Midland Pacific VHF?

[Pacofan]

I've seen a handheld, supposedly waterproof VHF for £70 made by Midland Pacific. Thing is is it any good? I don't have a fixed VHF, as I have minimal electrics, so I am looking for a handheld.

 

[caiman]

Up until the Spring Bank Holiday this year,I was relying on a Midland Pacific as my primary means of salvation if I went MOB,and carried it permanently on my body when afloat(as well as bouyancy and a pack of miniflares).I paid £49.95 for it March 2009(Marine Store Chandlery).At the Spring Bank Holiday I put it in the water to check it out before my planned annual cruise.Despite seeing obvious water ingress in the display,and one leg of the display missing, it still Rx/Tx'd ok,reaching the local CG through a repeater aerial 17 miles away.Due to the importance that having a wp radio was/is to me,I replaced it with an Icom Floaty, which failed immediatly on it's test immersion-no Tx.(no quibble refund from Force 4 Chandlery)I replaced the Icom with a Plastimo from Glaslyn Marine Porthmadoc after insisting that it be tested in a bucket of water first,which the chap in Glaslyn did,it passed ok.£100.Coincidently,I put the MP on charge last night, and it still lives!!I will check it out with the CG tomorrow and let you know how it performs.Although the MP is not very intuitive to use,(Ch 16 is the only reason for me to have a WPHH,I've got a main set on the boat)depending on what level of waterproofing you require,for £50,in my opinion you can't go wrong.As well as being small enough to go in your pocket,it is light on it as well,and far outperformed the 'Iconic' Icom.
Cheers

 

[DownWest]

Reading the West adviser, they don't think any of the 'water proof' HH are reliably so. They recommend a wp pouch. My local marine supplies were selling Midland HHs for €60 odd euro and I had a look, felt a bit light and plasticy. While in the US, I bought a SH270 for about £50 ,from West, and it felt much more robust.I gather Midland are are well regarded for the land based coms kit.

I know that it is not CE marked, but it has all the channels on 'int' setting and as a non DSC HH, I frankly don't care.
A

 

[Redwing228]

Midland HH VHF

We have one of these Midland HHs and have to agree that it feels a bit flimsy. It has had a season's use now - although not total immersion - and has performed faultlessly and was excellent value. However I feel that it may not survive being dunked repeatedly. Our only complaint is that the volume on Rx is very low and cannot be heard unless you hold it very close i.e.you have to 'wear' it to hear any call.

 

[caiman]

Did a radio check on the MP(Ch16) with Holyhead Coastguard this morning,They told me that I was 'loud and clear'and wished me 'good morning' at the first attempt.Happy days.I checked on the chart plotter on the boat at work.The Mynydd Rhiw repeater aerial is 22 miles away.Allthough at 303m high,it was a clear line of sight from my position.If you don't intend going into the water with it,the MP has got a lot to reccomend it.
No involement,just a happyish user.
Cheers

 

[phil_symonds]

I hope someone can help. I have a Midland pacific HH. It came with the boat, but I can only see either a flashing channel 16 or by pressing a sequence Pro9 on the screen - any ideas please on how to sort this out? Regards Phil