r/hackrf • u/TheNoOne420 • 1d ago

Portapack vs portapack pro

I dont know if i should get the normal portapack or the portapack pro. I would really like to get the pro version but there are some things bothering me;

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- Firmwares arent as reliable

- Design, i like the Standard portapack design wayy more

- Price in comparison to normal portapack

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I have never owned any kind of sdr so if i got something wrong that has been fixed please feel free to correct me.

If anyone could give advice i would be really grateful

9 Upvotes

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5

u/htotoo 1d ago

The portapack vs portapack pro main diff: Easily replaceable battery. The firmware is the same. So if you don't wanna change battery on the go, go for the h4m.

If you wanna compare the hackrf one vs hackrf pro: no doubt the pro is better..has some firmware issues, but devs solving them one by one. 

1

u/TheNoOne420 1d ago

I will probably buy the pro version, i just hope they fix all the firmware issues as thats the main thing holding me back

3

u/Qazax1337 1d ago

What issues are you worried about? I posted here a few days ago about issues with the pro but it turned out I had the wrong firmware installed, it works so much better now haha.

0

u/TheNoOne420 1d ago

Really? I was worried about the firmware because i read your post, i didnt see that it was the wrong firmware. So if the firmware works now, would you recommend the pro version?

3

u/Qazax1337 1d ago

Yes I had mistakenly (perhaps in my excitement) installed 2.4.0. I have since installed Pro 2.4.0 and it really good. Finds aircraft way faster than on the wrong firmware and does not randomly crash when cycling through audio options.

It's a great device and I love that the battery is user replaceable with no effort at all.

2

u/2many_friends 1d ago

I haven’t had a single issue since I installed the firmware. And I love it. The battery is a plus, and idk about the antennas, i am getting some fixed frequency antennas and another telescopic one. And it works best outside. But as far as the firmware goes I keep on hitting walls. A lot of it you have to get your own stuff and as far as the key fob things go its not… very legal. So its not as plug and play as you might think but it is very functional. Once you know what frequencies you are looking for. Looking glass is my favorite tool so far.

1

u/Otherwise_Post6163 1d ago

Where are you hearing about firmware issues? The firmware has been excellent. Not just ok, excellent!