So, is the BKR9000 really vapourware?

[jayres]

We've got an order for BKR's that we sent to the factory in August; being told won't ship till February at the soonest. And that was after raising some stink to get the order expedited.

 

[PVPD730]

We've got an order for BKR's that we sent to the factory in August; being told won't ship till February at the soonest. And that was after raising some stink to get the order expedited.

The Melbourne facility has been dealing with supply chain issues for a while now. I waited 3 months for a couple of batteries and some other accessories. Supply chain issues aside, they're usually good with turn-around times.

 

[rsmith7799]

We've got an order for BKR's that we sent to the factory in August; being told won't ship till February at the soonest. And that was after raising some stink to get the order expedited.

How many did you order of the BKR5000's? There were over 450 in stock ready for shipment.

 

[radionerd1]

I was starting to think it was Vaporware too.

 

[rsmith7799]

I'm sure they are 100% aware.
And that's the issue:

They either forgot to apply for Part 90 on 700MHz (unlikely, especially since the radio was designed to support it)
Or, they specifically didn't apply for it since they knew it wouldn't pass.

Either one of the two scenarios doesn't bode well. It's a major red flag. I'd have a hard time justifying purchasing any of those until the product is fully proven in the field. No way I'd want to be an early adopter. That sounds like a major headache in the making, and maybe an orphaned product line in the not too distant future.

This product has been on the roadmap for many years now. I was looking at it back at IWCE in 2018. They've been slow in getting this to market, meantime parts of their product line are faltering. Sounds like they are making a Hail Mary pass to try and get a piece of the pie that Kenwood/EFJ, Tait, Harris and Motorola already have a bite out of.

Industry competition has really ramped up, and BK seems like they are trying to run in a race that most others have already completed. They may finish the race, but no way they'll place this late in the game.

So, in response to one of you comments, BK wanted to make sure the 5000 and the 9000 weren't brought out too soon like the KNG's were. Lots of issues with the KNG, even though it was a great seller, it has it's "issues". Yes, late to the game but now that the early purchased APX's are coming to their end of life, the consumer now has to really look at the BKR9000 as a solid contender and at a better price point.

 

[mmckenna]

the consumer now has to really look at the BKR9000 as a solid contender and at a better price point.

I agreed. Glad to see they got this out, finally.

I'm all for competition, and was recently in the market for multiband radios. Needed LTE capability, however or I would have absolutely considered these.

With Kenwood/EF Johnson in the game, as well as Tait, it's a good time to be in the market. Hopefully prices will continue to be driven down.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Lots of issues with the KNG

The KNG radios are absolute junk.

 

[ScannerDude244]

I agreed. Glad to see they got this out, finally.

I'm all for competition, and was recently in the market for multiband radios. Needed LTE capability, however or I would have absolutely considered these.

With Kenwood/EF Johnson in the game, as well as Tait, it's a good time to be in the market. Hopefully prices will continue to be driven down.

yup it's going hard now with smart connect and beon coming more in the market.

 

[jayres]

How many did you order of the BKR5000's? There were over 450 in stock ready for shipment.

My apologies; should have specified BKR9000's... That order that we put in was for around 20.

 

[sefrischling]

I have sent in four requests for info from BK regarding the BKR9000 in the past month, via the website, seeking to connect with a rep, on my behalf of my Fire Service. So far I have received no response. The contact I had from when I originally was in contact with them years ago, at my previous department about the BKR9000 is no longer a valid email address.

Does anyone have a direct contact I can be in touch with?

 

[rsmith7799]

Service: 800-422-6281 service@bktechnologies.com

And you can ask the question here or on BK TECHNOLOGIES WORKING GROUP on Facebook.

 

[BryanTheRed]

yup it's going hard now with smart connect and beon coming more in the market.

I know they won't, but I wish the industry would standardize a wifi/LTE to core solution.

 

[mmckenna]

I know they won't, but I wish the industry would standardize a wifi/LTE to core solution.

There is an effort in the cellular industry to standardize. Getting the big LMR players to join that would likely be a challenge. No one wants to kill the golden goose.

 

[TJX400]

I agree a standardized solution would be preferred. Would likely have to be introduced by an update to the P25 standard.

 

[mmckenna]

I agree a standardized solution would be preferred. Would likely have to be introduced by an update to the P25 standard.

I believe APCO is discussing that.

 

[AF1UD]

I've heard these have shipped and are in the hands of end users and/or dealers.

How are they? What are initial thoughts? I hear DMR is on the roadmap too, thinking about selling my XL-200P for it....

 

[rsmith7799]

I've heard these have shipped and are in the hands of end users and/or dealers.

How are they? What are initial thoughts? I hear DMR is on the roadmap too, thinking about selling my XL-200P for it....

Go to BK TECHNOLOGIES WORKING GROUP on Facebook. I do a review of the BKR9000. WE ARE A CONTENDER NOW!!!

 

[mharris]

I've heard these have shipped and are in the hands of end users and/or dealers.

How are they? What are initial thoughts? I hear DMR is on the roadmap too, thinking about selling my XL-200P for it....

DMR? I've not heard that at all, very interesting.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

DMR? I've not heard that at all, very interesting.

That was the original rumor. As release got closer I asked a friend at BK about it during a trade show. He said no...then had a very concerned look when I told him EFJ (my employer at the time) and Tait had already announced to customers DMR for the hardware was on the way. My friend left BK shortly afterwards...

 

[LFRfreak]

I would buy a BKR 9000 if they added DMR functionality.