There are a few differences, but the UV 5R Plus is basically the same as the Quansheng UV K5-8 and K6. The only real noticeable differences are slightly different housing design, the screen display colour, and the fact that the UV 5R Plus does not have a USB-C charging port. Other than that they are basically the same radio. Internally they are practically the same. Their receive and transmit signal strengths are the same, and they can all be modified with different software, such as Egzumer, IJV, UVMOD etc. So really its all about which one you like the look of most. In terms of the lack of USB-C port, Quansheng state that this port should not be used as a regular charging option, so its up to you if this will determine your choice. They all come with a desktop charger anyway.

Read users reviews and see the full 5R Plus Spec here

There has been some debate on the speaker quality for all the mentioned Quansheng models. Some people state that the speaker quality is different between the models. But I own all three of the these radios, the UV K5, Quansheng K6 and 5R Plus, and the difference is hardly noticeable, if at all. I have compared it to many scanners that I own, which cost more to buy, and the sound from the Quansheng radios is more tinny, but for some transmissions I actually prefer it as it comes through clearer than some of my other scanners which sound much deeper / muffled. Overall the speaker in the K5, K6 and 5R Plus models is good.

Is The UV 5R Plus considered a Walkie Talkie

Yes. It is a transceiver. Which means It can receive and also send transmissions. But I would say it receives over much further distances than it transmits. The range where you can speak into the radio and actually talk to someone is somewhat limited, but still not too bad. Receive strength is several miles.

Firmware Modification

The UV 5R Plus is still a very good radio unmodified, but changing, or “hacking” the firmware really makes it much better. It gives the radio many more features. Some of those include, a much wider frequency range, Single Side Band [SSB] [Upper Side Band mode only], improved airband reception and a much easier to use interface.

The best and easiest to install firmware upgrade is no doubt Egzumer. There is the option to install the firmware from a browser – called flash from browser. All you need is a 2-pin [2.5mm and 3.5mm] to USB cable, connect the UV 5R Plus radio to a computer, and install the new software. Very easy to do, and there are lots of video guides on YouTube showing the procedure from start to finish.

CB Radio [27MHz]

The UV 5R Plus with the stock software can not pick up CB transmissions. But if the radio is upgraded with software like Egzumer, the CB frequencies can be heard loud and clear. However, please note that you will need to upgrade the antenna also. A decent CB antenna doesn’t cost much. I recommend the ABBREE CB antennas [what I’m using myself right now] as a good cost effective option for those on a tight budget.

Price

The price for all the Quanshengs talked about here used to be very low. It was almost unbelievable value for money. The price today, while still low considering how good the radios are, has risen 3 fold. They are still very cheap. And if you compare them to buying, say an older used scanner on eBay that can’t do half of what any of the Quansheng’s mentioned here can with updated software, the Quansheng still offers better value for money in my opinion. OK, it’s not as substantial, high quality and “scanner like” in the hand and to use. But It is feature packed and much easier to live with.

I say easier to live with because of small things that do make a difference, such as light up keypad buttons [most old scanners do not have this], more KHz step sizes than many older scanners, which are set automatically by frequency range in older scanners, AM / USB modes in any frequency. And a surprisingly good battery life from the supplied lithium ion battery pack. They last ages. For the price I really think the K5, K6 and UV 5R+ are the best radios in their price range and beyond. Most reviews echo the same opinion. They are excellent value for money.