I OWNED A 590 AND SOLD IT. GOOD RADIO. GOOD RECEIVER. GOOD VALUE.
THE EAGLE SHOULD BE BETTER - in raw transmitter and receiver performance.
You can't go wrong with either rig. Period.
So the decision comes down to how you operate.
Read each user manual and picture yourself operating it. Maybe select 7
major features and compare how each one works to adjust and use each
such feature, and pick the one that suits the way you operate.
You won't get as many bells and whistles on the Eagle - for example, it
has but one antenna jack (i.e., no second ANT jack and no receive-only
jack as on the 590)- and the 590 has both USB and Serial port
connections - but if you don't need all those goodies, the Eagle should
outperform the 590 on the air.
The 590 is a GOOD radio with really good NR and noise blanking - but the
Eagle does also. Again, having owned a 590, and the Omni VII and Orion
II - I am confident you cannot go wrong with either rig. And yet, I
press for the Eagle!
So, wait, there is more... the Eagle has a superior down conversion
receiver on all bands, down conversion all the time; whereas the 590 is
down conversion on only some bands and only under certain conditions.
Each rig has plenty of quirky controls, so you will have to learn how
each one works - ergonomics are a draw or a wash in my view. As Rick
says, you will learn how each one works in time and be fine either way.
I think Rick is mistaken about the 590 having better third order
intermod figures... check the Sherwood chart and you may find the Eagle
scores better, really ... see here:
http://www.sherweng.com/table.html
I like the ergonomics of the TT products better (especially the Omni
VII) which is also a huge value and should be on your short list as
well. I sold the 590 and kept the Omni VII, which says it all for me.
Kenwood has improved the 590 by fixing the AGC power spike issue, which
was not a deal breaker in any case. There are a few 590 owners who
claim the rig fails to produce a full 100 watts on SSB - which I think
is bogus, and based on a misunderstanding about how to measure peak
output on SSB, and it was certainly not an issue for me. Still, the
debate rages on after over a year, so who knows, maybe a few early
production 590s have a problem. The Eagle has no such concerns at all.
I believe, early, on a few operators were disappointed with the Eagle's
DSP NR performance, but I believe that was sorted out out in more recent
firmware updates, and I have heard nothing further to this for over a
year or more. I presume that is no longer an issue. Of course, you
will always get a debate over DSP NR performance, but I believe both
rigs perform well on this aspect.
I believe the Eagle has superior audio. I found the 590 a bit brassy,
and overly treble - even after messing with its multi band EQ settings.
You might decide otherwise. But my take is the Eagle sounds better.
It is NOT that the 590 sounds bad - just that I think the Eagle sounds
better.
The 590 does come with a slick and reliable computer control program
that works well. I liked using it, even though I also like and use
N4PY's fine control programs. But, that is a perk the Eagle does not
provide.
The transmit audio claim is a non-issue in my estimation. Do diligence
and affirm or refute the point yourself before buying.
Mike's (W2AJI) review is golden. I agree with nearly everything he
says. But the takeaway is that he prefers his Orion II receiver - and
that is essentially the same receiver in the Eagle - so if he likes the
Orion II better, you "should" also like the Eagle better.
Considering the current sale prices, I would also recommend the Omni
VII. I sold my 590 and kept my Omni VII - so that is how I voted.
Again both rigs are super fine and at this price, it should come down to
what specifications (especially receiver) you really want / need and how
you operate as to which rig fits best in your shack.
Happy trails. Good luck on your decision.
-------------------- JHR -----------------------
On 7/6/2014 11:16 AM, G Reichow wrote:
Hello all,
I am in the market for a new radio. Originally I was looking at
the FTDX-1200 and the TS-590S as both of those are within my budget.
Now, with the mega-sale, the Eagle is within my budget as well. I was
leaning toward the 590S due to its receiver. So I guess it comes down
to the 590 or Eagle. My primary interests are dx'ing and contests.
Constructive input and thoughts are welcome.
Tks - Gary (KN0V)
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