APX Next

[Spinnerkid]

I’ve been interested in purchasing an APX Next, but am having a hard time locating one.

Is the general public still out of luck, unless having a Radio Central account with Mother M?

There are some available on Fleabay, but they all originate from China, so I doubt their authenticity.

 

[MTS2000des]

An APX NEXT is a converged device. Intended for agencies who have or access an Astro 25 core via Smart Connect, otherwise there is no advantage to one and private ownership, while possible, can be a hassle. Other than the whacker factor, there is nothing an NEXT will do that a garden variety APX8000 or dare I say, Harris XL-200P cannot, and for thousands less. Unless one has access to an RC and agency, along with all the subscription "smart" features, one is going to spend a lot of money for stuff they'll never be able to use.

As far as spending four figures to some dubious source in China, have fun with that. I'd rather take that cash to Vegas. The NEXT can be CPS programmed if the firmware is above 4.xx but only if the radio hasn't been restricted by the previous owner. Think of these radios like buying a used iPhone. If it's iCloud locked, you have a paperweight and Apple won't help you. Likewise, if a radio is locked down, MSI will laugh at you.

 

[KevinC]

An APX NEXT is a converged device. Intended for agencies who have or access an Astro 25 core via Smart Connect, otherwise there is no advantage to one and private ownership, while possible, can be a hassle. Other than the whacker factor, there is nothing an NEXT will do that a garden variety APX8000 or dare I say, Harris XL-200P cannot, and for thousands less. Unless one has access to an RC and agency, along with all the subscription "smart" features, one is going to spend a lot of money for stuff they'll never be able to use.

As far as spending four figures to some dubious source in China, have fun with that. I'd rather take that cash to Vegas. The NEXT can be CPS programmed if the firmware is above 4.xx but only if the radio hasn't been restricted by the previous owner. Think of these radios like buying a used iPhone. If it's iCloud locked, you have a paperweight and Apple won't help you. Likewise, if a radio is locked down, MSI will laugh at you.

To add to this, when I had my 2 they just didn’t fit my hand very well. I’d hate to spend thousands on a radio that was awkward to hold.

 

[Spinnerkid]

An APX NEXT is a converged device. Intended for agencies who have or access an Astro 25 core via Smart Connect, otherwise there is no advantage to one and private ownership, while possible, can be a hassle. Other than the whacker factor, there is nothing an NEXT will do that a garden variety APX8000 or dare I say, Harris XL-200P cannot, and for thousands less. Unless one has access to an RC and agency, along with all the subscription "smart" features, one is going to spend a lot of money for stuff they'll never be able to use.

As far as spending four figures to some dubious source in China, have fun with that. I'd rather take that cash to Vegas. The NEXT can be CPS programmed if the firmware is above 4.xx but only if the radio hasn't been restricted by the previous owner. Think of these radios like buying a used iPhone. If it's iCloud locked, you have a paperweight and Apple won't help you. Likewise, if a radio is locked down, MSI will laugh at you.

Good morning and thanks for your detailed reply!

Much appreciated!

I do utilize smart connect daily with my 8K, and do agree that the Next does not pose any upgrades per se for the daily HAM user. I guess it would come down to preference over touch screen vs physical buttons (if you’re able to locate one, and willing to pay the price).
At the end of the day, other than being able to access smart connect without WiFi, and the addition of a touch screen. It is an 8k.

I’ve spent a decent amount of time using them before and while cool, I’m not sure they are worth the price tag. It was more inherent curiosity for ease of access to smart connect without WiFi.

 

[Spinnerkid]

To add to this, when I had my 2 they just didn’t fit my hand very well. I’d hate to spend thousands on a radio that was awkward to hold.

Interesting! I actually thought they fit my hand a little better than my 8k because they were larger. I do have larger hands, but the ergo of the 8k is hard to beat!

 

[MTS2000des]

Good morning and thanks for your detailed reply!

Much appreciated!

I do utilize smart connect daily with my 8K, and do agree that the Next does not pose any upgrades per se for the daily HAM user. I guess it would come down to preference over touch screen vs physical buttons (if you’re able to locate one, and willing to pay the price).
At the end of the day, other than being able to access smart connect without WiFi, and the addition of a touch screen. It is an 8k.

I’ve spent a decent amount of time using them before and while cool, I’m not sure they are worth the price tag. It was more inherent curiosity for ease of access to smart connect without WiFi.

Keep in mind, whatever system you have access to on Smart Connect, you'd have to pay for the LTE broadband from MSI- there is no "bring your own LTE" like Harris does with the XL/VIDA. You buy the NEXT from MSI with either AT&T or Verizon and they bill you for it. That being said, buying one from a third party, you most likely won't get that, and I don't even know if it can be added post sale by anyone other than MSI and thru your account/systems rep.

This is not a product one should buy from unknown third parties, unless one has thousands to risk. Yes, even though Ebay is a 100 percent money back guarantee, I don't even want to think about what it would cost to ship something like that back to Baofeng country.

 

[Spinnerkid]

Keep in mind, whatever system you have access to on Smart Connect, you'd have to pay for the LTE broadband from MSI- there is no "bring your own LTE" like Harris does with the XL/VIDA. You buy the NEXT from MSI with either AT&T or Verizon and they bill you for it. That being said, buying one from a third party, you most likely won't get that, and I don't even know if it can be added post sale by anyone other than MSI and thru your account/systems rep.

This is not a product one should buy from unknown third parties, unless one has thousands to risk. Yes, even though Ebay is a 100 percent money back guarantee, I don't even want to think about what it would cost to ship something like that back to Baofeng country.

Now THAT is something I did not know.

Even if purchased second hand somewhere you aren’t able to just put your own sim in? That’s insane, but follows the tracks of pay to play with moto.

Yeah exactly, plus the chances of the radios being legit are slim to none in my opinion. While I don’t know how the supply chain works over there, it doesn’t seem like legit products. It has been the only lead on “purchasable” Nexts other than Alibaba, and nobody is buying radios on Alibaba lol.

I appreciate your help on this matter, if your info is indeed true, might as well just purchase an additional 8k. The Next would just be an 8k at that point with a touch screen if LTE is indeed not accessible.

 

[MTS2000des]

The radios are initially sold to an agency and that agency is setup on the backend to port to Radio Central. The SIM card comes installed from the factory as ordered. I have asked about what it takes to swap and our MSI rep who's been with the company since 1990 says she doesn't think it's possible, but I have doubts as we've seen the degradation of Verizon's network cause us to rethink ordering future NEXT and N series with VZW as AT&T/FirstNet is aggressively building up their network in metro ATL where as VZW has become the new Metro PCS "1 bar everywhere you go".
Either way, as mentioned, these converged devices should be purchased with caution from 3rd parties. Even if they are not locked down, getting support from MSI to get those features working may be a gamble. "You didn't buy it from us..." and there may be little to no support.

Lots of money to pay for what is essentially an APX8000 with a touch screen.

 

[crazyboy]

You can swap the SIM and it will work fine. At least with same provider. I believe the issue is they don’t have a way to bill you for the services and not include the LTE currently. (Which shouldn’t be all too difficult for them)

 

[Spinnerkid]

The radios are initially sold to an agency and that agency is setup on the backend to port to Radio Central. The SIM card comes installed from the factory as ordered. I have asked about what it takes to swap and our MSI rep who's been with the company since 1990 says she doesn't think it's possible, but I have doubts as we've seen the degradation of Verizon's network cause us to rethink ordering future NEXT and N series with VZW as AT&T/FirstNet is aggressively building up their network in metro ATL where as VZW has become the new Metro PCS "1 bar everywhere you go".
Either way, as mentioned, these converged devices should be purchased with caution from 3rd parties. Even if they are not locked down, getting support from MSI to get those features working may be a gamble. "You didn't buy it from us..." and there may be little to no support.

Lots of money to pay for what is essentially an APX8000 with a touch screen.

Thanks for the info.
That makes sense, they were not made for the common consumer. Moto wants to manage everything from the backend.

Yup, I switched from VZW to ATT this year after 10 years, here in San Fran I had nothing but issues this past year. They used to be awesome.

Yup, you’re correct, it’s the same as my 8k, just with a screen, and LTE capability. Additionally purchasing 3rd party would leave me out of luck if anything were to go wrong.

I do enjoy the screen but I am curious what might happen in 2-3 years once the “android” side of the radio starts to slow down due to hardware limitations.

I think for now my 8k will be sufficient, unless I’m offered a Next at a price that is too good to pass up.
Thank you very much for your knowledge! Super appreciated!

 

[Spinnerkid]

You can swap the SIM and it will work fine. At least with same provider. I believe the issue is they don’t have a way to bill you for the services and not include the LTE currently. (Which shouldn’t be all too difficult for them)

Interesting, thanks for the info!

The LTE for smart connect 24/7 would be awesome, but my 8k is setup for my phone, car, and home WIFI, so it’s not a huge difference unless those all don’t work.

 

[MTS2000des]

Interesting, thanks for the info!

The LTE for smart connect 24/7 would be awesome, but my 8k is setup for my phone, car, and home WIFI, so it’s not a huge difference unless those all don’t work.

SC as you know, has to be provisioned on the back end of a core. As this also eats up a client license, it's not without cost. Everything about the NEXT platform and N series is revenue generating. Again, think of the Apple/iCloud model.

As far as the hardware, it is a fork of Android and the hardware is already 3-4 years out of date. A Samsung Galaxy S21 is about the same vintage. Either way, it's locked down tighter than a nun's convent and unlike the TRBO sister aka iON, no one has at least publicly cracked the egg to side load other apps. Everything comes beamed down from the mothership and they (MSI) wants it that way.

I would love to be able to load my CAD mobile client (OneSolution Freedom) which has an Android app so our units can get CAD, but why would MSI want us to do that when they would rather sell us Command Central/Premier?

Having had a NEXT for 3 years now, it's neat to be able to go out of town and listen, like when I went to APCO last year in Nashville, but Wave PTX on a phone can do the same thing if you have it on your system and no $10,000 radio needed.

 

[Spinnerkid]

SC as you know, has to be provisioned on the back end of a core. As this also eats up a client license, it's not without cost. Everything about the NEXT platform and N series is revenue generating. Again, think of the Apple/iCloud model.

As far as the hardware, it is a fork of Android and the hardware is already 3-4 years out of date. A Samsung Galaxy S21 is about the same vintage. Either way, it's locked down tighter than a nun's convent and unlike the TRBO sister aka iON, no one has at least publicly cracked the egg to side load other apps. Everything comes beamed down from the mothership and they (MSI) wants it that way.

I would love to be able to load my CAD mobile client (OneSolution Freedom) which has an Android app so our units can get CAD, but why would MSI want us to do that when they would rather sell us Command Central/Premier?

Having had a NEXT for 3 years now, it's neat to be able to go out of town and listen, like when I went to APCO last year in Nashville, but Wave PTX on a phone can do the same thing if you have it on your system and no $10,000 radio needed.

Yup, mother M cared about profits so god forbid they allow the community to load things onto a device they PURCHASE.
It is a business though.

A CAD mobile client, or ATAK availability would allow they devices to truly flourish… or addition of expandable memory if need be. But for most people using these radios for work, they have their set amount of channels and they only use those.
Side loading is not something M wants because it takes away from (as you explained) their software.

Enthusiasts might have more use, but it comes for a pretty penny. I for one would love to utilize ATAK on this device. I have an 21Ultra (funny enough) for ATAK, and I can use Waveoncloud on my iPhone.

At the end of the day I can pull up CPS on my latitude and program in new WiFi networks to use P25 anywhere… but is the convenience of having LTE anywhere, worth 10k+? No… especially with each feature you may want costing different amounts.
I will say one day I’ll want to try one, but it may take a while.

 

[jeepsandradios]

All good points above. I carry 2 for work and as said the LTE aspect is the only reason I really use mine. If I have Wifi I use my 8K. I'm not a fan of the display and even with my XE and firegloves I fumble with changing zones. I wish the 8K would support a sim, but I guess thats the N70 feature. Guessing it will be some time until I get a N70 in my hands but I'd probably carry that a bit more than the NEXT.

 

[Spinnerkid]

All good points above. I carry 2 for work and as said the LTE aspect is the only reason I really use mine. If I have Wifi I use my 8K. I'm not a fan of the display and even with my XE and firegloves I fumble with changing zones. I wish the 8K would support a sim, but I guess thats the N70 feature. Guessing it will be some time until I get a N70 in my hands but I'd probably carry that a bit more than the NEXT.

Yeah, like we spoke about earlier the software/hardware will eventually just cycle out I think. My 8k is most likely good to go for the foreseeable future. If they added a sim to 8k I’d definitely need to purchase one asap!

Also nice name! I love my 22 JLUR!