New Handheld

[pij27]

I am looking at getting a new handheld as my installed radio has finally failed.
The two I am considering is the Cobra HH125 and the Standard Horizon HX300. Apart from the fact that the HX300 is waterproof and the HH125 is splash proof does anyone have any feelings on these radios.
The pbo article on them both recommended the Cobra on price and the Standard Horizon on it being waterproof. Both appear to have the same features and operating ranges.

Any experiences or problems with either would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PaulRainbow]

No question, the Standard Horizon.

You might want to re-read the features etc, they are not the same. For instance, the SHX300 will transmit at 5w, the HH125 is only 3w.

The Standard Horizon has a 3yr warranty and SH service and support is first class.

 

[pvb]

You might look at the Standard Horizon HX210E instead. It has a larger battery capacity, 6W transmit power, includes an FM Broadcast band receiver, and it's a fiver cheaper too. Like the HX300, it floats and has a 3-year waterproof warranty.

The Cobra HH125 isn't a great choice. Sure it's cheap, but it isn't waterproof and only has 3W max transmit power.

 

[LadyInBed]

I'm a SH fan, a plus for me is the push button on off, vol and squelch control. The common shaft rotating control can cause squelch to adjust when adjusting volume.
A plus for the Standard Horizon HX210E is that it has a cradle, the 300E doesn't.

 

[jwilson]

The El Cheapo Cobra HH125 is pretty rubbish: as well as lower power I think it may omit MI/M2 marina channels. The bigger Cobras HH325 etc are OK: I have two, a bit cheaper than SH, and they actually have knob-adjustable squelch instead of menu-buttons, which I dislike.

 

[lw395]

Icom.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Icom.

Is that the Icom Cobra HH125 or the Icom Standard Horizon HX300

 

[doug748]

....
Any experiences or problems with either would be greatly appreciated.

I have a HX270E feels very solid and well put together, worked very well, however the first time it got dunked it failed.
I would treat them all as splashproof.

 

[MikeCC]

Cobra HH125 has been discontinued, replaced by HH150 which has much better water resistance but around £85.
The 125 and 150 both have UK M1 and M2.

They have their place but an HX210 or HX300 will be more robust.

 

[pij27]

Thanks. So the SH is generally regarded as a better device?

 

[pvb]

Thanks. So the SH is generally regarded as a better device?

I think that's a fair assumption!

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

I have a SH and an Icon.
Did have a Cobra but binned it as know one could ever here me.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I've recently had some experience of SH warranty and service. It took a little while to convince them that the fault was not a dying battery, but once I had they were very quick to repair and return the unit. That makes me a loyal customer for the future.

Edit - it's a 3 year warranty thankfully, two year old radio.

 

[prv]

A plus for the Standard Horizon HX210E is that it has a cradle, the 300E doesn't.

On the other hand, depending on your use, the USB charging on the 300 could be a benefit. I had one to take in our zapcat, and it was handy to be able to plug it into the car to charge on the way to launch.

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

On the other hand, depending on your use, the USB charging on the 300 could be a benefit. I had one to take in our zapcat, and it was handy to be able to plug it into the car to charge on the way to launch.

Pete

USB charging is good if you have an outlet onboard.
My comment was about having a cradle which, to my mind, means a place to store it when not in use. Hopefully wall mountable.

 

[duncan99210]

We've got a bunch of SH radios at the gig club, where they suffer a fairly hard life. They're robust enough but I truly detest the USB charging system which is the weak link with them. It requires coxes returning the radios to unlatch the port cover and plug the lead in. All too often, the radio is wet, doesn't get dried and moisture works it's way into the radio body. Fair enough if you're the only person using the set but for a bunch of folks focused on getting home, it's a recipe for a short life.
We're now looking for a set of radios that use cradles for charging as they're easier to use, less open to abuse and easier to repair when they fail.
Other than that, SH radios spare good kit, much better than the Cobra stuff. I've got a Cobra on my own boat as a cheapo back up but it's fragile and only splashproof.

 

[prv]

USB charging is good if you have an outlet onboard.
My comment was about having a cradle which, to my mind, means a place to store it when not in use. Hopefully wall mountable.

Yep, and my radio on the yacht is a (Standard Horizon ) model with a cradle. Same as for Duncan’s club use, it’s horses for courses.

Pete

 

[PetiteFleur]

I have the Cobra hh150 - mine from memory never had the Nimh chargeable batteries, I've only ever used standard alkaline batteries. Works ok, but at the time it was a good buy, if buying again I would spend a little more.

 

[Bilgediver]

I am involved in a community rowing club where two SH300 radios are in use and I have three SH handhelds of which one is a SH 300 . The USB system has not shown any of the problems others have mentioned and the ability to charge easily n the car is a bonus however I have noticed that these radios seem to need charging more often.They are robust and have been in service for about a year. They do float and if in the water they display a flashing red light.

 

[maby]

SH and ICOM are significantly better than Cobra in all respects - apart from price. You'll get better functionality, a more ergonomic interface and better reliability from their products. If "my installed radio has finally failed" implies that this new purchase will be the only radio on the boat, then you might consider paying a little more for a higher spec model with DSC...