Thursday, January 2, 2014

Baofeng GT-3: Best of Comments

Pulling some good info out the comments left on various posts...

Michael:
I have had my GT3 for 3 weeks now. I'm very pleased with it, The new hardware inside is different. It seems a bit quieter and more stable, than other models I have purchased from Baofeng, and the audio volume is comparable to the UV-82. The software features are similar to previous Baofeng radios. It is easy to manually program. There is no "free" Baofeng software for this GT-3 model yet. Chirp does not have it yet either. I chose RT Systems programming software, which make it very easy to program. I have used it on a local repeater systems here. And changing repeaters is a simple process. The screen has a black background, and is very easy to program by computer. Transmitting is clear, and other contacts have said the audio is crisp, and quite running at 5 watts. I have used the radio for simplex operation, and clarity of voice on flat open terrain is exceptional for 2 - 4 miles. Repeater operation is solid also. I also like the Baofeng UV82. In addition I have a ICOM ID 51 D-Star radio, but find myself on the Baofeng's most of the time for general use. Also because I cannot use a earmic on the ICOM radio without an adapter. Overall I'm very pleased with this Baofeng GT-3. Top items that make this radio very worth while:
1. Light weight, (Due to the closed cell plastic)
2. Compact size (Even the rubber antenna is small, but does not compromise on gain).
3. Improved hardware exceeds previous models.
4. Unique look compared to other Baofeng radios.
5, Better hardware and performance for 2014.
The Chinese seem to be listening to their american customer pool.

Mike (website):
Brick i just got mine today, Cant go wrong with it. 
Pros:
The squelch works now.
Audio sounds much tighter now on the RX at any volume
The radio is more sensitive (at least to me it is)
I can see the screen in very low light when the backlight is not on
The feel of the radio is nice.
The light is much brighter 
Cons:
The stock antenna is still junk.
I don't like the rubber around the main knob
Hopefully the silk screening on the keypad does not wear off like the other models do.

3 comments:

  1. I didn't like the backlight on the GT3. It is dark text with a dark screen that only stays lit while transmitting, or after making some changes. After a few seconds it goes dark and you can't hardly see it at all, unless you are in bright sunlight. The menu has the option to change these backlight colors, but they don't work. No options for backlighting except the black on black.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jape
    Menu 29 30 and 31 set it to purple for all three and you should be ok
    menu 6 (ABR) set it to 10 for a longer back lit display

    ReplyDelete
  3. My back light don't change it stay purple

    ReplyDelete