Re: [Paddlewise] VHF radio question

Dan Hagen wrote:

> Since you are safety conscious I would recommend that you consider
> spending about another $100 and buy the Standard HX350, which is
> "submersible", includes a high-capacity (1100mAh) battery pack, and an
> alkaline battery tray. I realize that the HX150 comes with a waterproof
> warranty, but that won't do you much good if it fails in an emergency.
> According to Standard, the HX350 is more waterproof than the HX150.  I
> would also recommend that you carry your cell phone (in a waterproof
> bag) as a back-up. BTW, check prices on the Web before you buy. West
> Marine has a price-matching policy. The last time I bought something
> there this policy applied to Web retailers as well--bring in a printout
> of the Web page. I saved about $80 on a VHF and about $30 on my last GPS
> purchase at West Marine by making use of this policy. (Hopefully it is
> still in effect.)

I agree with Dan on both counts, i.e. get a better radio that will be
waterproof rather than one guaranteed to be (which only means they will
replace or repair for water damage LATER WHEN AND IF YOU GET BACK
HOME!).  The 350 looks like an excellent radio when I played with it for
about an hour and looked over the instructions because of the kindness
of the local clerk.  It has a large display, almost like a small tv
screen, and nice placement of all the buttons.  I like that it comes on
set to transmit at 1 watt so you don't inadvertently waste your
battery...it switches at one flick of a finger to 5 watt.  Its 16 button
also will toggle to 9 or any other programmable channel, i.e. it toggles
between the two rather than between 16 and a working channel.  My only
objection to it other than price was it was slightly bigger than I
wanted albeit it is still small by most standards.  I opted, as I
indicated, for the the Apelco 520 which is also fully really waterproof
but is smaller and lighter than the Standard 350. Also I lucked out on
price by a wide margin. I have no doubt that the Standard 350 is
probably a better radio than the Apelco 520 but mine is more than good
enough. 

Do shop around to all the majors such as West Marine and DefenderUS on
the Web and on the phone.  Do the latter as even in this great age of
Web pages the prices are not up to date!  They change just a bit faster
than a print catalog.  But a phone call gives you the most up to date
price.  To repeat my experience with the 520 given about two weeks ago
here.  I had found a $229 price at the local E&B stores (West Marine
subsidiary) but none had it in stock nor scheduled shipment.  I called
Defender which had it listed on its web page at $269.  They have a match
competitive price policy and I was armed to argue them down to the $229
figure based on the quoted E&B store price only to find that Defender
was selling it at $205!  So lessons: a) do shop around for a better
price with final check by phone and b) don't open your trap with the
competitors price until you hear theirs!!!

BTW, if I had decided to buy the Standard 350, I would have bought it at
that store I was looking at it in.  I don't favor testing something out
_extensively_ in some place and then going off to find it cheaper.  If I
had decided on the Standard 350, I would have checked quoted prices
elsewhere and given the local store (which also has a match competitive
price policy) its chance to match which I know it would.

I have seen people buying a folding kayak take extensive test runs in
one at a local shop, pump the staff for copious information and then
gone on the phone to buy from someone elsewhere who would ship it at a
cheaper overall price.  Maybe it is not so important with these large
Marine shops like West Marine to really worry about this but with the
infant size of paddling shops, which provide a great service, I think it
is worthwhile sticking with the local person who has put in the time and
energy in helping you make your choice.

ralph diaz
-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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