Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: vhf - george gronseth's response

Posted By: mike allen ---}
Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2000, at 6:34 p.m.

In Response To: Re: vhf suggestion (M. Hamilton)

: Mick, George Gronseth has studied the pros and cons of many of these units
: and I know he'd be happy to share his experience. My old Icom m-11 is
: good, but I'm guessing there are great new products for much less. Georges
: email is kayak@halcyon.com .

Dear Mr George Gronseth

On the guillemot tech bbs (http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Technique/index.cgi?), Mr M.(Mark?) Hamilton suggested that you might give
some relative advice about handheld waterfproof vhf radios. Last yr or so seakayaker mag had a good article comparing 5 or so handhelds
and came out recommending the garmin 720 for the lower price and features and the horizon 350s as the best overall.

Now Garmin has a more comparable model(the 725) to the horizon350s, and to my eye and hand, it is the better as it is true one hand operated(all push buttons in proximity to the holding hands fingers) whereas the horizon has 2 rotating knobs (as well as push) thereby requiring 2 hand operation. The horizon also therefore would be way harder to operate and turn on if utilized from a water proof bag.

If you have some knowledge or experience w/ these and if you would be willing to give a reaction, I and others would be very interested.

I especially would be interested in how used in big water or conditions. (I know some attach to pfd, but how to operate without covering the 'mike' area.-do you unclip it and operate w/ one hand?(!!), Clip it on edge on the pfd rhs so the left hand doesn't cover?)

As I don't know you and haven't corresponded with you before, I am very sorry to disturb you if this is not what you feel comfortable responding to.

But if so, the best way to respond would be to click on the bbs link above and respond there. If you would rather not, to me is fine.

Again, thank you for your time.

yours

-mick

Mick,

I can't answer some of your brand/model specific
questions, but here's my input. You have my permission
to post it if you feel it fits the groups requirements and
include my name and Kayak Academy contact info.

As long as it has the one feature described below, I use
and recommend the cheapest VHF radio that is on sale the
day you walk into the dealer or get a mail order catalog.
Which radio you buy is not that important.
The most important thing is that you have a VHF radio,
and that you also buy a waterproof talk-through radio
bag ... even if the radio is supposed to be
waterproof/submersible. A year ago my ten year old
radio's rechargeable battery died and wouldn't recharge.
The replacement battery pack cost more than a new radio so I
dumped it and bought a new radio from West Marine (a Seattle
chain). It was on sale for $99. It has been great! An outfitter
friend bought the same model a two years ago for $120,
and theirs is going strong too.
I've seen the same radio on sale lately for $80! I'm tempted
to get another one as a loaner. This radio has West Marine's
name on it, but it is made by Unidine.

As far as features go the most important one is that the
radio accepts AA batteries so if you are out on a trip and
the switch gets left on overnight you can replace the bats.
Also you won't have to through away the radio when
the rechargeable battery won't recharge.

I haven't found an acceptable way to wear a radio - I'm a
paddler not a pin cushion. I store mine in a dry bag (so
it is actually double bagged) buckled down on the rear deck
or in the rear pocket on my PFD. If you are concerned
about your safety for going out in big water conditions
then the reliability of your roll and bracing means
you should only need the radio for the weather forecast. If
you're not 100% confident in your paddling skills and
equipment then you're not ready for big water conditions.

George Gronseth
Kayak Academy
Seattle, WA
www.halcyon.com (soon to be kayakacademy.com)
206-527-1825

Messages In This Thread

vhf suggestion
mike allen ---} -- Wednesday, 29 November 2000, at 4:50 p.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
M. Hamilton -- Wednesday, 29 November 2000, at 6:02 p.m.

Re: vhf - george gronseth's response
mike allen ---} -- Tuesday, 5 December 2000, at 6:34 p.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
Tom Dowling -- Thursday, 30 November 2000, at 12:14 p.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
Bill Bradshaw -- Thursday, 30 November 2000, at 6:42 p.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
Bruce -- Friday, 1 December 2000, at 5:38 p.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
Jed -- Saturday, 2 December 2000, at 12:51 a.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
Mark -- Saturday, 2 December 2000, at 6:44 a.m.

Re: vhf suggestion
John Leonard -- Saturday, 2 December 2000, at 6:38 a.m.

vhf questions
mike allen ---} -- Monday, 4 December 2000, at 12:36 p.m.

Re: vhf questions
John Leonard -- Monday, 4 December 2000, at 6:29 p.m.

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