New VHF/DSC

[single]

I've been looking at the Standard Horizon GX1600E but can't really see much difference between that or the 1500E. Which one to get? Or any other suggestions or other models to consider with features i may have missed or don't really need.

 

[prv]

I don't really know either radio, though I'm a fan of Standard Horizon in general. But a quick look at the pictures shows that the 1500 has a channel dial whereas the 1600 has the less satisfactory buttons. Both have the facility for a remote mic, which is well worth it unless your boat is small enough to reach the radio through the hatch. The 1500 has a less capable screen (fixed 7-segment numbers rather than a full dot-matrix display) and presumably correspondingly older software, so one might expect the menus etc to be a little clunkier. But that may very well not matter.

If it were me choosing between the two, I think I'd go for the 1500. Though in actual fact last year I bought the 2100 because I wanted AIS reception and this radio was the easiest way to get it.

Pete

 

[single]

I don't really know either radio, though I'm a fan of Standard Horizon in general. But a quick look at the pictures shows that the 1500 has a channel dial whereas the 1600 has the less satisfactory buttons. Both have the facility for a remote mic, which is well worth it unless your boat is small enough to reach the radio through the hatch. The 1500 has a less capable screen (fixed 7-segment numbers rather than a full dot-matrix display) and presumably correspondingly older software, so one might expect the menus etc to be a little clunkier. But that may very well not matter.

If it were me choosing between the two, I think I'd go for the 1500. Though in actual fact last year I bought the 2100 because I wanted AIS reception and this radio was the easiest way to get it.

Pete

Mmmmmm- the GX2100E looks tempting but £100 more.

 

[lustyd]

Judging by the lack of 1500 on their website I suspect the 1600 just replaced it so I wouldn't expect a lot of changes. That said, the 1600 is half the depth so will have more mounting options. I agree with Pete about the dials though.

 

[single]

Judging by the lack of 1500 on their website I suspect the 1600 just replaced it so I wouldn't expect a lot of changes. That said, the 1600 is half the depth so will have more mounting options. I agree with Pete about the dials though.

Maybe thats why there are loads of 1500s on ebay.Seems a good set for the money.

 

[lustyd]

Maybe thats why there are loads of 1500s on ebay.Seems a good set for the money.

I think I have the 1500 and it's a very good radio. More importantly, the DSC functions are usable which is more than can be said for a lot of other brands. Another forumite and I tested DSC calling to his radio and neither of us could work out how to answer without doing everything manually while my SH sets just work as you'd expect.

 

[greggron]

I have a 1500E, it's an excellent radio, does everything I need.

 

[Sandy]

I've just upgraded to a Standard Horizon GX1700E Fixed GPS/DSC radio purely because it has an internal GPS; I really don't understand why all DSC sets don't have one.

 

[single]

I've just upgraded to a Standard Horizon GX1700E Fixed GPS/DSC radio purely because it has an internal GPS; I really don't understand why all DSC sets don't have one.

Where was the best price you found.I agree, built in gps is a better option.

 

[Sandy]

Where was the best price you found.I agree, built in gps is a better option.

Most of the on-line chandeliers are doing it for £199.95 - take your pick. Personally, I use Gaelforce because I have used them before and their service has been good.

I better add that my old radio is knackered and the co-axial brading had turned to crude (I am sure the last owner did not use marine grade co-axial) - SaltyJohn has been fantastic in sorting that out.

 

[single]

Most of the on-line chandeliers are doing it for £199.95 - take your pick. Personally, I use Gaelforce because I have used them before and their service has been good.

I better add that my old radio is knackered and the co-axial brading had turned to crude (I am sure the last owner did not use marine grade co-axial) - SaltyJohn has been fantastic in sorting that out.

He sorted mine out too, so just need a dsc and i should have the perfect setup.I'm now looking at the 1700!

 

[single]

If i get the 1500 or 1600 how simple is it to get the signal from the Garmin GPS120?

 

[Sandy]

I fitted the new GX1700E on the boat yesterday. From cold I had a fix at the chart table in less than 2 minutes, very, very impressed as when I got my wee Garman a few years ago it took about 30 minutes to build the initial almanack and get its initial fix.

I now have the terrifying job of entering the MMSI number

 

[single]

Todays plan is to fit the 1700. Looks like a very neat and solid little thing.
Fittig it now so obviously red and black to battery but does the gnd screw attach to battery negative too?

 

[single]

Todays plan is to fit the 1700. Looks like a very neat and solid little thing.
Fittig it now so obviously red and black to battery but does the gnd screw attach to battery negative too?

I forgot about this and still havn't done anything, so does the ground screw attach to anything?

 

[prv]

I forgot about this and still havn't done anything, so does the ground screw attach to anything?

The manual doesn't seem to mention it.

I can't remember if my SH radio has one, but if it does, I didn't connect it.

Pete

 

[Murv]

I've got the 1700, I don't remember anything about a ground screw. I certainly haven't connected one, anyway.

 

[Sandy]

I forgot about this and still havn't done anything, so does the ground screw attach to anything?

If there is significant interference connect a wire from the screw to something large and metal, keel bolt perhaps?

I've yet to transmit so not attached anthing.