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Reviews For: SharkRF openspot 3

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : SharkRF openspot 3
Reviews: 14MSRP: $293
Description:
D-Star decoder.
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.sharkrf.com/products/openspot3/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
10143.6
K8SSN Rating: 2023-05-21
does not work Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this hot spot to use while traveling. I have tried about 20 times to set it up. The videos and other users make it look simple, I assume I have a faulty unit. When I contacted SharkRF they not very friendly and insisted that there was nothing wrong with their product, because they check every until. I ask for a new unit, but was told to follow the setup directions they would send. These instructions were the exact instructions in the manual.
I sent them a video on me going through the setup procedure and ask them what I was doing wrong, since of course there can't be anything wrong with the Open Spot. That was about a month ago and I have heard nothing. Good bye, $300.

This may be a great product, but the customer service is the worst and I will never know if the product works as advertised.

I decided to send it back to them with the explanation of their problem and all the steps I tried to resolve the issue. They are so arrogant, I didn’t even get an acknowledge from them when they received the non-functioning hot spot.
EI3IBB Rating: 2022-10-17
Absolutely Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Openspot 3 is definitely the best hotspot you can get and let me tell you why.

I use my Anytone 878 and because of the great features of the OS3 I can use the 878 on D-star, DMR and Fusion all from the one radio, incredible.

It's extremely complicated to figure it all out because you have to program the radio to use the special functions of the OS3, it takes lots and lots of time but the payoff is 1 radio and 3 modes.

What you have to do is read and read the manual, it would take too long and take too much space to be able to explain how to do it here but look at my youtube video and it will show it working but I did not make a video of how to program it all.

See my youtube video here which might make it clearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCh0GRQ9E0Q&t=247s

VE3QSK Rating: 2022-04-20
Worked for a few months. (frustrated) Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was very pleased with the unit when it worked - 3 months. I have an Openspot 1 and I love the new features here in the 3. The Openspot 3 works intermittently. When it boots up OK, I can leave it on for days. However power down and must reboot it 30x to get it to bring it back up. On with Norbert (support) at Openspot via many email. Reload the firmware, multiple times. Now I am stuck as I can't figure out the terminal mode to try to get log files directly(as per Norbert) from the device. Very frustrated. Wish they would take it back in to troubleshoot it themselves. I have to hold the power on and off for 15 seconds to force the power sequence. No audible dit dit dah happening when it is not responding/booting.

March 17th -The initial troubleshooting was a daily single email from Norbert starting , with the standard reload the firmware etc.
April 6th -They finally had me send the unit to the California location
April 15 - I asked for a status on the case.
April 19 - "Your unit will be forwarded to Europe soon."

My rating here went from Needs help to Poor. Soon going to Awful. I am detailing this here in hopes to shaming them into servicing this. When you buy a product, we always look at the "box". This time you consider the support for when things go wrong. Is there a competitor for the Openspot product? Please let me know if there are other options.
ZL4TE Rating: 2022-03-02
amazingly versatile unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this hotspot. I have previously used an Openspot and an Openspot 2. The OS3 just brings things to the next level.

It is easy to set up, battery has never let me down, great for travelling with my hand held. Connects easily to the cellphone. The ability to cross mode is amazing. The app is eaasy as to control it.

It is not cheap, BUT it is cheaper than buying a radio for dstar, dmr and c4fm.
KB6ZXG Rating: 2022-02-11
Love this hotspot Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is my all time favourite hotspot. The portability is a nice bonus, I forget it's in my pocket. Works like a champ and very quick to power on. I have contacted customer support numerous times and had very quick response, even when suggesting enhancements for future models. This and the ClearNode 2.2 are my go to hotspots. The cost is mitigated by the functionality of being able to cross mode without purchasing additional radios. If it did AllStar as well I would be able to say it's the best piece of equipment I purchased in this hobby.
K9IK Rating: 2022-01-19
The best Ham Radio Hotspot in 2022 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The SharkRF openSPOT3 is the best amateur radio hotspot at this moment. Here are some of the reasons why you need one:

-SharkRF openSPOT3 is the only hotspot where we can use a C4FM transceiver (Yaesu FT1/FT70/...FT5/FTM100/FTM..) to access DMR, D-STAR, NXDN, and P25 networks.

- Easy to use

- We can use a DMR transceiver to access the D-STAR network

- We can create our own private radio network using SharkRF devices like openSPOT.

- best customer service, they got your back.

- and much more.
PSULIONS Rating: 2022-01-08
A complete Zero Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This product is poorly designed in terms of user interface. The manual is poor written and good luck with getting a prompt response from the design team.
KF4HR Rating: 2020-09-11
Amazing device Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I upgraded from the OpenSpot2 to the OpenSpot3 when it first became available. I've found two main advantages to the "3" model; its internal battery which lasts about 9 hours or it can also be plugged into a USB power source for continuous operation. And the "3" model also only required one type of HT (Fusion, DStar, or DMR) to work any of the digital modes. Fantastic device.
KD6QFO Rating: 2020-08-10
Best Hotspot on the market - By Far Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I don't review products often but this one is something special.

The Openspot3 is technically superior with its implementation in hardware and built-in transcoding between modes. You pay for what you get and for the cost of this device, you're getting the best.

If there is a downside, its the Wi-Fi. It really needs to be close to the Access Point/Router. Its also fussy on some Wi-Fi access points but works with most of the commonly available. I also wish it had an Ethernet port option.

Its a portable operators dream.

N1IG Rating: 2020-04-21
Great Hotspot Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had the OpenSpot 3 (OS3) for just over a week, and am loving it!

The "quick start" setup menu is very easy to use, and had me on the air within minutes of turning on the unit for the first time.

The ability to do cross-mode (D-Star to DMR) and make Reflector/Bransmeister server changes on the fly from the radio, are a huge selling point for me.

All of the audio reports I have received, have been very positive.

The OS3 is easy to setup and use, and works great.