out and never been to the shop, they are just plain hard to beat we still have ten of them in active service the only complaint that we have from the guys is they are too big,
you just cant beat em.

[Lanfah Theriault]

To be honest the most reliable, durable and good looks would have to be the GP328. I have ten of them which i use while on trips. I'd have to say that these radios have been dropped in sand, run over with the car( need a new casing), been through the drink and dropped from a two storey builing. But the still work fine except some times the battery pack gets jammed due to the bent frame.

[thgiz]

MT500, leather case, speaker mic....had one fall from a moving firetruck at about 45mph and run over by the one behind us. the amblance that was behind them stopped and picked it up...got it back onscene and used it for the call.. one small crack in the case.. still have that radio..

[apco25]

Best portable made by Motorola from the crystal era would be the MT500. They will last through everything and everyone. great radios and plenty of them still out there working hard.

As for programable gear the MT1000/HT600/P200 series takes the top. In my opinion they are basically the programable version of the MT500. Countless numbers of them out in the world and they are just not possible to beat for reliable use. They will be the MT500 of the next generation.

Sabers, make that analog sabers were great. A few were fussy but most were fantastic. Ok they were big, but 6-7 watts out, loud RX audio and a very tight front end. I used to have several saber models. I wish I had kept them all instead of replacing them with MTS2000. I like the MTS, but I miss the saber.

I've played with the digital radios, XTS and Astro Saber. I like them, but like any of the digital "revolution" they are just not quite like the old analog gear.

[racemedic]

Well for me it would have to be my MT1000. I had a HT600 and loved that radio, but I wanted one that had more ch's and would scan, so I got an MT1000. I also have an HT1000 but use my MT1000 more.

Bob