Cobra DSC VHF

Mike B · 30 September 2004, 10:37

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

Mark Halliday · 30 September 2004, 12:55

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.

Jon Brooks · 30 September 2004, 12:59

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

Mike Martin · 30 September 2004, 13:36

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

Jon Brooks · 30 September 2004, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Martin

I agree with John.

Mike

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

Anyway thanks for the support buddy!!

Regards

Rogue Wave · 30 September 2004, 14:06

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.

Mike B · 30 September 2004, 14:07

Guys thanks for the frank replys.

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

Cheers

Mike

Mike Martin · 30 September 2004, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

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

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

stevetheboat · 30 September 2004, 14:44

Rogue,
VM 3500 is now available (if you have the space) with 3 year waterproof warranty etc etc
http://www.standardhorizon.com/index...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.

Jon Brooks · 30 September 2004, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Martin

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 Halliday · 30 September 2004, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

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.

Jon Brooks · 01 October 2004, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

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

LURCHER · 06 October 2004, 12:54

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 !

Nick Hearne · 06 October 2004, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by LURCHER

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

Jon Brooks · 06 October 2004, 13:14

[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

Nick Hearne · 06 October 2004, 13:25

[QUOTE=Jon Brooks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

Jon Brooks · 06 October 2004, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

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

Nick Hearne · 06 October 2004, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

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

Jon Brooks · 06 October 2004, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

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

John Kennett · 06 October 2004, 14:15

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!

John