New VHF

[Refueler]

My 55 was in for many years ...... lost count how many - but at least 12 ~ ..... its on the bench needing repair.

I decided to go for a replacement and cheapest over here with GPS was the 77 version ... SH definitely cost more here. But looking online in UK - less ... strange....

Just for interest - the old basic VHF that was with the boat when I bought was the typical common 5600 set .,.. a Midland. The point being that most Brand labels in those days used the 5600 internals and just changed the case !! That includes SH. The Midland being of course one that took anothers 5600 internals ... the real origin of the 5600 ?? I was told that it was a branch of YAESU and it was intended to supply other labels with the internals .. but hard to find real story now.

As we know with most electronics today - there are far fewer actual manufacturers than Brand Labels. Many different actually going down same production lines and then receiving a different face / Software ... sufficient to hide the fact they are not different inside.
Such practices of course are 'hidden' by the 'Assembled in XXXXX' statement ... which is not same as 'Manufactured' or 'Made' in XXXXX ....

Just commenting .....

 

[Gwylan]

I wonder if a handheld might be more use than a command mic, and perhaps cheaper.

Not got the range.

HH approaching a marina can be handy, but if you've got the cockpit set up then you don't need the HH. Just turn the power down.

But, it can be handy for a dinghy party to take the HH for Comms. All suitably licensed of course.

 

[Refueler]

Not got the range.

HH approaching a marina can be handy, but if you've got the cockpit set up then you don't need the HH. Just turn the power down.

But, it can be handy for a dinghy party to take the HH for Comms. All suitably licensed of course.

For years I never thought of a HH ... never really needed it. But then bringing the boat to Baltic .. the prospect of in the Swedish Islands made me consider .... so I plumped for a budget pair of Cobra HH's ... they are only 2W each ... but more than enough for comms boat to shore party (PMR's are illegal here) ... and to call marina for a berth.
Pocket sized - so no problem to carry ... use Dry cell or NiMH ..... even came with hands free ! Many years later - STILL good as new.

I considered getting an Icom - we used older Icom's for Ship to Ship cargo transfer comms ... till talking with a mate who had the later then current Icom - which had the infamous draining battery !!

 

[PaulRainbow]

My 55 was in for many years ...... lost count how many - but at least 12 ~ ..... its on the bench needing repair.

I decided to go for a replacement and cheapest over here with GPS was the 77 version ... SH definitely cost more here. But looking online in UK - less ... strange....

Just for interest - the old basic VHF that was with the boat when I bought was the typical common 5600 set .,.. a Midland. The point being that most Brand labels in those days used the 5600 internals and just changed the case !! That includes SH. The Midland being of course one that took anothers 5600 internals ... the real origin of the 5600 ?? I was told that it was a branch of YAESU and it was intended to supply other labels with the internals .. but hard to find real story now.

As we know with most electronics today - there are far fewer actual manufacturers than Brand Labels. Many different actually going down same production lines and then receiving a different face / Software ... sufficient to hide the fact they are not different inside.
Such practices of course are 'hidden' by the 'Assembled in XXXXX' statement ... which is not same as 'Manufactured' or 'Made' in XXXXX ....

Just commenting .....

Standard Horizons parent company is Yaesu, so i doubt if they use other companies "internals".

SH has a UK presence, as does Icom, any support issues are a mere phone call away.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Maybe in your opinion but my previous one lasted 10+ years until UV finally killed the mic lead. This is my second Cobra and so far no problems.

Recently replaced all of the ageing Raymarine kit on a customers boat, his Icom mic lead had also fell apart with UV damage, i called Icom, who were happy to replace the cable for a small charge.

 

[Refueler]

Standard Horizons parent company is Yaesu, so i doubt if they use other companies "internals".

SH has a UK presence, as does Icom, any support issues are a mere phone call away.

Did I say SH used other except in the days of the 5600 ?? Even then I mentioned that I heard Yaesu was the producer of the original 5600 ... so whats the problem ?

 

[prv]

Just for interest - the old basic VHF that was with the boat when I bought was the typical common 5600 set .,.. a Midland. The point being that most Brand labels in those days used the 5600 internals and just changed the case !! That includes SH. The Midland being of course one that took anothers 5600 internals ... the real origin of the 5600 ?? I was told that it was a branch of YAESU and it was intended to supply other labels with the internals .. but hard to find real story now.

Standard Horizon is Yaesu’s brand name for marine products, so if anybody’s using third-party internals (not that that’s necessarily a problem) it’s not them.

On the subject of Cobra I don’t think I’d go as far as “garbage”. I used to have a Cobra handheld that fell unnoticed into the bottom of a RIB in rough conditions and got smacked around for several hours before being fished out of the bilge sump at the stern. It looked cosmetically terrible, but continued to work for years before I lost it (probably left it on someone else’s boat).

Pete

 

[PaulRainbow]

Did I say SH used other except in the days of the 5600 ?? Even then I mentioned that I heard Yaesu was the producer of the original 5600 ... so whats the problem ?

Do you actually read anything that you type ?

You said:

The point being that most Brand labels in those days used the 5600 internals and just changed the case !! That includes SH

to which i replied:

Standard Horizons parent company is Yaesu, so i doubt if they use other companies "internals".

I suggest that "the problem" is yours. It seems you just want to post here to start arguments.

 

[pvb]

Standard Horizons parent company is Yaesu, so i doubt if they use other companies "internals".

I'd agree. The Midland 5600 was marketed by the Midland Radio Corporation, an American company which designed lots of radio products and mainly got them made in the far east. The Midland 5600 was also the basis of the Aqua Marine 5600, the Nasa Stingray 5600, the Navico Sea Ranger 5600, the Euromarine 5600, and probably a few more which I've forgotten.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If the range of Cobra handheld was any less you'd be able to shout further and the sound quality is absolutely appalling.

Standard Horizon handhelds are 6W, with a range of a few miles. Sound quality is excellent.

 

[pvb]

I need to replace my ancient Sailor VHF. What's the best basic no frills VHF to go for?

Undoubtedly a Standard Horizon or Icom. You'll find that the cheapest sets aren't necessarily "no frills" - the cheapest Standard Horizon GX1400GPS/E has built-in GPS and only costs £145. Integral GPS is a good feature - well worth having if only because it simplifies wiring. It can't accept a remote handset though, so if you think you might like that one day, go for the Standard Horizon GX1800GPS at £198 as this can accept a remote handset. The cheapest Icom, the IC-M330GE at £210, also has GPS but can't accept a remote handset.

Standard Horizon GX1400E GPS DSC VHF Fixed Radio
Standard Horizon GX1800GPS VHF Two Way Radio with GPS -
Icom M330GE DSC Fixed VHF with GPS

 

[Refueler]

Do you actually read anything that you type ?

You said:



to which i replied:



I suggest that "the problem" is yours. It seems you just want to post here to start arguments.

The english language is actually in my favour here ...

My post was a generalisation as you well appreciated - but you wish to create an issue. I said clearly that I understood Yaesu was most likely the original 5600 producer. The error of incl SH in the re-labelling is not so difficult to understand as in those days literally everyone and his dog was using the 5600 ..... and was common for parent companys to hide their position to avoid damage to up market gear sales.
On the shelves .. most likely before your time - Yaesu was mostly a labelled brand of high end Professional radio Equipment .. such as MF and HF gear ... while SH was a Brand Label on budget market VHF and other gear.

There's no argument .. as to SH and Yaesu ...

But your slagging off Cobra is nothing short of insulting to say the least.

 

[pvb]

Of course, one indication of a manufacturer's faith in his products is the length of warranty offered. In the UK, Standard Horizon and Icom have 3-year warranties (and as mentioned in an earlier post, excellent customer support). Cobra offer only a 1-year warranty.

 

[Refueler]

Of course, one indication of a manufacturer's faith in his products is the length of warranty offered. In the UK, Standard Horizon and Icom have 3-year warranties (and as mentioned in an earlier post, excellent customer support). Cobra offer only a 1-year warranty.

Risking your interpretation of discussive information as argument ...

EU rules say otherwise ... UK is actually better :

Consumer guarantees, warranties, claims and returns

To quote 1 yr warranty .......... ??

Here's UK Warranty :

The European Directive 1999/44/EC says all EU countries have to ensure a retailer could be held liable for all "non-conformities" which manifest within two years from delivery.

However, because the Sale of Goods Act (SOGA) meets or exceeds most of the directive's requirements, this overrides the EU directive. The act requires three things: the goods must be as described; they must be of satisfactory quality, which is determined by description, price, durability, freedom from minor defects; and they must be fit for purpose.

Because manufacturers tend to give one year's warranty on goods, retailers will usually push you in their direction if the product breaks inside the first year.

However, SOGA provides cover for goods bought for up to six years – in England and Wales. This means if a TV fails after 13 months, you still have rights. Assuming the item has failed through no fault of yours, and it was "reasonable" to expect it to last longer – given its cost/quality – you should demand, under the Sale of Goods Act, that it be replaced or repaired by the retailed, not the manufacturer. Once the item is six months old, the onus is on you, the consumer, to show the item failed as a result of a manufacturing fault.

Try the Yellow Pages for an independent repairer. Most stores will reimburse the cost of an independent examination if the breakdown is the result of an inherent fault. In Scotland you get similar rights, but only up to five years.

So because a manufacturer gives 1 year - which is you well know a practice to cover global - where many countries do not have extended warranty such as UK / EU ..

Yes if you bought via online from a non UK based retailer - then you can fall foul of this - but most will be buying from a UK appointed Dealer ... if you do that then UK warranty applies.

I bought in Latvia - so I get full 6 years cover ...

 

[PaulRainbow]

The english language is actually in my favour here ...

My post was a generalisation as you well appreciated - but you wish to create an issue. I said clearly that I understood Yaesu was most likely the original 5600 producer. The error of incl SH in the re-labelling is not so difficult to understand as in those days literally everyone and his dog was using the 5600 ..... and was common for parent companys to hide their position to avoid damage to up market gear sales.

Ah, so you made an error. I made a correction, but you don't like to be corrected, do you ?

On the shelves .. most likely before your time - Yaesu was mostly a labelled brand of high end Professional radio Equipment .. such as MF and HF gear ... while SH was a Brand Label on budget market VHF and other gear.

Before my time ? ?

But your slagging off Cobra is nothing short of insulting to say the least.

Insulting to who ?

Could only be Cobra, if they have a problem with my comments, tell them to get in touch with me.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Risking your interpretation of discussive information as argument ...

EU rules say otherwise ... UK is actually better :

Consumer guarantees, warranties, claims and returns

To quote 1 yr warranty .......... ??

Here's UK Warranty :

The European Directive 1999/44/EC says all EU countries have to ensure a retailer could be held liable for all "non-conformities" which manifest within two years from delivery.

However, because the Sale of Goods Act (SOGA) meets or exceeds most of the directive's requirements, this overrides the EU directive. The act requires three things: the goods must be as described; they must be of satisfactory quality, which is determined by description, price, durability, freedom from minor defects; and they must be fit for purpose.

Because manufacturers tend to give one year's warranty on goods, retailers will usually push you in their direction if the product breaks inside the first year.

However, SOGA provides cover for goods bought for up to six years – in England and Wales. This means if a TV fails after 13 months, you still have rights. Assuming the item has failed through no fault of yours, and it was "reasonable" to expect it to last longer – given its cost/quality – you should demand, under the Sale of Goods Act, that it be replaced or repaired by the retailed, not the manufacturer. Once the item is six months old, the onus is on you, the consumer, to show the item failed as a result of a manufacturing fault.

Try the Yellow Pages for an independent repairer. Most stores will reimburse the cost of an independent examination if the breakdown is the result of an inherent fault. In Scotland you get similar rights, but only up to five years.

So because a manufacturer gives 1 year - which is you well know a practice to cover global - where many countries do not have extended warranty such as UK / EU ..

Yes if you bought via online from a non UK based retailer - then you can fall foul of this - but most will be buying from a UK appointed Dealer ... if you do that then UK warranty applies.

I bought in Latvia - so I get full 6 years cover ...

Pretty out of date quote in blue text, Sale of goods act ceased to exist 6 years ago. Forget how long Yellow Pages stopped being printed.

 

[Refueler]

Pretty out of date quote in blue text, Sale of goods act ceased to exist 6 years ago. Forget how long Yellow Pages stopped being printed.

OOPs .... will update !

OK ... According to WHICH ..... March 2021 :

The date you made the purchase determines which legislation applies.

• If you bought your goods any time from 1 October 2015, then the Consumer Rights Act applies.
• If you bought your goods on or before 30 September 2015, then the Sale of Goods Act will apply.

mmm SOGA runs out next month !!

But anyway ... CRA is a minimum standard to meet in UK.

 

[pvb]

In the UK, the Sale of Goods Act no longer applies, it was replaced in (I think) 2015 by the Consumer Rights Act. This also allows claims due to faulty manufacture up to 6 years (in England) but it needs proof and will be a hassle.

Cobra offer a 1-year warranty in the UK, but a 3-year warranty in the USA. Wonder why?

 

[Gary Fox]

Icom or Standard Horizon base models still have lots of features and these are the brands to go for.

(Cobra? Don't make me laugh. I've been tinkering with, then using VHF radios since I was in short trousers and Cobra are pathetically poor quality, with brittle plastics, cringemaking ergonomics and dismal performance. Avoid at all costs. They aren't cheap enough to justify how crap they are; maybe if they were 2 for 1 in Poundstretchers in an emergency..)

 

[Rappey]

Cobra in the 80,s were the got to have tranceiver (27mhz), a usa company, made in korea. .. It packed a lot into its sets but many years down the road it has been sold and resold and its sets are now budget chinese stuff.. Was chatting to a large marine stores technical repair guy who suggested a lot of cobras get returned as faulty compared to standard horizon and icom..
Yaesu also purchased marantz many years ago.. Might explain how the standard horizon ram mikes have great and very loud sound .
If you chose a standard horizon set try and get one that can use the ram4 mike as it is so much nicer than the ram 3 and much bigger screen.