Shipmate RS8400 VHF

[Overdraught]

The boat I'm buying has one of these VHF's fitted, I'm guessing from new (2000). It looks fairly elderly and obviously isn't DSC. The external speaker is inoperative although I have found these on 'net for £15.

Does anyone know anything about these sets? If it's reputed to be good, I'll change the speaker but if old and poor in performance terms, I'll change it before next season.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Adam

 

[volvopaul]

I had one on my princess, never had any problems but dont get the handset wet, think the only gripe on test is the squelch settings are a bit too coarse.

 

[Wiggo]

The handsets are notionally waterproof, but do occasionally fail, as Paul says. They'll dry out in the airing cupboard, or in our case we just swap upper and lower over while the wet one dries.

 

[lookout]

I've an 8300 & think them excellent - keep it I reckon.

 

[Nick_H]

They're good units, decent clarity, range and features. I'd buy a new speaker.

 

[Hurricane]

We had one on the old boat.
Dual station and it had a DSC controller as well.
Worked quite well. We had a problem with the flybridge station - turned out to be the handset connector - so got a new (one end from RS - other end from Simrad) and soldered it in - no probs from then.

You could keep your eye out for spares on ebay - I once saw one offered - think it went for about £15/£20 in the end. The MMSI number can be changed by the user without sending it back so the DSC version is worth considering.

IMO though if you were to spend more than say £50 - then I'd buy a new set - probably a Standard Horizon - I think they are the best value for money.