Motorola APX 6000 vs Harris XL-200P [Comparison Review]

There are hundreds of two-way radio models available today. Manufacturers offer many different types of options for these two-way radios. With many features available, knowing how to choose the best kind of two-way communication for your specific needs can be difficult.

Some features may be necessary for you to have on the job and you need the radio that has it all. In this series, we will talk about many of the attributes associated with the Motorola APX 6000 and the Harris XL-200P.

Motorola APX 6000

The APX 6000 portable radio has been proven to deliver a reliable and rugged radio for its users. Motorola has been incorporating the newest advancements in technology into its popular radio models. By having the advanced technologies, it helps to improve efficiency and response time to the users, ultimately improving safety in both yourself and the community.

Features

The APX 6000 radio is now able to support the newest technologies, including WiFi, Adaptive Audio Engine, and Bluetooth. Adaptive Audio Engine has five parts that are incorporated into the radio.

• Adaptive Dual-sided Operation allows you to talk into either side of the radio.
• Adaptive Noise Suppression adjusts the audio to cancel out the noise as it changes.
• Adaptive Speaker Equalization adjusts the loudspeaker settings so the sound is optimized at lower volumes and speech intelligibility at higher volumes
• Adaptive Gain Control adjusts microphone based on how loud you talk to ensure a constant audio level on the receiving end.
• Adaptive Windporting cancels out wind noise with a third microphone.

Integrated WiFi allows the radio software to be updated without interrupting communication or waiting for an idle radio. The radio is equipt with GPS Outdoor Personnel Tracking allowing for sharing of locations resulting in more efficient task management and improving officer safety. It is essential to know where your team is at every moment.

Mission Critical Geofence guarantees you get the fastest communication across multiple departments. This feature automatically connects first responders by putting them in the same talk group when they enter a virtual barrier set by the agency. The radio has an Emergency Find Me Bluetooth signal that syncs with other Bluetooth APX radios. If the two-way radio is in range, a signal will guide you to the user's location and assist the user in distress.

The radios structure is an aggressive T-shape, so the radio is easier to grip in the case of wet or slippery hands. The top digital display provides quick access to status information and notifications. The radio has intelligent lighting that uses three colors to alert its users of different radio events. The radio will indicate an emergency, low battery, our of range or any private calls you may receive. The radio has a voice announcement feature that plays an audio clip.

You won't need to take your eyes off your work because the radio talks to you on channel selection. The receiver also comes with customizable radio profiles based on the role or mission of the user. The Motorola APX 6000 is built tough and is ready for any environment you put it through. The aluminum alloy endoskeleton protects the interior from water intrusion. With an IP68 rating, your radio can withstand two meters of water for four hours.

The radio is built with tempered glass that protects the display from scratches, impact from falling and pressure. APX 6000 also comes with a dual latch battery so if the two-way radio is dropped it protects it from being reset, powering off or ejecting the battery upon impact.

Harris XL-200P

This radio is designed with input from Public Safety professionals themselves and is available in a single band, dual band, or full spectrum. Not sure if you want more bands? That's fine, order the single band and you can add bands later. The Harris XL-200P delivers cutting edge connectivity across UHF and VHF 700/800 broadbands. The radio has many features that allow for more advanced user experience. This radio is also the only full spectrum, LTE capable radio on the market today.

Features

The Harris XL-200P is the smallest LTE land mobile radio around. GPS comes standard in the radio giving you the added security of always knowing where your team is located at any moment.

The A-B-C-D Switching feature allows of access to 64 talk groups. The switch is located at the top of the radio with color-coded display for fast and easy selection. The switch is still operable when using gloves, so you won’t waste time configuring the switch if you are in an industry where glove use is common.

Just like the Motorola APX 6000, WIFI, and Bluetooth are standard. The Harris XL-200P is fully operable in VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz frequencies.

The XL-200P is available in two different styles, one with a shorten keyboard, the other a full keyboard. The radios have top and front color displays with bolded big text and labeled softkeys. One button, voice playback feature comes standard that provides voice audio of the last call you just received.

You can expect a 10-hour battery life with your XL-200P radio. It is specifically designed to last more than a full 8 hour work day.

Choosing the correct operating model for your two-way radio?

VHF versus UHF

When deciding to purchase a two-way radio, it is imperative that you consider multiple factors to achieve the best possible performance on the job. First and foremost, two-way radios are available in different operating bands: VHF (Very High Frequency; 30-300 MHz) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency; 300-3000 MHz), and (700-800MHZ).

Each band range performs differently depending on the environment, so you’ll want to base your decision off what your needs require. VHF frequencies, for example, travel most efficiently when unobstructed by barriers such as walls, making these types of signals ideal for outdoor use.

On the other hand, UHF frequencies are best suited for indoor applications because they penetrate materials such as steel and wood within buildings. These differences make a huge impact on the performance you’ll get out of your device, which is why you’ll want to consider your needs before selecting a frequency range.

VHF is commonly used in fields such as marine communication and border protection, as their area of operation is typically outdoors. For casinos and fire departments, however, UHF will perform best since they work in heavily obstructed environments where clear communication is a must at all times.

What is P25?

For interoperability between public safety agencies, a digital radio standard called APCO Project 25 (P25) was created. In short, the advantages of digital radio include increased audio quality, better coverage, and higher capacity. The P25 standard provides backward compatibility to the conventional system and allows the interoperability between multiple vendors. Moreover, this technology is utilized by public safety agencies around the globe, giving credence to the reliability of the P25 standard.

P25 technology is implemented in two main phases – Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 utilizes FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) technologies, which divides channels according to their frequencies. P25 Phase 1 is backward compatible with analog, and the bandwidths for voice/traffic channels are 12.5 kHz. Phase 2 utilizes TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technologies, which splits the 12.5 kHz in two, which essentially allows for higher spectral efficiency by providing a 6.25 kHz equivalent channel. This option is backward compatible with Phase 1 and is currently only available for trunked networks. The benefits of Phase 2 over Phase 1 include increased capacity, emergency communication, regulatory compliance, and ultimately extending your investment into the future for the inevitable changes in growth, technology, and regulation.

Project 25 technology is preferred in applications for Federal Grants, and there is currently thousands of installed Public Safety, Federal, and Governmental base systems in the US. This network allows interoperability between various agencies, which greatly increases the effectiveness of inter-jurisdictional communication. Due to the reliability, security, and superior performance of P25 technology, this option is essential for those working in critical situations such as social unrest, natural disasters, and high-level public events.

When deciding to purchase a two-way radio or compatible accessories, it is imperative to know which products are best suited for your industry's requirements. With the sheer diversity of two-way radios on the market today, some models may fit your needs perfectly while others might contain features which prove unnecessary in your field.

For example, the Motorola APX 6000 is incredibly durable, making it ideal for withstanding the harsh elements some industries regularly work in. On the other hand, the full spectrum capabilities of the Harris XL-200p make it the perfect two-way radio for those who regularly need to shift frequencies.

Overall, the Motorola APX 6000 and the Harris XL-200p are two of the highest quality portable radios available. With such a wide range of features and technologies contained in each device, these two models are an excellent fit for the majority of industrial applications. The benefits don't end with the radio alone; however, as there is an extensive selection of accessories.

Compatibility and Price Comparison of Motorola APX 6000 Accessories:

Compatibility and Price Comparison of Harris XL-200p Accessories:

At First Source Wireless, we design our products for seamless compatibility with Harris XL-200 and Motorola APX 6000 portable radios to provide you with the best communications tools to meet your industry needs. Our inventory contains the highest quality products, including long-life batteries and lightning fast chargers you can rely on to get you through the job. First Source Wireless's headsets and surveillance kits are built to handle even the harshest conditions, providing you with crystal clear communication in all tactical situations. Whether you are purchasing high-tech surveillance equipment or replacement ear inserts, First Source Wireless will consistently strive to meet your industry demands and deliver you the most reliable communications experience available! Below we have created a quick guide to provide you with easy access to our high-quality compatible accessories. Please feel free to call our knowledgeable staff with any questions at 800-991-4569. 

What feature do you think is important to have in your two-way radio? Comment below.