Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10  (Read 1332 times)

N8FVJ

  • Member
  • Posts: 1270
IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« on: January 04, 2022, 03:12:17 AM »

The IC-7300 ruled the bands for a few years having best performance for the price. It was as low as $899.00. Now it costs $1349 and for the time being a mail in $100 rebate coupon is offered. The Yaesu FTDX10 is as low as $1299 at some ham stores. Which is the better transceiver for the price?
Logged

KH6AQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 9292
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2022, 03:53:26 AM »

DX Engineering sells the IC-7300 for $1199 while Gigatest sells the FTdx-10 for $1299.

After using an IC-7300 for four years I recently upgraded to the FTdx-10 and greatly prefer it.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2022, 04:01:53 AM by KH6AQ »
Logged

K4KRW

  • Member
  • Posts: 125
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2022, 04:13:02 AM »

Not sure what is going on with the price of the 7300.  Icom still says it has a $200 instant coupon plus a $100 rebate. 
One dealer says it is $1349. (nonsense)
One says it is $1399 - $200 - $100 mail in rebate. ($1099)
One still says it is $1299 - $200 - $100 mail in rebate. ($999)

The 7300 is a great radio especially for the price.  I found it very intuitive.

I can't say much about the FTDX10. 
Having looked at the manual, it seems to have a lot of the same usability issues my FTDX101 has.
It does sound like the receiver is pretty spectacular, like my FTDX101.

I would not buy one without sitting down and going through all of the features you normally use.
I find the 101 pretty frustrating usability wise.  It is the first radio I've ever owned that I felt I had to have a computer hooked up to it to compensate for things not built into the radio (I'm using DXLabs Commander macros).  Yaesu seemed to forget a lot when they made these new radios.

But depending on what features you actually depend on, you may find it to be a dream or pure frustration.

Richard
K4KRW

Logged

GRUMPY2021

  • Posts: 280
    • HomeURL
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2022, 04:46:46 AM »

I would say it all comes down to how well you adapt to the menu structure.   The FTDX10 looks like a complete mess when it comes to menus.   I would say since it's a personal preference one should sit down hands on with both and see what fits.   Asking for opinions you have 2 choices and will end up with 40 different answers.   
Logged

W9SA

  • Member
  • Posts: 15
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2022, 06:37:24 AM »

I've owned and used both and still have the FTDX 10. The receiver on the 10 is noticeably better and the menus are easier to navigate. Some people have complained about the buttons being small but once you get used to them you don't even think about it. So, I prefer the Yaesu, if however you choose the Icom you will be getting a good radio that is very usable.
Logged

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2022, 06:51:49 AM »

I've loved my 7300 - it is still my primary HF rig. When I bought it, the choice came down to the 7300 or the FT-991A - I spent an hour in the showroom of a major distributor comparing them and came away with the 7300 (though I subsequently went back and bought the 991A for VHF/UHF).

If lightning struck the 7300 this afternoon, I am less clear about what would replace it. The FTDX10 architecture is better and performance is excellent for the price point. Yaesu ergonomics continue to be horrible, but I operate all my radios from the shack PC rather than their front panels, so I am seldom exposed to the ergonomics of the front panel. I do suspect that the replacement would be the FTDX10. That said, it is not sufficiently better than the 7300 that I would consider swapping a working 7300 for one...

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged

K2TPZ

  • Posts: 32
    • HomeURL
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2022, 08:19:08 AM »

I have both the Ten and 7300. I enjoy using both rigs. Either rig is eons ahead of the rigs in use when I first became a Ham.

With that said the Ten has the better receiver by a slight margin. It is less hissy and the audio is a little easier to listen to over time. But both receivers are in my opinion fully acceptable. While both menu’s are about the same to navigate the 7300 makes a little more sense to me.

Each rig has its quirks: band changing on the Ten is way too fast and I don’t care for the way you enter a CW message on the 7300 keyer. There are other quirks but nothing bad enough to warrant wanting one rig over the other.

Both antenna tuners are minimally useful but at 50 Watts the 7300, when using the emergency tuner, is excellent. It’s nearly as good as my Elecraft tuner.

The Twin Band Pass Filter on the 7300 is a jewel. As is the APF and Contour adjustments on the Ten.

I am a casual operator spending most of my time using CW. Occasionally I briefly enter a contest and from time to time get some exciting DX. To me either rig works for me. If you like Icoms you will enjoy the 7300. If you are a Yaesu person you will enjoy using the Ten. You can’t go wrong with either rig. I’ve asked myself if I needed to sell a rig which one would it be? I’m not able to answer that question at this time.

Try using both rigs if you can at your local ham store or ham friends house. That might help you on your decision. Good luck and enjoy the hobby.
Logged

KX2T

  • Member
  • Posts: 1545
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2022, 10:38:35 AM »

I have owned two 7300's, one was purchased as a backup for a FTDX3000 and after six months I sold both the 7300 and 3000 and bought a 7610. You cannot beat the 7300 for the price vs performance on an easy entry level rig but last year I sold the second backup to the 7610 and shipped the 7300 to its new owner. I ordered the FTDX10 to use as my backup rig but as the months went on I was using the TEN more than the Icom's big rig so you could say I was no longer swayed by the sexy display on the Icom radio's and wanted a all out best RX section that would NEVER overload during DXing or better yet Contest so I sold my trusty 7610 and bought the FTDX101D.

 If I had never bought the TEN I would not have switched cause I had to pony up a lot more bucks into the pot to get the 101D, I could have kept the TEN but I do like the two RX sections so that was one of the main reasons why. I would have kept the TEN but that was not in my retirement budget so it was sad but I sold it. The TEN was the most outstanding Price VS Performance radio out today, it was the K3 killer and I do know cause I had a K3 back around 2011, the TEN has it all over the K3, the Kenwood TS590S I also owned back then and the FTDX3000. The RX & TX is just amazing how well it works but mind you I don't do FT8 or digital modes, I mainly use CW and SSB and these two modes the Yaesu delivers the goods.

 If you dabble in DX and contesting  plus nightly rag chews on 75 or 40 meters this is an outstanding radio, easy to use if you can read the frigging manual but after having owned a few Yaesu's to me it was easy. The Icom compared to the Yaesu a very simple radio to use though so for some it might be a better call but when it comes contest time and you got jokers to the left and morons to the right of you the Yaesu's receiver and controls give you the tools to continue with your QSO, IMO the FTDX10 is very hard to beat for what is a very affordable price range.
Logged

NN2X

  • Posts: 458
    • HomeURL
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2022, 01:31:37 PM »

I own the FTDX -10 with the 300HZ CW filter.

One of the neat features for the FTDX -10, is the CW Decoder, I am rusty, so this helps. Great filtering for CW.

I live in the suburbs, and have three neighbors that have solar systems for their house. It is noisy! FTDX-10, has 15 DNR settings, that is really powerful. (For SSB as well)

For a few more dollars (When compared to ICOM 7300) I believe it is correct one...Although Sherwood Engineering has the FT DX10 third place, that was not based on my decision, it was the filtering, display, and the powerful DNR...



Logged

K7JQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 2602
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2022, 03:58:58 PM »

Basically, if APF, a CW decoder, and the ability to show the display on an external monitor is worth an extra $300 to you, then the FTDX-10 is the way to go.
Logged

K4WH

  • Member
  • Posts: 109
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2022, 05:20:46 PM »

No need to really ask the question, since it has been asked and answered over and over.  So, I assume you are looking for comments that will agree with how your mind is already made up, and if it is on the top of Rob Sherwood’s list, it’s better than sliced bread.

But to your question.  What are you trying to do, and which radio will do it better.  If you are using a simple antenna system, then both are about the same.  Sure, people try all sorts of mind games to come up which is better. Like  … let me find the weakest signal on the band, and switch real fast between two radios.  WoW.  ABC  is better than  XYZ, on this given night.  Tomorrow who knows.

I know because I have played than game for years with almost every radio made since the 1950’s .

But …. Since you asked.  I sold about ten stations a few years back, since it dawned on me I only use one rig at a time, and need a backup in case one stops working.  In 2018 I purchased a used Flex 6500 and then added the Maestro remote head unit, and made myself use it until I understood the rig.  It is a rig that takes time to understand, but it was worth it. It is the best rig “over all “ that I have ever used.  That said.  I got a Icom 7300, and added a Kenwood 590SG  ( I know that’s three rigs ), and yes did the compare the 7300 to the 590SG.  Finally sold the 7300.  Then got tried of it and yes, got another 590SG, then got another 7300 ( kept it a year ).  Along the way I had a FT-3000 only stayed 2 weeks.  The got another 590SG, and then added a FT 5000.  The FT 5000 was almost at the same level as the Flex 6500, and it had 200 watts out, but the Flex still was better.  Now here it comes.  A FTDX-10.  WOW what a rig. What a receiver.  Was it as good as the Flex 6500 yes and no.  Yes in normal use, and no when the bands got tuff.  What a rig.  Better than the 7300 yes in some ways, but not in every way.  The menu system as said before is a mess, as the FT 3000, and the scope ?? thing, was a waste.  The 7300 scope for me was better as was the Flex, and even a Icom 7600.  Yes one of those somehow came to the house last year. 

What did I keep, the Kenwood 590SG.  Was it the best maybe not, but there was never a time when I could not hear a station on the 590G that was also on the 7300, FTDX-10, FT 5000 or the Flex. In fact on CW the Kenwood really is very good.  The 590SG’s fan is super quiet, can’t say that about the 7300 or the FTDX 10.  The 7300 and the 590SG are fast to use control wise.

Buy one used, if you don’t like it sell it and get something else.  I have never had a really bad deal with another ham. 

Which one is best.  Buy both and see for yourself.  IT WILL, be the only way you will be happy, and know that works best for you.

Buy a radio and stop worrying if you got the right one.  Buy one use it, get a good speaker, and a good set of headphones, and ENJOY it.  Stop thinking “do I have the best one “.  You will not be missing stations, because you purchased one over another. Todays, rigs are all great.  The best rig is the one that is connected to the best antenna system.

By the way.  It is very easy to add a SDR receiver like the SDRPlay to either the 7300 or the 590SG.  You then have a true second receiver and a real nice, big waterfall display.  Using one of several free programs you will be able to control and track the 7300 or 590SG either together or as split.  The 590SG is the easiest since the port to do this is factory installed.  I am not sure if the FTDX-10 can do this.
Logged

N8FVJ

  • Member
  • Posts: 1270
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2022, 06:31:46 PM »

Well, other Ham stated posted price with rebate is $999 for the IC-7300 so it is $300 less than the FTDX10. For some, that is a lot of money.

I received the FTDX10 today. Having owned the IC-7300, the FTDX10 has a quieter receiver and more clear audio. My ears are poor with eliminating background noise so some may not notice the superior FTDX10 audio. The IC-7300 is not great with local noise. I had to operate the IC-7300 DNR at a minimum of 4 setting all the time. No DNR made it a poor noisy receiver, but at 4 setting in the DNR made it great. So, I cannot fault the IC-7300. The IC-7300 DNR is a little more natural sounding vs the FTDX10. But, both DNRs perform so well it is basically a toss up.
One stated the FTDX10 menu is a disaster. Why? Push the function button and the menu is displayed. Very easy to set menu functions. The FTDX10 spectrum display is not near as good as the ICOM IC-7300, but I do not use it much. I prefer the FTDX10 and IMO is worth $300 more the the IC-7300, but the IC-7300 is a good radio and unbeatable at the $999 price.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2022, 06:37:07 PM by N8FVJ »
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2022, 09:00:01 PM »

The good news is you got a rig you like at a price you wanted to pay.   It doesn't get any better than that. 
Logged
73  James K0UA

N8FVJ

  • Member
  • Posts: 1270
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2022, 12:02:23 AM »

Fact is at the IC-7300 low price of $899 and now $999 it changed Ham Radio history IMO. Nothing before it performed as well for the money. It was called an entry level transceiver but even ICOM advertised it a 'game changer' and it is far above entry level in performance. I suspect ICOM sold perhaps 30,000 IC-7300s over the last 5 years.
Logged

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: IC-7300 vs Yaesu FTDX10
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2022, 01:16:46 AM »

...

For a few more dollars (When compared to ICOM 7300) I believe it is correct one...Although Sherwood Engineering has the FT DX10 third place, that was not based on my decision, it was the filtering, display, and the powerful DNR...
The extent to which the Sherwood test results matter depends very much on your location. Those of us in urban environments tend to be hit with S7 plus noise floors - and that is genuine RF from SMPSUs and VDSL, not something invented by a noisy receiver. No amount of clever receiver design is going to do much about that - a few dB better in one test or another is going to go unnoticed. I choose radios based on their ergonomics rather than absolute performance - I've been through a series of models and the audible difference at my QTH is monimal...

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up