Handheld VHF/GPS/DSC, two coming

... written for Panbo by Ben Ellison and posted on Oct 22, 2007

Lowrance_VHF_GPS_prototype2_cPanbo

I’ve long liked the concept of a handheld VHF with a built-in GPS and hence built-in DSC alarm capability (just add MMSI). I made the case here in August. So wasn’t I tickled to see this prototype kicking around the Lowrance booth at NMEA, and later to hear that Standard Horizon is also planning a combo unit. But it was very much a prototype, in fact just an empty shell, and Lowrance could not say when it will be ready. Ditto Standard Horizon. And the naysayers still report that the needed engineering is challenging.

Posted by Ben E on October 22, 2007 11:27 PM

Comments

I waiting for AIS to be built into a VHF.

Posted by: Richard Rodriguez at October 23, 2007 9:33 AM | Reply

I had a Uniden Mystic. Great concept, needed a lot of work. It was big, heavy, had a poor screen and had very little map storage, plus a difficult to use GUI. On the other hand, it had built in DSC, and that's why I bought it. It's good to see other companies picking up where they left off, but they should make sure they learn from the weaknesses of the Uniden. I do, however, applaud Uniden for being on the bleeding edge!

Posted by: Chris at October 23, 2007 10:21 AM | Reply

What might be easier engineering is a Garmin 520/530 with marine VHF frequencies. It's not as universal as DSC, but it does transmit the location of the other person and would work well for a boat and tender arrangement.

Alas, Garmin says they have no such product in the pipe.

Posted by: Russ at October 23, 2007 10:25 AM | Reply

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