<6 Jun 2000 From: MJAkayaker_at_aol.com Subject: HX150. The HX150S model is some $130 less in price. Has anyone had any experience with this model. I do not mind giving up some "ease of use" Mark J. Arnold> I bought an HX 150S (I think is has an S on the end) a few weeks ago. I'm afraid I don't know much about it except it's working. I'd be glad to get back to you after I use it more, but you'd probably like to get your VHF sooner than that. I'm glad you asked the question though, because I'm as interested in the replies as you. I got mine through a boating electronics repairman for $100. flat so I just grabbed it without worrying how good it was. Tom Dowling Yahoo! Photos -- now, 100 FREE prints! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have owned the HX150 for more than a year and am very happy with it. At the time several of us made a group purchase, it was advertised locally as "weather-proof". However one of the group had to have his replaced almost immediately due to water intrusion. Since then I have carried mine in a clear vinyl dry bag (the kind sold at West Marine for radios) on the deck of my kayak with a lanyard clipped to one of the bungies. After a roll I've come up with the radio hanging from the lanyard so the clip is a good idea. Because the radio doesn't have any knobs to twist (just push buttons) this system works well and the radio doesn't have to come out of the bag to be used. It also has an alkaline battery tray so on a week/s long trip you don't have to worry about recharging a nicad. Rob Robinson Mark asked; <snip> > I know the Standard HX350S VHF radio has often been recommended here on > Paddlewise. The HX150S model is some $130 less in price. Has anyone had any > experience with this model. I do not mind giving up some "ease of use" > features but are there any "safety" related differences with this model > (range, water resistance, reliability, etc). I would appreciate any > information on these models or suggestions on things to check before purchase. > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>From: MJAkayaker_at_aol.com >I know the Standard HX350S VHF radio has often been recommended here on >Paddlewise. The HX150S model is some $130 less in price. Has anyone had >any >experience with this model. I do not mind giving up some "ease of use" >features but are there any "safety" related differences with this model >(range, water resistance, reliability, etc). I would appreciate any >information on these models or suggestions on things to check before >purchase. > >Mark J. Arnold Hi Mark, I can't give you a head-to-head of the HX350S vs the HX150S 'cos I haven't used the HX350S, but I have been using the HX150S for about three years now, with no problems. I like the big, friendly, flush and front mounted push-buttons - easier to operate through an Aqua-Pac "baggie"* than top-mounted twist dials, less likely to puncture the baggie than dials, and friendly to gloved fingers. The oversize, back-lightable LCD display is nice too. I also like the fact that it can run on alkaline batteries should the built-in rechargable batteries not last the trip. * I always carry the radio in the smaller of the Aqua-Pac VHF radio baggies (just push the thumb inset in, out of the way - you won't need it, because the HX150S has no top-mounted controls). This is both because I am naturally a belt-AND-suspenders kinda guy, and because the HX150S is rated about intermediately waterproof. I think it's warranted for three years against leakage, but I'd just rather have the radio working when I need it. Philip Torrens N49°16' W123°06' ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mark wrote, "I know the Standard HX350S VHF radio has often been recommended here on Paddlewise. The HX150S model is some $130 less in price. Has anyone had any experience with this model. I do not mind giving up some "ease of use" features but are there any "safety" related differences with this model(range, water resistance, reliability, etc)." The big thing to consider in any radio which does not meet the "submersible" standards --- one meter deep water for a half hour --- is the fact that you're depending on the sustained integrity of a plastic bag to protect your means of communication. (Sorta like depending on the integrity of a thin latex dry suit seal when you're out on a major trip in January --- but maybe we shouldn't go there right now .....) If you're comfortable with that condition, and you replace the bag regularly and have the confidence that the bag will not fail in any conditions or under any damage that might occur to it in a "worst case" scenario, then the 150 is probably a good bet. I won't take that bet, personally, because I don't want to assume that, if I've been knocked out of my boat and really need that radio in an emergency, I'm not also in condtions which could fairly easily compromise the bag, as well. That's why I paid the premium for the 350. It's not bagged, it's used hard --- especially last weekend! --- and it gets wet if I work an assisted rescue drill or roll. It still works fine. One other issue to consider --- don't know the 150, but the 350 has an automatic NOAA weather alert function --- the tone you get prior to an emergency weather broadcast --- even if you're not listening to or scanning the WX band. More than a nice to have, in my opinion. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 6/6/00 10:25:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com writes: << That's why I paid the premium for the 350. It's not bagged, it's used hard --- especially last weekend! --- and it gets wet if I work an assisted rescue drill or roll. It still works fin >> Jack, what happened last weekend? Hank *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks to everyone who replied to my request. It looks like the HX150S and a dry-bag for it are a good option. Wish I could wait for the HX155, but my trip is coming up at the end of July and I really think I need the radio for it. I have not had the best luck with water-proof bags and fabrics (I tend to punch and tear holes not matter how careful I try to be) so I still might go for the HX350S. I need to check on what the final cost of the 150 + options is versus the 350 that comes standard with lots of stuff. Either way I know I'll be a lot safer with the VHF than without. Just got to remember that I should not go out in any worse conditions with the radio than I would have gone out without it. Mark J. Arnold MJAkayaker_at_aol.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com wrote: > > Thanks to everyone who replied to my request. It looks like the HX150S and a > dry-bag for it are a good option. Wish I could wait for the HX155, but my > trip is coming up at the end of July and I really think I need the radio for > it. [snip] What are the advantages of the HX 155 over the Hx 150? > Either way > I know I'll be a lot safer with the VHF than without. Just got to remember > that I should not go out in any worse conditions with the radio than I would > have gone out without it. This is the eternal question: What rescue mechanism, exactly, does the VHF enable? This is worth giving some thought to. Its range, if you are *swimming* is probably not much over 3 miles to another boat; maybe 10 miles max to a Coast Guard repeater on a nearby hilltop. Where will you use it? Who will hear you if you send out a Mayday? Will you leave it on continuously, so that you are part of the safety net? After all, if you expect other boaters to hear your plea for help, then it is reasonable to listen for theirs. In the end, I suspect the most useful feature of my VHF is that it is a much better receiver for weather info than the el cheapo "weather monitors" which sell for $20. Paying heed to the forecast and sea state are the tactics which have kept me out of trouble, so far. You can't drown on the beach. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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