Ecoxgear 5 Watt Super Compact UHF

RBJET

Well-Known Member
I'm in the market for a new UHF and have had my heart set on a GME XRS. The only additional benefits I can see are GPS functions and have the app for updates.

Then I saw the Ecoxgear listed at Anaconda for $250. Since they're relatively new to the market, I was wondering if anyone had had any experience with them?

Seem like it has similar functions to the XRS bar the GPS.

 

Batts88

Well-Known Member
Done a quick search the company was founded in 2006 by 2 fellows one worked at Motorola the other Uniden so you would expect they would know what there doing and make decent gear.
 

boobook

Well-Known Member
Apart from the GPS thing in the XRS that people may not use. There are 2 other important specifications IMHO that make the XRS radios stand out over cheap radios.

1)Scan speed. With 80 channels now, scan speed is very useful as a safety feature to see if there is local traffic. The XRS scan speed is about 1.5 seconds for all 80 channels. Some cheaper ones take 4 to even 16 seconds. That is not quick enough and it's easy to miss complete conversations.

2)Recieve sensitivity. Good radios are more sensitive, the GME is -122dbm, Some cheap radios are -118 or worse. Thats only having a 3db antenna instead of a 9db as a comparison.

That radio doesn't show those 2 important specs which is unusual and maybe something to hide. I'd check into that.
 
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cookie64

4x4 Earth Contributer
My perspective on this is that will you rely on the unit working for safety? What happens if / when the unit fails - will Anaconda give you an advanced replacement?

I came across an elderly couple in the middle of the Simpson once (Hay River Track intersection with QAA), their radio had failed, they crested a dune and didn't hear me calling out coming the other way as their radio wasn't working - this, in my opinion, is a dangerous situation. I considered lending them my portable but then I wouldn't have my portable to scan for people not on Channel 10 - which happens a lot in the Desert.
 

RBJET

Well-Known Member
Apart from the GPS thing in the XRS that people may not use. There are 2 other important specifications IMHO that make the XRS radios stand out over cheap radios.

1)Scan speed. With 80 channels now, scan speed is very useful as a safety feature to see if there is local traffic. The XRS scan speed is about 1.5 seconds for all 80 channels. Some cheaper ones take 4 to even 16 seconds. That is not quick enough and it's easy to miss complete conversations.

2)Recieve sensitivity. Good radios are more sensitive, the GME is -122dbm, Some cheap radios are -118 or worse. Thats only having a 3db antenna instead of a 9db as a comparison.

That radio doesn't show those 2 important specs which is unusual and maybe something to hide. I'd check into that.
I didn't really think about scan speed. Just assumed that most modern radios would be pretty quick. My current GME isn't bad but definitely not 1.5 seconds.

Receive sensitivity is a big one I never really thought about. I feel my current GME radio is quite average but it could be aerial placement or height.
My current radio states 123dbm vs -122dbm of the XRS. I looked everywhere and couldn't find any specs on the Ecoxgear.
 

RBJET

Well-Known Member
My perspective on this is that will you rely on the unit working for safety? What happens if / when the unit fails - will Anaconda give you an advanced replacement?

I came across an elderly couple in the middle of the Simpson once (Hay River Track intersection with QAA), their radio had failed, they crested a dune and didn't hear me calling out coming the other way as their radio wasn't working - this, in my opinion, is a dangerous situation. I considered lending them my portable but then I wouldn't have my portable to scan for people not on Channel 10 - which happens a lot in the Desert.
Another fair point. I've had really good warranty experiences with GME. As much as I don't want to spend the extra $170, it might be worth it in the long run.
 

boobook

Well-Known Member
I didn't really think about scan speed. Just assumed that most modern radios would be pretty quick. My current GME isn't bad but definitely not 1.5 seconds.

Receive sensitivity is a big one I never really thought about. I feel my current GME radio is quite average but it could be aerial placement or height.
My current radio states 123dbm vs -122dbm of the XRS. I looked everywhere and couldn't find any specs on the Ecoxgear.

-123dbm is pretty good and about as good as receiving sensitivity gets for a UHF CB. A 3db difference is half the receiver sensitivity, so UHFs that have around -118dbm need about 4 times the signal strength to hear the same signal. Lots of cheap UHFs are deaf like this.

I'll bet you have your antenna on the bull bar or guard if you have poor to average reception. No UHF can perform at its best in that location. ( a location originally picked by a steel fabrication company with no radio skills called ARB to help sell bullbars)

In the old days the way to get around slow scan speeds was group scans or dual scan watch, but they both rely on you guessing what channels others will be on. with 80 channels, now there is a fat chance of getting that right with 80 to cose from. Technology has moved on, but you have to pay a premium, unfortunately.
 
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Albynsw

Well-Known Member
Another aspect to consider is usability, some are less intuitive than others to work around. I have only had GME. vehicle mount units but they say they are more user friendly than most
That unit might be just fine too and good value, be good to find some feedback on it
 

RBJET

Well-Known Member
Yep, currently have a 1m 6.6db mounted on the bullbar, with the tip the same height as my roof rack, meaning the vehicle blocks most of the signal behind me. I've been considering mounting a 2.1db antenna using a windscreen mount. The tip sits just above the roofline, but also to the side of the cab. Hopefully meaning I'd receive better signal from the rear.

I'm not too fussed on having too many features. So long as the hand unit displays the current channel, volume and they're both adjustable.
The majority of units with screens on the mic seem to be similar. I've just liked using GME in the past and being Australian is another plus.
 

boobook

Well-Known Member
Yep, currently have a 1m 6.6db mounted on the bullbar, with the tip the same height as my roof rack, meaning the vehicle blocks most of the signal behind me.

I must admit, the height of the antenna matching the roof rack was a great measuring stick for car parks. I do miss that.

Now I have the antenna mounted on the roof rack with a home made fold down bracket. It is no higher than the roof rack when folded and "knocks down" automatically if I hit a car part height guide or tree. I got the bits from Bunnings
 

RBJET

Well-Known Member
I must admit, the height of the antenna matching the roof rack was a great measuring stick for car parks. I do miss that.
That was one of my main reasons for going that route originally. Also now considering a 1.2M on the bullbar. Noticing mates that run that combo seem to have better signal than me.
 

cookie64

4x4 Earth Contributer
Like @boobook mine is now mounted to the Roof Rack but is a 2.1dB flexible unit fitted to a right angle UHF mount that is bolted with a singular bolt thus enabling it to be knocked over.

I can also fit a bigger antenna to it by simply unscrewing the small antenna and putting the bigger unit on but I have found the smaller unit suits most environments as it stands above the vehicle.
 
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