RFinder B1

[KK4JUG]

I got an email from RFinder yesterday wanting me to pre-order a new device. Among other things, the B1 uses GPS to set the location then finds 2m and .70m repeaters in the area. I travel a lot and it sounds like it has possibilities, BUT, they never gave any indication of the cost. That sorta tells me it kinda pricey. Does anyone have any idea what the cost might be?

Below is the text of the email:

Better late than never! Over 14 months of development...done with FCC and CE certifications...the pool is open! Our 4th generation device is finally here!

The RFinder B1 is now available for pre-order. Imagine a dual band DMR/FM handheld that NEVER needs a code plug! No programming, ever! Uses your GPS position to find the repeaters in your area, anywhere on Earth! I have been using it since early summer and what a blast...it just works...

True 4 watts, a new more sensitive receiver in a completely redesigned RF module. Soon an update (early 2Q20) will put the functionality of the DMR hotspot inside the device! Fully self-contained.

This is a full Android Cellphone/DMR Radio...carry one device, have the world at your fingertips. A true thing of beauty. WiFi, NFC, GSM, LTE (yes, Verizon, TMobile and ATT and their MVNO's as well as CA, SA, EU, Oceana and Asian carriers)...and of course 136-174/400-470MHZ DMR/FMW/FMN.

Order at http://androidradio.rfinder.net All orders placed from 27 February 2019 until 31 January 2020 will include an extra battery and drop in charger unit!

We will be filling orders as quickly as possible but expect about an 4-8 week delay at this point. Full production by end of January! Please be patient...

 

[N8IAA]

And, you didn't click on the link??? According to their website, it's $999.00 US. Just what anyone needs.

 

[N8IAA]

And, you didn't click on the link??? According to their website, it's $999.00 US. Just what anyone needs.

And, well over $1K with the accessories.

 

[KE0GXN]

Lol.. they have been producing these cell-radios for awhile now. How they have managed to stay in business is beyond me.

Nice concept, don’t get me wrong, but yeah, for 1K I can think of many other “ “actual”radios I could buy...and before anyone says, the new iPhones are about the same price...I don’t buy “new” iPhones and I don’t need or have a desire to own the ultimate “ham” phone. I like for my phone to be a phone and my radios to be radios.

 

[KK4JUG]

A thousand dollars?? For a thousand dollars, I'd Indian wrestle Blantoni naked in Macy's window in downtown New York on a Saturday. If you haven't already deciphered that, it means I'll pass.

 

[doctordialtone]

I'd Indian wrestle Blantoni naked in Macy's window in downtown New York on a Saturday.

Sounds like you'd do that for free!

 

[KK4JUG]

Sounds like you'd do that for free!

No, I'm pretty much gonna have to have the money......in cash.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I pass on that purely for ethical reasons. I like the concept, too bad it’s a ****ty company that is marketing it.

A couple years ago, I found proof that RFinder stole repeater data from RepeaterBook, and represent it as their own.

I did this with specific phrases in ‘his’ data that was 100% unique to repeaterbook. This is data that myself, Garret and ever other admin put our personal time into building.

He also charges access to this data. The owner of RFinder is an unethical POS who I will not give one red cent to.

 

[KK4JUG]

His morals (or lack thereof) notwithstanding, I have no intention of spending a grand for a piece of equipment like that. I wouldn't buy it at half the price. I'm a bit of a gadget freak but I'm not stupid (at least not real stupid).

 

[kayn1n32008]

His morals (or lack thereof) notwithstanding, I have no intention of spending a grand for a piece of equipment like that. I wouldn't buy it at half the price. I'm a bit of a gadget freak but I'm not stupid (at least not real stupid).

I just want people to know what they are supporting when they buy that device.

 

[Spankymedic7]

I'll take one for the team and admit that I own a RFinder radio. Personally, the concept is great, who wants to program codeplugs (especially if they travel)? The radio I have is of decent build quality, works well, and doubles as an Android phone, capable of whatever apps the owner chooses. Whomever calls them "cell radios" obviously either hasn't owned/used one, or may not be familiar with how they work. Can the user utilize "cell radio" apps like Zello? Sure. Do RFinder radios generate good ol' fashioned RF? You bet. They are capable of operating on any VHF/UHF analog or DMR frequency available. As for those that either inquire about them or use them, let them form their own opinions. Just my $0.02.

OK, let the flaming begin.

 

[KV4BL]

I'll take one for the team and admit that I own a RFinder radio. Personally, the concept is great, who wants to program codeplugs (especially if they travel)? The radio I have is of decent build quality, works well, and doubles as an Android phone, capable of whatever apps the owner chooses. Whomever calls them "cell radios" obviously either hasn't owned/used one, or may not be familiar with how they work. Can the user utilize "cell radio" apps like Zello? Sure. Do RFinder radios generate good ol' fashioned RF? You bet. They are capable of operating on any VHF/UHF analog or DMR frequency available. As for those that either inquire about them or use them, let them form their own opinions. Just my $0.02.

OK, let the flaming begin.

I have a question or few about the B1. How do you set it up on Simplex freqs, cross band freqs, change PL's, etc? I understand repeaters are accessed via database but the Simplex thing has me wondering. Also, I see these devices have access to a pretty broad swath of VHF and UHF spectrum, like many modern ht's. How do they operate on those freqs, assuming they aren't in a database? Note: To the bores who feel compelled to share with any poster who asks a question like this, their vast and limitless knowledge about how such might violate FCC rules, I already know. Please spare me, and others, your sermon on how such would violate FCC rules. My interest is purely academic, and maybe just a little curious in case of SHTF/WROL stuff. Thank you!

 

[N4KVE]

There’s a local guy who goes to ham fests helping RF at the shows. But whenever I hear him talking on the device, he sounds horrible. Someone did mention he’s testing new FW, but the only time he sounds good is when he’s talking on a real DMR radio. But you know what they say, the dentist has the worst teeth, the shoemaker has the worst shoes, etc. It’s a great idea, just sounds horrible, & I’m forced to turn the channel knob when he is using his device.

 

[KV4BL]

N4KVE, thanks for that info. I was already spending my PowerBall jackpot winnings (yeah right) on one of these before I saw your comment. Good info to know!

 

[W5GX]

A thousand dollars?? For a thousand dollars, I'd Indian wrestle Blantoni naked in Macy's window in downtown New York on a Saturday. If you haven't already deciphered that, it means I'll pass.

For a thousand dollars, I'd watch. If you haven't already deciphered that, it means I'll pass.

I'll take one for the team and admit that I own a RFinder radio. Personally, the concept is great, who wants to program codeplugs (especially if they travel)? The radio I have is of decent build quality, works well, and doubles as an Android phone, capable of whatever apps the owner chooses. Whomever calls them "cell radios" obviously either hasn't owned/used one, or may not be familiar with how they work. Can the user utilize "cell radio" apps like Zello? Sure. Do RFinder radios generate good ol' fashioned RF? You bet. They are capable of operating on any VHF/UHF analog or DMR frequency available. As for those that either inquire about them or use them, let them form their own opinions. Just my $0.02.

OK, let the flaming begin.

Wait - you can't plug in a SIM card and use it as a cell phone? So, a thousand dollar Android HT?

 

[jaspence]

I have the previous model, the K1. The concept is great, but too many things get in the way. I have had mine just over a year, and had to reset it twice because of software issues. The database has many errors. Two of our local repeaters are or have been double listed, once as DMR and also as FM. Programming a TG is fairly easy with no software needed (or available), but when you go to use a talk group, it has to load into memory, which may take 2 or 3 tries. Transmit and receive audio are good, and the finder display can be set for other bands and types of emissions (YSF, D-Star. etc.) if you travel with multiple radios. I do not use the phone feature because it is not compatible with my carrier. It is a great attention getter, but below average as a dependable radio. The $12.99 a year for the database access is also questionable when Repeaterbook is free and has fewer errors.

 

[KK4JUG]

The $12.99 a year for the database access is also questionable when Repeaterbook is free and has fewer errors.

I use Repeaterbook and I gotta tell you, they didn't raise the bar very high.

Having said that, it's better than nothing.

 

[W5GX]

I use Repeaterbook and I gotta tell you, they didn't raise the bar very high.

Having said that, it's better than nothing.

A crowd sourced database is only as good as the crowd that is sourced.

 

[W5GX]

I'll take one for the team and admit that I own a RFinder radio. Personally, the concept is great, who wants to program codeplugs (especially if they travel)? The radio I have is of decent build quality, works well, and doubles as an Android phone, capable of whatever apps the owner chooses. Whomever calls them "cell radios" obviously either hasn't owned/used one, or may not be familiar with how they work. Can the user utilize "cell radio" apps like Zello? Sure. Do RFinder radios generate good ol' fashioned RF? You bet. They are capable of operating on any VHF/UHF analog or DMR frequency available. As for those that either inquire about them or use them, let them form their own opinions. Just my $0.02.

OK, let the flaming begin.

Wait - you can't plug in a SIM card and use it as a cell phone? So, a thousand dollar Android HT?

I may have misread your post, Spanky. This is also a cell phone, correct?

 

[KK4JUG]

A crowd sourced database is only as good as the crowd that is sourced.

You are absolutely right and I would be happy to add some credibility to it but I usually can't. I travel quite a bit but I usually travel alone and am unable to make notes about the discrepancies.

Some of the errors are major and should be handled by the individual state mangers (that are shown on the listings). For instance, two interstate highways were not even shown for several years. Also, the listing for repeaters along I-65, that runs the length of the state from Tennessee to Mobile and includes Montgomery and Birmingham, had only listings for the Mobile area. The page manager lives in the Mobile area.