Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is a short-term review, as it has only been in use for less than a month. I also have a Uniden MHS350 radio, which is a much heavier duty VHF radio that this Cobra model.Comparison between the two:The Cobra is about 1/2 the cost
Cobra is about 1/2 the weight, and smaller in size - much easier to clip to your PFD or jacket/belt while on the water.
Cobra is "splash resistant" while Uniden is "water proof - submersible" which means that you probably should carry the Uniden unit in a plastic baggie if you are using it on a kayak (where things tend to get wet frequently).
battery life is moderate - using AAA batteries, it lasts for a full day or so before needing fresh batteries. The MHS350 on the other hand, will last a week or more of all-day use with its NMh battery pack, and it includes a back-up battery and dual-slot charger.Feature-wise the Cobra does a good job of covering the basics - a full channel selection for all VHF channels, plus NOAA weather. The squelch is not infinitely adjustable, but has a couple of "steps" controlled by a single button. There is no scan feature (unlike the Uniden, which will scan as many channels as you choose in memory on a continuous basis).
Bottom line, if you want to add the safety of having a VHF radio with you while you kayak, I recommend the Cobra unit based on its price and its small size and weight. I would not recommend it for heavier usage (like daily on a boat) because it is definitely made from cheaper materials, and will also not go very long on a charge/set of batteries.
Update 9/29/09:
I just got another one of these for a friend, and after the second outing, it started acting up (it would operate fine for about 10 minutes, then "lock up" and would not respond to any commands or inputs from the buttons. The unit has been sent back to Cobra, and based on past experience, I am hopeful that they will replace the unit without any fuss. I'll update the review when I hear back from them.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Cobra MR HH125 Compact Waterproof Marine Handheld VHF Radio with 1 or 3 Watts, All Weather Channels, and Weather Alert (Black)
The Cobra MR HH125 is a compact, waterproof, Marine Handheld VHF Radio with 1 or 3 watt power options for short and long communications. The unit works for all U.S., Canadian, and International channels, allowing operation on any of the three different channel maps established for these areas. It also has instant national access to all the NOAA weather Channels which provide information on hazards and weather 24 hours a day. This feature is further bolstered by the Weather Alert function which alerts with an audible tone and visual alarm if threatening weather is nearby. Other features of this unit include: instant channel 16, a large illuminated LCD display and keys, scan option, signal strength meter, key lock, a speaker/ microphone jack, and a battery charge jack.Accessories included are a wrist strap, DC adapter plug, and rechargeable NiMH batteries.
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