Lab599 Discovery TX-500 - A different perspective

That's my point, I have spent thousands with HRO and they never would loan me a radio to try out. Of course not selling my soul to manufacturers on Youtube and Flooding QRZ for clicks.
If you cannot trust the reviewer to be impartial whats the point? Cannot afford to dump on such a deal though if your money stream depends on it.

 

The only inexpensive route available is the Xiegu G90. It's double the power of the Icom 705 and almost 1/3 the price. and it includes an ATU. For me, this is convenient for operating QRP from a backpack and buddistick. The build quality will never be as good as the Icom. They could have left vhf/uhf + digital out and out an ATU in. My thinking is that they sought to get the Tech class market in on 10 meters.

 

We probably saw the same video. In the one I saw, the guy lives within the Boston beltway or thereabouts, iirc. He's absolutely brilliant and performed some automotive and electronic near miracles. However, the hoops he has to jump through to do what were formally just do it and done tasks are far beyond what the average shade tree mechanic can do.

 

Was it loaned or purchased? If purchased, was full retail paid? If purchased, was it done so anonymously - in that the seller didn't know of your YouTube channel and/or that you planned doing a review on it?

 

It was a loaner. I was replying to the comment "We know you get yours cheap if not free"

I didn't keep the radio.

 

I generally try when purchasing any radios that no one knows who I am. In the case of the TX-500 it was a temporary loaner.

 

Thank you for being up front and not dancing around the question like some others are wont to do.

And then there's that one reviewer who won't even acknowledge "the question" - let alone not answering it with diversionary song and dance.

 

Whats the deal with your over-exagertations in your replies pertaining to videos? Speaking for myself, I don't "sell my soul" to manufacturers. Nor have I ever spammed QRZ for clicks. I don't post most of my videos here, I genuinely try to post what I think the people here may like. For instance, alot of my videos cater to those entering the hobby. I don't think that is the larger demographic here. If you are curious, my Lab 599 TX-500 introduction video that I posted here shows about 20% of the views came from QRZ.com. Its an interesting radio that hams are obviously interested in.

Further, we who post to QRZ have no control of what makes the front page, as I assume you known, but you keep beating that dead horse.

 

I didn't watch a youtube video, I heard him being interviewed on Joe Rogan's podcast. I don't think what he did is within the reach of most folks, just pointing out that what I'd consider the most closed automotive system can still be worked on if you're motivated (and smart...and have some money).

Chris

 

It looks nice. Weather/water resistance is a big deal at the beach "off season" and many of the places I like to hike. Lack of tuner no problem. The specifications are a bit thin to jump on one. I'd like to see a review of specs!

73, -bob ah7i

 

Bingo! A reputable review of the specs.

 

How long would he be in business if he didn't give good reviews? That's the real issue here. I know at least one reviewer told the truth of his deal. The outlets and some manufacturers readily loan out radios and gear for promotions not reviews. He gets a discount if he wants to keep or near wholesale from some. No one with the slightest critical thought is fooled by this. Ever wonder how these youtubers have the best or newest gear at their stations?

And again I never got a loaner to try out from DXengineering or HRO or any other radio business ever and I am sure most other hams had the same experience no matter how much they have bought in the past.

 

How is this any different than product reviews in other hobbies? Few reviewers in print or online media will give a truly negative review of a "loaned" product out of fear that they won't get future loans or ads (in the case of print reviews). I know for a fact that is how it works in the firearms industry (arguably one where accuracy of reviews is a bit more important). One learns to read between the lines or draw their own conclusions based on what is presented.

A while back you compared these reviews with one from another youtuber who you claim has a higher standard. Your example was of a "scathing" review of the Yaesu 818. However, the review didn't cover any new ground and the "criticisms" were really just regurgitations of what anyone familiar with the 818's predecessor already knew about the platform. Where's the honesty there?

We're all guests here at QRZ. The owner is free to promote whatever content he deems interesting. If we don't like it, we can take our views, and in the case of some, subscription fees, elsewhere. Why not take it up directly with the site management or ownership?

Chris

 

I don't understand why other hobbies matter in this equation. Is this a everybody does it so its ok response? Fact is there are other people actually buying the radio themselves and reviewing it. Then there are others who actually lab check the specs and post about it. These here are not reviews but in fact promotions. QRZ makes money from advertising and these posters do an end run around that and profit from it. No matter how little the profit is.

That you want to squelch discussion by telling me to take it up with management is a tell in itself. Last I knew site management can read these threads like anyone else so your suggestion is just cleverly disguised want of censorship.

 

Nope, just pointing out that it's the accepted standard for this sort of thing.

That's great. That info is there for consumption if someone desires a deeper dive into the device. Or, they can consume reviews like the OP and decide if they need to delve further.

If I understand correctly the site ownership decides what is promoted, so if they're losing money, it's with their tacit approval. Why are you acting as a gatekeeper for QRZ?

Hardly my intent. I'm suggesting you take the matter to the folks with a vested interest and ability to effect change. You're more likely to achieve your stated goal. Otherwise, the OP, presumably with QRZ's approval or even direct support, would have no compelling reason to cease.

Chris