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Reviews For: Flex Radio\'s Maestro

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : Flex Radio\'s Maestro
Reviews: 13MSRP: 1199
Description:
SDR Control GUI for the 6000 series Flex Transceivers
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.flexradio.com/amateur-products/flex-6000-signature-series/maestro/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00134.2
NO9E Rating: 2021-02-04
Useful with limitations Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Maestro is a very special interface to the Flex radio. When connected by the network, whether local or remote, it connects pretty well from anywhere, without extra hardware or software. It can even control a compatible amp via FRStack. It works well with a battery and it is fun to take it outside. Also Maestro is useful to adjust antennas onsite, e.g., by taking Maestro next to the antenna, transmit on one slice while receiving on another (duplex possible with 6600 or 6700).

I used Maestro to orient a receiving loop for a minimum signal from the transmit antenna on 160. Then it was possible to call CQ at a KW level and be able to receive, with interference visible only +- 5 Khz from the transmit signal.

Maestro has a few weaknesses. When the output goes to its speaker, the audio is delayed by about 0.7 s. This is OK in casual CW, irritating in SSB (because PTT is delayed), and makes contesting hard. But there is very little delay when the output goes to the radio's speaker.
Booting up Maestro takes a few minutes, and the battery cannot be charged in the radio.

Maestro can be used as a console only using SmartControl. Very useful in contesting when all windows are displayed on a PC but Maestro provides the real knobs and buttons.

The delayed audio seems to occur always when audio is routed via Windows. The delay with Mac seems to be much smaller. One way to use Flex remotely with little delay is to use Mac for panadapters and audio, Windows for contesting software, and Maestro for knobs and buttons.

Old review
My Maestro would be almost perfect except for long latency, about 0.7s. Whether connected directly by Ethernet to Flex 6600 or via local WiFi. Receive is delayed, transmit is delayed, tuning is delayed and all key presses are delayed. Normal operation is irritating and contesting is impossible.

Flex support acknowledged the issue in October 2019 as software problem but no action since.

Some users of Maestro experience no special latencies and some report long latencies, even up to 2 seconds. So the problem is specific to each Maestro.

I think that the problem is an interaction of specific Windows driver with Flex software. It is not related to network or CPU. I installed SmartSDR on 3 PCs, and one (old) shows little latency while the other two show 0.5-0.8 s latencies. All run current Windows 10.
K2RB Rating: 2018-08-02
Full Feature Remote Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my Maestro from the first group that was shipped. As time and software improvements took place the Maestro has always performed for me around the house and also remote from many out of house locations. I have demonstrated it's use at field day, and a forum at Ham Radio University (ARRL supported event on Long Island every January).

The most fun is just going to a park which has wifi or good cell phone reception and playing radio, including cw with my keyer.

As time has gone on Flexradio has been superb in customer support.
The inconvenience of keeping the Maestro plugged in is really a minor issue which Flex did acknowledge and suggest. Sometimes things show up, but as long there is an easy fix than as far as I am concerned it really isn't an issue.

The Maestro gives another choice of how to expand operating fun. It has been a real winner for me from day one.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K2RB on 2016-05-16

I received my Maestro last week and I am impressed with what it does, how it does it and the new world it has opened for me. Licensed since 1957 and very active on the bands in all modes left me with questions as to whether the Maestro would do all I imagined. It has fulfilled all my expectations and opened a new world to this long time ham. CW is seem less with no latency problems at all and ssb works just great. Operating from the deck, kitchen, family room and bedroom is just like operating in front of my rigs in the basement of the house. I use a 14 inch laptop and Teamviewer to control all my station functions which includes logging, fldigi and amplifier control. Maestro readings are all followed by Ham Radio Deluxe and also my 3 element steppir. The integration and thought that went into the maestro is impressive. I look forward to using Maestro with my station during future contests and I believe it will change the way many operators will approach contesting.
The controls are very intuitive, great ergonomics and the 4 x 7 inch screen is very sharp and a pleasure to use in all lighting situations. Quality construction and feel was a top priority.
An incredible advance in ham radio technology and look forward to using this marvelous piece of equipment over the internet. A real winner in my book and this is only after 5 days of use. If you go the flex route this radio just adds so much extra. 73's Rick, K2RB k2rb@icloud.com
WW1I Rating: 2018-07-29
Serious issue with no support.... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the Maestro to use remote. For use in the shack, my 37" display and the Smart SDR software is wildly superior. That said, the idea is that I can pack up the Maestro and operate remote....rather cool. Now for the issue. You need to operate the Maestro every 30 days or it will discharge an internal battery and need to go back to Flex for REPAIR. Who wants a portable rig that often sit on the shelf, but will be dead in 30 days if not used. This is utter garbage engineering and the entire Flex team should hide their heads in shame. To top it off, they have yet to offer a real solution to the issue. Had they warned me of this issue, I would not have purchased a Maestro. I would advise everyone to not buy a Maestro until this issue is resolved. This is a product that wasn't ready for production and they have not supported the owners to date. I love the Flex 6000 series, but the Maestro has a fatal issue. Operate with a Laptop or an iPad and forget the Maestro for now.
KQ4KK Rating: 2017-11-06
Not my best purchase Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I loved my Flex 3000. Sold it and bought a 6500, a great transceiver. Finally with version 2.0 of the software, you should be able to do full remote.

So I bought a Maestro. Spent months to get the link to work properly with the Maestro. Even with "great" internet connections, it only almost worked.

THEN, you have to plug in the Maestro every 30 days to 12vdc to charge the internal CPU battery or it will not boot, and you have to send it back to FLEX. The thing does not have a USB or other normal "PC" connections. I'll use my Surface PRO instead.

I traded in the Maestro and my 6500 for the arrival of a 6600. And NOT a 6600M.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KQ4KK on 2016-10-04

Started working as advertised about 5 min. after opening the box. Works fine on Wi Fi, finds the 6500 fast, easy connect, works. Screen touch is good as is the feel of the knobs. Got a couple of 5vdc batteries off of AMAZON. Runs fine on batteries. Takes about .50amps a hour.

My guess it is a WINDOWS 10 touch tablet, with some nice knobs added. It is not cheap. I await the WAN upgrade/capability, that will be neat. Otherwise, buy a 10" WINBOOK and a ICOM 7300.
VA2JN Rating: 2017-11-05
Never again Time Owned: more than 12 months.
At first I had the pile problem I sent it for repair and the problems continued.

In 12 months I had 4 replacements I requested the replacement by a new one and each time I have a refurbished with problems.

I'm exhausted to tell the problem with the Maestro. The application for IPad is better in my opinion than the Maestro.
AF3K Rating: 2017-07-05
Better than I thought! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
PC no longer required. I didn't think I would use it as much as I do.

Great for contesting and everyday use.

Ergonomics are well done. Big and beautiful display is easy to read. Touch screen is a nice bonus. Great intuitive layout, not cluttered with tiny buttons. Purchased the optional heavy tilt feet - nice.

Interfaces with my logging programs, CW Skimmer, digital modes via DAX & CAT over at CAT5 wire or WiFi to the LAN, keeping everything all digital and no USB or RS232 connections required - fewer paths for stray RF.

Owned for 1+ year. Great addition to the Flex 6x000.
PA1EC Rating: 2016-12-18
Love it Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought my 6300 with the Maestro a month ago and it is working very good, sitting downstairs or in the garden you can be QRV without a problem. Lots of settings and easy to operate.
KK8ZZ Rating: 2016-11-13
Flex Radio Anywhere ! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This nifty console allows me to use the 6300 upstairs in the office, instead of being isolated down in the man cave (Oh wait... isn't that the idea of a "man cave"?) Regardless, the large display, simplified controls and small footprint let us use it anywhere in the house or out on the patio too. Since I'm not able to remote control rotors, etc. until the next software upgrade, I use this with the amazing MyAntennas EFHW-8010 end-fed antenna for all band resonance with no tuning. Both are highly recommended for fun, easy hamming !
K9SO Rating: 2016-10-28
A great value-add to a great system Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I waited a year for my order to be fulfilled in May and it was certainly worth the wait.The display and ergonomics are fabulous. Having dual knob control with perfectly weighted knobs is a dream.
Now that there is no need for a PC, it has highlighted a serious omission in the 65xx series: no external peripheral control. But recent news releases say that this will be corrected soon.
I use a single Maestro to switch between my NC and Illinois stations. I can also choose to run one off of my PC using the standard software and the other off the Maestro allowing me to operate both locations simultaneously, with up to 6 simultaneous slices.
Great job FlexRadio!!
KA4KOE Rating: 2016-08-15
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my much-anticipated Maestro right after FIeld Day. I think in this incarnation that Flex Radio has come up with a winner. Even using the entry level 6300 with this device is astoundingly positive. There is a bit of a learning curve. I actually prefer using the Maestro rather than tie up my main computer monitor.

There is plenty of help available if needed and Flex customer service is second to none.