Baofeng X Misuta UV-82 plus dual band FM Transceiver
Price: £25.49 free shipping
Manufacturer: Baofeng / Misuta
Model: UV-82+
Power: 1W / 5W
Run By: 8.2V Lithium battery
Frequencies: 136-174MHz / 400-520MHz
Features:
- Dual PTT buttons
- Dual Channel/ dual standby
- 3 Colour LCD display
- 128 channel memory
- Long battery life
- Dual PTT lapel mic / ear phone
- FM Radio
- Alarm
- High gain Antenna
- LED Flashlight
- Upgraded 2016 version*
Shipped from: UK
Description: 2016 latest model. High capacity battery.
First Impressions
On the look out for a new radio I was looking to buy a standard Baofeng UV-82 from eBay. Prices are normally around the £25 mark which is only a few pounds more than the UV-5R. Looking through the listings I saw this Misuta version of the 82 or as it's commonly known 'Baofeng X Misuta cross-over version'. I was intreged to say the least. The price was the same as the normal 82 so I ordered one.
The radio arrived in only a couple of days and was well packaged. Thanks to the seller for a really good transaction. 👍
Inside the box we find the standard Baofeng bundle (mic, lanyard, instructions, belt clip, antenna) along with the radio and battery.
The outer cardboard box says 'Misuta' on it but thats the only difference over the standard 82 so far
I'm guessing the Misuta stuff is going to be under the bonnet of the radio rather than any restyling?
It might be a good opportunity to mention what 'Misuta' actually means. Well it's Japanese for 'Mister' or 'MR' which is perhaps why the logo has a huge moustache for an M?! anyway Misuta are a Japanese firm who apparently tweaked the radio?! How though?
*2016 Misuta Cross-over:
- Higher Capacity 3100mAh Lithium Battery
- Improved circuitry
- Improved RX
- Improved TX
- Improved front end
Separate transmit buttons
Standard UV-82 battery by the looks of things
Cosmetically the only differences between this model and the standard 82 seem to be separate dual PTT switches rather than the usual one piece rocker button. This actually helps select the right channel.
The secondary buttons on the side are now totally black. The original had F and M printed in white.
The Flashlight and RX/TX LED's are situated on the top of the radio.
Testing
Anyone familiar with a Baofeng radio will find this radio no different to any other in terms of its menu system and general setup.
As I already own two UV-5R's the setup was done in a matter of minutes. Unlike the 5R the 82 doesn't have the VFO/MR button to toggle between frequency and channel modes. Instead of a button Baofeng decided that switching the radio off and holding the 'menu' key then switching it back on was better!? - it's a pain in the arse to me but nevermind.
Recieve quality on this radio is very good. The sound is loud with a subtle bass note to it.
Compared to a UV-5RE it performs marginally better when it comes to recieving signals. The signal meter on the LCD display seems to have been optimised and responds to the slightest change. - this meter was unusable in previous Baofeng radios from the past. It's more responsive than the 5RE (which had enhancements itself) meter.
When it comes to transmitting on the Misuta it's very much the same as my UV-5RE. The signal was clear over short distances but became a little choppy the further apart the radios got.
As with all Baofeng radios the front end can become overloaded very easily and this improved version was no better at minimising the effects.
Overall it's a good radio. A solid performer. It looks and sounds the part. And for £25 it's impossible to find a rival.
*2016 Upgraded Version?
So now I'm wondering where these so called improvements have been made? Unfortunately I don't have a standard Baofeng UV-82 handy to compare with the Misuta at the moment. A back to back test with a standard model will reveal of any electronic upgrades have been made.
One of the upgrade claims is the capacity of the battery. According to the sticker on the battery it's a 3150mAh! - not really, infact it's probably a normal 1700mAh standard one with a bogus sticker on it. - further testing is in progress.
At the moment the only thing I have to go on is the general internet stock photo of the electronic upgrades
This upgraded chip photo is attached to the other Misuta radios on ebay which suggests misutas handy work perhaps? But then I find the same photo on other slightly older Baofeng branded radios and I'm confused?
Without opening up the radio I can confirm which chips are on there?
Until I get a standard Baofeng UV-82 to compare, I can only speculate that Misuta have done little to nothing in way of improving this radio. Just a re-badging excersize perhaps? - updates to follow.
Rating: 4 out of 5 ✅✅✅✅
The radio itself is really good. It's looks and feels like a professional radio and it's a fraction of the price of Kenwoods.
It only gets a 4 because of the inflated battery capacity lie and other potential falsehoods. Still a good radio! Great value for money
Review to be updated soon