BTECH GMRS-PRO GMRS Two-Way Radio

BTECH

BTECH GMRS-PRO GMRS Two-Way Radio

6 videos

GMRS-PRO, Feature Highlights, Use and More

0:46 1 / 6

Customer photos & videos

From 17 customers

80'stalgia

REALLY?! FOR $154.00?!

This Radio has ALL the bells and whistles - except for CHIRP compatibility, AM reception (specifically aviation channels), and VFO mode - some of the more essential functions I look for in a GMRS radio. Is it too much to ask for full customization at this price range? I live in a part of Florida where one of the largest repeaters has a unique, custom offset setup of +15 where others are only +/-5. This radio will not allow you to customize the offset, and can only present you with locked, pre-programmed GMRS/REPEATER settings that you can select from in multiple-choice style - that’s it. You cannot customize the offset. I tried again, and as you can see in the photos, the RX settings I inputted in the app did not carry over to the radio. I watched Youtube videos, I asked ChatGpt and nothing how to resolve the issue. As soon as I discovered that, I was already disappointed. I’m sure the compass is cool, the GPS is cool and the waterproof feature is cool, but without the options stated above, this is just a cool walkie-talkie. As soon as I discovered none of the above features are available, the other better features such as battery life, value for the money, power, etc. went out the window. I didn’t even bother to test them. It is NOT as easy to program as people say. If you’re a well-organized person who wants to label all the channels you want to put in, you should stick to a radio with at least a built-in keyboard TRUST ME. And not making this radio CHIRP compatible will only make the experience of inputting each, individual GMRS and repeater channel setting pure torture. Oh well, Ailunce it is!

David a dean

Easy to program

I really like the radios, but I’d like to find more batteries. Anybody know how to get more batteries for the radio.

R

Robert

Great radio

I love this device! Its loud and clear, small, strong but my battery was loose. I fixed with rubber strips I cut and glued into place. Now its awesome. Worth the money, could have been just mine but still would buy another one without hesitation. It came the day I received my GMRS callsign from the FCC... super awesome!!!

robert

Great GMRS radio that just works in a real setup

I’ve been using the BTECH GMRS Pro for about a week and it’s no longer just something I’m testing it’s a practical part of my daily workflow.

I built a monitoring setup for aircraft, weather, and local activity, and the one gap was a solid communication layer. This radio filled that gap smoothly. Phone-based programming is quick and intuitive, and the same workflow works cleanly on my laptop. That makes it easy to use both at a desk and in the field.

Audio quality is solid, scanning behavior is reliable, and monitoring while doing other tasks doesn’t feel like a nuisance. I also added the BS 22 Bluetooth speaker mic, which isn’t necessary but makes mobile use much easier with no cords to fight.

This radio has become one of the most useful parts of the system I’m building because it integrates without friction instead of feeling like an afterthought.

Real world use, not just bench numbers if you need a dependable GMRS radio that fits into a broader setup, this one deserves a look.

Disclosure: This unit was provided to me by BTECH after they saw my ongoing build work. That said, this review reflects my real-world use and experience, and the radio is actively being used as part of my setup.

Speedy

Fantastic Bluetooth Enabled Radio

Awesome quantity radio packed with advanced features and clear documentation. Bluetooth even works flawlessly with Apple EarPods. Slick app allows you to use your cell phone to easily program advanced features. No programming cable needed.

Before buying the GMRS Pro I purchased about 10 Bluetooth enabled radios and returned all of them. None of them worked with Apple AirPods. Very few would connect to standard Bluetooth headsets and the ones that did would not consistently connect. Others had low quality proprietary headsets that were clunky to use and/or had poor quality sound. So I was blown away at the quality and ease of use of the GMRS Pro. Another plus is that it’s waterproof.

Now for the bad… it’s expensive at about $150 per radio. It’s also a a little heavier and larger than some many of the cheap lower quality radios. But we love the convenience of not having to run wired headsets through our clothing when we work security detail at church. You can also be more discrete using small Bluetooth earbud headsets.

So far we love everything about this radio!

R

RhinoVegas

Waterproof, durable, AND BLUETOOTH CAPABLE!!

I have been in the market for some time, for a multi-purpose handheld radio. After looking at all of the competition, the BTECH GMRS Pro checked all of the boxes.

I had several requirements, it needed to be waterproof/dustproof, and with an IP67 rating, it checked that box.

It needed to be easy to charge. I didn't want to lug around a charging station in order to keep the battery topped off. the This radio charges via USB-C, the same charging cables I already use for phones and earbuds. Another box checked off.

And finally, one of the most important items for me was the ability to connect to a headset using Bluetooth. There aren't very many radios out there with this capability, so that really narrowed the field down. The ability to use this radio while on my motorcycle, wearing a helmet, makes this radio the best solution in my opinion. Paired up with the remote PTT button that easily attaches to my handlebars, and easily connecting to the radio via Bluetooth, made this the ONLY solution in handheld GMRS radios. Real world testing in multiple environments still needs to take place, but I have high confidence that this solution will be much better than the existing comm units our group uses, which cut out when there is a boulder between us, or a stand of trees. It seems like the time you need to communicate with the group the most, is the exact time you are unable to do so.

This radio also adds the ability to connect to repeaters, to extend your communication range, adds GPS capabilities, with the ability to see a map with other users of the same radio, NOAA Weather Alerts, FM Radio and more.

The radio is easily programmable thanks to an app that you use on your phone. It is very easy to use and has a fantastic user interface.

BTECH is a USA company with USA warranty and support, however, it should be noted that while the radio is designed in the USA, it is actually made in China, much like many of the other popular radios on the market.

If you are really wanting to take advantage of the GPS and texting capabilities of this phone, I recommend that you get two of them, as those features only really work with other GMRS Pro radios. This will be a great function in a SHTF type of scenario, and you'll be glad you have a couple of radios for your family in that, or any other disaster type situation.

While this radio isn't as simple as some of the other cheaper options out there, it has everything I was hoping for in a radio.

K

Kevyn

Excelent radio

Best GMRS radio ive seen so far, i use it normally to ref at my local painball field and the audio is super clean, beware to change your antena for a better one like the signalstuff i got on mine, because the stock antenna is almost useless

T

trey

Love this radio

I’m just getting into gmrs radios. I have HAM radios as well but I needed something more like this. Out the box, very easy to set up using your phone with the app. YouTube was also a help with other features. Even when not using the app, it’s still easy to use. I programmed this device in less than 20 minutes for what I need it for. Would have been way longer without the app. I highly recommend this.

I

irippchaisaws

Great radio. The M1 connector is not the same as the Motorola M1.

Btech supplied a write up comparison between a Motorola M1 and the BTECH connection

V

Vegas John

Must have for SHTF situation

This feature rich GMRS radio with the

BTECH DMR-6X2 (DMR and Analog) 7-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio combo will give you the edge in a SHFT situation. Compact radio with the GPS and GPS compass, Bluetooth app for smart phone programming, messaging, and Google maps. Highly recommend. Allot of accessories avaiable.

A

Adrienne Bonne

Two way reliable radios. Built solid.

These radios are unreal. They blue tooth to your phone for firmware updates. You can also control them from your phone. Pairing is only required once. And yes you have to get a license.

😶Anxious Prepper🤫

‘This is the one gentlemen, GMRS, get it now!

“This is a solid weighty construction. It has the feel of a quality device. Some great new features come with this radio. This is the one to get gentlemen…GMRS PRO…get them now before you need them, yes them,… you want two for your best communication clarity with a like device over a distance.

David E. Jorgensen

First/Best Text/GPS Data GMRS Radio

I’ve had 2 of these for almost 2 weeks. The very best GMRS handsets. I’m going to buy at least 4 total. Ground breaking new features in GMRS, far better than the Motorola T800 and Garmin Rino handsets (the only 2 competitors) as follows:

- transmits/receives data text messages and gps locations (and ping requests and auto-replies for these to others in your group) at more powerful GMRS not just FRS power levels

- more powerful voice transmit, 5+ watts (GMRS handset max)

- possible to remove the glued “non-removable” antenna (but voids the warranty) to buy/use a Nagoya NA-771G antenna (sold separately) for very best GMRS transmit/receive signal quality

- much cheaper than Garmin Rino models

- more reliable and easier and more powerful mobile phone app than Motorola T800

- special features like ‘Audio Replay’ (aka parrot mode) which is somewhat like a (slightly delayed) repeater, not just on GMRS repeater input frequencies but even on non-repeater channels to extend the range of less-capable (non-repeater, lower wattage, but dirt-cheap/idiot-proof) FRS handsets.

- all standard and advanced GMRS features including all GMRS and FRS channels, Channel groups, Channel naming, Channel scan, GMRS Repeater input frequencies, split tones, tone-scan, talk-around, etc.

- more powerful receive capabilities overall including dual-band vhf/uhf receive and dual-channel simultaneous monitor, noaa weather channels, noaa weather alerts, fm radio, and even monitor other non-gmrs, non-frs frequencies, eg. ham, aprs, police, fire, etc. receive-only.

- full receive-only decoding and display of local ham radio APRS data text messages and gps locations (much more incoming data) when tuned to vhf 144.390 MHz on the handset or in the BTECH GMRS mobile app, displays simultaneous with the GMRS channels sent/received data text message and gps location features, using dual-band dual-channel mode.

- more waterproof and more durable ip67 rating

Tinkerman

It's got promise.

UPDATED below. Right out of the box absolutely no FM reception. So I drove down to a local FM station. And I drove within 500 feet of the tower and it did not receive the station so that's not working. Updated it to current version and nothing still. That's all I've gotten really. I'm reading change the ant voids the warranty. So it might be going back. I have another on order I'm going to compare the two. See what's up. WX works though. GPS and compass is right on. Phone app is great. Bluetooth is great. Like anything new they will work the bugs out. You can always trust BETECH. I'll update this. I have hope for this radio.

UPDATE. I was hoping BTech would reach out about this problem. Waited 2 weeks for second radio. FM gets every channel my car does. So the first radio is a dud. The return clock is ticking. I'm still waiting to hear from BTECH. Can't contact seller. No option. No report back from customer support. This happened before with same company I sent both radiosback just before the cutoff. That's when they started asking what was wrong. . I'm having hopes they'll just replace this Radio or it can update to work. I've already factory reset it. Updated it several times. The 5 3 version works. 5 4 does not. You CAN unscrew the antenna some fool said it was glued on and u can't remove. So once I discovered it comes off in swapped antenna to see if that's the problem. No . First batch Is total dud. So far no customer support. Kind of iritating. Especially looking foolish for buying these.

M

Mark

Worth every penny

Easy to set up and program!!

Dan

Great radio, needs better packaging

Seems to be a great new radio after a few hours of use. I was extremely disappointed in the packaging however. The radio was just tossed in with the screwdriver without any protection so brand new, it came all scratched up including the display.

Aside from that, it relies heavily on using your phone for programming and whatnot which is exactly what I wanted.

GPS works great and the antenna is easily upgradeable for even better performance.

Would love to see a Ham version!

M

Martin

Great features for the price

First off, the cons: Build quality is nowhere near as good as high-end several $100's radios. The OS seems a little slow, changing channels takes a half second or so before you can go to the next one, the volume knob goes about 1/4 turn before actually changing the volume. Little things like that. But those are (probably) firmware issues, and update-able in the future. So, if you're expecting a super awesome radio you can hammer nails in, while deep sea diving, this isn't it.

The middle-of-the-road stuff: Buttons and case/antenna are decently good quality, feels like a good bubble-pack GMRS radio.

The Good: Nice decently-sized screen, readable from off-center angles. Built-in compass and GPS. Can text from the radio, although kinda slow, it is usable.

The Awesome: Waterproof and USB-C charging. That alone make this a good radio. Add in Bluetooth tethering to phone/mic and that's pretty sweet. The App is very functional, easy to add/edit channels, the texting/talking from the phone app seems to work pretty good. I only have the 1 unit, and don't know of anybody near me with one, so am unable to fully test out all functions.

The bluetooth range is pretty good. I can have the radio sitting on a windowsill on the 2nd floor, and still use the app PTT from the other side of the house.

Nitpicky things:

Don't see any way of saving/importing an external list of channels.

Don't see a way for the app to change groups, have to do that from the radio.

Scan function is kinda slow, and seems to get stuck on channels alot. Also, can start scanning from phone app, but can't stop scanning from phone app.

The Memory groups are setup to be totally separate from each other. 6 groups of 30 channels.

Has Dual-Watch function, but only on a single memory group at a time. So for example, I have all my stock GMRS channels on group 1, and some local repeaters (recv only) on Group 2. Would be nice to be able to listen to both at once. This is only down here instead of a Con, because you can just put your most-used channels into their own group, and just go with that.

All in all, it's a very nice little radio. If it has the feature you want, its totally worth the price.

My use-case: tinkering with a data-capable GMRS radio, and trail comms/location sharing while offroading once I convince some of my buddies to get one.

And for that use case, I'm giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Edit to add: I was also able to connect to my Quest2, so I can GMRS chat in virtual space.