Advantages
Basically, I love this fantastic radio! It's due to a lot of strong sides.
Both mobiles and portables
- Affordable pricing of radios as such (but not software options and accessories)
- 3 digital standards supported (but 2 only at the same time): NEXEDGE, P25 and DMR
- Three-mode mixed mode: analog + 2 digital standards at the same time
- APCO25 9600 Trunking and Phase II support
- Really big and cool full-color LCD
- Well-constructed and feel solid
- Good sensitivity (actually measured values are in -120...123 dBm range)
- Huge channel capacity (1,024; up to 4,000 with correspondent paid option)
- Virtually unlimited scan list depth (depends on memory structure chosen)
- microSD cards support for audio RX/TX recordings (audio can be accessed via USB)
- Not bad RF immunity and intermodulation (better than any Icom, most of Vertex-Standard and comparable to Motorola radios)
- Wide UHF-L split that covers 90 MHz: from 380 to 470 MHz
- Good TX audio in digital modes (but not analog)
- Built-in Bluetooth and GPS receiver (Bluetooth requires paid software option for serial comms and data applications)
- Motorola KVL support
- Wideband (25 kHz) option for FCC approved users
- MDC-1200 support out of box
- Free 56-bit DES encryption built-in (no hardware option board required)
- Optional 40-bit RC4 encryption for DMR mode (fully compatible with Motorola Enhanced Privacy
- Optional 256-bit encryption (requires hardware plugin module)
- Programmable frequency inversion scrambler with 1 Hz step and "multikey"; "Keys" can be assigned to channels.
- DMR Auto Slot Selection (similar to Hytera pseudo-trunking)
- Many programmable keys - enough for any use case
- Really high IP ratings: IP67/68
Portables only
- FPP availability for FKP and LKP radios
- Standard 2-pole SMA connector, but not something 1-pole or proprietary
- Smart batteries and charger availability (similar to Motorola IMPRES technology)
- The same accessory connector as for 12+ years: from TK-x80 to NX5000
Mobiles only
- One or multiple heads to multiple RF decks configurations support. Setup can be dual-band or even triple-band. For mobiles only of course.
- Dual microphone system for effective noise-cancelling
- Illumination sensor to change display backlight depending on the lighting
- Standard RJ-45 mic connector instead of something proprietary
In general, this is all, if you do not go into too much detail. As you can see, JVCKENWOOD company managed to create a truly unique product, which does not have 100% equivalents on the market.