Standard Horizon HX300E or Cobra MR HH350

Steve509926 · 14 October 2020, 23:50

I'm thinking of a hand held VHF and I'd like some help in deciding which one.
Don't want it to be too expensive, around the £100 mark. I've taken a good look on Google and read the reviews and boiled it down to 2 :-
Std Horizon HX300E and the Cobra MR HH350
Has anyone got experiences of either?
The other thing I need is an online dummies guide to VHF. I know it has to have a licence and legally I have to have completed a course to use it. But until this bl..dy virus is under control I won't be able to do the course, so I'd like to know the basics.

HDAV · 14 October 2020, 23:55

Buy the RYA book £12, And read the manual! They are free online for most radios. Personally standard every time great radios, the hh350 a friend bought failed and was replaced on first outing then replacement failed with same fault.....another has a hx300 been fine for years I have a hx851 and 890 with dsc and gps, worth the extra £100 in my book if you need to call for help!

There are online vhf courses but no online exams just take exam at a later date....

Pikey Dave · 15 October 2020, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I'm thinking of a hand held VHF and I'd like some help in deciding which one.

Don't want it to be too expensive, around the £100 mark. I've taken a good look on Google and read the reviews and boiled it down to 2 :-

Std Horizon HX300E and the Cobra MR HH350

Has anyone got experiences of either?

The other thing I need is an online dummies guide to VHF. I know it has to have a licence and legally I have to have completed a course to use it. But until this bl..dy virus is under control I won't be able to do the course, so I'd like to know the basics.

Personally I’d buy the SH. Cobra had a very poor reputation in the past, I don’t know if things have improved. I would only buy Icom or SH if it was my money.

Fenlander · 15 October 2020, 12:14

I have the HX300E and would buy same again.

neil.mccrirrick · 15 October 2020, 12:22

+1 me too

HDAV · 15 October 2020, 12:31

I will also add how much boating are you doing right now? Lots? A little? None? Stick the £100 to one side and book an online course £60? You may get the book for free too! Do the course then choose the radio that is suitable.

Steve509926 · 15 October 2020, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

I will also add how much boating are you doing right now? Lots? A little? None? Stick the £100 to one side and book an online course £60? You may get the book for free too! Do the course then choose the radio that is suitable.

Doing the course online now isn't a bad Idea. I've been told by "my darling wife" the VHF radio is going to be a Christmas present from the kids.

Steve509926 · 15 October 2020, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

I have a hx851 and 890 with dsc and gps, worth the extra £100 in my book if you need to call for help!

Hi HDAV,

Do you use the GPS and the waymark navigation?
Does it show the weather in the UK or just the USA?

I do like the DSC and that it shows longitude /latitude, could be a real life saver.

Pikey Dave · 15 October 2020, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi HDAV,

Do you use the GPS and the waymark navigation?

Does it show the weather in the UK or just the USA?

I do like the DSC and that it shows longitude /latitude, could be a real life saver.

The weather will just be in the US, they have dedicated NOAA weather channels afaik. Weather forecasts are routinely broadcast by HMCG on VHF along with safety reports...but you’ll learn that on the course [emoji6]

Last Tango · 15 October 2020, 20:47

Used various Cobras over the last 20yrs.....never had a problem with any of them.
Was using a 17 year old Cobra HH today when my 1 year old Icom was playing up.....still perfect.

HDAV · 16 October 2020, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi HDAV,

Do you use the GPS and the waymark navigation?
Does it show the weather in the UK or just the USA?

I do like the DSC and that it shows longitude /latitude, could be a real life saver.

I haven’t used it in anger yet but yes the plan is to use it as back up for basic nav. No weather channel here but CG and NCI to regular updates. There is a lay/long display and a compass function the menu structure is a little dated think Nokia candy bar phone.

Hoping to have a play with the DSC position request and navigate too functions at some point

Steve509926 · 16 October 2020, 11:20

Thanks HDAV

HDAV · 16 October 2020, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Used various Cobras over the last 20yrs.....never had a problem with any of them.
Was using a 17 year old Cobra HH today when my 1 year old Icom was playing up.....still perfect.

But have any of them been immersed? That’s the issue they just can’t cope with sea

Steve509926 · 16 October 2020, 22:00

Anymore votes for the Cobra before I push the button on the Std Horizon?

Pikey Dave · 16 October 2020, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Anymore votes for the Cobra before I push the button on the Std Horizon?

Go for it, you know you want it[emoji1]

Steve509926 · 16 October 2020, 22:09

It's such a temptress

GuyC · 17 October 2020, 07:50

I'm assuming you've seen this:

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/mar...horizon-hx300e

Steve509926 · 17 October 2020, 09:43

Yep I have thanks GuyC

Poly · 17 October 2020, 12:19

I’m with PD on this is not rush to get a Cobra after bad experiences with poor backup. SH has always worked (two handhelds and one fixed) and the handhelds are routinely dunked during kayaking, paddleboarding etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

structure is a little dated think Nokia candy bar phone.

That would be my criticism of all VHF radios, especially for something that you use infrequently (there are some features I might only use once a year). The manuf which hires an ex Apple or Google UX guy will win the market until the others play catch up!

HDAV · 17 October 2020, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

That would be my criticism of all VHF radios, especially for something that you use infrequently (there are some features I might only use once a year). The manuf which hires an ex Apple or Google UX guy will win the market until the others play catch up!

It’s not just radios although they seem the worst for it, ironically cobra are probably the most likely (perhaps ray marine for the yachties) to do something like that? An app for your radio would be great link you tablet or smart phone to the app nice easy to read screen and UI show AIS data as well as charts etc may be if navionics teamed up with cobra ? Wireless NMEA 0183 dongle you could have everything on an app?