Worthless flex 5000 (fully loaded) up for grabs

Bradley Feldman

I have a top-of-the-line Flex 5000 with all the available options (including UHF/VHF).   I spent over $5000 and hardly used it (various reasons).   Now it seems "left for dead" by the manufacturer and community.

Find it outside, take it, please.   Too worthless to even carry to the trash.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

Bradley,

I'd hardly describe the 5000 as "left for dead" - the radio still functions well on machines that support it  Its a great radio, works well and PowerSDR is still available from FRS.  Its no different than any other radio whose manufacturer has announced its end of life - I think about my one year old, barely used IC-7000 that Icom "left for dead" - equally unfair.

Nothing is forever.  My 20 year old Kenwood UHF radio sorta still works - the backup battery is toast, the radio is no longer serviced by its manufacturer but it works.  The 5000 will still work in 20 years - you just need to use the same computer as you do now.  No different.

Its better to grind the axe outside.
Stu K6TU

Gerald-K5SDR

We continue to service and support the FLEX-5000 along with all of our other models.  The repair shop services them every day and we provide free help desk and phone support as well.  Your statement is incorrect.

Bradley Feldman

What's it worth?

JB

It would be worth it's weight in gold as a donation to a HAM group struggling for equipment in some High School. That investment would bring on new, young HAMs who would see an opportunity in engaging with SDRs.

Bradley Feldman

Gerald:  Great comment.   How about a trade-in deal with credit towards a 6000 series?   

I bought it because I believed it would continue to evolve (expandable internal hardware platform and semi-open software), or so your sales literature lead me to believe.   

A trade-in deal would certainly heal my wounds from the disappointing abandoned Flex promise.

What do you think?

Bradley Feldman

Yes, the radical, open, expandable, somewhat future-forward Flex-5000 series, now gone 180 degrees back to, essentially what Icom and Kenwood have always done (minus knobs and buttons).   Revolution or defeat?

Stu Phillips - K6TU

I wish there was a DISLIKE button.

I purchased my Flex 5000 in 2009 - I had years of enhancements which I enjoyed. FRS enhanced the radio way more than I ever expected or experienced - there are few manufacturers in Ham Radio that have done the same.

Gee... my 8 year old car wouldn't do Bluetooth to support my new phone - did the manufacturer give me a better trade in than the value of the car because I wanted bluetooth in a new car?

Get real.
Stu K6TU

Bradley Feldman

There are better, cheaper more current and more rewarding options in SDR than the Flex 5000 for young hams.    I may get better deal turning it in as scrap metal.

Bradley Feldman

At least you can trade in a car.    I'm asking flex to accept a trade to a new series one. They probably can write it off as a bonus.

 What's not a good deal about that for either party?

JB

Bradley, I will pay the shipping to take it off your hands to donate it to the High School here in Sammamish, WA plus the $0.89/lb you would get for scrap.

That is assuming there is no tongue planted in cheek here.

I still have my 5000 along with a 6300 and I use both.

Bradley Feldman

Don't you work for flex, Stu?   Even indirectly?    Am I spoiling a similar deal you got from them?   C'mon now.

Rick

I'll pay shipping plus $100.
Rick
W2JAZ

Bradley Feldman

Nice try, but I think Sammamish kids have enough toys, or rich parents to donate them.  I lived in the Seattle area for a while.

Maybe if it was impoverished club in Detroit.  But not in posh Sammamish.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

Nope, I don't get paid by Flex.  I happen to want them to be a successful and happy company so they keep developing world beating radios.

I sold my 5000 on the open market - to a new very happy 5000 owner.
Perhaps its time you went back under the bridge?  Daylight will come soon....

Sorry, but Scotty is beaming me out of here...
Stu K6TU

JB

I think the wind is blowing from Westport. Is this eBay now? :-)

Rick

If you want to sell it post a price you are looking for.
Rick

Bradley Feldman

Stu:   Great words from a guy who sold his design (for a control knob) to flex.  Yeah, you didn't get paid.    Hope that transporter is a one way trip for you....hi hi.

Steven St Germain

Ill donate it to the club here in Okeechobee florida and also pay the shipping

Bradley Feldman

Gerald?

DrTeeth

Spot on Jon.

Jon_KF2E

Your radio is probably worth about $2600 on the used radio market. That assumes it is in good working order. Seems to me that's no worse than a car you buy and driver for a few years. You also get the added bonus that cutting edge technology gets cheaper quick. This means that you can buy a new 6300 for little more than you can sell your used 5000. There aren't many new purchases that would allow that.

I don't know what has motivated you to attack Flex like this. Are you also after Sony for your television that isn't worth what you paid for it three years ago?

Move on!

DIslike!

Jon...kf2e

Bradley Feldman

Guys if there is a real not-for-profit that can provide a real, legit tax donation form to me, I'd go for it.   A tax deduction is as good as cash.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

As a matter of fact, K6TD and I both gave Flex the design FOR FREE.

So once again you are dead wrong.

Go back under the bridge Mr Troll.

JB

I suggest we just stop the thread here. Not what the  design and intent is for this site.

DrTeeth

It just sounds like sour grapes from the OP as he never had a chance to use it. Had he, he would have loved it. Where is the ****/troll filter on this forum?

Charlie

Instead of talking about scraping the radio just list it on one of the ham radio selling sites and see what you get.  Come on now stop whining.

Paul_Mills

The 5000 is still better than new models as the software is still better. Quit crying!!

Bradley Feldman

Thanks folks.

I really wanted to get some valuable feedback from the community, thus the "bait" I hung out there with the lead post.  I'm the furthest thing from a whiner.   You guys certainly took the bait quickly.  Thanks.

I know the Flex-5000a (fully loaded) is not junk, but I wish Flex would consider a trade-in program for a credit towards a 6000 series.   It will not yield the same price as listing on eHam, but it would be a win-win for the customers and Flex.   

I'd think it'd be a break-even for Flex at worst.   Think of the value of the goodwill it would provide to the company and the community.   Plus lighten the support issues for Flex.   It'd guess the 5000's (3000's and 1500's)  are much more support cost intensive than the 6000's.  That'd be gone for the most part and Flex would have everyone embracing the 6000's.

Might even set an example for other manufacturers.

Whatd'ya say Gerald?   Have you guys run any projections?

Charlie

Brad just sell the radio and be done with it. 

Bradley Feldman

Stu:   Give me a break.   You got nothing in return?  I don't believe that.   Even $1 in Flex store credit is something.   Be reasonable.  You're a very smart guy.