FT-2000D Test Drive
I had the opportunity to test drive an FT-2000D this afternoon. I have to say, I am really amazed with the feel of the radio. Everything is solid on it, the knobs all have a very smooth rotation, the resistance of the small knobs is right, and the buttons all feel high quality. The display is great too.
I have operated an FTdx-9000MP and a 9000D before (mostly the FTdx-9000MP on display at Universal Radio) and I have to say the feel of the FT-2000 is BETTER, and for 1/3 to 1/7 the price (depending on the version). I say this because, #1, the main VFO knob on the FTdx-9000 series is just too big. I like to roll the knob with my finger on the outside of the knob. If you look at the knobs on the Yaesu radios you will see the little grippy things on the edge - that's what those are there for. I can't get my finger to roll comfortably over the large knob on the FTdx-9000's as I have to move my whole hand more. The FT-2000's knob is just the right size. #2 The small knobs on the FT-2000 have a great resistance feel to them. The small knobs on the FTdx-9000's are built more robust and I think they are too stiff. Take the AGC knob for example - it moves in 3 increments and it takes some force to move the knob between the "clicks". I also noticed how the small knobs are very solid in their position. My TS-2000's small knobs have good resistance, but they move a bit when you push them around. Not so with the FT-2000.
On to the performance. The first thing I noticed with the radio is the smooth quiet sound of the receiver. It is not the quietest radio ever, by any means, but it has a great sound to it over my TS-2000, which is my main base HF radio right now. Although I do have DSP noise reduction it drowns the audio in to a bit of a muddy mess. The base noise of the FT-2000's receiver is much more pleasant, even without the noise reduction.
One feature I like a lot is the VRF. I played extensively with the Mu-Tune's on Universal Radio's display FTdx-9000MP. The functionality of the VRF is nearly identical, only it's affect isn't as pronounced and the range of offset is not as great. That said, the affect of the VRF is huge - you kick it on and the pleasant quietness of the receiver gets even better! Again, the "quietness" is relative - it isn't the best receiver ever, but compared to what I am used to the difference is pretty big. I actually use my FT-857D in the mobile most of the time and that receiver is quite loud and harsh, the TS-2000 is better, and the FT-2000 is much better than both.
Most of my test driving was on CW - that is what matters most to me. SSB is SSB - you have much wider signals, the difference of a single tone only a few Hz wide to intelligible speech at 2-3kHz. You can't knock out adjacent SSB signals (within the passband or very close) like you can with nit-picking a CW signal out of the noise. From what I experienced the FT-2000's ability to zero in on a weak station is pretty good. The narrowest roofing filter (it is said to be 3kHz, but I don't think it has measured out to be exactly that) helps quite a bit on strong near-by stations, outside of the passband. The DSP filter works well - better than my TS-2000's. It also does not ring a whole lot. Once I hit about 150Hz with the TS-2000 it is ringing. With the FT-2000 I could get down to 50Hz before the affect was like the TS-2000 at 150Hz. Big difference.
I did not play with any of the customizable settings - filter shapes, EQ, AGC response, etc. Although, the ham that let me test drive it showed me how the HamStation Ultra software worked with the rig. This program is similar to Ham Radio Deluxe in that it is a rig control program and has the logging and DX cluster capabilities, but it is miles ahead of the functionality of Ham Radio Deluxe in that features on the radio that can't be adjusted from the radio can be adjusted in the program - detailed filter shapes, detailed EQ adjustments, etc - not just the basic settings that the FT-2000's menu has (which aren't necessarily basic, the menu on the rig is extensive).
Overall, I am very pleased with the radio. It is definitely one that I would like to have on my desk here. How it will perform in my station environment I can't say for certain, but based on my test drive it definitely would be worthy of trying out. It is not as good as it could be, based on all the information online from other users, but I am still satisfied with my test drive today and feel it is a great radio.
With that said, I want to watch the developments with the FTdx-5000MP. Yaesu still has not publicly addressed the radio's development, other than the QST ad which I think was a little premature. If the FTdx-5000MP takes in to account what Yaesu has learned with the FTdx-9000, FT-2000, and FT-950 I think it will be a super radio. The 950 came out after the 2000 and improved on the performance, although it is a lower level model. For example - the roofing filters and the processor. If the FTdx-5000MP addresses these issues, as well as all the other bugs with the FT-2000, I think it will be the better investment. Lets wait and see what Yaesu has in store.
I have operated an FTdx-9000MP and a 9000D before (mostly the FTdx-9000MP on display at Universal Radio) and I have to say the feel of the FT-2000 is BETTER, and for 1/3 to 1/7 the price (depending on the version). I say this because, #1, the main VFO knob on the FTdx-9000 series is just too big. I like to roll the knob with my finger on the outside of the knob. If you look at the knobs on the Yaesu radios you will see the little grippy things on the edge - that's what those are there for. I can't get my finger to roll comfortably over the large knob on the FTdx-9000's as I have to move my whole hand more. The FT-2000's knob is just the right size. #2 The small knobs on the FT-2000 have a great resistance feel to them. The small knobs on the FTdx-9000's are built more robust and I think they are too stiff. Take the AGC knob for example - it moves in 3 increments and it takes some force to move the knob between the "clicks". I also noticed how the small knobs are very solid in their position. My TS-2000's small knobs have good resistance, but they move a bit when you push them around. Not so with the FT-2000.
On to the performance. The first thing I noticed with the radio is the smooth quiet sound of the receiver. It is not the quietest radio ever, by any means, but it has a great sound to it over my TS-2000, which is my main base HF radio right now. Although I do have DSP noise reduction it drowns the audio in to a bit of a muddy mess. The base noise of the FT-2000's receiver is much more pleasant, even without the noise reduction.
One feature I like a lot is the VRF. I played extensively with the Mu-Tune's on Universal Radio's display FTdx-9000MP. The functionality of the VRF is nearly identical, only it's affect isn't as pronounced and the range of offset is not as great. That said, the affect of the VRF is huge - you kick it on and the pleasant quietness of the receiver gets even better! Again, the "quietness" is relative - it isn't the best receiver ever, but compared to what I am used to the difference is pretty big. I actually use my FT-857D in the mobile most of the time and that receiver is quite loud and harsh, the TS-2000 is better, and the FT-2000 is much better than both.
Most of my test driving was on CW - that is what matters most to me. SSB is SSB - you have much wider signals, the difference of a single tone only a few Hz wide to intelligible speech at 2-3kHz. You can't knock out adjacent SSB signals (within the passband or very close) like you can with nit-picking a CW signal out of the noise. From what I experienced the FT-2000's ability to zero in on a weak station is pretty good. The narrowest roofing filter (it is said to be 3kHz, but I don't think it has measured out to be exactly that) helps quite a bit on strong near-by stations, outside of the passband. The DSP filter works well - better than my TS-2000's. It also does not ring a whole lot. Once I hit about 150Hz with the TS-2000 it is ringing. With the FT-2000 I could get down to 50Hz before the affect was like the TS-2000 at 150Hz. Big difference.
I did not play with any of the customizable settings - filter shapes, EQ, AGC response, etc. Although, the ham that let me test drive it showed me how the HamStation Ultra software worked with the rig. This program is similar to Ham Radio Deluxe in that it is a rig control program and has the logging and DX cluster capabilities, but it is miles ahead of the functionality of Ham Radio Deluxe in that features on the radio that can't be adjusted from the radio can be adjusted in the program - detailed filter shapes, detailed EQ adjustments, etc - not just the basic settings that the FT-2000's menu has (which aren't necessarily basic, the menu on the rig is extensive).
Overall, I am very pleased with the radio. It is definitely one that I would like to have on my desk here. How it will perform in my station environment I can't say for certain, but based on my test drive it definitely would be worthy of trying out. It is not as good as it could be, based on all the information online from other users, but I am still satisfied with my test drive today and feel it is a great radio.
With that said, I want to watch the developments with the FTdx-5000MP. Yaesu still has not publicly addressed the radio's development, other than the QST ad which I think was a little premature. If the FTdx-5000MP takes in to account what Yaesu has learned with the FTdx-9000, FT-2000, and FT-950 I think it will be a super radio. The 950 came out after the 2000 and improved on the performance, although it is a lower level model. For example - the roofing filters and the processor. If the FTdx-5000MP addresses these issues, as well as all the other bugs with the FT-2000, I think it will be the better investment. Lets wait and see what Yaesu has in store.
posted by Steve at
5:58 PM
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