Review of Hong Kong – GP360/GP380 Radios

[Dave]

Review of Hong Kong – GP380

Here are a few good reasons why you should not buy any radios on eBay from a Hong Kong seller.

1.   The adverts claim that the radios are 95% New?
How can something be 95% new? It is ever new or used no in-between

2.   The Radios feature 16 or 128 channels
Motorola never produced any GP380 radios with this amount of channels all GP380 series radios feature 255 channels

3.   The radios claim to be 95% new but have a really old version of the firmware.

4.   Many people who purchase theses radios complain that soon after they use the cps to programme the radios display codeplug error.

5.   Warranty? no, you are purchasing the radio from Hong Kong and so you are not protected from any regulations which protect your legal rights.

6.   Can I use the radios in the UK?
No, the radios will not be CE approved and therefore is illegal to use the radio in the UK.

7.   Will my local radio dealer programme the radio for me?
short answer is no, more then likely the dealer will notice that the radios are indeed from Hong Kong and will refuse to programme the radios.

8.   Are the Hong Kong radios produced by Motorola?
No, the radios are copies / fakes of the Motorola product range and therefore is illegal, if you send the radio to any Motorola dealer for programming don’t expect it to be returned to you, the dealer may report it to Motorola or the police.



I have seen so many radios on ebay from Hong Kong and its about time someone stands up to them to protect people who purchase them thinking that they are genuine Motorola radios. Simple advice is, if you want a good working radio make sure you do the following.

1.   Ask for the Model and serial number of the radio(s) you wish to purchase, check to make sure the radios can be used in your country.
 
2. DO NOT buy from Hong Kong as you will only be wasting your money

[Dave]

The seller claims that Quick Call II comes with the radio? err no it does not, the GP380 does not have this feature.

Ebay Advert
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/255-Channel-Motorola-GP380-UHF-2-Way-Radio-Accessorie_W0QQitemZ350302578813QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM?hash=item518fa9287d

[tailrotorblade]

Thanks for clearing up this ever increasing problem. I was tempted by the eBay offers but went elsewhere. Your input confirms my original suspicions, hence my decision to purchase from a reputable dealer.

We have a saying here: "If something seems too good to be true, it is to good to be true." Common sence trumps everything!

On a similar subject, I saw on this forum last night some questions about the GP68. Just thought I would comment that it is a piece of junk. One of the biggest complaints about it is the screen printing on the keys rapidly disapears after little use. That would not happen to the genuine article.

[emsgeorge]

General idea is that they are factory seconds of the gp68, forced with a gp380 codeplug in it. Other ideas are that they are parts built - with spares / bits of the rejects of the 68 that come out of the factory.

I've had door staff in one town pop up with these radios one week - 8 had brought their own one 'cheap guv', and wanted it put onto the pub watch system.

After realising what they are - the simple answer of 'dont buy crap !'.