Motorola FirePagers as low as $374 from Falcon Direct!

When is a pager
NOT a pager?

That sounds like a stupid question doesn't it? The answer is not easy. It starts with defining what a pager is as it relates to emergency alerting of first responders. Let's use a term that is familiar to most of us. Let's define a Monitor Pager as a battery powered personal notification device, capable of responding to a specific address code, then switching from a muted or quite condition to one of being able to receive, and continue to receive, a voice message. The function of a Monitor Pager is to provide a means of alerting groups of people simultaneously for the purpose of responding to an emergency need. On the assumption that we all agree on this premise, let's move to the next assumption.

Through improved technology the size and weight of Monitor Pagers has continually been reduced as prices have constantly been reduced. Is this correct? Not necessarily, if you are talking about the standard of the industry - the Minitor V by Motorola. The size and weight is greater than either the Minitor III or Minitor IV and the price is higher! There are a number of reasons for this that we won't discuss at this time. However, it you would like to know more about how this came about, click here for an audio message with some interesting background information.

Suffice it say that there are pagers that are smaller and less expensive. There are devices that combine the functions of a pager and a radio into a single device (we call them PagerRadios). We have prepared a comparison chart of three of our most popular pagers along with our most popular PagerRadio. Check out the size, weight and features of each device, then choose the model that best fits YOUR individual needs. As you review this material, we think you may be surprised in reviewing the available alternatives. By the way - we offer other personal 2-way radios that have built in paging capability. You can review them as well as other personal 2-way radios by clicking here.

FirePagers	Minitor V	VP-100	NOVA	F50 & F50V

Manufacturer	Motorola	Apollo	US Alert	ICOM
Product Type	Pager	Pager	Pager	PagerRadio

Dimensions	3.52” x 2.4” x 0.5”	2.95”x 1.9” x 0.86”	2.95" x 1.9" x 0.86	3.82 x 2.2 x 1.43"
Weight	7.1 Ounces	3.7 Ounces	3.7Ounces	9.9 Ounces
Available bands	LB, VHF, UHF	VHF, UHF	VHF, UHF	VHF, UHF
Channel spacing	25 or 12.5 kHz	25 or 12.5 kHz	25 or 12.5 kHz	25 or 12.5 kHz
Audible/Vibrate alert	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (F50V Model)
Message record	Yes - Optional	Standard	Optional	Optional F50V
Channel capacity	2 - Optional	1	1	128
Transmitter power	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	5/4 watts
Max CH separation	8 MHz	8 MHz	Not applicable	38 MHz V. 70 MHz U
Rx only PC programming	Yes	Yes	No - Crystal type	Yes
Rx & Tx PC programming	No	No	No	Yes
LCD display	No	No	Yes	Yes
Tone type	2 Tone only	2 Tone	2 Tone	2 Tone, CTCSS, DCS
Priority scan capable	Yes - 2 CH model	No	Not applicable	Yes
Battery type	3.6V NiMH	AA Ni-MH	2 - AAA Ni-MH	1700 mAh Li-Ion
Charger type	Desk	Desk	Desk	Desk/Rapid
Standard warranty	1 year	1 year	1 year	2 years
Water submersible	No	No	No	Yes
Audio output	94dB Voice	88 dB Voice	87 dB Voice	500 mW
Transmitter Power	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	5W VHF, 4W UHF
Intrinsically safe	Yes	No	No	Optional
Manufacturing origin	Taiwan	Taiwan	China	Japan
Battery source	Motorola proprietary	AA compatible	Multiple vendors	Multiple vendors
Desk charger included	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dealer serviceable	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Model Designator	Minitor V	VP-100	NOVA	F50 & F50V
VHF Price	$374	$295	$329	$399
Purchase on Line
UHF Adds	Same Price	Same Price	Same Price	Adds $10
Vibrate alert	Standard	Standard	Standard	Adds $45 (F50V)
Second freq. adds	$47	Not available	Not available	Standard
Stored Voice adds	$39	Standard	$55	Adds $45 (F50V)
Amplified charger	$70	Not available	$79	Not required
5 year warranty	$78	Not available	$69	$57
Intrinsically safe	Standard	Not available	Not available	Adds $116
Speaker-Microphone	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	$79
Spare battery	$14	$3	$8	$99
Carrying case	Not available	$19	$20	$44
Programming kit	$324	$379	$100 (tones only)	$138
Detailed specifications	Click here	Click here	Click here	Click here

So now we know that there are options for products that can perform a "page" function. Some are less expensive than the standard Minitor V. Some can transmit. Some are considerably lighter. Some are only a few a ounces heavier, yet add significant features, such as the ability to transmit. Some (actually one) can be fully submersed in three feet of water for up to thirty minutes and still perform. So which one is right for you? That is your decision. Our task is to give you reasonable choices. We hope we have done our job well. If not, we are as near as your phone (1.800.489.2611), your fax (1.205.853.6178) or email (sales@falcondirect.com).

Thanks for visiting with us!

The Falcon Team
At your Service!