TriSquare TSX300 Review

[Hawke]

continued...

Motorola DTR410



DTR410 - 280KHz RBW - Peak Hold - 15 sec.




DTR410 - 15KHz RBW - Peak Hold - 15 sec.



Note that the DTR410 hops just slightly faster than the TSX300, which makes it a little harder for the spectrum analyzer to "catch," especially at a 15KHz RBW.

PLEASE KEEP THE RELATIVE PRICE OF THESE RADIOS IN MIND AS YOU READ THIS REVIEW. THE TSX300s ARE AROUND $90 PER PAIR WHILE THE DTR410s ARE ABOUT $250 A PIECE!!

You'll immediately see that there is no sync signal or control channel involved with the TSX300 (as was once thought). A sync signal/control channel would be a bad thing... because interfere with the sync/control channel and you interfere with all communication between the radios. This is not the case with the TSX300s.

Both are excellent radios for the price. The TSX300s being around $90 per pair, and the DTR410s being around $250 a piece. I've tested both up to a range of 1 mile LOS (Line of Sight) and both come through good. Even with considerable obstructions such as trees and buildings in the way, both were capable of doing about .6 - .7 miles before losing signal. Although I have not gone this far, I suspect that both radios will make 2 miles LOS under optimum conditions.

The DTR410s sound a little clearer but not by a whole lot. This is probably due to the VSELP voice vocoder (the same used in NEXTELs). They are also a little more rugged, but only because they are built to a Mil-Spec standard (Mil Spec - 810 C, D, E, F). However the DTR410s come programmed with only 5 channels (talkgroups) whereas the TSX300s have 10 billion channels to choose from. This should be factored in if conversation security is important. Bear in mind that regarding FHSS radios like these, a "channel" does not refer to a specific frequency, as in conventional narrow band radio, but rather a sequence of hopped frequencies. In other words, there are 10 billion possible hopping sequences (over 50 different frequencies) with the TSX300. Both radios hop over 50 different frequencies. There are other options/feature that are inherent in one radio but not in the other, but that is beyond the scope of this review. There are plenty of websites selling both radios where you can educate yourself on this.

Now the main question: Which would I buy If I could only own one set?

This depends on the circumstances. If I had to be lost in the woods "roughing it" with a partner, or climbing a mountain, I would go with the DTR410s, only because they are more "ruggedized." But once again, bearing in mind price as a consideration, for everyday use around the house, park, office or job site, I would be perfectly happy with the TSX300s. And if voice security was the overriding factor, I would definitely go with the TSX300s.

For their respective prices, both are excellent radios.




VOICE PRIVACY AS AN ISSUE

For the security/privacy minded among you, I would like to add that aside from the Motorola DES/AES 'Securenet' feature available in some of their higher priced, narrow-band radios (not the DTR410s), the TriSquare TSX300s are arguably the most secure/private consumer radio you can get. And unless an advanced eavesdropper or some form of TLA (Three Letter Agency) has a reason to monitor you, you can rest assured your communications are private and unaccessible to about 99.99% of all "normal" people out there. However, there is one way a frequency hopping radio like this could be intercepted. Both the TSX300 and DTR410 transmit on some sequence of 50 unique frequencies. These frequencies are always the same, only the sequence on which the frequencies are hopped is what can be changed (via the channel keypad). Imagine that an adversary has 50 individual receivers set up, each of the 50 receivers tuned to each of the 50 different frequencies that the FHSS radios use. Given that this is the case, an eavesdropper would be able to hear your entire conversation, albeit on 50 different receivers. However, although complex and costly, there are some single unit receivers out there that are designed to do exactly that. They are capable of listening to multiple frequencies at a time, or are simply designed for a very wide band reception range. These type of surveillance "microceptors" are usually beyond the range of the average person, both in price and knowledge necessary to operate such a device. So realize that if you're trying to keep your favorite fishing hole a secret from that guy next door who's always trying to find it, you're probably secure for the long haul. But if TLA takes an interest, it will be only a short time before you arrive to find your fish caught, gutted, fried and eaten.

Hawke

[Danny]

Excellent review, thanks for posting!

[Pinay]

Originally Posted by lfudenna

I have now used these for two conferences that my company produces. We were using anywhere from 8 to 12 at a time in both a 7 story building and a 2 story building.

I would have to say that I am not overly impressed as far as reliability goes. It seems like between 2 and 4 of them do not work very consistently with the rest. I have had a couple users complain that they don't hear transmissions sent to them, while they can hear someone else's radio nearby. I have tried multiple channels but it does not seem to make a difference. I am happy with the range of them and glad to read that they are supposed to automatically reset themselves if they lose frequency (I was resetting the channel hoping that would help).

Battery life has been pretty good and I will continue to use them (since I have invested in 12 of them). The ones that did work, performed well in the 7 story building. I haven't used the text message feature much because we are just too busy at our conferences to play with that feature.

I am happy to give more details to anyone interested in buying these in the future.

Hi,
I hope this finds you well.
Im PINAY from the philippines and I'd apprieciate any info that you can provide, regrading this TriSquare radios. I think your the best person that i can ask right now since you actually used it and not just TEST it. Im into wedding coordination and it seems that your experiences will be something similar of my own thing here in the philippines.
Actually, im choosing between TriSquare radios or the MIDland GTX800VP.
Basing on all the postings, it seems that MIDLAND GTX800VP has often been recommended BUT the TRISQUARE seems to have the so Called NEW GENERATION of two radio appeal.
I shall look forward to your thoughts.
Thanks so much in advance and more power to you.

PINAY

[jwilkers]

Pinay, you need to take into consideration the fact these radios may not be legal in your nation.

Bear in mind, this site and the equipment sold here is geared to the US market.

It is always the responsibility of the user to look at regulations and laws governing communications in their nation.

[Pinay]

Originally Posted by jwilkers

Pinay, you need to take into consideration the fact these radios may not be legal in your nation.

Bear in mind, this site and the equipment sold here is geared to the US market.

It is always the responsibility of the user to look at regulations and laws governing communications in their nation.

Hi jwilkers,

thanks for the tip, but so far i have'nt heard any regulations with regards to its restriction. GMRS/FRS radios are also common hear in manila. however, id like to know if the TRISQUARE radios are applicable here or ill be better off with the MIDLAND GXT800VP...which is often recommended. another concern is after sales service.....here in manila the popular brand are motorolas and Cobras.....do you think if this units encounters a problem... repair shops here can handle this equipments too....im not considering if they are authorized repair shop since i doubt that these brands ( trisquare and midland ) have authorised repair shops here.

thanks again.

pinay

[jwilkers]

I did find out FRS is legal in your country. GMRS might not be, but there probably isn't much allocated to the extra frequencies, being so close to the FRS channels.

[kinetic]

Tested TriSquare TSX300 at Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Talk was clear from Delta area to Cascades area (150 yards inside). Lost sync and had to walk back to 50 yards to resume talk. Distance not a good as our ancient Motorola Talkabout 250's.

[sfink16]

I recently misplaced (lost?) my old Radio Shack purchased Uniden (GMR1038) radio. I have been researching different units for potential replacement/purchase when I came across this unit.

While I found John's reviews very helpful, I have read from other sources a question that was not addressed here.

The other reviewer (not professional) discusses that he/she was able to communicate "slightly" further using the SMS (IM) feature of this device, once he/she lost voice communication. Does this make sense and does it sound accurate?

Just across another question from reading reviews. Can MaH rechargeable AA batteries or other rechargeable AA batteries be used?

Steve

[jwilkers]

Originally Posted by sfink16

I recently misplaced (lost?) my old Radio Shack purchased Uniden (GMR1038) radio. I have been researching different units for potential replacement/purchase when I came across this unit.

While I found John's reviews very helpful, I have read from other sources a question that was not addressed here.

The other reviewer (not professional) discusses that he/she was able to communicate "slightly" further using the SMS (IM) feature of this device, once he/she lost voice communication. Does this make sense and does it sound accurate?

Just across another question from reading reviews. Can MaH rechargeable AA batteries or other rechargeable AA batteries be used?

Steve

My apologies from lack of inclusion of the SMS capability.

My results were very inconclusive, so I omitted them. This will be fixed in later updates.

NiMh AA cells can be used with no problem.

[sfink16]

No apologies necessary as I appreciate your reply.

Originally Posted by jwilkers

My apologies from lack of inclusion of the SMS capability.

My results were very inconclusive, so I omitted them. This will be fixed in later updates.

NiMh AA cells can be used with no problem.