Comparison: Baofeng V Misuta UV-82 FM Transceiver
Whats new and what's not!
Firmware Version: N822413
Both of these radios use the same firmware
Baofeng UV-82 and Misuta UV-82+
Review Here.
I thought I might compare this model with a brand new standard Baofeng 82 which conveniently arrived in the post yesterday.
I wanted to see what all the hype was all about and get to the bottom of this '2016 upgraded cross-over' myth.
First of all both of these radios arrive in different boxes. The Misuta box is much smaller than the Baofeng.
Inside the box we find exactly the same bundled accessories with only two exceptions. The A-V85 antenna is slightly longer on the Misuta than the Baofeng and both of the belt clips are different in design.
Different belt clips
Other than those two small differences, the contents of the boxes are identical.
Lifting both radios straight from their boxes it was difficult to see any immediate cosmetic differences between the two. It was only after rotating the Misuta in my hand that some subtle changes were noticed.
Cosmetic Differences On The Misuta UV-82+
- Separate PTT buttons (not a one piece rocker switch)
- No white lettering on the secondary side buttons
- Battery sticker says '3150mAh
- Longer Antenna with no Baofeng branding
- Larger belt clip
- Misuta face plate replacing Baofeng
Both Antennas perform the same
Internal Differences On The Misuta UV-82+
- None Whatsoever!
Ha! Just as I suspected! The overall performance of both radios is Identical to each other. Both transmit and receive with the same sound quality and strength of signal. Both are great radios but not perfect. The same trademark Baofeng choppy front end is still in evidence here. Baofeng owners will know this already. The Misuta battery claims to have a 3150mAh capacity but this is utter crap. In truth, both of the batteries on these radios are 1700mAh much like the UV-5R. Both batteries lasted the same amount of time.
In general both of these radios performed marginally better than the celebrated UV-5R.
2016 Upgraded Cross-over Version
I'm still at a loss as to where this cross-over comes in? Yes, the Misuta UV-82 is a slight redesign over its fellow Baofeng and it does come with a higher capacity battery (or so they would have you believe) but to suggest that the internals have been overhauled is outrageous! Lol
Getting Baofeng to make your Radios
It's common knowledge that Baofeng will rebadge their radios for third party companies if they order enough of them and allegedly a stipulation of the contract is that the rebadged radios must not carry the Baofeng name anywhere on the radio. This is certainly true of the Misuta UV-82+. Baofeng only appears on the Chassis of the radio behind the battery and nowhere else. It is also alleged that Baofeng will print anything on those battery stickers. So if Misuta wanted them to be 5000mAh then no problem! Put a sticker on a standard 1700mAh battery. The Misuta has a unbranded antenna......more contract rules?.. hmm
I'm not making a big thing of this. Both radios cost the same and work the same. That isn't a problem. It's the lies and bullshit in order to sell more that's slightly annoying.
My theory is that the ebay sellers add further crap to the claims by adding the 'new chipset' upgrade bull to the listings. The Misuta is meant to have a new chipset? Where is it then? I suspect that this new chipset bull is a throw back to when the original 82 came out. Indeed the original 82 was an overhaul and a total redesign over the UV-5R but that was about 3-4 years ago I think? Lol
There has been no recent overhauls to the 82 innards as far as I'm aware.
So what can I make of this comparison? Well I like both of these radios but the Misuta is my favourite. The redesigned dual PTT is a helpful addition and the extra flexibility of the longer antenna is a bonus.