Yaesu VX-8R / DR/ GR Comparison Chart

[N3KDJ]

I've spent some time looking at the VX-8 series of radios and I think I've decided to go with the VX-8DR. I found the following "VX-8 Comparison Chart" at Universal Radio and that was helpful.

I definitely want to use it for APRS when traveling, and while the GR has the integral GPS, which would in some ways be ideal, I just don't want to give up all of these features:

6M
220
Receive below 108Mhz
Vibrate
Bluetooth, at least for the future
VOX
Heads up GPS Direction (vs. North up only)
4 symbols for APRS identity (Car, Person, etc.)
LED Flashing when receiving message
Finally, in an emergency, being able to listen to AM Broadcast, FM Broadcast--either one as a 3rd band monitored..in other words you can listen to 1010WINS in NYC and it will be muted if you receive on 2M or 440- would be very appealing!

I know I lose the 'submersible' rating, but even as a boater I can live with out that. The downside is having to have the GPS on the Mic and attached or on the bracket to the radio..each of which cost more. I can see in occasional mobile use that being able to clip the mic somewhere with a better view than on the seat beside me might be useful.

Anyone else go through this selection and what did you decide?

 

[KE5MC]

Check again, I don't believe you do.

Add:
The GPS is the latest generation so the sensitivity is very good. Sitting on the car seat it will most likely hold track. Now getting out with 5 watts to the 1st digipeter (sp?) will be a bigger issue from the seat.

...
I know I lose the 'submersible' rating, but even as a boater I can live with out that.

...

 

[N3KDJ]

Water

Quite right...I was seeing it the other way. The -GR loses the submersible rating....the -DR is still rated that way. Cool.

 

[KB2ZPT]

I would say that it depends on how much you are into APRS. The extra features on the DR don't seem like they are all that much over the standard 8R, but I am not really into APRS, for what it's worth. I wouldn't go for the GR though. As you can see from other posts, the cost doesn't really seem worth it when you factor in the cost of a standard 8R and the GPS module unless you really need the integrated GPS and absolutely don't need all of the other features that you give up with the GR vs. the 8R.

 

[N3KDJ]

APRS and VX-8DR

Thanks for your input. I think I will probably exploit much of the APRS stuff. I've done it before along with other packet operations in the past. There are apparently a number of stations doing it right in my local area and where I travel most and I think it'll be cool to play with.
I definitely want to hold on to as much receive capability as I can, so the -DR makes sense I think.

 

[KB2ZPT]

Yes, it sounds like the DR would be a good choice for you then. I should try some of the APRS functions since I just picked up the GPS module and split my time between Westchester & Fairfield. Let us know how it works!

73

 

[Moleculo]

Yep, I just don't get the price point on the GR. It would be nice if the 8r or 8Dr had the GPS integrated to make it less bulky, but I can live with it the way it is for the added features.

 

[KB2ZPT]

It would be nice if the 8r or 8Dr had the GPS integrated to make it less bulky, but I can live with it the way it is for the added features.

Perhaps the VX-9R will be a full featured rig with fully integrated GPS

 

[Brlux]

I like the GR features of using a more standard (Yaesu) 3.5mm 4 ring speaker mike/head set plug. It also has a serial port (via a 3.5mm 3 ring jack on the side) for spiting out received packets so that you can actually do something with the received information other than looking at it on the little screen. From what little i understand about it form reading the manual is should spit out the NMEA standard packet that is used for creating a way point in most hand held GPS units with internal maps and serial ports (60CSx). There may be some mapping programs on the PC capable of receiving these type of way points.

Why Yaesu can make a full KISS TNC available on the serial port is still a mystery to me? Kenwood has been able to do it for nearly a decade with the D7A?

While not rated IPX-7 for 1M submersion it is rated IPX-5 which means it can handle about any water exposure it is likely to experience from rain, holding it under the sink, and such.
Makes you wonder if Yaesu initially designed it for IPX-7 like their other radios but it didn't pass for some reason so they downgraded the rating?

I wonder if it is going to have the waterproof membrane over the mic element that muffles the audio on Yaesu's other IPX-7 radios? Might almost be worth it if it didn't.