Good afternoon, Interesting question - same question I asked myself last year when I went to Dayton. Below are some of my thoughts as I was looking for my next mobile radio:
-- If cost were not a factor, I would probably go with the 2820. I have two of its' predecessors (2720) and love them - great radios. -- However, cost always is a factor! So, what are the key differences and is it worth it: - The 2820 has the really nice GPS screen on it when you add the digital board. Very nice! The 880 has GPS capability, but you have to add the GPS unit (which I have done and it works well). - 3G D-Star programming interface. The 880 is a breeze to use, for sure. - Dual radios in the 2820. This, to me, is it's biggest plus. I enjoy listening to Amateur on one side (with the 2720 for example) and emergency traffic (police, fire, etc.) on the other. - 880 has a better display (although not as large and doesn't contain as much info, VERY easy to see and use. For DStar, it is, again, a breeze). - Memories - With DStar, I am using more memories then ever. The 880 has a LOT of memories, but I am not using any more than the 2820 would have, so it is basically a wash for me right now. For me, the sweet spot for the radio from a cost perspective was around $400. Honestly, as much as I like the 2820, it was / is hard for me to justify spending around $1000 for a mobile VHF/UHF radio (that includes the D-Star board). So, I went with the 880. I find it to be a great radio and it has worked flawlessly for me. DStar is a snap and I am even running D-APRS with it. While I miss the dual radios, I have gotten used to it spinning through all of my frequencies I like to monitor (Ham and non-Ham alike) and just adjusted the pause so I can stop it if needed. (In one of my cars, I use the 880 and the 2720. As Gary mentioned below, you do have two of everything! Not a show stopper, but does take some design time to figure out the best way to do it all...) I would highly recommend the 880H, but if the dual radio / GPS are big on your list of features, then the 2820 may be the right radio for you. Hope that helps! If you have any questions, just let me know. See ya at Dayton! Good luck and 73, Robert Kluck - N4IJS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Woodrick, Ed" <[email protected]> Date: Friday, April 23, 2010 14:43 Subject: RE: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] 880 VS 2820 To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> > Built in GPS > Diversity Receive Antenna jacks > Microphone with remote control > More buttons make some features easier to use > > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gary Pearce KN4AQ > Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 1:11 PM > To: [email protected]; [email protected] > Subject: Re: [DSTAR_DIGITAL] 880 VS 2820 > > > > At 11:20 AM 4/23/2010, kd8ok wrote: > > Dayton is coming up soon, and I am wondering what the prevailing > opinions are about the 2820 vs the 880. > Michael - KD8OK > > Quickly, off the top of my head - 2820 advantages: > > * being able to see much more of what you're > programming, when you're programming from the front panel > (though that display is a little weak and can be hard to see in > some light. See my "D-STAR Programming" video at my web site > down in my signature. There's also a PDF of my 880 QST review > there someplace) > * Crossband repeat (including D-STAR) > * two frequency at once operation (as you > mentioned, and if you put in two D-STAR channels, one will be muted). > 880 advantages > > * price > * big display (but it doesn't show much) > * DR Mode - once you figure it out, it makes > flying through lots of D-STAR call sign settings quicker and > easier, without using up so many standard memories. > * smaller control head, if you have space > issues in your vehicle > Programming the 880 manually is light-years better than the 800, > but with that limited display, there's more to just memorize > than with the 2820 that shows you lots more. > > Two 880's is an intriguing idea. You'll need separate antennas, > more space, two mics to tangle, but you get two D-STAR channels > at once, if you're that deep into it. > > 73, > Gary Kn4AQ > > > > ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News > Gary Pearce KN4AQ > 508 Spencer Crest Ct. > Cary, NC 27513 > [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>919-380-9944 > www.ARVideoNews.com<http://www.arvideonews.com/> > >
