I'm wondering if anyone has had a Standard HX 350S fail due to leakage. I was on a kayak trip in Baja recently between Bahia de Los Angeles and La Paz. We have had more fronts/storms/and rough water this year than is usual, resulting in going in and out in surf on north facing beaches, and being in breaking waves a good deal of the time etc. I had a Standard HX 350S and a Garmin GPS 12 in West Marine "Aqua Safe" cases. Both cases leaked, allowing the Vhf and GPS to get wet. The Vhf case actually developed a small split, allowing the VHF case to flood. The GPS only took a few drops, and survived fine. I was surprised that the VHF quit working, even though it is supposed to be "submersible" to the 1 meter standard. West Marine said they will replace it, which is good news. Has anyone else had the HX 350S fail due to getting wet? I hope this is not a common problem. Does anyone know of a better waterproof case than the heat welded plastic ones that West Marine sells? Cheers, Jay in CO at 10,600 feet watching it snow. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay G" <jaymtb_at_amigo.net> > I'm wondering if anyone has had a Standard HX 350S fail due to leakage. > I was on a kayak trip in Baja recently between Bahia de Los Angeles and > La Paz. We have had more fronts/storms/and rough water this year than > is usual, resulting in going in and out in surf on north facing beaches, > and being in breaking waves a good deal of the time etc. I had a > Standard HX 350S and a Garmin GPS 12 in West Marine "Aqua Safe" cases. > Both cases leaked, allowing the Vhf and GPS to get wet. The Vhf case > actually developed a small split, allowing the VHF case to flood. I have had no problem with my HX350S and it is indeed waterproof enough to hang overboard for a few minutes (for the helluva it) or wash by placing it in a bucket of water for a few minutes. A couple of questions: 1. Given that you were in Baja, I am taking a stab that you, because you were away for several days from recharging abililty, were not at the time using the NiCad rechargeable battery pack but rather the secondary AA alkaline battery pack. If so, then the radio, any VHF radio, will leak as none of the alkaline packs are truly submersible beyond a split-second immersion, if that. The companies all admit this. 2. If you were still able to operate on the charge of the NiCad pack and it leaked, here is a guess. The radio is submersible for x amount of time at x amount of feet. But if were resting in water long enough, and it would have been in a flooded VHF plastic case, then possibly eventually water seeped into it. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have had real good luck with the AquaPac (www.aquapac.net) waterproof cases. I have had them underwater many times and they have not leaked. Maybe I go a step to far but I always check them by filling a sink with water and then holding the cases underwater to see if they leak before I go kayaking. <Bill> Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska. N 53°51.140' W 166°30.228' (WGS 84) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay G" <jaymtb_at_amigo.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 11:37 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PaddleWise- Waterproof? VHF, West Marine cases > > Has anyone else had the HX 350S fail due to getting wet? I hope this > is not a common problem. Does anyone know of a better waterproof case > than the heat welded plastic ones that West Marine sells? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Garmin makes VHF radios that are waterproof with the AA battery pack. I got one last year and have had it out on the water without a waterproof bag or case many times. Dom Settle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, Jay... Yes, and no respectively. My HX 350S failed due to leakage three times -- this after roughly two years with no trouble. The problem maifested itself in an interesting way -- there was a short that stuck the device in the transmit mode. First time I sent it back, Standard said that a spring on the transmit switch had been displaced, and was now fixed. Next time I had the thing on the water, same thing happened. Standard took it back for repair, no problem. Same thing, again, but this time while I was camping on one of the MITA islands near Stonington, Maine. Next time, they agreed with me that it was time to replace the radio. I have not tried this radio on the water without its waterproof case. Don't plan to. My current case is new and untried, so I can't report on its reliability. Wish me luck. Bob V > Has anyone else had the HX 350S fail due to getting wet? <snip> >Does anyone know of a better waterproof case > than the heat welded plastic ones that West Marine sells? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have been using the HS 350S for two years with absolutely no problem even though it has been submerged numerous times including rolling practice. I keep it clipped to my PFD and it has never seen the inside of a waterproof case. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I buy them through www.totalcase.com (1-800-551-0966). They are located in Pompano Beach, Florida. You should probably pick the case you want from the www.aquapac.net site before contacting them. Also they can sometimes be a little hard to get a hold of so be prepared to call 3 or 4 times. Once I have gotten my order taken I have not had any problems with the delivery of the cases. <Bill> Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska. N 53°51.140' W 166°30.228' (WGS 84) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay G" <jaymtb_at_amigo.net> To: "Bill Bradshaw" <bradshaw_at_arctic.net> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 12:40 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PaddleWise- Waterproof? VHF, West Marine cases Bill, Thanks for the note. The cases look good. Did you buy them direct or are they avail from someone in the US? Thanks Jay Bill Bradshaw wrote: > > I have had real good luck with the AquaPac (www.aquapac.net) waterproof > cases. I have had them underwater many times and they have not leaked. > Maybe I go a step to far but I always check them by filling a sink with > water and then holding the cases underwater to see if they leak before I > go kayaking. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Wed, 28 Feb 2001, Jay G wrote: > I'm wondering if anyone has had a Standard HX 350S fail due to leakage. Yes, I have a story a lot like yours. I bought one of these recently from West Marine, who assured me it was pointless to get a waterproof case for this submersible radio. I went out and did one roll in salt water with the radio in a pocket of my PFD. Soon afterwards, condensation appeared in the display of the radio and it stopped working. A Paddling Guru here in Seattle told me that 'submersible' does not mean 'kayak submersible', and that he always keeps his radio in a dry bag. West Marine gave me a replacement and told me that was the first HX 350S they'd ever gotten back, so I don't know what to think. Except I now keep my radio in a small dry bag. -Paul P.S. Note to country: in addition to incessant rain, snowstorms, hazardous waters, Mardi Gras riots, and earthquakes, the Northwest has mosquitoes the size of canned hams! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Those sound like baby mosquitoes :-). <Bill> Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska. N 53°51.140' W 166°30.228' (WGS 84) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Murtaugh" <murtaugh_at_stat.washington.edu> To: "Jay G" <jaymtb_at_amigo.net> Cc: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2001 7:15 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] PaddleWise- Waterproof? VHF, West Marine cases > -Paul > > P.S. Note to country: in addition to incessant rain, snowstorms, > hazardous waters, Mardi Gras riots, and earthquakes, the Northwest > has mosquitoes the size of canned hams! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Paul Murtaugh wrote: > On Wed, 28 Feb 2001, Jay G wrote: > > // Soon afterwards, condensation appeared in the display of the radio and it > stopped working. // WARNING: To all When you place your electronics in your dry bag at home < With the warm moist room > then take it into the cold ocean, there WILL be condensation on the inside of your drybag. The mosture in the hot, home air will condensate on anything cold - Drybag or not... I have come to the conclsion that there is NOTHING that is waterproof when kayaking is concerned. Wayne Smith *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill Bradshaw <bradshaw_at_arctic.net> wrote: >>>>>>I buy them through www.totalcase.com (1-800-551-0966). They are located in Pompano Beach, Florida. You should probably pick the case you want from the www.aquapac.net site before contacting them. Also they can sometimes be a little hard to get a hold of so be prepared to call 3 or 4 times. Once I have gotten my order taken I have not had any problems with the delivery of the cases.<<<<<< Unless they have made some recent improvements in the last year or two, I found the West Marine radio cases to be extremely fragile along the seams. The most likely time to tear them is when putting in or taking out the VHF. They tore extremely easy at the unreinforced ends of the seams (the opening) although the first one I bought had a hole in the seam when it was brand new. If I was looking at one I'd express my concern about this. Maybe the salesman will show you how strong the top edge is by pulling gently on each side of the seam at the opening :-). Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 2/28/2001 3:36:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, jaymtb_at_amigo.net writes: > I'm wondering if anyone has had a Standard HX 350S fail due to leakage. > Yup. Twice. The "O" ring is not particularly robust, and, if there are any kinks at all, it WILL leak. I've never bagged the radio, and I share the concern that a bag could actually compound the problem, although obviously if they work, they're a benefit. It's when they don't that they can really cause damage. For what it's worth, if you dry the inside and the contacts and let the unit air out in a dry place --- just about impossible on a trip, of course --- the radio will actually heal itself, if the problem is just in the case. (With moisture in the display, the unit needs to go back to the factory. And if it does, stand by for a very long wait. I talked to the entire repair crew one winter when spring was approaching: his name is Clyde or Clive, can't remember which.) The other thing you can do with this unit is to run a couple of tight wraps of good quality electrical tape over the "O" ring and the gap between the body and the battery; so far, in a lot of water, swimming, rolling, it hasn't leaked. I'd change it out if there's any wear on it at all. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:20 PDT