Seriously - Why buy a Flex 6700?

[KE5JPP]

The thing that gets me is when the Flex Radio guys start talking about how they have added features and functionality to PowerSDR for free.  Now they say that they are going to charge for it.  What they don't tell you is the most of the 'features' and 'functionality' are essential things that were broken or missing and they finally got around to adding them.  Things like CW functionality that still does not work quite right or things like bad ALC overshoot which damaged a lot of user's amps.  Flex Radio thanks for being so generous to add the 'features', which should have been there in the first place, for free!  

Flex Radio users == continual Beta testers.

Gene

[WD5GWY]

One slight correction, Flex Radio won't be charging for PowerSDR. But, for
their new software for the 6000 Series radios, SmartSDR........which as far as I know
does not exist yet!
james
WD5GWY

[K9IUQ]

SmartSDR........which as far as I know does not exist yet!

Which leads one to wonder how can it be a "Game Changer" if it does not exist?

Ah, I would guess that is where "Applied Imagination" comes into the picture...  

Yep that:  "really gets a (Flexer) person enthused!"      

Stan K9IUQ

[N4WVE]

Why not? If you enjoy being on the leading edge of technology or learning a new way of operating HF, and can afford it, why not do it? I have a Flex 3000 that works flawlessly. I use a string of outboard audio gear with it without a hitch. After researching many of these posts, I doubt some of the posters even own an SDR radio. If you purchase a radio, and can't figure out how it works, or don't have enough computer horsepower, thenthat is no one else's fault. If you don'like Flex then don'buy buy one, but PLEASE don't keep crying about it.

[WD5GWY]

You're new here aren't you?
If you read far enough back, everyone of the negative posts in
this thread was written by current AND former Flex Radio owners.
I own a Flex 1500 and have no gripes about it. It works quite well
as a qrp rig. I also plan to add a Flex 3000 one day too.
But, I still like radios with knobs and have several of those around.
My current favorite is a Yaesu FT-1000MP MKV. Next after that is
a TenTec Jupiter. (and some much older rigs as well)
The receiver in all three rigs are very close in performance in my
opinion. The Yaesu beats the other two out because it has two, independent
receivers in it. And also has 200watts output. The audio from it is very nice
and clear. Same for the other two. But, "I think" the Yaesu beats the other
two radios out slightly in sensitivity. (doing a comparison between them using
the same antenna and switching out between all three radios.)
But, as far as I know, everyone that is complaining here has had or even still has,
Flex radios and understands the problems associated with them.
 I think that the best thing to do is to ignore the posts from those that post negative
 comments about the Flex radios if it bothers you.
Personally, I like mine.
james
WD5GWY

[N4WVE]

Excellent comments, and good point, James! We should all help make it better! I have been a ham for 20+ years and owned all sorts of rigs. I know Yaesu is working on a SDR transceiver, and I believe this is our future. I also use a RadioJet SWL radio which is great. I will certainly look for the positive, A's I have no time for the negative!

[WB8LBZ]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top of page 4,
comment by Jim K9ZW on the current order status
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD

Page 5
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by W6UV
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Jim K9ZW
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
comment by NI0Z
comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP

Page 6
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by James WD5GWY
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Greg N4WVE
negative comment by James WD5GWY
comment by Greg N4WVE

sub total of comments on 3 pages
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ 11 times
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP 6 times
negative comment by James WD5GWY 2 times
negative comment by NI0Z 1 time
negative comment by W6UV 1 time
comment by NI0Z 1 time (off topic)
comment by Stan K9IUQ 1 time (off topic)
comment by W6UV 2 times
comment by Greg N4WVE 2 times
comment by Jim K9ZW 2 times
comment by K0OD 4 times

from my previous post on page 2 ---
When the 3000 came out I bought one, no justification required. When the 6700/6500 announcement was made I decided I wanted one. I put my order in on the first August and there was no justification needed. It is my money.

In 3 months this ratio should still be close.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ

P.S. It is still my money.

[KE5JPP]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top of page 4,
comment by Jim K9ZW on the current order status
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD

Page 5
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by W6UV
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Jim K9ZW
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
comment by NI0Z
comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP

Page 6
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by James WD5GWY
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Greg N4WVE
negative comment by James WD5GWY
comment by Greg N4WVE

sub total of comments on 3 pages
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ 11 times
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP 6 times
negative comment by James WD5GWY 2 times
negative comment by NI0Z 1 time
negative comment by W6UV 1 time
comment by NI0Z 1 time (off topic)
comment by Stan K9IUQ 1 time (off topic)
comment by W6UV 2 times
comment by Greg N4WVE 2 times
comment by Jim K9ZW 2 times
comment by K0OD 4 times

from my previous post on page 2 ---
When the 3000 came out I bought one, no justification required. When the 6700/6500 announcement was made I decided I wanted one. I put my order in on the first August and there was no justification needed. It is my money.

In 3 months this ratio should still be close.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ

P.S. It is still my money.

The responses that you have determined to be negative are only negative to you because they do not jive with your rose colored fanboy like view of Flex Radio.   If you do not need justification for spending 'your money', then you sure spend a lot of time counting posts by each person in this thread and making a determination on whether you believe they are negative (in your view) or not!

Saying "its my money" is a justification itself.

Gene

[WD5GWY]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top of page 4,
comment by Jim K9ZW on the current order status
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD

Page 5
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by W6UV
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Jim K9ZW
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
comment by NI0Z
comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP

Page 6
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by James WD5GWY
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Greg N4WVE
negative comment by James WD5GWY
comment by Greg N4WVE

sub total of comments on 3 pages
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ 11 times
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP 6 times
negative comment by James WD5GWY 2 times
negative comment by NI0Z 1 time
negative comment by W6UV 1 time
comment by NI0Z 1 time (off topic)
comment by Stan K9IUQ 1 time (off topic)
comment by W6UV 2 times
comment by Greg N4WVE 2 times
comment by Jim K9ZW 2 times
comment by K0OD 4 times

from my previous post on page 2 ---
When the 3000 came out I bought one, no justification required. When the 6700/6500 announcement was made I decided I wanted one. I put my order in on the first August and there was no justification needed. It is my money.

In 3 months this ratio should still be close.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ

P.S. It is still my money.

Negative comment? Stating that there was no working example of SmartSDR
is not negative. I have been to several hamfests where Flex Radio has been
in attendance and not one has had a WORKING version of SmartSDR on display,
only a mockup. And no working hardware hooked up either.
 While that may seem like a negative comment to you, it IS the truth. When they
are asked (and I have asked them several times) when they might have a working
example of the hardware and software, their answers have been on the evasive
side. The only thing they have said is the 6000 Series (and the Signature Series radios
in particular) "should" ship in Q4 2012. Well, guess what? That has now slipped to
Q1 2013 for the Signature Series radios and general shipping to other buyers is slated for Q2 2013. That is direct from Tim Ellison of Flex Radio.  That's up to 6 months later than their original stated shipping time frame for those that pre-order/ordered the radios.
  I agree, it is your money. And it is MY money too. I almost put a deposit down on a 6500 Signature Series radio. I really do want one and the specs look really good to me. BUT, without
nothing more than looking at MOCKUP software and hardware, that is a bit more than I like to
tie up(the $1,200 deposit for the 6500). I'll wait until the actual hardware and software is out and I can SEE a WORKING example of both. I do not mind paying an additional $300 if it turns out that the 6500 is really what they claim it will be. I sincerely hope the radios and the software live up
to Flex Radios claims.
  For right now, I have my Flex 1500 to take care of my SDR needs. And if I need/want another
SDR rig, I'll get a 3000 or 5000.  I suspect that once the 6000 Series actually ship, those will drop in price on the used market. IF the 6000 Series and SmartSDR, live up to the hype by Flex Radio.
 It also depends on what features and functionality SmartSDR initially ships with. Especially since
later buyers, (like I hope to be) will have to shell out more money for software Upgrades ( bug fixes are supposed to be free).
  So, in a way yes, you might be right that there are a lot of complaints about Flex Radios.
And it will certainly never go away. Nor will it go away for a lot of other brands of radios.
That is just the nature of the beast. Do like I suggested to another poster and IGNORE the
posts you consider negative.  That's easy enough to do. There is still a lot of useful information
here and on other websites concerning SDR and Flex Radios in general. And there is always the
Yahoo groups as well. Lot of good info there.
Good luck and I hope you get your new 6000 Series radio soon. Please post a review here when
you get it. And be ready for more negative comments. That is just a part of a forum like this.
james
WD5GWY
 
   

[K9IUQ]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top of page 4,
comment by blah blah blah.................................

sub total of comments on 3 pages
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ 11 times

 no justification required. When the 6700/6500 announcement was made I decided I wanted one. I put my order in on the first August and there was no justification needed. It is my money.

Thank you for your fine work of counting comments. I am proud to see K9IUQ at the top of your list.  

The reason there are so many negative comments is BECAUSE there are and have been MANY negative truths about the Flexradio Company and their products. If they made better Products/Software there would be less negative comments. That is the way things work in the real world. If however you live in the "Flexradio Bubble" and get all your news from Flexradio reflectors you will see little negativity. This is because "Tim the Bulldog" takes a dim view of posting the Truth on the Flex Reflectors. He bans all those who tell the actual truth from posting.  

So, You have a choice. Read about Flexradio on their Reflectors and get extremely biased information or get the truth here on the SDR forum on eham. A smart ham who wants to be informed would read both.  

Here is a Truth - -  Special for you: No One here cares what radio you spend your $$ on. Justified or Un-Justified.

However we do care about telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Flexradio.

Stan K9IUQ


 

[K9IUQ]

While that may seem like a negative comment to you, it IS the truth.

When they are asked (and I have asked them several times) when they might have a working
example of the hardware and software, their answers have been on the evasive
side.
james
WD5GWY

Thanks james, for a truly interesting Post and informative view from a Flexer.

Stan K9IUQ

[K9ZW]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top ......

P.S. It is still my money.

Use the Ignore Button to improve your Signal-to-Noise Ratio - cuts the QRM from the chronically unhappy.

I enjoy the tranquility "This user is currently ignored" the filter provides. 

You are right that how you spend your Amateur Radio money is your personal choice. 

73

Steve
K9ZW

Blog:  With Varying Frequency - http://k9zw.wordpress.com


 

[K9IUQ]

Use the Ignore Button to improve your Signal-to-Noise Ratio
I enjoy the tranquility "This user is currently ignored" the filter provides.  

Why come here at all? Using the ignore button only adds to your Flexradio ignorance.
Seeking opinions that only agree with you does not keep you informed. Ask Mitt Romney if that worked for him....  

Stan K9IUQ
 

[NI0Z]

There would more comments if it weren't for all the griping.
Starting at the top of page 4,
comment by Jim K9ZW on the current order status
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by K0OD

Page 5
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by W6UV
negative comment by NI0Z
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Jim K9ZW
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
comment by W6UV
comment by NI0Z
comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP

Page 6
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP
negative comment by James WD5GWY
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ
comment by Greg N4WVE
negative comment by James WD5GWY
comment by Greg N4WVE

sub total of comments on 3 pages
negative comment by Stan K9IUQ 11 times
negative comment by Gene KE5JPP 6 times
negative comment by James WD5GWY 2 times
negative comment by NI0Z 1 time
negative comment by W6UV 1 time
comment by NI0Z 1 time (off topic)
comment by Stan K9IUQ 1 time (off topic)
comment by W6UV 2 times
comment by Greg N4WVE 2 times
comment by Jim K9ZW 2 times
comment by K0OD 4 times

from my previous post on page 2 ---
When the 3000 came out I bought one, no justification required. When the 6700/6500 announcement was made I decided I wanted one. I put my order in on the first August and there was no justification needed. It is my money.

In 3 months this ratio should still be close.

73, Larry  WB8LBZ

P.S. It is still my money.

I own and still use my Flex 5000A, so I have earned a right to comment on how I feel about the flex radios.  So have many others here.  So if there is negativity, then Flex Radio systems has to own and address it, not its users.

The most obvious question I have is this, if users past and Present feel negatively about Flex Radio Systems and products, why shouldn't they be able to express their feelings here?

I have to laugh also while I am commenting, I recall people posting an applied imagination and game changer posts here, and I can't help but laugh at this because the applied imagination to me is more a statement about selling a radio that doesn't yet exist in any form of working state.  That would also be a game changer as well, selling imagination!  Oh wait, I guess fiction writers sell imagination as well, but at least there is a physical book you can go and buy and actually exists!  Yup, definitely a game changer!

All that said, I believe some day we will see the beginnings of a working radio.  They really should have had the software in a alpha or beta status before they ever made an announcement though.  Software like this has a proven track record of being difficult to develop, leave alone thinking it can be written in just three months.  Just look at how long it's taken power SDR to become stable and decent.

It will be December soon, last month of Q4 2012, no prototype on display yet.  Why shouldn't there be skeptics?   If your looking for the fan club it's definitely not located here, sorry about that chap!  The conversations tend to be more reality based here and people can find it abrasive, so I sympathize how bad realty might feel for the true fans when they come and read stuff here.

It's ok, just send flex some more money, they will comfort you while they slowly cobble the new radios together.  Maybe they can get the Receiver software written first and offer those to the folks that have made down payments.

So many better ways they could have approached all this!

[N0YXB]

Use the Ignore Button to improve your Signal-to-Noise Ratio
I enjoy the tranquility "This user is currently ignored" the filter provides.  

Why come here at all? Using the ignore button only adds to your Flexradio ignorance.
Seeking opinions that only agree with you does not keep you informed. Ask Mitt Romney if that worked for him....  

Indeed.  And while you are ignoring all those opinions you don't want to hear, take the time to look up the pitfalls of "groupthink", something that one does not have to worry about here unless they are ignoring every opinion they don't like.