Thoughts on XPR 3300 vs CP200d

[radiohead1800]

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the CP200d vs XPR 3300 for a very basic primarily simplex user?

A friend of mine is a general contractor and has an itinerant radio frequency. Right now they are using a bunch of VX-231's and I probably dont need to say how "well" they have stood up to the rough and tumble time on a construction site.

I am trying to point them in the direction of XPR 3300's because they are piratically indestructible but I started thinking that the CP200d might work just as well for them.

They run simplex exclusively, and they dont see that really changing any time soon, so I dont see the need for them to have a IPSC, CP, LCP capable radios.

The only reason I want to try and push them to something turbo capable however is they are often on job sites that may have an existing "conventional turbo" repeater set-up and I want them to be able to piggy back on that system if they want to.

One only real benefit form a unsuitability standpoint I see is the XPR 3300 would have a latching accessory connector for their RSMs as opposed to the CP200d which would just "plugged in".

Am I missing something?

 

[N4KVE]

I have a 3500 which is a 3300 with less freq's, & no display. Same RF board as the 7550. It works very well, & I just picked up another. Full 403-520 coverage. I don't have any experience with the CP200d. GARY

 

[Gtaman]

CP200ds are not that bad either. The only problem is they get expensive if they don't have the digital already enabled. I personally would recommend the XPR6300/6350. They are excellent portables and can take a beating. Also as a plus you can find them for dirt cheap.

It all really depends on how much you are going to spend.

 

[xpr8300]

One thing to consider is the delta in cost between the vx-231 and any digital radio, regardless of low end. Sometimes it makes better business sense to have a cheaper radio that is less expensive to replace. Especially if it's just itinerant usage.

While the 231 certainly isn't public safety grade, the customers that have them seem to get about the same life out of them as the customers with 3500 & 200d radios. These folks are also in the concrete and construction biz and are not gentle on radios. They much prefer the replacement cost on the 231 and often ditch other radios based on this fact alone.

 

[Viper1-6]

My employer choose the VX-231 for deployment to our field crews. We cover a wide variety of oil field work form surveying in the bush to green field refinery construction. In temperatures from +30c to -35c and we have found the VX-231 to be pretty durable for what they are. Previously my employer had a variety of different radio manufacturers and models everything from Motorola XTN, HT-1000, P-200, Kenwood TK-280 & TK-270, Vertex VX-160 & VX-180 and even some GMRS/FRS combo radios.

I have not heard of any major failures of the VX-231 yet. The majority of our issues have been the 'sable' antenna coming apart. I have heard that the PTT button is famous for falling out, but I have yet to experience it, and do not know of any in our fleet having that problem.

They are cheap and defiantly not 'mission critical' grade, but for what they are, they have held up pretty well.

Having said that, for what they cost I would stick to the VX-231's, they are cheap, and they are kinda the baoturd of the vertex radios. If they break throw it out and buy another.

Edit: this is one of my VX-231 from about 5 years ago: http://communications.support/showthread.php?t=10285

Post number 42

 

[Wiscomm]

The VX-261 is half the price of the XPR3300 or CP200d, when it comes to business that's all that matters. The standard 3-year warranty is also a bonus.

Craig

 

[PSEhub]

If you are dealing with certain materials, such as concrete, its not just the "beating". Its speakers getting filled with ***.

The middle-line cheap to replace approach might be the way to go. In this case, the VX-231 if its familiar and works well.