American VHFs

[Colin24]

Dear forumites

In the light of a recent post regarding a combined VHF/GPS with a small screen that
can act as a (albeit very small) chart plotter, the MYSTIC VHF/GPS Mapping Marine Radio.
I have found a mail order place in the states selling this item for $306 and I find this just too tempting. I’m new to sailing and have a vague recollection of something about problems with either compatibility or is it licensing issues that make it a bad idea to buy a VHF from the states.
Could someone please outline what the problems are as my finger is hovering over the buy button and I don’t want to end up with a useless paperweight.

Thanks

Colin


<hr width=100% size=1>No boat.

 

[bigmart]

Simple really. The set has to be type approved for use in the EU. This is particularly relevant to DSC sets as you will have to give data on the set to the Radio Comms Agency, or whatever its called this week, to get your DSC registration & MMSI Number. If the set you declare is non compliant, which nearly all the American sets are, then it is illegal to use it & you may be fined if you do.

Don't touch it with a bargepole unless they guarantee that it is compliant & you can be sure of getting your money back.

Martin

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[Colin24]

Thanks Bigmart

That's not what I wanted to hear, but has saved me from wasting my money.
When the same sort of product is available here it will inevitably be at lease twice the price.

Cheers,

Colin


<hr width=100% size=1>No boat.

 

[johnsomerhausen]

Itmight be that the set in question is apprtoved in the EU; just ask customer service if there is a "CE" marking on the label giving the specs. Many aof these sets are manufactured in Asia to comply with regulatioins worldwide. I bought a cheap Chinese hgandheld VHF (Humminbird) her in the US and it has got the CE marking on the specs label.
john

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[pvb]

Sometimes you just have to follow your heart...

You know, it seems somehow unjust that we have to pay so much for our marine products. Technically, the Uniden Mystic probably isn't compliant with our weird regulations. But you don't have to register it for a MMSI number - you could just use it as a handheld with interesting GPS facilities, and I'd suggest the likelihood of any official arriving at your boat to inspect it is pretty small. And with the current exchange rate, it does look tempting. And it's submersible. And it's got a lithium-ion battery. And a PC interface. If I were looking for a new handheld, I'd be tempted.

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[alisdair4]

Re: Sometimes you just have to follow your heart...

Me too - get thee behind me Satan!!

Seriously, if it is EC-compliant (I almost typed "complaint"! - wonder why) this seems an incerdibly good deal. Presumably the GPS core is Magellan..?

<hr width=100% size=1>"so long as all you want is a penguin’s egg"

 

[happychap]

Is the Mystic Marine mentioned by Colin the same radio as the all singing lithium battery Uniden Mystic mentioned later by PVB?

If so I need???? a hand held and would be seriously interested. What supplier at $306 and did anybody find out if it was CE approved?.

Tom

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[Colin24]

Tom

Yes, that's the one, I found this site offering it for $309 I mention 306 in my post but its actually 309 dollars.
I still do not know if its approved for use in Europe but I may buy one anyway.
I think it would be a cheap way of purchasing a back up VHF (to have in addition to a registered one) and also provide me with a back up GPS.

Here is the URL

http://www.valcoelectronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=VE&Product_Code=MYSTIC

I don't know how to make it into a link.

Colin


<hr width=100% size=1>No boat.

 

[Pathan]

Don't know about VHF DSC being such a wonderful invention. Handy for contacting another boat in your vicinity...ok in emergencies if it already has your lat and long but if you need to manually input when your in trouble.....well I wonder.
Have we all forgotten what ch16 is for or ch67. If your not picked up on ch16 then I don't think DSC will make much difference. At that price it seems a very good deal to me.....Russell

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[Robin]

American VHF channels differ from the International ones but some sets especially handheld ones are switchable between the two. Some channels like specific weather channels will be on the USA sets but not work in Europe and the marina channels M1 M2 will not be on USA sets. If it is not switchable to European channels I would leave it alone.

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[pvb]

M1 & M2...

Isn't M1 just a different name for international channel 37? Agreed you won't find M2 as standard on USA sets, but many sets can be programmed for M2 as a private channel.

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[apollo]

Watch out for the dreaded import duty and VAt.

I have just bought a basic Handheld from boatfix in States, $90, I thought it would be a bargain (all I could see was the £45 ball park price.)

By the time I have had to pay $35 shipping, then further £25 Imports, may just as well have bought one in UK for £100 with a lot less hassle.

Some things are bargains from the States, but you need to check all the extra costs.

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