I have both kenwood Tk3180 and Tk3170, the 3170 is just a little shorter and a little thicker than the 3180. Screen on 3170 does allow as many letters as the 3180, the 3170 also allows the volume to gradually increase from on point and the 3180 does not, 3180 jumps from nothing to a set volume. Don't know why they are different?