Would love to get one, but at $700+, it's a hard pass from me. I have an ID50 and like it, but the 52+ doesn't have $300+ worth of extra features for me to consider one over the 50.
Wow! Let's add USB C and Bluetooth that's only compatible with android and act like we did something special. Oh wait... we will also include a fancy box. When will a ham radio manufacturer actually innovate?
tbf thats apples fault they made it so their phones only work with bluetooth low energy. IDK how they are justifying the price increase with almost no changes
@@Blake-jl8lh How is that Apple's fault? Apple bluetooth is compatible with all kinds of devices and low energy is critical for people who use hearing aid devices. Icom could just as easily have used a compatible BT chipset which would work with both Apple and Android but instead chose to ignore 50% of the market and updated with some cheap Android BT chipset they found. Then they swapped out the antiquated microUSB port/ charging port chipset for some cheap USB-C chipset that has been the standard for at least 5 years now. Icom calls this an update, throws a 60th Anniversary title on it and raises the price. This is also about the third or forth incarnation of the 52 with almost no functional change for the last 7 years. Only minor updates with accompanying price increases.
D-star is pretty dead here in Norway. DMR is what hams use. But icom make nice radios, but its to expensive if you dont need d-star. I love my id-51! ❤️
@@bruehlt I can't believe the big manufacturers have still not realised the size of the SSB/CW market on 2m/70cm. Especially with POTA, SOTA etc.. Such an easy addition to these radio, SSB and CW mode is needed. I can't think of anything we needed less than another digital+FM only handheld.
If memory serves me correctly, DSTAR was designed for ham radio whereas DMR was adapted from business band radios. I'm not sure where Fusion C4FM came from.
Off topic on this particular video. But what are your thoughts on the Kenwood tm-v71a. I think still to this day it’s still in the top 10 of dual band radios. And the radio itself is 20 plus years old. I wonder what Kenwood is capable of doing if and when they make a come back to the Ham world.
Over 60% of the people in the US use an iPhone and yet still no support from Icom. Worldwide, Android is only 56% usage level so Icom still leaves out support for nearly half of the available users. Makes no sense, especially since cross platform conversion of typical utility type apps are easy to support.
When I had my ID-52A, it was a great HT. What bothered me was it should've had a touch screen or a keypad. Manually programming the radio was a chore to do. Since I traded it in for the Kenwood D-75A, night and day difference. More capabilities, easy to manually program and 220MHz included. Honestly, Icom could've packed more features in the ID-52A Plus to make it more competitive against the D-75A, coming from an Icom fan boy. Might end up getting one eventually. It will not replace my D-75A, but can serve as a nice field HT or another backup radio. That's just my two cents.
I cant wait to see what the new radio is going to be...It also would be awesome if they would come out with an updated version of the 706 mark ii mobile rig
I've been waiting forever for an updated IC-7100 mobile. I would like to see something like the SDR Portable IC-705 but with 200 watts output, built in tuner, face plate for mobile operations. The IC-7100 is the only HF/VHF/UHF SSB radio that Icom makes and it is getting long in the tooth.
I like my 52, so not enough difference to warrant an upgrade. Ironically, I also carry a tidradio HT3 when I travel to do a bunch of stuff that my £600 ID-52 can’t do!
Not going to lie - that's sexy, but.....not for the price they are charging for it. Insane - $729?!! I want the regular 52 plus, but its still damn expensive at $679!! IMO - the plus would be worlds better than the standard 52 with the extra features.
Ray said the coolest thing about this radio is the box? Nah won’t be spending that much on this radio. I would purchase the Kenwood D75 over this radio if I were to spend almost 800 dollars on a handheld radio.
These high end HTs have got a lot going on for them, but I have to agree with some folks, $700+ is a bit steep for the average Joe. Icom makes some seriously good radios, though, so if you can afford it, it’s worth it.
Would love to get one, but at $700+, it's a hard pass from me. I have an ID50 and like it, but the 52+ doesn't have $300+ worth of extra features for me to consider one over the 50.
well like he said the coolest part about it is the box...
the only thing that continues to be missing is analog APRS. I don't understand why Icom continues to underestimate it. 😢
Agreed
USB C as a major release feature in 2024. Wild.
Naw, the brown box is and let’s not forget that wrist strap!
Several hundred dollars more for it too
Wow! Let's add USB C and Bluetooth that's only compatible with android and act like we did something special. Oh wait... we will also include a fancy box.
When will a ham radio manufacturer actually innovate?
tbf thats apples fault they made it so their phones only work with bluetooth low energy. IDK how they are justifying the price increase with almost no changes
@@Blake-jl8lh How is that Apple's fault? Apple bluetooth is compatible with all kinds of devices and low energy is critical for people who use hearing aid devices. Icom could just as easily have used a compatible BT chipset which would work with both Apple and Android but instead chose to ignore 50% of the market and updated with some cheap Android BT chipset they found. Then they swapped out the antiquated microUSB port/ charging port chipset for some cheap USB-C chipset that has been the standard for at least 5 years now. Icom calls this an update, throws a 60th Anniversary title on it and raises the price. This is also about the third or forth incarnation of the 52 with almost no functional change for the last 7 years. Only minor updates with accompanying price increases.
@@Blake-jl8lhor the devices could support Bluetooth Low Energy like everything else does.
Apple is harder to work with
D-star is pretty dead here in Norway. DMR is what hams use. But icom make nice radios, but its to expensive if you dont need d-star. I love my id-51! ❤️
Probably why no one knows anybody from Norway.
DMR is actually more popular everywhere, TBH
Lacking APRS, only dual band, and d star isn’t busy around here. If I want a $700 HT, Kenwood would be the go to.
Agreed
Until they put real SSB TX/RX in these radios, I am not interested. Come on iCom!
Exactly! I've been looking for a SSB HT for years - all it takes is one added IC and some caps, how hard can it be???
@@reedreamer9518 its not easy to do with a quality receiver. They can do it though they just wont.
AGREED!! Now that their radios are essentially SDR's that should be an easy addition!
@@bruehlt I can't believe the big manufacturers have still not realised the size of the SSB/CW market on 2m/70cm. Especially with POTA, SOTA etc.. Such an easy addition to these radio, SSB and CW mode is needed.
I can't think of anything we needed less than another digital+FM only handheld.
Would love an HT SSB. Someone has to be first here.
If memory serves me correctly, DSTAR was designed for ham radio whereas DMR was adapted from business band radios. I'm not sure where Fusion C4FM came from.
You're correct, mostly. Although DMR is also C4FM. Fusion was designed for Ham Radio just like DSTAR was
Can't wait to get mine!
I have the ID-52A and I like it's!
I love almost everything Icom, but I feel their HT’s are always lacking in features vs. Kenwood.
I just wish that they would put in APRS. The one feature and I'd buy one.
@@JimBrock-y1j APRS is missing - that's where the Kenwood shines! I realize they have DPRS but it's not the same.
Agreed on APRS
@@HamRadio2 also the ability to receive HF too. I bought the new ID-52a 60th. I guess we will see how it is when it gets here.
Hi, your channel is great. I need help choosing between the Icom ID52 Plus vs Kenwood D75
Off topic on this particular video. But what are your thoughts on the Kenwood tm-v71a. I think still to this day it’s still in the top 10 of dual band radios. And the radio itself is 20 plus years old. I wonder what Kenwood is capable of doing if and when they make a come back to the Ham world.
Icom radios come with free extra explosives inside 😂😂😂😂😂
Over 60% of the people in the US use an iPhone and yet still no support from Icom. Worldwide, Android is only 56% usage level so Icom still leaves out support for nearly half of the available users. Makes no sense, especially since cross platform conversion of typical utility type apps are easy to support.
Apple makes it too hard to create apps in their store, so it always takes longer.
Also the global Android market is closer to 72%
My ID-51 is a white "50th Anniversary", so even though I already have an ID-52, I NEED this radio.
USB C should have been standard from the get…. The 52+ is a waste of money…
Good lord that guy undersells the entire thing.
When I had my ID-52A, it was a great HT. What bothered me was it should've had a touch screen or a keypad. Manually programming the radio was a chore to do.
Since I traded it in for the Kenwood D-75A, night and day difference. More capabilities, easy to manually program and 220MHz included. Honestly, Icom could've packed more features in the ID-52A Plus to make it more competitive against the D-75A, coming from an Icom fan boy.
Might end up getting one eventually. It will not replace my D-75A, but can serve as a nice field HT or another backup radio. That's just my two cents.
I cant wait to see what the new radio is going to be...It also would be awesome if they would come out with an updated version of the 706 mark ii mobile rig
I've been waiting forever for an updated IC-7100 mobile. I would like to see something like the SDR Portable IC-705 but with 200 watts output, built in tuner, face plate for mobile operations. The IC-7100 is the only HF/VHF/UHF SSB radio that Icom makes and it is getting long in the tooth.
Nice radio, but costs waaaaaaaay too much! China is eating your lunch with digital HT's. Come on Japan - get more competitive!
Agreed
Just wait for the Chinese knockoffs and get it at 1/4 the $$$
@@tommiehinman1349 Well, yeah. I'd buy a good VHF knockoff if it had SSB &/or D-Star - for sure!
You're paying for quality. Nothing coming out of China is this well made except maybe Hytera, which are actually more expensive but with less features
Would be nice if it could do DMR, AM, USB, LSB, and CW.
Yes
Ohhh a wrist strap. Huge selling feature ill buy 2. HEY YAESU where is ypur wrist strap. LoL
Alinco did a wrist strap a few years ago and it was worthless
the only difference is a type "C" charger and extreme cost ?
they just made more sense to go with Id 50
Agreed
Honest question. Other than D-Star, what would this give me over the Wouxun KG-Q10H?
Better receive sensitivity and front -end rejection of stray signals
Does it have Dual VFO and cross band repeat like the Yaesu FT-530?
I like my 52, so not enough difference to warrant an upgrade. Ironically, I also carry a tidradio HT3 when I travel to do a bunch of stuff that my £600 ID-52 can’t do!
Not going to lie - that's sexy, but.....not for the price they are charging for it. Insane - $729?!! I want the regular 52 plus, but its still damn expensive at $679!! IMO - the plus would be worlds better than the standard 52 with the extra features.
I,K, T, A, or somebody else need to make a 2m all mode rig with a didi port for WinLink and other modes
Why no BT for the use of Apple iPhone?
I believe it is something they'll add soon
Ray said the coolest thing about this radio is the box? Nah won’t be spending that much on this radio. I would purchase the Kenwood D75 over this radio if I were to spend almost 800 dollars on a handheld radio.
My Bluetooth doesn't work on
These high end HTs have got a lot going on for them, but I have to agree with some folks, $700+ is a bit steep for the average Joe.
Icom makes some seriously good radios, though, so if you can afford it, it’s worth it.
Kenwood D75 is much better.
Get the ID-50
Icom, just like yaesu, is officially out of touch with what hams want...
I don't agree about Yaesu
If it cannot seld contain Winlink and Vara FM, it is not worth it
No thanks, premium price for last years features.
Nope sorry