Another VHF Question

[m1taylor]

I am after an entry level hand held VHF for close inshore/estuary use only on my small boat.

The cheapest I have seen is a STARM-298 for £79. Has anyone got one and can recommend it? Or..any other suggested makes for an entry level radio.

Many Thanks in anticipation

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[Trevethan]

I have one, seems to work ok, but not very waterproof so best kept in an aquapac

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[Anthony]

I had one but was very internittent on tranmistting, it would always appear to transmit but very hit and miss if anybody heard it (even on the other end of the marina! Took it back and upgraded to the Entel, they are a bit more money, but I think they are great value, much preffer it to the Star.

Anthony

<hr width=100% size=1>The difference between men and boys, is just the price of their toys...

 

[Dave99]

An alternative is the XM 2000 handheld or the entry level silva - I prefer and would reccomend the XM - again its not waterproof but it tends to come with a free aquasac as well as 12v and 240v chargers and a spare battery pack which will take standard AA's - perfect for the grab bag. I dont know anything about the one you mention though.

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[bluejuice]

XM is a top little VHF and seems to be a lot less prone to breaking than many others i have encountered even so called waterproof ones.

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[CharlotteRusse]

I bough an ICOM MC-31 in preference to the Star. At £130 (ish), nearly twice the price of the Star, but it is waterproof (full imersion, not just splash) and built like a brick outhouse.

 

[Nick_Pam]

I'll vote for the Entel too.....great radio and totally waterproof....Lithium Ion batteries too, so none of that dreaded memory efect from the rechargeables.
Unfortunately nearly twice the price of the Star, but it will get wet more than once without going pop!!
Nick

<hr width=100% size=1>Byeee...Gone Sailing!!!!

 

[snowleopard]

intermittent transmitting from a hand-held is usually down to the batteries being not fully charged.

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[TonyR]

I was recently looking for a H/H VHF and without exception all the suppliers I contacted told me to steer clear of the Star 298, the reason they gave was unreliability and old technology. I would have liked the M31 but pocket money wouldn't run to it so I got an XM 2000 with a charger and aquapack thrown in for just over £80, if you can get to Fareham, call into Lower Quay Chandlers who did me a good deal.

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[Tomsk]

I've used the Star M298 for a year now with 100% success. I agree about the waterproofing though - it's only 'splash' proof so a bag of some sought is a good idea.

<hr width=100% size=1>Tomsk -

Can I leave the planet please.. this one is broken!

 

[JohnL]

I ordered and received a Star 298 within 24 hours from Mailspead Marine, it would not transmit, sent it back yesterday they got it this morning.I now have to wait more than one week while the set is sent back to Silva and they repair or replace.

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