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Reviews For: Hardened Power Systems Recon G1

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : Hardened Power Systems Recon G1
Reviews: 1MSRP: 300
Description:
A "go box" that fits securely within a 50 caliber ammo can, yet slides in or out
without tools. Integrated voltmeter and ammeter so you can monitor power usage.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.portableuniversalpower.com/recon-g1/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0011
N2ZLC Rating: 2018-03-19
Despite tons of lipstick, this thing is a pig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First off, as others have noted, dealing with Hardened Power Systems is the worst customer-relations experience you'll ever have bar none. Basically, HPS won't respond to any communications. They take your money, and deliver a product when they get around to it. The timeframe is months. And—no—you cannot get an ETA.

Unfortunately, the quality of the product doesn't match the arrogance of the vendor. Despite tons of lipstick, this thing is a pig.

The main thing I want to communicate in this review is that you will be unable to change any aspect of the product without completely disassembling the entire thing. And you won't be able to disassemble the entire thing because the screws are stripped and there's a hot glue mess all over the place.

The wires connecting to the battery, for example, are very short, very thin, and the faston terminal connectors are worn out and don't stay on. I nearly shorted out a battery trying to swap a lead-acid for a lithium. And despite the ostensible "hardness" imparted by the ammo can chassis, leading one to believe that this product can withstand a degree of abuse, the truth is that if you jostle this thing, the fastons will simply fall off. No radio. No power. And good luck reattaching the fastons in the field. Better to call them "fastoffs".

The obvious solution would be to add some of my own customizations, replace the wires, the fastons, etc. Forget about it. Not possible. And I've done my fair share of "making" and custom fabrication in my day. This product is not only NOT field-serviceable, it's not even bench-serviceable. And the ordering experience is so onerous that you don't dare send it back to HPS for any kind of warranty-related repair.

The pictures are pretty and that's where it ends. Better to build your own go box with the many third-party through-hole panel-mount voltmeter and ammeter options that are now available.