Baofeng BF-F8HP vs UV-9R

Two reliable walkie-talkies out there from Baofeng Radios: BF-F8HP and UV-9R. Both walkie-talkies offer standout features for very reasonable prices.

If you want to look in the market for a good and reliable walkie-talkie, you should consider getting the Baofeng BF-F8HP. After all, Baofeng, the manufacturer behind the item, has given us this compact radio which offers outstanding features for a cheap cost.

The manufacturer creates the Baofeng BF-F8HP as an updated version of its version of UV-5R.

The company also boasts of another radio unit, the Baofeng UV-9R. It is another walkie-talkie recommended when speaking of outdoor activities for you and your family, friends, or office colleagues. The device is known for being waterproof and dustproof.

Which product should you buy?  I have compared the two products to decide for yourself what is the best walkie-talkie for you.

Comparison – Baofeng BF-F8HP vs. UV-9R

Setup

Both Baofeng BF-F8HP and UV-9R do not arrive assembled completely. For either product, you need to set them up yourself. But you should not worry since assembling them is pretty quite straightforward.

You just need to read the user’s manual of each product to make sure it is working and use it efficiently.

The next question: Are these walkie-talkies recommended for water activities? Let us find out.

 

Waterproof

As for the Baofeng BF-F8HP, the manufacturer does not actually say whether it is waterproof. Some attest that it is one. But just to be on the safe side, just make sure you do not drop the product into the water.

In the case of the Baofeng UV-9R, it is waterproof. That is actually one of the perfect come-ons for the product since not every walkie talkies operate after getting wet. However, the unit can only be dipped up to a meter underwater and not beyond.

How long can these devices operate? Let us see the power sources of these two Baofeng devices.

 

Power Source

Baofeng UV-9R’s power source is a 2200mAh, 7.4V Lithium-ion battery. When you buy it, the product is not fully charged. That means, before you use it, you need to charge the product for around five hours.

When the battery is fully loaded, it can stay for as long as 20 hours. The unit also has a battery level feature, warning you if it already does not have enough charge. Just check the indicator regularly so that you would immediately know when you need to charge the unit.

As for Baofeng BF-F8HP, the unit’s power source is a 2000mAh, 7.4v, Lithium-ion battery. The battery is 30-percent bigger compared with the typical batteries found in other handheld radios. The unit can stay as long as 24 hours, even after just one charge.

The battery can still be recharged even though it is still attached to your device.

What about the range of both Baofeng BF-F8HP and Baofeng UV-9R?

 

Range

The manufacturer says Baofeng BF-F8HP’s maximum range can reach between 20 and 25 miles. However, to attain its widest coverage, the product has to use its highest power level or eight watts.

Baofeng UV-9R’s longest range should be about between eight and 10 kilometers – or at least that is what the manufacturer says. Given this range, the product is not like your usual high-end radios in the market, which has an average range between 30 and 40 kilometers. You just have to make sure the unit is fully charged to can use it without any problems.

 

Frequencies

The Baofeng BF-F8HP is in very high frequency (or VHF) and ultra-high frequency (or UHF). The unit offers the following frequency ranges:

• 65-108 MHz when it comes to Rx only
• 144-148 MHz when it comes to Rx/Tx
• 420-450 MHz when it comes to Rx/Tx

The unit can store as many as 128 channels. Programming the device can start from 2.5 kHz to 50.0kHz. Actually, the default setting you can use for the UHF is 400 to 479.995. However, you can modify it using a CHIRP software.

However, you should be circumspect when it comes to programming channels. For instance, if you have not acquired the proper license needed, you cannot utilize the frequency signals at times whenever you like.

Transmitting frequencies with no license or permission is considered illegal. In some cases, there would be a good chance you might get penalized, or worse, sent to imprisonment for it. However, in many cases or situations, you may find it is actually legal to transmit frequencies and listen to conversations.

Meanwhile, the Baofeng UV-9R uses three frequency ranges:

• 65-108MHz when it comes to FM radio reception
• 136-174MHz when it comes to VHF
• 400-520MHz when it comes to UHF

The Baofeng UV-9R offers 128 channels, but you may get between 120 and 499 new channels. A comprehensive online search shows that you do not actually need to obtain one for the license.

 

Features

The Baofeng BF-F8HP has some of the following features:

• three power levels
• single push talk button
• VOX feature allowing you to use the product through commands
• tri-color display
• seven-inch antenna
• keypad lock
• scanning
• dual watch
• selective calling
• memory channels
• RX and TX frequencies
• transmit power
• Bandwidth
• ANI/PTT-ID settings
• Six-character alphanumeric channel name
• Battery-saving Function

 

The Baofeng UV-9R meanwhile offers these features, among others:

• VOX allows the device to detect the voice of the user automatically.
• automatic keypad lock
• dual-band, display, as well as the standby
• high and low power switchover
• low battery indicator and battery saving mode
• scanning function
• busy-channel lock
• delete channel feature
• stored channels feature
• built-in flashlight

 

Price

The price of Baofeng BF-F8HP straddles between $60 to $70, which is still affordable, especially for a high-quality device like the unit. Do I think it is a worthy purchase? I would like to believe it is, particularly when you are licensed and already considered a professional when using handheld radios.

The unit has several features that you cannot see on the other devices available in the market. With the device’s price, you can get a dependable two-way radio at par with the more expensive models.

The Baofeng BF-F8HP, however, may not be the ideal choice if you are merely looking for an average walkie-talkie. As you may remember, you need to get a license to use this product. What does this mean? If you do not have the necessary license, then you might want to skip this handheld radio.

The Baofeng UV-9R, on the other hand, is just within the affordable range. The product more or less is priced at $32, which means it is affordable to most consumers. The product is not a high-level product; however, it offers many features other products do not have.

The product is good for outdoor events and day-to-day activities or event grandiose events such as corporate parties, huge celebrations, and birthdays. If you are an event planner, you can use this product to maintain stable and reliable communication within your staff throughout the event.

Also, you actually do not have to get a license to utilize the product.

Having taken all these considerations, let us see which product is best for our needs and wants.

 

Conclusion – Baofeng BF-F8HP vs UV-9R

Let us go back to the question: Which should I buy among the two walkie-talkies?

Both devices offer outstanding features and give you the best services for your money. The products are produced by BaoFeng Tech, a South Dakota firm situated in the so-called “heartland of the Midwest.” The company is consistent for its top-notch products, so we are in good company here.

The Baofeng BF-F8HP is a good portable radio, a unit that packs a wallop. When you want a good portable radio, the unit is definitely one of the devices you should consider. Although the need to get a license to use the walkie-talkie may prove a hindrance, the Baofeng BF-F8HP is actually great for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, among others. This is not surprising given its outstanding reception, great coverage, and consistent performance at a relatively affordable price.

The BF-F8HP is a handheld radio that can improve with a more comprehensive power since it uses a new generation chipset.

Yes, the product may be complicated for users, especially beginners, including its software program that you need to reconfigure. However, you will understand the device’s functions with a lot of help from the product’s user manual. If you are a licensed user already, you can certainly go for an advanced device such as the Baofeng BF-F8HP. You should not settle for something affordable but go for one walkie-talkie that can go a long way.

In short, if you already know a thing or two about walkie-talkies, then Baofeng BF-F8HP should not pose a problem for you. In fact, you might be happy to buy it, especially if you are a licensed user.

But if you are a first-time user of walkie-talkies, then the Baofeng UV-9R may be the best fit for you. In fact, licensed users may not find the product very useful, especially since they have many other choices to consider.

This mobile radio offers top-of-the-notch features and a low price, making it a good choice for communication for special events such as parties and events in various establishments.

It is also waterproof and dustproof, making the Baofeng UV-9R worth its price.

If you are an average walkie-talkie user or buy a unit for the first time, you might want to consider the Baofeng UV-9R.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to your level of expertise in handling walkie-talkies and the reason for using them. If you are a novice when it comes to walkie-talkies, you might want to pick the Baofeng UV-9R. For advanced users, the Baofeng BF-F8HP might be the better choice, especially those who have licenses already.

Both products offer outstanding services, and it would be a disservice to pit each other when they offer different features.

What do you think? Do you agree with my observations? Or do you have comments on my review? Feel free to post your comments here.

View the Baofeng BF-F8HP on Amazon* View the Baofeng UV-9R on Amazon*