If you boat off shore or in major intercostal waterways a VHF radio is must have safety equipment. This handheld VHF radio is ideal for recreational boaters and as a backup radio for large commercial vessels. When the electrical power goes out on your boat, most mounted and hardwired radios become unusable. This handheld is the answer.
Must Have and Does Have:
- Has both modes that boaters need: VHF and Weather.
- Has built in GPS receiver.
- Has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) with a Distress Button.
Let me expound on the Distress Button a little. Once set up, all a boater or passenger has to do is press and hold the Distress Button to send a distress call out to the maximum range of the radio in all directions. The built-in Distress Button automatically and digitally will transmit: the boat’s Name, boat’s Registration Number, boat’s Description, and most importantly the boat’s GPS coordinates/location to all ships, boats and stations equipped with DSC including the Coast Guard. What that means is that Anyone aboard the boat can send this life saving information without having to speak into the radio or without having any radio knowledge or experience.
The boat captain only needs to ensure that the radio is preprogramed (thoroughly explained in the included instructions) and that everyone aboard is briefed on how and when to “Press The Little Red Emergency Button.” This Distress Button gives my “non-radio people” friends and family the ability to save all of our lives in an emergency without my help. This feature alone is worth the price of admission for me.
Nice to Have:
- Bluetooth connection to your cell phone. I easily linked my iPhone to my HH600W and it works. I put my iPhone in a water proof box a couple of feet away from my HH600W and I received a test phone call just fine. It does not do text messages.
- Floats, High Visibility colors, and Water Resistant. NOTE: the manual is very clear about two things. One- it only floats with the Lithium Ion battery pack (included). It does not float with the five AA Alkaline battery adapter (included). Alkaline batteries are heavier. Two- it is only waterproof to the advertised depth IF IT IS SEALED PROPERLY. That means you must secure the battery compartment, antenna connection, and optional microphone connector port correctly or water will get in and ruin the radio.
- Rewind Say Again. Might be useful in some situations. I can take or leave this feature.
Summary: This radio is a safety device on my boat. I’ve tested every advertised feature and they all worked. It has the main modes boaters need at an affordable price. Set-up is menu driven and easy - I recommend that you take the time to read the manual. You will get more out of the radio if you do. Spend the 10 minutes online that it takes to register your boat/radio for the required Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. You can get your MMSI for free on: BoatUS, SeaTow, or United States Power Squadrons. IMPORTANT Safety Tip: A MMSI is Required for the Distress Button feature to work on this radio.
I gave this radio a five-star review even though it is not a perfect solution for all users. It has been my experience that some folks have unrealistic expectations when it comes to electronic equipment. This radio will serve most boaters very well.
I can't say enough about this radio. I LOVE the playback feature and have already used it multiple times.
I do wish it was chargeable by USB but I didn't see any that were that way...they all used a cigarette lighter...this one does come with a lug for that.
Easy to read and use.
I can't say enough about this radio. I am VERY happy with it.
First class marine handheld VHF. Hard to set up, but everything is. The emergency weather alert works well. Really clear radio both on send and receive.
The menus are intuitive and easy to navigate. Lots of great features. Was a snap to enter my MMSI. The Bluetooth is a good feature - I can keep my phone below deck and still make and receive calls.
Buy one.
Feature Product
- Built-in GPS receiver & DSC
- All NOAA weather channels
- Bluetooth wireless technology
Description
Handheld VHF, MFG# MR HH600W FLT GPS BT, white, with DSC, built-in GPS, bluetooth wireless, rewind-say-again, floating, tri-watch, memory channels, IPX8 waterproof, flashlight and strobe.
worked like a champ
Best hand held radio loveee ittt
Amazing features. Man overboard, gps waypoints mmsi. SOS with gps send to coast guard. Multiple charging solutions and battery options all included. Nothing else to buy! Even has a speaker burp function in case it is dropped in the water. Read the book!! So many functions!!!
Got it on time, as described and wow does this thing have a good range!
WORKS GREAT
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