Ordered a Retevis C2

[lonestarbandit]

Apparently this is a new GMRS model. Ordered to see what's what.

C2 walkie talkies brings users an unparalleled sound quality experience, built-in AI noise reduction chip, equipped with 10-level noise reduction, and also designed 9-level squelch function and microphone gain to reduce noise, enhance communication clarity, and bring clear and bright communication to enterprises around the clock

Coming fresh from China however so the shipping will be slow.

https://www.retevis.com/retevis-c2-gmrs-5w-ai-noise-reduction-noaa-with-dual-watch-durable-business-radio-us

 

[lonestarbandit]

I'm assuming all the marketing hokery pokery means some noise floor benefits we will see.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Be careful out there folks.
I have not had a 1st class experience with the Retevis Ebay store. I received a used and already played with C2 sold as new mind you, missing the usb charger block and wrist strap and channels messed with and battery already installed as well. I am not an idiot I've bought 7 new radios within a month, I know what new condition of these is. When I inquired why I received a used unit this was not addressed but dodged. Nor was my complaint that Retivis took my post here, altered it to look like a review and posted it to their main site under a false name. All that I was told was well this is a different site and your purchase didn't include these items. I grew weary of arguing with someone dodging the obvious so I let it go. Needless to say I am not happy nor will I be purchasing any more Retevis equipment as to my knowledge the ebay site is official Retevis. This posting fake reviews is junk behavior as well and does not give a favorable opinion of the company. Extremely disingenuous behavior.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Also as a side note the software from Retevis site for the C2/C62 is broken. When you try to unpack it once downloaded it reports the package is corrupt and won't open. Not a pleasing situation. So I have a radio I can't even program properly unless via the radio itself which is no fun with large meat hooks such as I have and these fingernail end sized buttons. CHIRP does not yet support this radio leaving me in a bit of a lurch. Haven't had a chance to evaluate it's top feature it's AI noise blanking aka DSP yet. Hopefully do some testing this weekend.

 

[Brother DXer]

Also as a side note the software from Retevis site for the C2/C62 is broken. When you try to unpack it once downloaded it reports the package is corrupt and won't open. Not a pleasing situation. So I have a radio I can't even program properly unless via the radio itself which is no fun with large meat hooks such as I have and these fingernail end sized buttons. CHIRP does not yet support this radio leaving me in a bit of a lurch. Haven't had a chance to evaluate it's top feature it's AI noise blanking aka DSP yet. Hopefully do some testing this weekend.

This does not bode well for Retevis, not at all....
Thanks for the report, and update!

 

[doffo]

Also as a side note the software from Retevis site for the C2/C62 is broken. When you try to unpack it once downloaded it reports the package is corrupt and won't open. Not a pleasing situation. So I have a radio I can't even program properly unless via the radio itself which is no fun with large meat hooks such as I have and these fingernail end sized buttons. CHIRP does not yet support this radio leaving me in a bit of a lurch. Haven't had a chance to evaluate it's top feature it's AI noise blanking aka DSP yet. Hopefully do some testing this weekend.

I was able to download the C2 software and unpacked/installed just fine. I use 7zip for my archiver program to deal with zip files and RAR and the rest of them. Windows does comes up warning you about running the software, but I just Run it Anyway and opened up. The one for the C62 my browser complains about it "being unsafe", but downloaded it anyways. That one too opened up ok and installed.

 

[lonestarbandit]

I was able to download the C2 software and unpacked/installed just fine. I use 7zip for my archiver program to deal with zip files and RAR and the rest of them. Windows does comes up warning you about running the software, but I just Run it Anyway and opened up. The one for the C62 my browser complains about it "being unsafe", but downloaded it anyways. That one too opened up ok and installed.

Strange, I've tried it with serveral unzip programs, I will try again.

 

[doffo]

Strange, I've tried it with serveral unzip programs, I will try again.

Id upload ya the 2 files but will have to find a way to do that.

 

[lonestarbandit]

As a side note - I dislike the fraudulent use of my post here as a review on their site, I disliked receiving a used unit, I disliked their response to the issues I had and I dislike it not being CHIRP compatible (thought that was my failing for failing to notice) and the trouble I've had with the factory software, as mentioned ill try with 7zip maybe that will eventually work.... I DO like the active noise canceling quite a bit as at medium ranges where you get the static fading in and out on HTs it does a fairly good job of removing it.
I DO like the Retevis RA25 (that factory software unpacked and functioned flawlessly) enough I ordered a second for use in my mobile.
Also ordered a RA89 again with the noise canceling though curiously it was not labeled as "AI" to try out but I have confined my purchases to Amazon in the future so if I have a unsatisfactory experience as I did on Ebay then I can just return the item.

 

[lonestarbandit]

*Update 7zip worked as @doffo suggested. It did install acted a bit flakey a few times but eventually got it programmed. SO one additional complaint to add, you will not get this thing to stand up on its own with the slightest movement it falls over. Bad feet design I suppose. Otherwise other than the aforementioned problems the radio itself works fairly well and feels sturdy other than its freestanding issue.

 

[doffo]

*Update 7zip worked as @doffo suggested. It did install acted a bit flakey a few times but eventually got it programmed. SO one additional complaint to add, you will not get this thing to stand up on its own with the slightest movement it falls over. Bad feet design I suppose. Otherwise other than the aforementioned problems the radio itself works fairly well and feels sturdy other than its freestanding issue.

Glad it worked for you. But after looking over the Retevis website, it just seems super generic like many are.. I just hope someone looks into the Retevis RT85 and does a mic mod for it like they did for the Baofeng UV-5R. I just don't like the idea of yelling into the mic.