Flex 6500

Richard Hubbard

Is it worth buying a Flex 6500 or should I wait for the 6600? Will the 6500 get discontinued?

DaveC

I think only the 6300 which was a different hardware platform I think the 6400 - 6700 have the same hardware. or at least the same components

Tim - W4TME

Manufacturing of new 6300s and 6500s have been discontinued.  We are only selling new 6300s and 6500s that we have in stock and certified preowned radios.

Duane_AC5AA

If you can wait for it, it sounds like the 6600 will have better filters, and 2 SCU's for a lower price.  

Ria

Up to you.

If I were in your position I'd wait for the 6600 which has dual SCUs. However it lacks front panel foster and 1/4" connectors. 

Mike NN9DD

I believe the 6500 is discontinued. There are some subtle differences between them such as the XLR mic on the 6500 and a few additional ports for receive on the 6600. The receiver e might be a bit better on the 6600 plus you have two Spectral Capture Units for true diversity receive and two separate antennas that you can't do on 6500

I love my 6500 but if was doing it now I'd get a 6600

Mike
N9DFD

Richard Hubbard

Thanks 

DaveC

I thought I heard the "boss" only say the 6300. my bad.

KG9DW

As a recent new 6500 owner (March) I'd recommend you wait. The 6600 will get you simultaneous receive on two antennas. You'll also get the 2.0 software. The problem is you don't know how long you'll have to wait. Another option would be a certified used 6500 if Matt has any in stock ready to go. A bit cheaper and you can get it now. 

Richard Hubbard

Thanks. The hard bit is the waiting I guess

Tim - W4TME

I haven't checked stock lately, but we may be out of new 6300s.  I know we have 6500s

Bill W2PKY

Wonder if you can make a deal on a CPO 6500 with 100% trade up when the new model arrives?

Tim - W4TME

Ask Matt (sales@flexradio.com).  If it is outside of 30 days, I would not expect a 100% trade up.

Richard Hubbard

Hi, I am UK based, I have noticed that M&LS, one of our local dealers, have reduced the price of the 6500 by around £650, probably due to the upcoming Flex product releases. I will have a think, might be able to get a bargain? is the 6500 technology still current and will it take new Flex updates?

NX6D Dave

Buying a 6500 today will get you the 2.0 software.  All systems sold on or after May 18 get version 2.0.

NX6D Dave

All 6000 series radios, in production or not, will "take" the future software updates.  These questions and others are answered in the New Products FAQ.

http://www.flexradio.com/downloads/new_products_faq_v1-2-pdf/

NX6D Dave

I just grasped the difference in the front panel connectors the other day.  Guess I had stars in my eyes at Dayton.  I think I'll make a little box full of wires, sockets, switches and plugs to plug into the back of the coming 6600 so I can connect existing headphones and mics and easily switch between them.

Larry _ NY8T

6300's are popping up for sale, $1500 is the lowest price I have seen so far. If you have a hard time waiting **** one up for the time being,  its a great radio.

Richard Hubbard

Thanks, good idea.

DaveC

Have a 6300 no complaints

Steve - K6SRS

Just bought a Flex refurbed 6500.  Awesome radio and a very good price, with all the latest software.  Perhaps the 6600 advantages are worth waiting for, but not for me.  All the performance I need is in my shack, and instant gratification!!!

Gene - K3GC

I just purchased a used 6500 and I love it (I had one previously that I sold (my bad).

The 6600 doubtless has some improvements but it has IMO some serious liabilities.  

The connections for mic, phones, and key in the back of the radio seriously **** In my opinion.  The loss of the XLR connection is a liability.  I like having the ability to have two mics hooked up and ready to go - one headset and one hand mic.

These liabilities are deal breakers for me.  

Meanwhile and for the foreseeable future I will stay with the 6500 unless I get suddenly rich and buy a 6700

Johan / SE3X

Been a happy owner of a 6700 for 5 months now. When wanting a back-up if, something happens, a used 6500 that came my way was an easy and natural choise. I don't doubt that 64 and 6600 are great radios. Have friends having 6600's and very happy with them. But I feel very safe with my two 6000 series radios, that has been around as models for a while

Craig Williams

Yup, same here. My box will have a 3 lead 5V regulator in it to apply power to the amp in my Yaesu MD-100 microphone.