Had to try it: Hamgeek APX-8000

[Falcon9h]

Now, to find someone willing to take one for the team ? ...

I tried. Threw the radio in the garbage.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I tried. Threw the radio in the garbage.

Wow, Win some, Lose some.

 

[Falcon9h]

Wow, Win some, Lose some.

Yeah, that was a lose 🙄

 

[knockoffham]

I decided to buy it because how could you not buy something horribly overpriced, looking like an APX, but branded "HAMGEEK"? Also becuase the same case (and I think mostly same board) has been used to make okay PTT over cellular radios. The worst cheap chinese radio I ever owned. It is able to be hacked to Tx 220-260 and 902-928 but the filtering basically filters all that out at about 0.1 watt and receive is the same. Also, it has a pretty capable CPU inside with exposed programming pins so with custom firmware it could be okay. Battery life was great- left it on for 4 days. And obviously, it looks almost as cool as a real APX and the build quality is almost on par. Now, the bad. Lowest possible squelch is still way too high. Sometimes, it just doesn't receive at all- will open squelch and all you hear is noise on a clear signal. Then it 'adjusts' itself and starts working. Also, selectivity is terrible but I expected that. Occasionally, the audio would completely die and it would be like you had the speaker unplugged. Additionally, the top display only works in VFO mode, not memory mode. I bought it knowing it would be junk, with the hope to improve it somehow and make a comparison video to an APX (and maybe some other radios) but never got around to it. I am keeping it with the hope to someday create and load custom firmware on it. Or I might just give it away like I do most CCRs but this one is so **** it probably isn't even worthy of that
Edit: forgot to mention the dual PTT (advertised as 'Bual PTT') actually works. Front microphone and back microphone.

 

[Falcon9h]

I decided to buy it because how could you not buy something horribly overpriced, looking like an APX, but branded "HAMGEEK"? Also becuase the same case (and I think mostly same board) has been used to make okay PTT over cellular radios. The worst cheap chinese radio I ever owned. It is able to be hacked to Tx 220-260 and 902-928 but the filtering basically filters all that out at about 0.1 watt and receive is the same. Also, it has a pretty capable CPU inside with exposed programming pins so with custom firmware it could be okay. Battery life was great- left it on for 4 days. And obviously, it looks almost as cool as a real APX and the build quality is almost on par. Now, the bad. Lowest possible squelch is still way too high. Sometimes, it just doesn't receive at all- will open squelch and all you hear is noise on a clear signal. Then it 'adjusts' itself and starts working. Also, selectivity is terrible but I expected that. Occasionally, the audio would completely die and it would be like you had the speaker unplugged. Additionally, the top display only works in VFO mode, not memory mode. I bought it knowing it would be junk, with the hope to improve it somehow and make a comparison video to an APX (and maybe some other radios) but never got around to it. I am keeping it with the hope to someday create and load custom firmware on it. Or I might just give it away like I do most CCRs but this one is so **** it probably isn't even worthy of that
Edit: forgot to mention the dual PTT (advertised as 'Bual PTT') actually works. Front microphone and back microphone.

Yeah, it's a shame. If they actually did the fix and got thevthing to full potential I could be persuaded to try another one but I don't see that happening. When I junked mine the internal and physical build quality was good.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Apparently Bowelturd's have defecated their version of a Hamgeek Apx8000, known as the Beofeng UV32 and it LOOKS like a near copy of the Hamgeek monstrosity !! Baofeng UV-32 10W Multi Bands Amateur walkie-talkie UHF VHF Aviation Radio GPS Bluetooth APP read-write frequency - Walkie-Talkie

 

[Falcon9h]

Apparently Bowelturd's have defecated their version of a Hamgeek Apx8000, known as the Beofeng UV32 and it LOOKS like a near copy of the Hamgeek monstrosity !! Baofeng UV-32 10W Multi Bands Amateur walkie-talkie UHF VHF Aviation Radio GPS Bluetooth APP read-write frequency - Walkie-Talkie

The hate is strong with this one...
I got one and it's not your typical CCR. All of the Hamgeek problems don't exist with this radio. Build quality is good with no plasticy feeling or creaking when you handle it, and finally it has zones. 'Bout time. Beats the crap out of my scanners for receive sens and audio fidelity and has a super nice sharp color display.

 

[rf_patriot200]

The hate is strong with this one...
I got one and it's not your typical CCR. All of the Hamgeek problems don't exist with this radio. Build quality is good with no plasticy feeling or creaking when you handle it, and finally it has zones. 'Bout time. Beats the crap out of my scanners for receive sens and audio fidelity and has a super nice sharp color display.

I'm glad you like it.

 

[N4KVE]

Any way to expand the frequency coverage?

 

[Falcon9h]

Any way to expand the frequency coverage?

Already comes ready to go. These folks shipped fast and answer pretty promptly. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808108927217.html?

 

[alcahuete]

Apparently Bowelturd's have defecated their version of a Hamgeek Apx8000, known as the Beofeng UV32 and it LOOKS like a near copy of the Hamgeek monstrosity !! Baofeng UV-32 10W Multi Bands Amateur walkie-talkie UHF VHF Aviation Radio GPS Bluetooth APP read-write frequency - Walkie-Talkie

No flashlight? That's a non-starter for me.

 

[rescuecomm]

Does this radio have the reverse burst squelch quieting? Not a deal breaker though.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Already comes ready to go. These folks shipped fast and answer pretty promptly. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808108927217.html?

Did it Really have a 8,800 mah Battery ? That's crazy.

 

[Falcon9h]

Does this radio have the reverse burst squelch quieting? Not a deal breaker though.

Unfortunately no, disappointment. As CCR's go, the tail isn't too obnoxious but could be quicker. I'd love to see a firmware update to fix this. If Tidradio did this with the H3, Baofeng can do it with this. And there needs to be a better carry option.
I'm gonna say no to 8800 mah on the battery. A few hour's listening and it dropped by one bar already, so battery life might be an Achilles.
There's a DM-32 DMR version of this, I'm thinking reverse burst would work in that, same as most other DMR radios I tried.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Unfortunately no, disappointment. I'm gonna say no to 8800 mah. A few hour's liztening and dropped by one bar already, so battery life might be an Achi

8,800 mah would have been a stretch, not to mention somewhat hefty.

 

[Falcon9h]

8,800 mah would have been a stretch, not to mention somewhat hefty.

Would be nice. The radio could use more heft.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Unfortunately no, disappointment. As CCR's go, the tail isn't too obnoxious but could be quicker. I'd love to see a firmware update to fix this. If Tidradio did this with the H3, Baofeng can do it with this. And there needs to be a better carry option.
I'm gonna say no to 8800 mah on the battery. A few hour's listening and it dropped by one bar already, so battery life might be an Achilles.
There's a DM-32 DMR version of this, I'm thinking reverse burst would work in that, same as most other DMR radios I tried.

M0FXB has a channel on Youtube and he just did a review on the Beofeng UV32 I think, which was interesting but it wasn't Dmr that I remember.

 

[AK9R]

Baofeng UV-32: Baofeng UV-32 Multi band AM FM UHF VHF 10W GPS One-Click Frequency Long Range Bluetooth APP read-write frequency - Two Way Radio

Baofeng DM-32: Baofeng DM-32UV Multi band DMR Handheld Walkie Talkie High Power 10W Digital Simulation GPS APRS One-Click Frequency Long Range FM - Two Way Radio

 

[doc62]

M0FXB has a channel on Youtube and he just did a review on the Beofeng UV32 I think, which was interesting but it wasn't Dmr that I remember.

Do you have a link to the video? Couldn’t find it on his YouTube channel.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Do you have a link to the video? Couldn’t find it on his YouTube channel.

I'll peruse the tube again,and see if I can find them. He has a few which relate to the uv32.