XM DSC/VHF FIXED RADIO

[sparkie]

Has anyone out there bought and used one of these sets? I need an urgent replacement for my old VHF and these seem very reasonably priced but I can't find a test report on them.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[Athene V30]

Fitted one in Feb and used it as VHF since without a problem - haven't tried DSC - too technical for me!

It is a bit 'plasticy' but what do you expect for £150!

If you do not connect it to GPS it alarms at you after 15 minutes or so to tell you it is lost and I haven't found a way of disabling this.....yet!

Not being tried and tested with time is I suppose the risk - but compared with others on the market if after a few years you have to buy new you are no better or worse off.

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[whisper]

We've had one for about 15months. Cheap and cheerful - speaker rather "tinny" in sound but otherwise perfectly adequate with a decent sized display.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I was told in a chandlery a few weeks ago the plastimo bought out XM. This was then sort of proved by showing that the case of the navman 7100 is the same as the XM, no coincidence.

Personally I am still waiting for the release of the navman 7200 which looks like a fabulous radio with everything the more expensve sets have for half the price.

It will be though about £70.00 more expensve than the XM, but the XM for me is just lacking too much.

<hr width=100% size=1>J

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

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[whisper]

WHOOPS !!!!! /forums/images/icons/blush.gif - confusing my XM's with me SX's, sorry.
Ours is a NASA SX 35 - for opinion read my first thread -think I'll doze off again now.

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[Mike2822425]

Peter,

If you have not got this unit connected to a GPS it will tell you to enter position on a regular basis ((it needs your position)you may have bought the cheap one "with the ability to upgrade") otherwise as a GMDS it is wasting its time in monitering YOU unless you enter your position

GMDS is good, but is only as good as its operator, I venture to sugest that you lack the the training to use this equipement, so stop and think of the use of this equipment, DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT, the current examination for use of this equipment is not dificult, but does require a little more than the ability to pass a basic "Mayday" to the Coast Guard.


You do not seem to have obtained the training to use the GMDS, it is not for me to point out to you BUT the use of this equipment without the relavent licence does cost you "lots of dosh" if caught.


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[chriscallender]

Not familiar with this particular radio, but it may well be possible to enter a position manually, which may disable the alarm ... however, if you do this please be aware that if you do press the big red button in distress everyone is likely to be looking for you in the wrong place... the safest thing to do in this case would be to enter a stupid position like 90 degrees North so that the CG would know it wasn't valid.


However it would be a far better solution to hook it up to the GPS. Only 2 wires needed, usually very easy (he says hopefully, at least it was easy with my new radio).


Chris

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[philmayfield]

I would recommend the NASA SX35 as a good budget priced VHF with DSC.

All Gadgets can supply it for £169.99. Performance is excellent.

Phil

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[Athene V30]

Mike

You are right I do not have the DSC endorsement which is why I am only currently using the VHF bit (I do have a VHF licence for me and the boat)

As you cannot buy just a VHF any longer there must be lots of folk like me with DSC capability and no training. What I find most concerning is that when I applied for the licence for the boat I got a MMSI number without anyone asking if I had the necessary qualification!

I intend to do the course - probably next winter.


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[sparkie]

Thanks very much for the feedback folks. Food for thought, particularly the need for training on the new sets.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[MedDreamer]

Be careful where you fit the NASA though as it is not waterproof, despite what some of the Chandlery adverts say. I bought one from Allgadgets and when it arrived it had stickers on the radio, the box and the manual warning that it was not waterproof.

John at Allgadgets exchanged it for the XM which I am happy with. If my memory serves me, it also scored well in a recent group test in one of the yachting magazines (sorry can't remember which one) and on its performance (rather than features) it ranked amongst the best including the £500+ Icoms etc

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>The Dream is Alive

 

[sparkie]

Martyn--

Thanks for the late entry- I think you have made my mind up for me. Waterproof is good, and I never use half of the features on these electronic devices. Does the XM have dual watch? I've not seen a full spec sheet.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[MedDreamer]

Yes it has dualwatch, in fact it has all the expected features.

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>Living the dream

 

[sparkie]

Thanks once again. Definitely sounds like the one for me.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[JonBrooks]

Peter

you can in fact buy a radio only without DSC built in.
The radio has to be DSC upgradeable.

Both the Icom M401 and M503 are stand alone VHF.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Mike_Martin]

That's because the Ship radio licence allows you to have the radio available for use and registeres the vessel but if you read the "Terms" it states that the radio can only be operated by (or under the supervision of) the holder of the relevant Certificate of Competence. However, if you are in DISTRESS this requirement is specifically waived by the Radio Regulations.

So we licence the vessel and issue the relevant Idents required by the equipment without knowing if you are qualified. It is worth pointing out that when we come alongside we will expect to see the Certificate of Competence.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Team Executive,
Maritime & Aeronautical Team, Ofcom

 

[Mike_Martin]

I know I'm late but i'd just like to add one little gem that has been supplied to me by a fair few of my customers (usually in the Guinness Tent at Soton) who bought cheap then repented.

Please don't just base your choice on price, try and imagine the radio actually on your boat in a bit of rough. This is because with the cheaper units all that functionality is squeezed into a tiny facia with a screen which is easy to see in good light in the Chandler's or ata show. Try and imagine trying to use it at dusk in a bit of a swell or if you can while your shipping water a couple of miles off, it may make you think again.

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Team Executive,
Maritime & Aeronautical Team, Ofcom

 

[sparkie]

Mike--

Thanks very much for the late entry. Useful to get the official line, and the advice re functionality in difficult conditions is spot on. I must admit I have been guided to some extent by price, as I intend to sell the present boat at season's end. Have just taken delivery of my XM, so will fit next wkend and we'll see how it performs. Like Peter I have to get trained asap on the new sets and will look out for a course next winter. Do you know of any in the N. Wales/Wirral area, would RYA be able to assist do you think??

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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[Mike_Martin]

It's defo the RY you need for the course and exam, contact on:

Royal Yachting Association on 0845 345 0400 or visit www.rya.org.uk


Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Team Executive,
Maritime & Aeronautical Team, Ofcom

 

[sparkie]

Mike--

Thanks very much for the info, will do as you suggest.

Safe sailing

Sparkie

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