As I think I have mentioned before, Yaesu has announced 2 new radios: the FTX 1 Field and FT1 Optima: the 6/10W and 100W versions.
In my view both are over-priced and lack some of the features I was expecting. My own view is these products will not save Yaesu and I expect they will "throw in the towel" and quit the amateur radio market within 5 years. Hopefully I am wrong as I have bought many excellent Yaesu transceivers over the years.
There is no doubt they make some very good kit, but they seem to have "lost their way" in recent years. I was seriously considering the FTX 1F, but I won't bother as the spec offers me nothing I really want and the price is far too high.
I really was expecting the FTX 1F to be under £1000. At that price they had a chance, but at the current price many, like me, will simply say "why bother?". Some will always want the newest shiny radio, but I cannot see a mass market like the FT817.
When the FT817 came out a quarter of a century ago it was a real first and a world beater, unlike today.
