BAOFENG AR-152

[TACAIR]

A bit late to the game here, but...

I'd much rather have a couple of 'spare' batteries than one massive battery.  With more than one battery, I can charge of 'extra' and have a spare in case one craps out.

***
I run Yaesu V/UHF radios exclusively now, if nothing else the interface is common across all the rigs.

I have a set of VX-170 VHF radios that are rated as water resistant (1 meter submerged for 30 min)   This is nice here in rainy Alaska.
These have AA battery trays and I carry a AA cell recharger that runs off of a USB supply.  
I have traveled the world and never failed to find AA cells anyplace I've been - to include the wilds of the former USSR above the Arctic Circle.  
****

A Tech class license is $35/10 years and most clubs offer free testing.   

Nothing against Baofengs, I just prefer the Yaesu rigs - these VX rigs are based off of their commercial/LOE offerings.

If I had the dough, I'd run Motorola SABER HTs, but who has that kind of $$$?

[MacWa77ace]

I always get a bunch of extra batteries and ways to charge or power. I'm thinking that since that is high power it needs that bigger battery just to have the same runtime as the lower power Baofengs. 


How much should we be paying for those as a deal or onsale?
Yaesu V/UHF  VX-170 VHF; is that 2m only on that model?

is that still available? I'm seeing new Yeasu HT's starting around $175 and going up to $500 but not seeing a bunch of places to buy them. I can't find VX-170 VHF model for sale except ebay.

[NT2C]

A bit late to the game here, but...

I'd much rather have a couple of 'spare' batteries than one massive battery.  With more than one battery, I can charge of 'extra' and have a spare in case one craps out.

***
I run Yaesu V/UHF radios exclusively now, if nothing else the interface is common across all the rigs.

I have a set of VX-170 VHF radios that are rated as water resistant (1 meter submerged for 30 min)  This is nice here in rainy Alaska.
These have AA battery trays and I carry a AA cell recharger that runs off of a USB supply. 
I have traveled the world and never failed to find AA cells anyplace I've been - to include the wilds of the former USSR above the Arctic Circle. 
****

A Tech class license is $35/10 years and most clubs offer free testing. 

Nothing against Baofengs, I just prefer the Yaesu rigs - these VX rigs are based off of their commercial/LOE offerings.

If I had the dough, I'd run Motorola SABER HTs, but who has that kind of $$$?

I used to have a SABER and the docking station in my truck.  I traded it for something that I can't remember at the moment, might have been my boat anchor HF rig and a beam.  I still have a Motorola HT, an XTS 2600i FPP that I love but it's dang heavy to carry.  I also have a Kenwood TH-7A, my much used and loved pair of Yaesu FT-60s, a bunch of Baofeng UV-5s (that got lent out to hams at events when their HTs gave out, we're charged, left home, etc.) a couple of DMR radios, one from TYT the other a Baofeng, various GMRS radios, and the new stuff I've been picking up, like the TIDradio H8 and the pair of H3s.  The newer Baofengs may not be durable as my FT-60s, but I don't cry if one gets "lost" or broken.  And I'm really liking BT programming all of them from my phone in seconds with either their on-board BT or the TIDradio BT dongle in the mic ports

[NT2C]

I always get a bunch of extra batteries and ways to charge or power. I'm thinking that since that is high power it needs that bigger battery just to have the same runtime as the lower power Baofengs. 


How much should we be paying for those as a deal or onsale?
Yaesu V/UHF  VX-170 VHF; is that 2m only on that model?

is that still available? I'm seeing new Yeasu HT's starting around $175 and going up to $500 but not seeing a bunch of places to buy them. I can't find VX-170 VHF model for sale except ebay.

Each of my HTs has at least two extra batteries for it.  Speaking of which, I should probably check the charge state on some of the older ones.

[Z.O.R.G.]

The newer Baofengs may not be durable as my FT-60s, but I don't cry if one gets "lost" or broken. 

That's one of the best things about Baofengs - I don't take nice handhelds out with my kayak.  If a Baofeng goes in the lake, I'm not going to cry over it. 

[NT2C]

The newer Baofengs may not be durable as my FT-60s, but I don't cry if one gets "lost" or broken.

That's one of the best things about Baofengs - I don't take nice handhelds out with my kayak.  If a Baofeng goes in the lake, I'm not going to cry over it. 

Exactly.  I used the same principle in my construction business.  The new guy working up on the roof didn't get the expensive tools to use, he got the Harbor Freight tools until I saw how he took care of them.  Drop a HF drill off the roof and I'll bust your balls about it but I won't cry over it.  Drop a DeWalt or Senco and you're on my shit detail for the next year and I'm gonna go sob in my beer after work.

[Blast]

You can now get a 3800mAh battery for the UV-5R that charges via a USB-C cable for under $20.
An 1800 mAh UV-5R battery that uses a USB-C charging cable is only $13. Just FYI, my birthday is right around the corner. 
-Blast