Showing posts with label 2-way radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2-way radio. Show all posts

Standard Horizon Quest-X STD-GX1500SB Waterproof VHF Marine Radio (Black) Review

Standard Horizon Quest-X STD-GX1500SB Waterproof VHF Marine Radio (Black)
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This radio was bought to replace the Icom IC-M602 radios used on board some commercial ships. The problem with the Icom was the lack of RF shielding. This unit does not interfere with any other radios, has DSC capability and great audio. DSC wiring is simple and straight forward. Nice bright display matches Vertex radios and unit is rugged. Screen size is not the largest but shows everything you need without going through menu screens. Solid performing radio. Get black for UV resistance and a cooler look.

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Stay safe while navigating the coastal waters with the Standard Horizon Quest-X fixed-mount VHF radio. Specifically designed for marine use, the Quest-X is factory programmed with all U.S., Canadian, and international marine channels, keeping you fully informed of all the latest oceanic activity. At the same time, the radio picks up 10 weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), so you can learn about approaching storms or hurricanes well before they hit. And because it's nearly impossible to monitor the NOAA channels at all times, the radio includes an audible weather alert tone and visual alarm. The variety of channels and functions make this an essential tool for communicating with other boaters, marinas, the Coast Guard, and commercial towing companies, all of whom can offer live-saving assistance during a crisis.
The Quest-X comes with a high-quality microphone that meets the same strict waterproof standards as the radio. More significantly, the microphone incorporates Standard Horizon's ClearVoice noise reduction technology, which eliminates unwanted background noises such as engines and wind. The resulting "loud and clear" transmissions are crisp and easy to understand the first go round, adding to the safety of all involved. At the same time, users can create a second VHF station through the same antenna by connecting a separately sold Remote Access Microphone (RAM+) or a VH-310 telephone-style handset. The advanced submersible microphone, which works at such locations as the fly bridge, cockpit, or tower, controls all the radio functions from a distance while also showing the channel names and repeating the GPS information. The RAM+ microphone even comes with 25 feet of routing cable, so you don't need to run additional wires for an external speaker.
The Quest-X also meets the internationally recognized requirements for Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which allows you to send a distress signal at the touch of a button or exchange position information with other boats or stations. DSC activates a continuous, unattended "mayday" signal that identifies your vessel, reports your latitude and longitude, and gives the time. Furthering the Quest-X's safety reputation is its GPS compatibility. When connected to a GPS position receiver, the Quest-X can send your GPS position to other boats in an emergency, or it can poll the GPS location of another vessel and display it on your LCD screen, with Speed Over Ground and Course Over Ground info to help keep you on track.
Finally, the Quest-X is a breeze to use thanks to the large, backlit LCD display, which offers tall, wide digits and obvious, easy-to-identify information flags. Other details include a Dual Watch mode for monitoring one user-selected channel at the same time as emergency channel 16; a Priority Scan mode for scanning any combination of channels along with a priority channel; customizable channel naming; and an oversized rotary channel selector.
Bundled in a submersible black case, the radio keeps on talking even after a full drenching. The radio, which measures 7 by 3.1 by 5.9 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box Quest-X fixed-mount radio, microphone, mounting bracket with hardware, power cord, quick-reference card, user's manual.

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Uniden MHS 350 2-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio Review

Uniden MHS 350 2-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio
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I bought this radio for safety purposes during a kayaking trip in Glacier Bay National Park. I didn't have a dry bag for it, and kept it around my neck at key points during the trip where it was exposed to rain and seawater.
While I can't say I used the radio extensively, it functioned well when I needed it. We had a brown bear wander into our camp, and I used the radio to communicate with a nearby touring boat so it could keep us advised of the bear's position while we broke camp. The boat's communications came through crisply and they appeared to have no trouble hearing us. The radio also held its charge through four days of kayaking, being turned on and off intermittently. In short, I bought it in case of an emergency and it worked perfectly when I needed it.

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Stay safe while navigating the open waters with the Uniden MHS 350 handheld two-way VHF radio. Specifically designed for marine applications, the radio receives all U.S., Canadian, and international marine channels, keeping you fully up to date on all the latest oceanic activity. At the same time, the radio offers 10 weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), so you'll hear about approaching storms before they hit. And thanks to the radio's Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) weather alert, you needn't worry about receiving bad weather news from outside your region. Instead, S.A.M.E. employs a FIPS code that syncs with your specific location, so if a nasty wind or rainstorm is gathering in your immediate area, you'll know, but you won't be bothered by storm warnings 100 miles up the coast.
As with any good handheld marine radio, the MHS 350 is waterproof and rugged, with a compact design that fits easily in the hand. It's also a breeze to browse through the channels thanks to the scan function, which starts on the lowest programmed channel and progresses to the highest. And when in scan mode, the radio automatically actives the Triple Watch Plus function, which monitors the emergency channels (16 and 9) along with a user-selected channel and the weather alert. Knowing that emergencies typically don't announce themselves in advance, the Triple Watch Plus function is a must for safe boating. Users also have one-touch access to channels 16 and 9, just in case.
When you're not using the radio, simply drop it in the charging cradle, which will keep the rechargeable NiMH battery pack operating at full capacity. Additional features include backlit keys, a backlit display, a key lock, a power save mode, two power modes (5 watts and 1 watt), and such portable extras as a belt clip and wrist strap. The MHS 350, which measures 2.7 by 5.8 by 1.68 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box MHS 350 radio, AC adapter, antenna, DC adapter, charging cradle, two rechargeable batteries, belt clip, wrist strap, mounting screws, user's manual.

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(2-pack)AGPtek® New State-of-the-art Fashionable Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Spy Wrist Watch--Auto Channel Scan--LCD display--Auto Squelch Review

(2-pack)AGPtek® New State-of-the-art Fashionable Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Spy Wrist Watch--Auto Channel Scan--LCD display--Auto Squelch
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Bought two sets to let my kids ride their bikes around the neighborhood -- while staying in touch with "home base" should anyone fall or need help. They work well around the house and backyard, but don't do well past 1/2 mile which is disappointing. The specifications say:
-Up to 6km Communication Range
That said, the kids love them for spy games and while they aren't perfect for communicating, they enjoy playing with them.

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With 6km of range, the wristwatch walkie talkie can offer you the freedom to go anywhere and do anything--from weekend hiking to just hanging out at a mall. This wristwatch walkie talkie is lightweight, state-of-the-art communications devices, providing a new fashionable communication way to your daily life. This package comes with two wristwatch walkie talkies, 2 Li-ion batteries, 2 headsets, 2 chargers. To stay in contact with friends while camping, hiking, skiing or biking,this wristwatch walkie talkie can ensure your safety when cell phone signals fade and fall short.
Still holding a walkie talkie in your hand to communicate with your friends? No, you dont have to now! You can WEAR it just like a watch!
Features:
-Wrist watch style in smart fashion -Multi-channels(depend on different country) -Up to 6km Communication Range -Auto Squelch -Auto Battery Saving -Auto Channel Scan -Internal VOX -Digital volume control -12 hours AM/PM time display -Backlight for LCD display -Li-ion battery with charge Product specification:
Name : New State-of-the-art Fashionable Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Size of gift box : 21 x 14.5 x 6.6 cm 2 pcs of a gift box
Package included :
- 2 wristwatches - 2 AC Adaptors - 2 Li-ion Batteries - 2 headsets - 1 User manual

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Icom IC-M34 VHF Waterproof Marine Two-Way Radio Review

Icom IC-M34 VHF Waterproof Marine Two-Way Radio
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Underwater test for radio.

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The Icom IC-M34 VHF Marine Transceiver is the industry's first floating marine VHF hand-held radio. Compact and lightweight, this unit is incredibly powerful, with plenty of smart features that make it the perfect companion for any marine outing, whether it is just a few hours of fishing, or a week-long expedition.
The IC-M34 utilizes an easy-to-read LCD screen with a large 2-digit channel indicator that also displays the volume and SQL levels, and features both screen and key backlighting for easy night time use. This marine transceiver is also easy to use, with nine large buttons on the front panel that provide simple intuitive operation, and an easy-to-hold rounded body that fits securely and comfortably in your hand. The IC-M34 offers quick access to your favorite channels with a favorite channel function that lets you tag your most-used frequencies, as well as providing instant access to channel 16 and channel 9 in case of emergencies. What's more, this unit offers dual- and tri-watch functions, so it can constantly scan channel 16 as well as one or two user-selected channels so you never miss anything important. As an added convenience, the IC-M34 features an auto scan function, a two-step power saver, and weather channel reception with alerts for approaching dangerous weather.
Built tough, the Icom IC-M34 is constructed to not only IPX7 waterproofing standards, which means it can be fully submersed in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, but has been designed to float in both fresh and salt water, so if you drop it you can quickly and easily retrieve it again. This unit also features an AquaQuake draining function which emits a vibrating sound that clears water away from the speaker grill. The IC-M34 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to nine hours of operating time, while a four-step battery indicator lets you know how long you have to go. This unit is completely portable, weighing only 10.8 ounces with the battery in, and measuring 2.44 x 5.56 x 1.69 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box Icom IC-M34 marine radio, hand strap, antenna, battery pack, battery charger, AC adapter, belt clip, user's manual and warranty information.

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Uniden Voyager 54-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio Review

Uniden Voyager 54-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio
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As a portable VHF radio, this product is the best. Compact,excellent range, and outstanding clarity. I am an ocean kayaker who was looking for a safety item ( to satisfy my wife) this product clearly delivers and provides the ruggedness and clarity that I did not think was available in a portable product. Uniden once again exceeds my expectations. When I can ride 4-6 ft seas 4 miles offshore and still have Coast Guard clarity should I have problems, I am impressed. I pack my Voyager and my Garmin GPS 60CS in my PDF with a high level of confidence that I will be home for dinner.

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AC & DC Adapter and Charging Cradle IncludedMeets JIS7 Waterproof Specifications - (1 meter for 30 minutes)Backlit Keypad and DisplayLithium-Ion BatteryRubber Grips/SealAll N.O.A.A. Weather Channels with Weather AlertS.A.M.E. Weather Alert - Specific Area Message Encoding - During a NOAA Weather or Emergency Alert, a code for your specific location will alert you to severe conditions in your immediate area.Triple Watch Plus™ - Allows you to monitor emergency channel 16 and 9, another user selectable channel plus weather alert.3 Year Water Protection Warranty - The VOYAGER establishes a high level of quality and performance in marine radios. Our warranty covers all manufactured parts and service, even water intrusion.All USA/International and Canadian Marine Channels - Covers all USA, International & Canadian marine channels keeping you up-to-date with all the latest marine activity.1 Watt / 5 Watt Transmit PowerMemory Scan - Allows you to scan all channels saved in memory.Flexible Rubber AntennaOptional Speaker/Microphone

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Icom HM-157B CommandMic Remote Marine Microphone (Black) Review

Icom HM-157B CommandMic Remote Marine Microphone (Black)
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I'd expected better quality from Icom.
The problems:
1. Neither the mic nor the speaker holds up long when exposed to salt spray (just spray... no immersion). You can expect 1-2 heavy season's use - unless you mount it in a really protect location.
2. The cable pulls out of the plug easily - it lacks substantial mechanical stress relief; overall, the plug it too diminutive and easily broken if mounted in a location subject to brushing body contact - be careful where you mount it in a sailboat cockpit

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Enjoy complete control of your IC-M402, IC-M402S, IC-M502, and M-602 fixed-mount marine VHF radio from a remote location with the Icom HM-157B CommandMic microphone. The CommandMic--which fits comfortably in the palm of your hand--in effect serves as a second station for your vessel. Need to call a fellow boater or make a distress call but don't have time to trudge all the way to the main radio? Pick up a CommandMic, an ideal communications accessory for the deck, fly bridge, or main cabin. The mic sports such features as a sizable built-in LCD and a comprehensive 11-button housing, which team up to offer control of everything from channel selection to squelch adjustments to Dual Watch scanning. You can even use the CommandMic to talk with the main unit as an intercom, making onboard communication easier than ever.
The CommandMic comes with 19.8 feet of extension cable, a microphone hanger, and a mounting base for the cable connector (the connection point is nearly flush with the mounting surface). And crucially for a marine microphone, the unit is waterproof to JIS 7 standards, meaning you can submerge it in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damaging the electronics. The HM-157B, which boasts a sleek black housing (an alternate white version is available), measures 2.34 by 4.78 by 1.19 inches (W x H x D) and is covered by a three-year waterproof warranty.
What's in the Box CommandMic microphone, extension cable, microphone hanger, mounting base, user's manual.

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Garmin Rino 130 5-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio and GPS Receiver Review

Garmin Rino 130 5-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio and GPS Receiver
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available all over in the low to mid $200 range.
i have the 120 also. great for motorcycling with wife. between communication n decent gps
(neither great alone,one futzes with the optimal performance of the other,but not enough for me not to stay with the rino model come upgrade time) i think its a usefull product.
UNLESS i get around to getting a cell phone. my wifes has bluetooth w/cordless headset,as does my son.that makes the best person to per talking setup ive seen,,gps too!
only thing missing,and for motorcycling or backpacking is the "friend location finder" rite there on the rino screen.
say she is having a problem with the rite channel or whatever,,i can still "see her" on my screen and find her.
it happened once,and we hooked up in less than 20 minutes..we were on the highway,and she took a exit,by the time i turned around and got to her exit,i could find her down the road. we lost sight of each other,and she thought i was way up ahead of her,but i was just a bit in front,but hidden by a truck,i saw her turn off in my mirror,and ya ya ya,,found her in no time.
also great i think is at the fair for handing to one of the kids. then if they arent talking,,you can still find/see them.
they are a bit pricy though. i wonder why no one else hasnt tried to make a similar one??


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The the most feature-rich device in the Rino family, Garmin's Rino 130 (bilingual edition) 2-way FRS/GMRS radio and GPS receiver comes fully loaded with an electronic compass, a barometric sensor, a weather receiver for 7 NOAA weather channels, and 24 MB of internal memory for downloading and storing MapSource detail--including data from products like U.S. Topo 24K, U.S. Topo, Recreational Lakes, BlueChart, and MetroGuide (MapSource products sold separately). The Rino 130 is also outfitted with a marine-point database and a basemap of North and South America. The database includes nautical navaids for North and South America. The Americas Highway basemap includes the United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America, and covers an area from W180 to W30 Longitude and S60 to N75 Latitude. Also included is a high-level worldwide map with political boundaries and major cities. Among many other included elements are oceans, rivers, and lakes (greater than 30 square miles), principal cities and many smaller cities and towns, major interstates and principal highways, and political boundaries (state and international borders). The Rino 130 also offers 10,000 tracklogs versus 2,048 with the Rino 120. The 130 also comes ready with amassive 24 MB of memory unlike the Rino 120 with 8MB. Lastly the 130 shines with the very useful electronic compass, altimeter, glide ratio, glide ratio to destination, and vertical speed to destination features that the Rino 120 lacks.
Integration has its advantages: the Rino 130 sends and receives GPS locations using FRS channels and shows them on the map. The GPS device is a 12-channel, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver. WAAS, which stands for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), is the global-positioning-system of choice for mariners. The handheld's built-in electronic compass give a heading while you're standing still, and its barometric altimeter provides accurate elevation and pressure readings to help you identify and analyze weather conditions.
The Rino 130 also provides two-way radio communication with a transmission range of up to two miles using FRS channels and up to five miles with GMRS (be aware that use of GMRS requires an FCC license). The integration of two-way radio and GPS lets you transmit your position with a simple button press, so others can easily navigate to your position. The Rino 130 also has a polling feature so you can manually request GPS location information from other Rino units.
You get 14 FRS channels, 8 GMRS channels, and 8 GMRS repeater channels, as well as 38 sub-audible squelch codes per transmission channel for semi-private radio communications.
The unit's ergonomic design grants single-handed operation, with its Call, Page mode, and Press-To-Talk (PTT) buttons mounted on the side, Power/Backlighting button on top, Volume and Zoom buttons on front, and a Thumb Stick positioned in the center. The thumb stick allows channel selection and volume adjustment in FRS/GMRS mode, as well as quick map panning, enter, and selection functions in GPS mode.
Other features include a backlit display (160 x 160 pixels), external voice activation (VOX), waterproof construction to IPX-7 standards (immersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes), storage for up to 500 waypoints with graphic identification and 20 reversible routes, 10,000 trackpoints and up to 20 saved tracks to retrace your path or a companion's path via the location-reporting feature, trip computer with speed tracking, sunrise/sunset read out, trip time, and trip distance, and multiple grid formats including MGRS and Loran TD. The Rino 130 even sends and receives short text notes for quiet communication.
The Rino 130 has a battery life of 14 hours (typical use) on 3 AA alkaline batteries (not included).

The WAAS differenceWAAS is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to utilize WAAS.
How it Works WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.
Who benefits from WAAS? Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.What's in the Box Rino 130 receiver, a PC-interface cable, a wrist strap, a belt clip, a user's manual, and a quick-reference guide.

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Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB Handheld VHF Marine Radio (Black) Review

Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB Handheld VHF Marine Radio (Black)
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These radios were over $350.00...Now that newer models have arrived you can purchase for approx $100 less. Radio has several bands (Air, FMS, AM/FM etc.) in addition to marine radio.
Reception is very clear and the compact unit is solid quality. We have used for approx 3 years with no problems. Sound is very good at all volume levels except at full volume you get some distortion. However, you do not need full volume to clearly hear.
You won't go wrong with this feature packed radio.

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Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio stations with the Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB handheld two-way VHF radio. Specifically designed for marine use, the HX471SB is factory programmed with all U.S., Canadian, and international marine channels, letting you communicate easily with other ocean-going vessels. At the same time, the radio receives a host of weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), so you can learn about approaching storms or hurricanes well before they hit. And should you want to call your friends or family on shore or sing along to your favorite station, the HX471SB can handle that, too. The radio's Family Radio Service (FRS) band accommodates your ship-to-shore communications, while the AM, FM, and aeronautical bands give you a ton of listening options. Simply put, the HX471SB lets you monitor a range of frequencies previously unavailable in any portable marine VHF radio.
As with any well-built marine radio, the HX471SB is rugged and fully waterproof, with a high-impact, non-corrosive, black die-cast chassis that can withstand a high degree of physical abuse while also standing up to submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Want a submersible radio to take hiking, skiing, hunting, or caravanning? Look no further. It's also a breeze to browse through the channels using the scan function either without priority (starting from lowest to highest) or while monitoring emergency channels. And should you want to scan between a VHF marine channel and a FRS channel, simply activate the Dual Watch function. Other operational details include an NOAA weather alert function that notifies you of impending severe weather, a Preset key that lets you store up to 10 channels for each band, and a high-intensity strobe light that emits the internally recognized S.O.S. signal during emergencies--a must for any boater. The S.O.S. beacon can be seen from up to 1 mile away.
Another nice feature is the NMEA charging cradle that lets you connect the radio to a GPS. Once connected, the radio stores your GPS location in its memory, and then notifies the Coast Guard or other emergency service should an accident occur. In the event of a distress, simply grab the HX471SB, lift the Distress cover, and depress the Distress key for three seconds. The radio will then transmit a distress call with your position while simultaneously activating the strobe light.
Packaged with a 1,300 mAh lithium-ion battery, HX471SB delivers 10 to 12 hours of operation on a single charge. Plus, the battery is guaranteed never to develop a "memory" that inhibits its ability to work for a full day. To charge, simply attach either the AC or 12-volt DC cable to the charging cradle and you're set (charging time is roughly three hours).
The radio, which also comes with a quick-draw belt clip, measures 2.36 by 3.78 by 1.12 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box Handheld marine VHF radio, rechargeable battery, AC charger, 12-volt DC charger with cigarette lighter plug, charging cradle, user's manual.

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Cobra MR HH425LI VP 15-Channel VHF/GMRS Two-Way Marine Radio Review

Cobra MR HH425LI VP 15-Channel VHF/GMRS Two-Way Marine Radio
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Pros: Covers Marine VHF, GMRS and overlaps FRS. Comes with everything you could possibly need, especially Li-rechargeable, drop-in charger, AC and DC power cords, and AA battery case. Good controls, metal frame, swivel-off belt clip, easy to read display. Detachable antenna with SMA connector and wrist strap. The documentation is better tha most.
Cons: Squelch (uncoded) and coded squelches take 1 second to unlock. FRS frequencies 1-7 are fixed to GMRS power and frquencies 8-14 are not included.
This is a very complete product especially for the money. You will not have to buy any accessories except perhaps the remote mic. Especially impressive is the inclusion of an AA battery case in addition to the rechargeable battery pack. You get both AC and DC power cords.
There are several subtle things that are "right" about this product. The audio is much stronger than most handhelds. There are actual knobs, not pushbuttons, for squelch and volume controls that are easily manipulated. The controls are logically arranged. The drop-in charger has a plate that adapts it for charging the battery alone, without the radio. The RF squelch will open the tone or DCS squelches allowing accurate, single-control setting of the RF squelch threshold or opening up of the squelch for receiving weak signals. The backlight is orange and bright enough to read easily. The LCD display is easy to read from a normal viewing angle.
I have not had enough experience with the "say again" feature to determine its usefulness but it is well implemented. The audio quality is as good as the original transmission and you get 20 seconds of stored audio. Replay is counted down on the display and you can cancel playback by merely tapping the PTT.
Weather reception has several interesting alerting features including WX alert and SAME monitoring. I did not test these as of this writing, but the WX reception is excellent.
The only negatives I could find about this radio involved the squelch and the lack of FRS power levels and FRS frquencies 8-14.
The squelch open or unlock times were annoyingly long. Uncoded squelch open time on VHF marine or GMRS bands was the better part of a second. This may not seem like much until you consider the fact that most people start speaking just a fraction of a second before they key the mic. With this radio it will lead to the guaranteed loss of up to the first two seconds of audio. For those with a long "uhhhhh" before their real message, that will work. But for most others, it will result in a lot of missed calls. The unlock time for coded squelch (tone or DCS) is almost exactly one second, making performance here slightly worse.
Given the completeness of the product, the fact that a power setting for FRS compatibility and frequencies 8-14 are missing is puzzling. Still, I believe in actual use this limitation is more than easily overcome.
After testing it looks like I'm going to be getting a few more of these. You really can't beat them especially for the price.
UPDATE: With over a year of use on many of these units I can report they are still all working well. Most notably the battery HOLDS its charge seemingly forever. We know this is NOT true but I have yet to see a case of a self-discharge over even a few months of sitting on a shelf, sometimes in heat or cold extremes. Most radio batteries are notoriously bad this way, but to my great surprise, the batteries that came with the batch I got are all still performing quite beyond expectations. Good batteries seem to be a rarity these days!

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The Cobra MR HH425LI VP Marine Professional Series VHF/GMRS Radio keeps you in touch with what is going on around you, in virtually any environment. This rugged radio is a boatman's best friend, with plenty of range, features, and power to make sure that you stay aware of the weather you need to know about, and in touch with the people you need to talk to at the same time.
The MR-HH425LI-VP Marine radio utilizes the VHF band for clear operation on any of the three channel maps established in US, Canadian and International channels, with an adjustable one-, three- or five-watt output for short- and long-range communication. This unit also provides instant access to all 10 NOAA weather channels for 24-hour coverage of hazard and weather information, and includes alerts with an audible tone and visual alarm to notify you if threatening weather is nearby, as well as S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) to filter out non-local warnings. As an added safety feature, the MR-HH425LI-VP provides instant access to channels 16 and 9 for emergency situations, and has a Tri-Watch function that monitors three channels at once, those being channel 16 and two user-selected channels.
In addition to its regular VHF channels, the Cobra MR-HH425LI-VP lets you switch, at the touch of a single button, to its GMRS channels with ultra-clear UHF/FM reception, and 1815 combinations possible by combining the 15 channels with its 121 privacy codes. The GMRS also features a VOX function for voice-activated, hands-free radio transmission with five sensitivity levels, and advanced GMRS scanning that allows you to scan, in addition to regular channels, CTCSS privacy codes within a channel, DCS codes within a channel, or up to 10 memory locations in order to locate conversations.
This Cobra radio features illuminated function keys, and an illuminated, large LCD display that allows high visibility at a glance even at night. This unit also features an external microphone/speaker jack for hip or body-worn operation, a signal meter that shows the strength of the receiving and transmitting signal, a selectable key-tone beep that can be turned off for silent use, and a button/key lock that locks functions to eliminate accidental settings changes. Additionally the MR-HH425LI-VP allows the programming of unlimited channels for easy retrieval or scanning, and lets you scan either all channels, or just channels programmed in memory to find conversations in progress. This unit also comes with Cobra's exclusive Rewind-Say-Again function that lets you play back the last 20 seconds of audio to re-check what you heard, battery saver circuitry that switches on after 10 seconds with no transmissions, 10 selectable call tones to differentiate between incoming callers, a roger beep, and a patented VibrAlert that is ideal for both silent and noisy environments.
The MR-HH425LI-VP comes with a spring-loaded, swiveling belt clip that is removable and lets you secure your radio while on the go, as well as a wrist strap for easy carrying and use. This unit runs on a 1900mAh rechargeable, lithium-ion polymer battery that provides from 14 to 23.5 hours of stand-by time with no memory effect. What's more, this radio comes with a rapid-charge desktop charger that allows drop-in charging, with adapters for both home and vehicle use, and a battery tray that allows you to use six AA batteries to transmit in an emergency at full power. Constructed to be submersible for up to 30 minutes in up to one meter of water, the Cobra MR-HH425LI-VP Marine VHF Radio meets JIS7 standards, weighs only 8 ounces without its battery, measures 2.4 x 4.8 x 1.4 inches (W x H x D) without the antenna, and is backed by a manufacturer's three-year warranty.
What's in the Box The MR-HH425LI-VP MicroTalk radio, a 1900 mAh rechargeable battery, a battery tray, a rapid-charge desktop charger with: 12-volt vehicle adapter, AC adapter, and mounting hardware, a swiveling belt clip, a wrist strap, a user's guide and warranty information.

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