TYT MD-2017 Review
The TYT MD-2017 comes from a reputable Chinese manufacturer that is known for making a variety of reliable modern devices. There are lots of different things about this particular two-way radio that make it a very attractive option in general. We thought we’d let you know the benefits this radio can give you, so continue reading our TYT MD-2017 review.
Design
One of the big differences between the TYT MD-2017 and the previous models is that this one is a bit bigger in terms of both height and width. On the keyboard you will find large buttons along with a knob on the top that is designed for easy volume adjustment.
You will be able to change channels on this device with the trackball, which can be found on the front right in the center. While the trackball can be quite useful at times, it is very sensitive. This makes selecting the proper menu item a bit challenging at times.
The UP67 waterproof design of TYT MD-2017 makes it incredibly rugged and durable. You can keep this two-way radio submerged in up to 1 meter of water for at least 30 minutes without any damage whatsoever.
There are a total of three programmable buttons on the side of this two-way radio. These buttons can be assigned using free software. This gives you the ability to customize at least one aspect of its performance for your convenience. It is definitely a feature that you can’t expect from just any radio on the market.
The fact that the keypad buttons on this two-way radio are backlit is something else that just about anyone can appreciate. This provides you with maximum visibility at all times. The dual-band antenna that comes with this device covers full VHF and UHF bands from 136 to 174 megahertz and 400 to 480 megahertz respectively. This antenna actually has integrated GPS, which can be incredibly useful. (More info on how two-way radios work on this article: https://www.ratedradardetector.org/radio/two-way/communication/)
We really like the design of this TYT MD-2017’s LCD display, which is multicolored and very bright. It offers an incredible level of visibility in a variety of lighting conditions. This two-way radio doesn’t have the Contact and Channel icons on the screen, which really served no purpose at all. It is a huge overall improvement from the previous model.
Features
Color LCD Display
The color LCD display on this radio is very impressive on a number of levels. It gives you absolute clarity with easy to read text. You can always expect just the right amount of brightness to match your needs in any situation.
Programmable Multifunction Keys
You will be able to program the three multifunction keys on the TYT MD-2017 two-way radio for customized performance. This adds a whole new level of convenience to this device that is quite attractive to say the least.
Charger
When you purchase this two-way radio you will also get a charger. You can use it to get the device to full power in just a few hours, which is fairly impressive to say the least. This also means that you won’t have to mess around with replacing any batteries.
Battery Meter
The battery meter that is shown on this two-way radio’s LCD display will always let you know how much life the device has left. This way you won’t have to simply guess as to when it is time to start recharging.
- Excellent display: There is no question that this radio’s multicolor LCD display has a lot to offer. It constantly gives you a clear look at all of the information you need to know at any given moment.
- Highly durable: The absolutely rugged construction of this device means that it will last a long time without any issues. It is waterproof up to 1 meter of water for half an hour.
- Contact storage space: You will be able to store up to 100,000 DMR contacts in this radio.
- Many channels: This two-way radio offers 3,000 different channels to choose from. You also have the ability to store certain channels for home use or while you are on the go.
- Great audio quality: You will quickly find that this two-way radio offers amazing overall audio quality that is nothing short of impressive.
- Intelligent antenna design: The antenna connector this two-way radio offers is designed so that it can be connected to an external antenna without any hassle.
- There are some complaints from customers about the manual instructions being a little hard to follow.
- This two-way radio doesn’t offer any Bluetooth functionality, which means that you won’t be able to go wireless.
Customer Reviews
We were pretty impressed to discover just how many positive reviews the TYT MD-2017 has. It definitely seems to be a favorite among radio enthusiasts. There are a lot of reviews of this product that comment on how incredibly tough and durable it is. You should even be able to find tests people have done with submerging this device in water. Another big compliment it gets is the thousands of different channels it offers. Those who bought this device also love its high visibility multicolor LCD display. There are tons of comments on how easy the display is to see, even in bright daylight.
Radios from Baofeng, another manufacturer from the same country, are also well-reviewed.
TYT MD-2017 vs. Retevis RT82
Both the TYT MD-2017 and Retevis RT82 offer 3,000 different channels to choose from. One of the biggest differences between these devices is that the Retevis radio doesn’t allow for button customization like the MD-2017. It also doesn’t have the same rugged construction that can stand the test of time. For a cheaper option, see UV-5R from BaoFeng, which we reviewed here: https://www.ratedradardetector.org/radio/two-way/baofeng-uv-5r-review/
TYT MD-2017 Review Conclusion
You will quickly find that the TYT MD-2017 is a very impressive piece of two-way radio technology to say the least. It gives you a huge number of channels and lots of amazing modern features. The durable waterproof construction means that you can count on it to keep serving you well for many years to come. There is also the multicolor display, which offers a high level of visibility at all times. This two-way radio also gives you numerous modes of operation for maximum versatility. It comes with a desktop charger, dual band antenna, and user manual. While setting up this device can be a bit tricky at first, it is well worth the effort. Check other top two-way radios now.
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.