Thanks for the review. I have seen these for sale, and have wondered what made them worth the rather ridiculous price. Now I know: they are’t! I can get a mike for my UV9G for $10 and have a lot more capability for 1/3 the cost. Even throwing in the still $70 cost of the GMRS license I would still be ahead! I see little real capability here that could not be provided by a pair of Motorola 600s. Nice to know! Good test.
it's a crazy price. You could even study for a ham license, buy the book, pass the test and get a radio for less than that. IMHO, I think there is some gouging going on with this radio. It's unique and yep it works well, but man that price is astronomical!
I was thinking the exact same thing...I have my GMRS license, and a pair of UV-9G's myself, which I have been beating up on and dunking in rivers and waterfalls in Yosemite this past week (and they performed flawlessly, esp with their extended antennas and repeater capability), and was thinking they'd be terrific substitutes for this 350 dollar pair...It's no small ripoff, IMO, but I do like how they integrate into the BC float pack, but it's easy enough to thread the mics from the UV's in through as well...The only thing I have a slight issue with is that the build quality of the waterproof Baofeng mics do not seem as robust as the units in this video, but whatever: I'm going to take my UV's out early winter to see how they hold up before I even dream about dropping nearly 400 bucks (!!) on any GMRS "handheld".
@@backcountryamateurradio One doesn't even need a HAM license, just the GMRS as the OP noted! Plus, anyway, if one is using ANY kind of GMRS (from these to the cheapie blister pack Motorolas) you are supposed to have the GMRS license...only 70 bucks for 5 years, and no test like the HAM license. Just pay and play...Plus, you get that cool "call sign" that you are supposed to consistently announce over the radio when you do a "comms check", which is fun 🤣
@@gavinhalm3016 I have a UV9G as well, and it seems pretty sturdy to me. And if I had a $400 (or even $100) GMRS HT, it would never leave the house! A $35 HT is a lot more replaceable! I have 2 Retevis RB26, one Retevis RB27, and a Radioddity mobile. All together they cost around $150. I am working on my Ham license (class starts on Thursday) and I have three Baofengs of various types that I got on eBay for a total of around $50. I wanted to get into radio in the 70’s but couldn’t afford it. In comparison, the low costs of equipment today are amazing!
Thank you for checking out the video! I don’t believe the EU version is compatible with the USA version as the frequencies are different; PMR vs FRS I believe.
My buddy has two of these and one has a bad battery, which are non replaceable. I'll stick with my Motorola T600 GMRS Radio w/ hand mic and Frogzkin cover. It's a better overall radio with more channels and features , at a cheaper price, plus replaceable batteries. I use mine for Snowmobile powder riding, kayaking, hiking, hunting, and Off-roading.
Motorola makes great radios (I think the T800 is of particular interest). They also make great hand mics. BCA should have a way to get that battery replaced. They have had a history of excellent support for their gear. The unique hand mic of the Link2.0 makes it hard to ignore but the price is still way too far out there. I love mine but usually put it on my partners who don't have a radio because it's so simple. It does suck that when the two parts aren't connected it's no longer a radio.
Unless you get one from BCA, and from what I’ve heard they have pretty good support. But yeah, after some use my mic alligator clip just fell off, the screw backed out on their own for no reason.
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Thanks for the review. I have seen these for sale, and have wondered what made them worth the rather ridiculous price. Now I know: they are’t! I can get a mike for my UV9G for $10 and have a lot more capability for 1/3 the cost. Even throwing in the still $70 cost of the GMRS license I would still be ahead!
I see little real capability here that could not be provided by a pair of Motorola 600s.
Nice to know! Good test.
it's a crazy price. You could even study for a ham license, buy the book, pass the test and get a radio for less than that. IMHO, I think there is some gouging going on with this radio. It's unique and yep it works well, but man that price is astronomical!
I was thinking the exact same thing...I have my GMRS license, and a pair of UV-9G's myself, which I have been beating up on and dunking in rivers and waterfalls in Yosemite this past week (and they performed flawlessly, esp with their extended antennas and repeater capability), and was thinking they'd be terrific substitutes for this 350 dollar pair...It's no small ripoff, IMO, but I do like how they integrate into the BC float pack, but it's easy enough to thread the mics from the UV's in through as well...The only thing I have a slight issue with is that the build quality of the waterproof Baofeng mics do not seem as robust as the units in this video, but whatever: I'm going to take my UV's out early winter to see how they hold up before I even dream about dropping nearly 400 bucks (!!) on any GMRS "handheld".
@@backcountryamateurradio One doesn't even need a HAM license, just the GMRS as the OP noted! Plus, anyway, if one is using ANY kind of GMRS (from these to the cheapie blister pack Motorolas) you are supposed to have the GMRS license...only 70 bucks for 5 years, and no test like the HAM license. Just pay and play...Plus, you get that cool "call sign" that you are supposed to consistently announce over the radio when you do a "comms check", which is fun 🤣
@@gavinhalm3016 it’s only $35 now. It changed 2 weeks after I paid $70😳
@@gavinhalm3016 I have a UV9G as well, and it seems pretty sturdy to me. And if I had a $400 (or even $100) GMRS HT, it would never leave the house! A $35 HT is a lot more replaceable!
I have 2 Retevis RB26, one Retevis RB27, and a Radioddity mobile. All together they cost around $150. I am working on my Ham license (class starts on Thursday) and I have three Baofengs of various types that I got on eBay for a total of around $50. I wanted to get into radio in the 70’s but couldn’t afford it. In comparison, the low costs of equipment today are amazing!
Can you also use this during hiking and/or other activities?
yes, as long at there is a place to mount the base unit. being a two piece radio, the base needs to be stabilized.
Hi! Great review. But I can’t connect the US version with the EU version. 😢 help pliss. Thanks.
Thank you for checking out the video! I don’t believe the EU version is compatible with the USA version as the frequencies are different; PMR vs FRS I believe.
My buddy has two of these and one has a bad battery, which are non replaceable. I'll stick with my Motorola T600 GMRS Radio w/ hand mic and Frogzkin cover. It's a better overall radio with more channels and features , at a cheaper price, plus replaceable batteries. I use mine for Snowmobile powder riding, kayaking, hiking, hunting, and Off-roading.
Motorola makes great radios (I think the T800 is of particular interest). They also make great hand mics. BCA should have a way to get that battery replaced. They have had a history of excellent support for their gear. The unique hand mic of the Link2.0 makes it hard to ignore but the price is still way too far out there. I love mine but usually put it on my partners who don't have a radio because it's so simple. It does suck that when the two parts aren't connected it's no longer a radio.
This thing sucks. You can't replace the microphone when it inevitably breaks.
Unless you get one from BCA, and from what I’ve heard they have pretty good support. But yeah, after some use my mic alligator clip just fell off, the screw backed out on their own for no reason.
189? Sweet Jesus for that?
Haha right?! Purpose built, but still. Gouging much?
Lol, exactly...really solid GMRS units (and waterproof/resistant ones) go for like 50 bucks a pop!