Handheld - What do you want?

[Steve_B]

My No.2 son is at Plymouth Uni doing a design degree.
This terms project is a communication device. He has choosen to look at marine handheld radios & mobile phones.

Now, if you had a wish list AND could combine them both into a single unit or two units, that could combine whilst at sea, what would you want??

Size? Functions? Compatibility? ........?

Thanks for your input

Steve

[JSP]

First thoughts would be handheld VHF and GPS in one (sorry if this has already been done). For most boat owners the handheld is a back up for emergency use. If you had to abandon ship and you could contact the CG using DSC on your handheld then you would have a better fighting chance.

Smaller yet better performing antenna, idiot proof controls. And wifi that can communicate to the boats electronics when roaming on a larger craft.

[Nasher]

I don't think that combining a VHF and GPS in one unit will get approval for use in he UK.

I believe Standard Horizon produce a fixed set that combines both functions and are not allowed to sell it in the UK.

Stand back whilst somebody proves me wrong

I'll have a think about the original question and post later.

Nasher.

[Nasher]

External mic facility

Battery Life

Big screen

Chunky Knobs and buttons

Strong method of attachment to jacket

EPIRB

Buoyancy

Buoyancy

Buoyancy

[chewy]

Water proof to go with the buoyancy, big keys and simple features and a clear bright screen.

My SH has a feature where it will emit SOS in morse via a bright LED, it floats on its back when in the water so may prove useful one day....

[Chris]

combined VHF and mobile phone ?

[J S]

Yeh id say VHF and Epirb combined would be good. Would lighten the lifejacket

James

[Steve_B]

Originally Posted by Chris

combined VHF and mobile phone ?

Yes that was his thinking. Particularly aimed at the RIB/day fisher market.

Could be a single unit doing both functions or a handheld radio, that you could integrate/slot a phone into, to become a single waterproof unit.
If it were an Iphone, you might then even have a GPS/navigation app, showing a chart of position ....

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Chris

combined VHF and mobile phone ?

I'd end up ringing our lass on ch16 and asking what was for tea!

[Heart-trouble]

Originally Posted by Nasher

External mic facility

Battery Life

Big screen

Chunky Knobs and buttons

Strong method of attachment to jacket

EPIRB

Buoyancy

Buoyancy

Buoyancy

and buoyancy, water proof also a light and a really loud speaker

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Nasher

I don't think that combining a VHF and GPS in one unit will get approval for use in he UK.

I believe Standard Horizon produce a fixed set that combines both functions and are not allowed to sell it in the UK.

Stand back whilst somebody proves me wrong

I'll have a think about the original question and post later.

Nasher.

Theres a HH VHF with built in GPS for sale at the Marine superstore - think its made by Simrad (could well be wrong!).

For me it would have to be:
Bouyancy
Waterproof
Good battery life
Small
Decent clip for attaching to lifejacket (so it wont fall off, but is easy to remove)
Clear speaker
Removable battery
LED you can turn on and off easily to use as small torch (with SOS function)

[Chris]

- VHF
- GSM
- GPS with SOS function (via text message and DSC)
- Strobe light
- laser flare
- Torch
- Waterproof
- Velcro strap that fits easily round upper arm.
- Small (no bigger than the smaller of the current models)
- large lithium battery (with at least 24hours standby and 3 hours transmit)
- 12volt charging port so it can also be charged off the onboard battery.

[Chris]

Oh yes and another idea... "Handset Mode" so it can be held up to your ear like a normal phone handset and used in this way in either GSM or VHF mode. Great for when its too noisy to hear over the wind.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Chris

Oh yes and another idea... "Handset Mode" so it can be held up to your ear like a normal phone handset and used in this way in either GSM or VHF mode. Great for when its too noisy to hear over the wind.

Great idea!

I'm happy enough with my Icom M71 except it doesn't float. I've still only used it once, sold it once but the bugger never turned up to get it.
Might sell again and go for a cheaper floating one as it's only a back up radio and most likely only ever use it if I'm trying to float too!

[Cookee]

Bluetooth? I think you would only need it for the speaker, and it would need to be VOX otherwise it would drain the battery on the earpiece to fast ......... or maybe not .........

[BumbleAbout]

In addition to the previous list of excellent features how about:
- Bright case colour (visible when floating)
- Waterproof socket for an external earplug & microphone
- Basic GPS (position only) + DSC VHF + Mobile telephone + 10km range walkie talkie + EPIRB
- Floats with aerial out of water
- User replaceable AA lithium ion rechargeable batteries
- Large display (don't have to put glasses on to read)
- Switches large enough to be operated in gloves
- Analogue volume control
- Attached 2ft leash/ bungee to allow unit to be unclipped from harness clip and used whilst still attached to harness
- CE Type approval !

[PeterM]

Lots of focus on the VHF side ...... on the phone side I'd say to be 'up to date' you would have to consider the blackberry type uses ( I hate them by the way , but everyone
without an Iphone has a Blackberry, or crackberry as they are known I hear !)

So have to consider the email / internet side of things - web is handy to check tides - you can get an App for the iphone to do this I think.

Email - well personal choice is no - I have a laptop for that , but huge numbers of people now only have their phone for this, and then I guess MP3s that can be bluetooth played out through your boat system ?

Expensive gadgets ( phone/ camera etc ) tend to stay in my pocket when out even if waterproof etc, but a remote to say Stereo/ bluetooth headset etc , or some development of that ?

Probably some way to stream stuff from the web to the above maybe ?

Waterproof & floating is a plus , but maybe alot to ask .

Expandable memory as even the most basic phone will take a 10gb card nowadays - this can store everything - charts for the GPS, MP3, pictures etc etc .

Pete

[JSP]

I'd like one that vibrates...
Thank you.

[Swifty]

how about a contact-less charger/holder. Thats one with no exposed terminals to rot and turn green and fury.

Also, the ability to programme in the owners name and contact details, which could flash up on the large display at power on. My TomTom does it!

Forget incorporating a phone into the unit. If you need a phone you will want it to have your normal number. This sort of feature will only push the cost up to ridiculous prices, then no one will buy it.

A built in torch?

An aerial that doesn't stick out the top or an aerial that folds down.

A PTT switch that has a positive click when pushed.

Well, good luck.
Timmers.

[Heart-trouble]

eadible?