Cobra DSC VHF

Has anyone heard anything about these ?

Seems to be alot available over the pond but only a few places with them here.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/LWL004/

Seems good value for money if they are upto it !

Cheers

Mike

Mike
There were quite a lot on show at the Southampton Boat Show.
I did look fairly closly at them, and all I can say is that they are cheap, and it shows.
The buttons have no "feel" and the whole thing seems very flimsy even compared to Navman. The display is also quite small and hard to read.

Mike

Cobra mainly make CB radio.
They are being sold over here now by I think Mark Dowland or Marathon.
I had a good look at them at SIBS.
They look and feel like a £115 radio!
They look like a CB radio and not a marine radio.
That's with my radio head on and not my Icom head.

I would have to say they don't look very waterproof although they say they are!

As they say, you pays your money you takes your choice.

Regards

I don't have an "insert make here" hat as I'm a regulator! I had two of these out of their boxes at Soton (customers who now needed MMSI numbers issued) and I agree with John.

These appear to all intents and purposes to be Marine VHF software in a CB casing (CB are manufactured to be installed in cars/lorries). My main worry was the fact that the back plate left the internals pretty much "free to air". If you are planning to fit one in a RIB console, I would suggest thinking carefully about inserting a W/proof membrane into the slot first.

IMHO I don't think they would withsatnd a bit of mist let alone some spray, which would make them OK for more "hermetically" sealed cabins but I don't know about on a "open" boat.

All my humble opinion of course.

Mike

I agree with John.

Mike

Mike in all the time you have known me have I ever spelt my name with a "H" :lastword:

Anyway thanks for the support buddy!!

Regards

Yes I kinda agree with you all about the Cobras. As I have no intention of buying Icom equipment ever again what other makes are viable.

Guys thanks for the frank replys.

Definately one to avoid then ! I expected it would be too good to be true !

Cheers

Mike

Mike in all the time you have known me have I ever spelt my name with a "H" :lastword: Regards

Ooh get her !! ;)

Rogue,

Simrad ( http://www.simrad.com ) are another well known brand not really on the ICOM scale but their units aren't bad! You could also look at Raymarine (http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/) as well, their radios are much of a muchness but they did sponsor the Yachting Journalists Association personality awards. :)

I'm sure that you'll have come across the budget stuff already so I wont try and list them as the re-badging makes it too complicated to track.

Mike

Rogue,
VM 3500 is now available (if you have the space) with 3 year waterproof warranty etc etc
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=83&encProdID=SRtxN17a3bs%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Site shows US Quantum version but the European spec units (VM 3500) are now in stock and less than £300! might be worth considering if your looking for a radio that you can actually operate in a cold wet open boat.

Ooh get her !! ;)

Rogue,

Simrad ( http://www.simrad.com ) are another well known brand not really on the ICOM scale but their units aren't bad! You could also look at Raymarine (http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/) as well, their radios are much of a muchness but they did sponsor the Yachting Journalists Association personality awards. :)

I'm sure that you'll have come across the budget stuff already so I wont try and list them as the re-badging makes it too complicated to track.

Mike

Although one you have mentioned are selling a rebadged Navman.
The Navman is getting good reports seems to be a good alternative to our kit if you don't want to fill in a warranty card then send the units back after 3 years and expect them fixed for free or think that any company will return you kit without you paying for the repair first!
Or you have a faulty radio leave for a huge length of time then return it expecting it repaired for free!!!

Anyway the Navman is good kit.
Mark if your reading this you owe me!!

Regards

Mark if your reading this you owe me!!
Regards
Another Mark I trust. This one has tried before and you wont take beer from me. :) Always claim to be too busy.

Another Mark I trust. This one has tried before and you wont take beer from me. :) Always claim to be too busy.

Mark as Mar the main man at Navman UK!

Regards

For what its worth I have a hand held Standard Horizon HX260E VHF which I have had for a couple of years bought at SIBS in 2002 I think . It is a very good handheld and I would certainly buy other Standard products after my experience below . They are part of the Yaesu company who make a lot of Ham radio sets .http://www.yaesu.com/.

The LCD display lost half of its characters after being chucked about in the bottom of our RIB . I sent an email to their website and was informed that the service centre for the UK was in Winchester Hants . Very close to me so I dropped the set off on Wedneday at about 1715 and it was back by post on Friday morning with a new display a fully charged nicad and no bill. I had no proof of purchase as i had lost it.
That is he sort of service you need !

For what its worth I have a hand held Standard Horizon HX260E VHF which I have had for a couple of years bought at SIBS in 2002 I think . It is a very good handheld and I would certainly buy other Standard products after my experience below . They are part of the Yaesu company who make a lot of Ham radio sets .http://www.yaesu.com/.

The LCD display lost half of its characters after being chucked about in the bottom of our RIB . I sent an email to their website and was informed that the service centre for the UK was in Winchester Hants . Very close to me so I dropped the set off on Wedneday at about 1715 and it was back by post on Friday morning with a new display a fully charged nicad and no bill. I had no proof of purchase as i had lost it.
That is he sort of service you need !

You mean to say you did not have to fill out the card & send it back for them to oner the warranty!
Not like some then!
Nick

[QUOTE=LURCHER I had no proof of purchase as i had lost it.
! [/QUOTE]

Like us they track via serial number.
So POP is not needed.

Regards

[QUOTE=LURCHER I had no proof of purchase as i had lost it.
!

Like us they track via serial number.
So POP is not needed.

Regards [/QUOTE]

But only any good for the first year, for the second & third year I take it you have to fill out the card & return it!
Nick

But only any good for the first year, for the second & third year I take it you have to fill out the card & return it!
Nick

Yes that is correct.
We do require the return of the warranty card for your extended FREE 3 year warranty.
Jesus you don't expect something for nothing do you? =) =)

Regards

Yes that is correct.
We do require the return of the warranty card for your extended FREE 3 year warranty.
Jesus you don't expect something for nothing do you? =) =)

Regards

Why of course I do, why do you knead to return the card?
Are you making up a customer data base to us or sell on?
Nick

Why of course I do, why do you knead to return the card?
Are you making up a customer data base to us or sell on?
Nick


It does help with a data base for our use only.
We would never and have no intention of selling on.. FACT.

The return of the card is the way we wanted to administer this.
They is no other reason.
You have to log on to register software or fill in a card.
You have to log on or fill in a card for a mobile phone (I know have just had to do this myself.)
You have to go on line or fill in a card for a PDA (again have just done this too)

There is nothing sinister here...hand on heart.
You have to optoin not to be contacted by us again on the card.
You never know what promotions you may be in line for as a loyal Icom customer!! :)

You seem to have a niggle with this Nick, why?

Regards

I think it's a reasonable point to raise though Jon. If you can offer the first 12 months warranty without registration, why insist on registration for the other two years?

Someone less cynical than myself might suggest that it is simply to reduce the number of successful warranty claims in years 2 and 3! :p

John

p'raps the sorta person who can,t get it together to return the card will be similarly careles with da raydeeoh??? ;) ;)

is simply to reduce the number of successful warranty claims in years 2 and 3!

I didn't know that there is a three year warranty. When I go to pick up my irreparable M3 from Nautequip, does this mean that there'll be a brand new set waiting for me. I'm all excited now.

DM

I think it's a reasonable point to raise though Jon. If you can offer the first 12 months warranty without registration, why insist on registration for the other two years?

Someone less cynical than myself might suggest that it is simply to reduce the number of successful warranty claims in years 2 and 3! :p

John

They may in deed think that John =)
As I said, it is just the way the powers here decided to run this.
Everyone, at the moment, has to give 12 months as a min.
We offer the extra 2 years as a bonus.

With an overall failure rate of less 0.56% on serial products we are not overly worried by the warranty claims.
If we were we would not offer 3 years at all.
We have high confidence in our oproducts

Regards

Someone less cynical than myself ..
John

There is such a person? :D

OK, so when I buy my new boat, complete with engine, radio, navaid Etc...I have to fill in all the forms/cards. Why? When I buy my car and specify a stereo (Yes, it's still an option on the vehicles I buy.. :D ) I don't need to fill in any forms...... :rolleyes:

I didn't know that there is a three year warranty. When I go to pick up my irreparable M3 from Nautequip, does this mean that there'll be a brand new set waiting for me. I'm all excited now.

DM

Nope... we never offered 3 years on the M3...sorry to cancel your excitment

Regards

we are not overly worried by the warranty claims.
If we were we would not offer 3 years at all.

... we never offered 3 years on the M3...

Sorry! Couldn't help it! =) =) =)

John

With an overall failure rate of less 0.56% on serial products

That Mr. Kennett is a wind up merchant isn't he. My Icom purchases are running at 60% at the moment. Although some might say that things don't tend to survive very long in my presence, this does seem a high rate of failure matched only by my Silva products whose failure rate is 100% and, strangely enough, always seem to be irreparable after payment of the upfront £25 repair fee.

It always make me laugh when I see the disclaimer on a Garmin GPS that it should not be used for navigation. I blame the sea for being so wet.

DM

John please this is not personal!
But if you give a 3 year warranty why put conditions on it!
Nick

Sorry! Couldn't help it! =) =) =)

John

That's ok John.......
M3's ok for your new boat? =) =) =)

Maybe I phrased it wrong.
We did not introduce the 3 year warranty till after the M3.
Not because it is unreliable but because it was not waterproof.

Hey as I am a trade memeber now can I do the hard sell? =) =)

MOCI YUB MOCI YUB MOCI YUB

Ohhh know I now how Ozzie Osbourne feels!!!!

Regards

John please this is not personal!
But if you give a 3 year warranty why put conditions on it!
Nick

Everyone has conditions on their warranty.
Every read the small print from Curry's or Dixon's?

And if I thought is was personal you would get a midnight visit from me mate from the Hereford Rambling Assoc =) =) =) =)

As alway's have noted the feedback, if and when this comes up for review I will pass on you comments.

Whilst I am a company man through and through I am me too.
Most who know mw and have met me will tell you I am a nice bloke really.....no honest I am =) =)

Regards

Everyone has conditions on their warranty.
Every read the small print from Curry's or Dixon's?

And if I thought is was personal you would get a midnight visit from me mate from the Hereford Rambling Assoc =) =) =) =)

As alway's have noted the feedback, if and when this comes up for review I will pass on you comments.

Whilst I am a company man through and through I am me too.
Most who know mw and have met me will tell you I am a nice bloke really.....no honest I am =) =)

Regards


Do not com pair your self to Dixon's or the like! they charge for a insurance policy for you to have a extended cover!
You sell what I believe to be a top quality product, which if you back up with a no quibble guaranty will only benefit your good name & increase sales!
Nick

Do not com pair your self to Dixon's or the like! they charge for a insurance policy for you to have a extended cover!
You sell what I believe to be a top quality product, which if you back up with a no quibble guaranty will only benefit your good name & increase sales!
Nick

Thank you for the comments Nick
Not really sure what to say other than the cheque is in the post! =)

We can't make it no quibble or we will get some try it on, we already do!
There has to be rules.
Even on free warranties from others there will be rules.
We do try to be as flexible as possible, some one here would agree some would not!!!!
Again people do try to take the P**S.
Most that would not agree have tried to take the Michael, I did say MOST not all before all the rude comments head this way.

Regards

Keep up the good work John!
Regards
Nick
:hi:

people do try to take the P**S.


I know. That Rogue Wave is a bit of a bugger. He told everybody he wouldn't buy Icom again but he was quite happy to sell me a 503. Double standards or what?

DM

I wasn't happy selling it to you at all Dave I think it's a pile of crap.

That's why I sold it to you for twenty quid less than the repair cost me and threw in three VHF ariels and a radar reflector.

Have seen Entel reviewed in magazines but they dont appear in good or bad form on any forum pages.

Have seen Entel reviewed in magazines but they dont appear in good or bad form on any forum pages.

To show I have a non bias view really....
Reports i have seen say it is very good set, they have a good rep in the commercial sector.
By that I mean tanker, oil rigs etc.

Good spec and good build quality.
Sold a lot of boxes at SIBS this year.

I have seen and heard grumbles about back up and service but hey even we get it wrong sometimes....don't we Stuart? =) =)

Regards

I think you will find the Entel is a rebadged Standard, or visa versa.
The waterproof models look rather similar, I know a few of the waterproof standards that are used every day and 2+ years later still going strong.
The icom M-15 is still the ruggedest model I've found after abusing quite a few types.
If Motorola made a marine waterproof HH that would be worth investigating the old GP300's used to take a lot of abuse.
Jelly

I have seen and heard grumbles about back up and service but hey even we get it wrong sometimes....don't we Stuart? =) =)

Regards

Agreed

Nice to see you two agreeing about something! :D

John

I think it's a pile of crap.


You told me you thought it was the best VHF ever made. And by the way, none of the aerials work because they've haven't got bases and the radar reflector actually causes a black hole.

DM

P.S. Those fifties were counterfeit. =)

the radar reflector actually causes a black hole.

That's unfair.....You can't go blaming the state of Wolverhampton on one Radar Reflector

...You can't go blaming the state of Wolverhampton on one Radar Reflector


Wolverhampton's a city, not a state.

Do you want to buy a used M3. It's not suitable for use on a rib. In fact, it's not suitable for use on anything as it's buggered. It would fit in nicely with the rest of your kit. :p

DM

Hamlet. Village, Hermitage, Town or City it's still a black hole!

Yeah I could use a irrepairable portable I can reserve it for talking to my Bank Manager :p

Hmmm, must be me! Did we like Cobras then? <ducks>