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SmartSDR v4 and New Licensing

DAKleeberg
DAKleeberg Member, Unconfirmed ✭
in SmartSDR+
Hi,
I am writing to express my displeasure with Flex Radio over SmartSDR v.4 and the new licensing plan. I am feeling totally **** by Flex Radio and want the community to know it!. Coinciding with the release of the new model radios this smacks of a scam to get loyal Flex users to either buy a new model or pay an exorbitant annual license fee. That's extortion!
They'll be no more Flex Radios in my future!
Dave
K5HC

Comments

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Hi Dave, there is no requirement to pay extra. If you are happy with the features that you have, you can stay with the free version. If a feature comes along that you are willing to pay for, you get whatever features are included plus a year of additional feature upgrades for no additional cost.

    So if you upgrade to V 4.0.1, the cost is zero and you retain whatever capabilities you have today. As time goes by and Flex releases new versions, you can upgrade for nothing and get all the bug fixes in those releases. Any time that you want the features of a new release, purchase the Plus version for $199 (just like today) and you get those new features forever.

    This is not a subscription service like some big software vendors have where you need to pay annually just to run the SW. With Flex, you are purchasing a permanent license to use the new features (just like it has always been).

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    Hi Dave

    I am not sure where you saw annual license fee. There is none as Len said.

    In fact, you get free software updates for ever. Only if you want to add new features, akin to adding optional mechanical filters to OEM radios, do you need to spend any more money.

    73

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    Dave, if you have the "legacy" 6000 series radio, one good strategy would be to go ahead and install v4. You will have the basic software (minus the new features) and bug fixes for life of the radio. You may choose to NOT buy the so called Smart+ Feature Pack (and that is what is it, it is not a subscription). They aren't forcing you to buy anything. Personally, I am staying at 3.10.10 for the lifetime of my 6000 series radios. But, that's a personal decision. Now, if you have the latest generation 8000 series hardware, it might be worth actually buying a v4 Feature Pack either now or more likely sometime in the future when you see a feature come out that is so darn compelling that you can't live without it. Then, you might be willing to dish out $200. Short of that [unlikely] event, you owe nothing to Flex - no obligations - it costs zero dollars to have latest v4 software basic license with free bug fixes for life of radio. OK, good luck, Dan WA1QZX

  • Flexed
    Flexed Member ✭✭

    Dave,

    You are in control and have multiple options. If you don’t want to pay, you can keep all the features as they are. If you want new features, someone needs to build them, which has a cost. If you want to be ahead of everyone else, you can pay extra and get the new features before anyone else. Tell me about companies that give you free features for free. I won’t mention any radio brands, but which one provides you with new features for free?

    There’s no other radio that offers what FlexRadio is doing. For clarification, I’m a customer which have waste money with other brands.

  • Dennis OConnor
    Dennis OConnor Member ✭
    Dave, take a deep breath. If anyone has a beef with Flex it is me - and I am still here (and still smarting).
    I buy a new 6600 Signature in Nov 2023 - before Hamvention 2024 - when I walk in their booth, there sits the new 8400. The new car smell was not even worn off it yet. When I asked how much trade in they will give me on a new one I was told to sell it quick before the word gets out (I do not behave like that)
    Anyway, you had to pay for ver 2.x.x or ver. 3.x.x and it has worked till now (and 3.x.x still does)
    ver 4.0.1 is free and you get to ride free till ver 5.x.x (or forever for that matter)
    OR you can pay the 4.x.x license fee one time and be covered until ver 5.x.x comes along.
    Your call buddy. No matter where else you go you have to pay to ride.
    gas, grass, or whatever - nobody rides for free :)

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