The keys are adversely occupied: The scanning feature is accessed via a long press a button that activates the reverse function when (accidentally) brief press (TX / RX offset is reversed); the squelch opening (button below PTT) must be pressed long (otherwise the apparently much more important Flashlight LED is turned on); short Un-squelching is not possible. The key is on PTT (press and hold) for the change to the FM radio or the alarm (Dudelsound and flashing LED Flashlight). Why such a trivial function to be controlled by such a prominently placed button, which can not be optional or disable prove otherwise, I am not sure.
The Roger beep is about one second long double series. A short, simple tone would be very handy; but to be seen after each passage of this annoying and long Gedüdel is annoying and tiring.
The S-meter always shows full deflection. The display is not overly important, but would be technically feasible without effort and is therefore very missed by me.
The squelch can indeed be set in nine steps, but looks the same. Thus, the setting has no effect. Pretty bad! It should be noted that the nine levels of sensitivity of VOX function (volume dependent automatic transmission), however actually work differently.
The backlight time can indeed be of Continuous off set to 25 seconds (via PC setup) but a continuous water I miss it.
PRO:
Transmission and reception services are good or very good.
The battery is pretty neat. A full day use can be approached safely without changing battery. With only occasional sending even more.
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The following comparison is made with the previous model Baofeng UV-5R Plus. When Mark II the supplied Sain Sonic INF-641 antenna was placed, the UV-5R Plus a Nagoya NA-701 (also from Amazon).
PRO:
The reception performance is actually better. If one both units side by side, so the Mark II makes before the squelch for usable signals (= comprehensible language), while the other remains on. Also reported by other lower noise, I can confirm.
The modulation sending is perhaps slightly larger, but I do not notice a significant difference.
The slightly larger RX / TX-LED I find the right place.
The LED Flashlight is completely recessed in the housing.
CON:
The display is very difficult to read. The inverted display (light characters on a dark background) can be read reliably only when the backlight. With good lighting, z. B. in sunlight or directly under the table lamp, the UV-5R Plus has clearly the better readability. In Mark II still can Although the backlight color switch (orange, blue, purple), but does this affect mainly on the brightness, so it lacks the optical Statusunterscheidbarkeit.
The speaker sounds a bit dull and dosiger.
The housing material is absolutely in the price in order; nothing rattles or creaks. But the plastic and its Gußkanten seem a bit cheap. Clearly valent expected because of the edgy UV-5R Plus. The loudspeaker is located behind a wide barbecue and a thin, black stash behind the diaphragm through shimmers depending on the light, which leaves a little robust. When UV-5R Plus there is a metal grill and behind a wire grid.
Key illumination is indeed kept in the right conditions for dark (eye-friendly) Orange, but too much large area. If you need the lighting, it's so dark that one must not be blinded by the large illuminated surface. In addition, the sides of the keys will flash by white light.
The eyelet (z. B. for the supplied wrist strap) is made of plastic. When UV-5R Plus it is made of metal (and the way it looks to the metal chassis).
The belt clip is up about 8 mm further from that pushes unpleasant.
The belt clip is suitable (UV-5R Plus: 45 mm) for belts up to 55 mm width. With an average belt (38 mm), the Mark II thus often hang at an angle.
CONCLUSION:
For the price an absolute buy recommendation, despite the unavoidable disadvantages. The transmission / reception services are of course the most important, which clearly speaks for the Mark II. On the other hand, its disadvantages as plentiful (especially the really bad read display) that one should think about it, perhaps to pick up the older model.
