Maplin - fixed DSC VHF for £49.99
- Thread starter LadyInBed
- Start date
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
More info here http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=OCEANUS%20DSC
It looks like Uniden don't have any European offices, so support might be unavailable, and I wonder if this meets UK radio specs? However, as a back-up VHF it looks a very enticing price. I'm going past Maplin in Cardiff later today; might pop in and have a look what it says on the box.
It looks like Uniden don't have any European offices, so support might be unavailable, and I wonder if this meets UK radio specs? However, as a back-up VHF it looks a very enticing price. I'm going past Maplin in Cardiff later today; might pop in and have a look what it says on the box.
headrowe
Active Member
Which store had them? Visited two stores in my area neither knew anything about them /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I had the last one in my local store.
Think it is hit and miss as to which stores have any left.
I will post the stock# when I get home.
Think it is hit and miss as to which stores have any left.
I will post the stock# when I get home.
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Cardiff seemed to have one left, though the box was empty. It's obviously made for the US market, though does have a CE sticker on it. They mention a European website on the box, but I couldn't find it.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I checked with Uniden about it - as Ebay has these at similar price but in US $'s .... No Lat / Long display on panel, you have no idea what is sent by DSC / Red Distress button, no M1 / M2 channels - unless the Maplin ones have had programming specifically for EU market.
I rejected it after receiving Unidens response ... it explains the pricing.
I rejected it after receiving Unidens response ... it explains the pricing.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Maplin Stock# - A43HQ VHF Marine Radio
couldn't find it on site, it is a clearance item.
couldn't find it on site, it is a clearance item.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
Searush
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
[/ QUOTE ]
I've never used them in almost 30 years of cruising with a VHF - not sure they were even fitted to my original 12ch Seavoice. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
[ QUOTE ]
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
[/ QUOTE ]
I've never used them in almost 30 years of cruising with a VHF - not sure they were even fitted to my original 12ch Seavoice. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Isn't M1 used for race control and YCs? It used to be. I've had to use one or the other in the last few years somewhere in the Bristol Channel to contact a marina (Watchet maybe?). But...as long as my handheld has these channels (which it does) it wouldn't overly bother me if the fixed VHF didn't, as I tend to use the H/H for 90+% of my transmissions anyway.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yacht Clubs, Marinas ... to reduce calling on 16 etc. and to keep recognised intership channels free.
No g'tee - but many non M1-M2 fixed radios are not approved for EU market.... being grey imports.
My main objection to the Uniden series of radios - and note that RRP quoted here is way over the normal selling price - is that I wanted a DSC set that also displayed Lat Long to ensure info going out was correct / that nmea info going in was still going in.
[ QUOTE ]
Correct - no M1 / M2 channels
[/ QUOTE ]Does anyone still use them?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yacht Clubs, Marinas ... to reduce calling on 16 etc. and to keep recognised intership channels free.
No g'tee - but many non M1-M2 fixed radios are not approved for EU market.... being grey imports.
My main objection to the Uniden series of radios - and note that RRP quoted here is way over the normal selling price - is that I wanted a DSC set that also displayed Lat Long to ensure info going out was correct / that nmea info going in was still going in.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I can't help thinking that the fixation to see what lat / long is being Tx'ed at a time of distress is a bit OTT.
If I press the red button, I will have lots of other more important things to do than check the radio display against the GPS display.
My PLB doesn't give that info, I have to trust the manufacturer to have produced a product to spec., same with the GPS and the VHF.
Re the Ch M / M1, I have only used it a couple of times and that was on the hand held as I needed to be at the wheel at the same time, so the Uniden without those channels for £50 still seems like good value.
If I press the red button, I will have lots of other more important things to do than check the radio display against the GPS display.
My PLB doesn't give that info, I have to trust the manufacturer to have produced a product to spec., same with the GPS and the VHF.
Re the Ch M / M1, I have only used it a couple of times and that was on the hand held as I needed to be at the wheel at the same time, so the Uniden without those channels for £50 still seems like good value.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I can't help thinking that the fixation to see what lat / long is being Tx'ed at a time of distress is a bit OTT.
If I press the red button, I will have lots of other more important things to do than check the radio display against the GPS display.
My PLB doesn't give that info, I have to trust the manufacturer to have produced a product to spec., same with the GPS and the VHF.
Re the Ch M / M1, I have only used it a couple of times and that was on the hand held as I needed to be at the wheel at the same time, so the Uniden without those channels for £50 still seems like good value.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree that price is extremely attractive, but the display of the position info to me was important. I want to be able to use the display as a repeater of Lat Long to read inside cabin for chart work. Go up 30 - 40 quid on this offer price and you get sets that do display the info. - cheaper than buying a GPS repeater display.
The reading of it when pressing Red Button - I agree - there are better things to do like saving yer ar** ! But it's no good if NMEA has failed and you know nothing about it ?
I can't help thinking that the fixation to see what lat / long is being Tx'ed at a time of distress is a bit OTT.
If I press the red button, I will have lots of other more important things to do than check the radio display against the GPS display.
My PLB doesn't give that info, I have to trust the manufacturer to have produced a product to spec., same with the GPS and the VHF.
Re the Ch M / M1, I have only used it a couple of times and that was on the hand held as I needed to be at the wheel at the same time, so the Uniden without those channels for £50 still seems like good value.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree that price is extremely attractive, but the display of the position info to me was important. I want to be able to use the display as a repeater of Lat Long to read inside cabin for chart work. Go up 30 - 40 quid on this offer price and you get sets that do display the info. - cheaper than buying a GPS repeater display.
The reading of it when pressing Red Button - I agree - there are better things to do like saving yer ar** ! But it's no good if NMEA has failed and you know nothing about it ?
maxi77
Well-Known Member
I agree with you having the GPS position displ;ayed has several uses and as you say saves the cost of a repeater which is as much as the radio itself. Txing the Lat and Long does have advantages to during an emegency, firstly it increases the chance of the coast guard getting it right (the coast guard will ask you for your lat and long even if you have identified your position very clearly in some other wayand because they have a form to fill in they are persistant, irrespective of the urgency of your situation).
As for the PLB without lat and long it is equally these days an option to purchase a plb with a full gps Rx as well so the PLB will give constant lat and long.
I use a basic SH 1500 with remote mike and it is excellent.
As for the PLB without lat and long it is equally these days an option to purchase a plb with a full gps Rx as well so the PLB will give constant lat and long.
I use a basic SH 1500 with remote mike and it is excellent.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
You misunderstand me - my PLB has GPS Rx so it sends position. My point was that I trust it to get it right, as it doesn't display the lat and long it is sending.
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
It's probably not an issue for you LadyinBed as you've thought this through, but Refueler does have a point. I found my Garmin GPS 128 would not properly interface with the DSC when underway...and only found this out from the display on the radio "freezing" for a few minutes, then it would update and freeze again.
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Which is understandable when the devices are integrated, but what ot the situation where you did the connection? though the key aspect really is that I do not need to havbe a GPS repeater at the chart table.
Though the key element of DSC from my piont of view is the simplification of the distress process, Key data on the vessel and it's position are transmitted automatically.
Mind you where I sail no one uses the emergency alert to send out all stations calls either, sailing in the solent seems shall we say 'different'.
Though the key element of DSC from my piont of view is the simplification of the distress process, Key data on the vessel and it's position are transmitted automatically.
Mind you where I sail no one uses the emergency alert to send out all stations calls either, sailing in the solent seems shall we say 'different'.
headrowe
Active Member
Thanks for posting stock number
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
You misunderstand me - my PLB has GPS Rx so it sends position. My point was that I trust it to get it right, as it doesn't display the lat and long it is sending.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't dispute or argue with an integrated machine. But the DSC VHf is taking info from another machine and we have seen on many posts thye incompatibility of various kit to other. For under 2x the price (still well in the budget bracket) near all other makes display the NMEA data as well as the channel etc.
The other matter is the misleading quotation of RRP - yes it may be - but very few actually offer it at that price. For that money I could buy the NMEA 0183 and 2000 + Buddy system Lowrance - a far far better proposition.
Call me old fashioned, but I like to see what data is - not trust an unknown. Plus of course I want a repeat of data for use at chart ....
You misunderstand me - my PLB has GPS Rx so it sends position. My point was that I trust it to get it right, as it doesn't display the lat and long it is sending.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't dispute or argue with an integrated machine. But the DSC VHf is taking info from another machine and we have seen on many posts thye incompatibility of various kit to other. For under 2x the price (still well in the budget bracket) near all other makes display the NMEA data as well as the channel etc.
The other matter is the misleading quotation of RRP - yes it may be - but very few actually offer it at that price. For that money I could buy the NMEA 0183 and 2000 + Buddy system Lowrance - a far far better proposition.
Call me old fashioned, but I like to see what data is - not trust an unknown. Plus of course I want a repeat of data for use at chart ....