tophatyachts.com

Hi,
This piece of kit looks alright, A handheld VHF with an integrated GPS
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/STANDARD-HORIZON ... 2eb20a1048

Then there's this one.... a fixed VHF with integrated AIS
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-STANDA ... 3a61a06e8a

The Standard Horizon gear is pretty good quality apparently, I wonder if the Co markets its products under another brand name in Aus'.
Can only get cheaper next year too, with the AU$ getting stronger Vs the US$ too.
cheers
Shaun
(no affiliation with Standard Horizon, just thought this gear sounded alright )

Hi Shaun,

I was thinking about getting a waterproof VHS as a back up. The one you gave the link to looks a like a good unit for the price. Do you think there would be any issues with buying one from the US? (i.e. could you be stuck with a lemon, are there any compatibility issues, etc.)

Also at Amazon for a very keen price:

http://www.amazon.com/HX850s-Handheld-V ... -1-catcorr

Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark,
As far as im aware you simply change the channel band from USA (as shown in top centre(center) of the display) to International. But I would be reasearching about it before buying, search or ask the question on www.cruisersforum.com
you'll need an adaptor to be able to charge it from a wall socket, but you probably have one of those already.

I couldnt see what the postage was from Amazon?, but certainly a good price!.

Having the gps readout great for reporting into VMR, with your co-ordinates, its DSC capable too.

cheers
shaun

Shaun,

Amazon charges $29.95 for postage to Aust with 3-5 day delivery time.

The only thing that puts me off is that it doesn't take AA batteries, but uses a Li 'battery pack' instead. It is a lot easier to carry a couple of extra Li batteries on board than have to recharge a battery pack that will invariably be flat(or 'cark' it) when most needed. But perhaps I am asking too much from such a reasonably priced device? Anyway I am going for a Christmas eve surf and think about a VHS in the new year.

Cheers,
Mark

I had a Standard Horizon that I got in Canada until my brother lost it overboard! It was good and all you put it on is the international channel and just use normally. It only charged from 12 V which suited me. Good quality stuff - have a good Xmas break. Cheers Peter

The latest model HX851 glows in the dark, has an auto strobe when submersed and you can enter up to 200 way points into it! I guess that is why the superseded model (HX850) is so cheap at the moment. The new one is about $100 more (Marine Direct has the new model at AUD263+ 50postage). Check out the fish pond demo at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcVAuXmYdIo

Cheers,
Mark