Good honest review. It's great seeing you back with more content on the channel and I'm looking forward to more.

Glad to see you back . Enjoy your videos. Merry Christmas.

Your points are view are valid from your use and point of view. First of all, the Yaesu radios are quite a bit cheaper to buy than the Kenwood radios you are talking about (on sale, the 5D is about half the cost of the latest Kenwood). I'm not into hooking up my HT radio to a computer. That is not what I bought it for. I bought it to be able to use the Fusion digital and to be able to send and receive APRS when portable. Something the Yaesu does very well. I don't have D-Star repeaters in my area, but do have several Fusion repeaters near by. Yes the charging when direct is not the best. The rapid charger works very well. The screen is a valid point. That said, I have knocked my FT-3D and FT-5D around quite a bit with zero problems. The audio in the 3D is not great. Something they fixed with the 5D. If you want the features of the Kenwood, pony up a couple hundred dollars more and buy one. When or if Yaesu produces a radio with the extra features, it will cost more than the current FT-5D. I do wish Yaesu would come out with an upgraded model with all the features like the Kenwood has and fix the few issues the current models have. I don't think I'd buy one, but it would be great to have a radio with all the bells and whistles that does Fusion for those who want everything in one radio. It is something they should add to their line. You are comparing a lower cost radio to a higher cost radio and complaining that it does not have all the features of the higher cost radio. The FT-3D and FT-5D are not perfect, but they fit my needs perfectly. For the price and what it offers, the 5D is a great radio. If I'm going portable in SHTF and want digital, I will be taking my 705 and my 3D or 5D. Chances are the HT will be far less useful in SHTF, no matter who makes it.

I appreciate your candor and fully agree with what you are saying. I have an FT-50, FT-1500, and FT-897 that are still going strong.

I love the moment when the rubber comes off the Yaesu's antenna at the end. That really seems to underscore your point. Well done!

Wow. Great follow up review. I also think for a $350 radio, I would want to be able to program a repeater with a numeric keypad. Thanks for another good video.

I’ve wondered the same about the charging bar as well. I bought mine used this year. It is fine to me. FT-60R was the one I had before the FT-3DR. I did smoosh the screen and have a couple lines of distorted view. My radio turns off while transmitting, the battery disconnects… I have no real desire to get rid of it due to these issues, but it is annoying. I would still buy another HT like this and use it as an HT. I also own mobile radios and base radios and use them as they were designed. I like that Yaesu is still making radios, where Kenwood is just now back into the Ham HT market.

Love FT3D

That was a great flipping review! Thank you for the honesty! For once someone said that stuff honestly! ❤

Thanks for the vid. I understand and agree with you. I have the ft-70d and the battery sucks. If i was to go to at an all day event, I would need to bring 3 batteries but instead i will bring a UV-17. I normally take two radios.

Good review! I’ve not really noticed the suggested audio improvement with the FT-5. Where the FT-3 is slightly ahead for me is that the 5’s intermod rejection is even less effective. It’s a pity that in the Yaesu range, the old work-horse FT-60 is the only efficient performer in noisy environments. Still, I thought the 3 and 5 were good radios until I started using an Icom ID-52. It’s got the front end I can only wish all Yaesu HT’s had (other than the FT-60).

Appreciate the review. I would agree that the FT3 (and 5) is not the iPhone of HT’s. It’s not rugged that is for sure, both BT and charging suck, and in a pinch can be challenging to use.

couldn't agree more, and the only thing about the ft-5dr that's different is that the audio is slightly better.

Agree on all points. Such a let down for the price/brand recognition. More people would be interested in packet radio if they weren't afraid of building an interface and frying their radio.

Totally agree with everything you mentioned here.. Like you said.. when a 13 year old discontinued radio is selling for way more than the original msrp.. you would think companies would take note and try to make a radio that fills that gap.. ( full duplex and tnc ) but i would hate to know what they would charge for it, lol

I've not had the battery issue with mine, but I use a cradle to charge it. You're absolutely right about the thin audio, but frankly they all sound kind of tinny. About the Bluetooth functionality, I've tried it with MULTIPLE devices and can't find anything it will connect to. I've tried our three cars, a tiny earpiece, some high-end bone conduction headphones, some traditional headphones and even a high-end Plantronics communications speaker...it sees these devices, but won't connect to them. I do rather like the user interface, even though it does some contradictory things in places. For the most part, its easy to use without having to refer to the manual. Oh, I almost forgot...the front end overloads VERY easily, so leave it at home when you go to service the club repeater...bring your old Motorola instead! I'm sure this is a side effect of the receiver having such wide coverage (even HF bands) but it makes it a poor choice for dense RF environments.

I seem to remember, as an FT3D owner myself, a thread somewhere (redit?) that due to CA regulations - I wish I could remember the content, but it had to do with issues you mentioned about charging the battery.

Can’t disagree with any of your points.👍

RIP the vertex standard era of radios

I have the ft3d. Zero problems. Total excellent

I had the Yaesu FT5 with the same charging problem. It also took hours to charge. Charging indication did not work at all. Touchscreen was poor, had to click several times to select the function. Everyone will have a crack in the housing near the PPT button in no time. The battery life was also not comparable to other devices. Bluetooth has never worked with any device. I now have an Anytone 878UVii+. this also works on Fusion (DMR2YSF). with a hotspot and PI-Star. The battery lasts a very long time and it connects to everything that has Bluetooth. And the sound is much better than the Yaesu FT5/FT3. Luckily I was able to return it to the shop where I bought it. Finally someone who really tells what radio is like. Most reviews on KZfaq seem to be done in one day. I realized within a day that it was not worth the money they were asking for it. The anytone is half the price and also receives better.

No hate here. I think you are giving an honest review but I was hoping for more content dealing with actual radio functionality. The FT3d has a nice range of band coverage over and above the 2 bands to include aprs, marine, air, commercial broadcast, shortwave plus digital capabilities that work very well. The band scope is handy and functional. This FT3d is a real radio with real features. Your point about the charging seems valid. I didn't know there was a deficiency since i got a used radio that already had the charging station. Peace

I've been going in the same direction as you on this. I really despise the battery drain issue, no native USB charging (the extended battery by W0AEZ takes care of both, but it's clunky and makes it less water resistant), it's very glitchy even when I program repeaters in like I did during a trip last month, and now none of my hand mics will work though they will work with my other Yaesu HT (VX5.) It just seems like issues after issues.

That is why to this day im still rocking cheap chinese radios because i just dont accept spending a lot more on a radio with the same or even worse quality / features

i love my ft3d

Excellent video and review. Yaesu, in my opinion, has indeed lost their way. The FT-817, 857, and 897 sell for more now than ever and that functionality has been lost for advertising claims. Sad but glad I have my 897 and 817 and am still looking for an 857

100% agree

Good informative videos! However, I just added this radio, found one NIB and I really enjoy using it. There are a lot of users still trying to grab one... anyone knows where I can find a Yaesu-VX-8R?

Your review rocks! I got an FT 3D and an FTM 400 for Christmas a couple of years ago . Both are complete shit as far as functionality and reliability . I’m glad you, as a newer Ham, were able to figure this out. Up till your video, I kind of figured it was only us older hams who were around for the good radios that knew that these radios were shit .

Totally correct about that ft3d .I have one I like my other cheaper radios better . I think I will pack it up and sell it.

I saw that review where you were still hype about the radio and I'm not gonna lie, I was looking forward to getting mine but I had to postpone getting my licence and only just got it now, the licence I mean. The Yaesu lost its charm a while back. When I look at it now it reminds me of palmtops from before smartphones. Your point is also valid for base HF radios. We have lost the budget no nonsense section. There is nothing new on the market that I can justify buying right after getting into the hobby and the used section is taking advantage of that. I'm honestly cheering for Chinese, they will pressure Yaesu and Icom to release something modern and budget eventually. My 1st radio is an HT from Anytone, the 878 top model because it was the same price as Yaesu FT70 on black Friday. It's awesome!

Pretty much agree with everything you said here. The manufacturer should know better. A lot of the features in these expensive radios feel half baked. And the crazy thing is the FT5 suffers from basically all the same issues.

Poor Bluetooth, junk PC interfacing, weird custom cabling, junk software, poor charging, hard to touch screen with protruding bezel. Dual band interferance with each other. I’ve had to change channels because this drives me crazy. Even over squelching one channel won’t keep it from affecting audio of the other receiving channel. I wouldn’t be so harsh if they weren’t charging premium prices for their “brand”. I bought the radio 4 years ago, I’ve never seen a firmware update.

I had a VX-8GR and have a FT3D. I sold the 8GR because I found it hard to read the display, the user interface was terrible (each key was muti function depending on where you were at in its operation) and the text next to the keys was very small (hard to read). If you used it a lot, that might be ok. But I had to keep referring to the manual or cheat sheets. A great radio but not without its faults. I like the FT3DR because the screen is SOOOO much easier to read, operation is simpler than the 8GR and the key's labels are easy to read. I think the FT3D has a lot of room for improvement. The menu structure needs work. My main wish is for Bluetooth to allow a Bluetooth keyboard (they make some really nice small and/or portable keyboards). If someone made that on a radio that was basically a FT3DR/5DR but a basic 2M/70cm FM radio with exposed KISS APRS functionality (like Kenwood) I would be all over it.

Can you get a tattoo of the modern ham logo 🤔

Recently sold my FT5D for many of the same reasons. Was very disappointed with it overall. Replaced it with an ID50 - couldn’t be happier.

I am not sure why the big three (Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu) can't make a radio with functional / up to date bluetooth stack. They are impossible to use! I made a video of using the bluetooth connection of my THD74 using my computer as it is a huge PITA. BUT - it works - which is one of the reasons I love the THD74.

I really like my ft5dr but your complaints are legitimate. The ft5 or vx-6 are currently my EDC radios(I've never held an ft3). A lot of people have a problem with the speaker sound quality/loudness with the ft5, although it's never bothered me. As far as the screen and durability (of course the vx-6r is a tank) again if get it. You do have to worry about the screen. Overall it's proven to be tougher than I thought it would be but I definitely do worry about the screen. I would argue though, that everyone knows what they're buying into with the screen before they spend their money. Now, the locked down tnc/aprs stuff, not being able to use aprs with your computer is frustrating and a load of b.s IMO. The Bluetooth does kinda suck doesn't it. Edit P.S-- Speaking of screens, can you Imagine worry about the screens on the Icom-50 & 52? Holy Cow.

What you're experiencing with the radio's charging behavior isn't a glitch, that's how it was built to function. I also agree that it's an issue, even though it's intentional. I also think the Bluetooth missed out a lot of possibilities. If they would have it work with a companion app on your phone, then the radio's APRS would be FAR better. Also, T9 text input would be a godsend any time you need to input text.

I bought it when my area got into fusion and then everyone abandoned it. I like the APRS

Well said. The audio recording of the FT3D is bad also. Clipped at the bottom. Not balanced. I once used to be a fan of Yaesu in the late 80s That was the time when Icom IC211E competed the Yaesu FT225RD, which I still own today and which showed the *frequency* rather than counting holes like the IC211E did. That was the time, when the Yaesu FT470 handheld (still alive with me since 35 years powered -- yes, powered since 35 years continuously!) was a TRUE dual bander with duplex ability (listening on 2m while transmitting on 70cm -- owing to a built in duplexer). But nowdays Yaesu equipment-- sorry. I regret having ever bought the FT3D. 73 de DL6BZ, Stefan.

Is the ft5 better audio and a better radio

Heh! Just tried to look up 200 VS 300 and found this video.

i charge mine off of 12v no issues

I don’t know why both Yaesu and icoms newest handhelds don’t have a full numeric keypad. It’s absolutely ridiculous. And from my understanding, the ID52a doesn’t even have DTMF, like what? I really want a VX-6R. I feel like that’s a real rugged radio

I don't like my FT-3 either. The squelch/volume knobs are impossible to get used too. I've even swapped them in the menu and still hate it. I like the separate controls of my FT-60 Another reason I don't like it is due to the speaker mic continuously coming unseated and throwing out a carrier. After a couple week I put it back in the box and in the closet. Total waste of time and $$ I like yeasu for menu's and display colors. The only reason I don't go with Icom is because they have white screens that are too bright and my eyes can't take the brightness. I wish Kenwood was still in the game

My only regret with buying my FT3 is I just never use a HT hardly at all. So its kinda of a waste. Totally thinking about just selling it.

Yep. All these modern radios suck. They sure look pretty, but the utility of them have dropped like a rock.

I would never say they are cr4p, they are just not worth the price tag and for me it was always the screen, you couldnt see bugger all in the sun.

I have a ft3dr and a ft5dr. The 3dr audio is not as good but I use a speaker mic in my truck so it’s not a problem for me. I also have cheap Chinese radios. Sounds like your option is based on price and I can understand that. Like anything everyone had their favourite brand. I have had my license since January of 1997. Enjoy the hobby that’s what it’s about.

update your firmware.

You have a lot of complaints, you should not yesue again, had mine 2.5 years

You may have a bad unit

great super great video, you are absolutely right., 73 XE1GNU