Andrejs 2 Comments

The short answer to the heading question about Cobra marine VHF handheld radio choice is – high quality for reasonable price.

Some may argue me that there are much better walkie-talkies on the market, and maybe it is so. Although, if we are talking mainly about recreational boating needs so Cobra VHF is an excellent choice.

raising awareness about safety,

Cobra Electronics is dedicated to raising awareness about safety, security and other important topics affecting today’s drivers, outdoor recreational enthusiasts, and recreational boaters. We have partnered with the following not-for-profit organizations and corporations that help share our goal.

and more.

Some users are complaining about Cobra products, but nothing is perfect, and even the most popular brands have issues, but there is one I always try to check what and who is the partners and affiliates of the company.

And even more, I used to look through company’s web page to find what is written about the stuff, how openly and exhaustively is described management personnel. When reading this, you can understand the company’s attitude towards their work. When it comes to Cobra, everything is clear and understandable.

…cell phone is full of communication features?

Someone could ask- Why I need a radio when a cell phone is full of communication features? The simple answer would be – Safety tools can never be too much.

If you are serious about your and passenger safety on board than a smartphone, loaded with all good and not so good apps, must be considered only as a backup device.

Objections that the phone can fulfill all navigation, communication and other safety features sailing by recreational craft, it is only due to ignorance, bravura and lack of experience.

Sometimes it is useful to listen to professional seafarer’s recommendations, especially on issues which are related to safety on the water.

Do not overestimate the opportunities of high-end smartphones.

Do not overestimate the opportunities of high-end smartphones. There are so many external conditions that may your expensive device put out of order e.g. water, thunder, dropping from the shelf and so on.

Even more, the most of the phone applications require the internet connection and considering even you do not care about cellular fees, usually mobile network towers mainly are standing on land. So, as long as you are sailing more away of coastline the cellphone signal is weakening and even can disappear at all.

And again, a suitable means of communication could save your life. Do not count it as a slogan; it is a real fact of life.

I would not like to talk about merchant ships where are strict international rules and requirements regarding communication and emergency communication tools on to be carried on board.

No doubt that you will feel safer and more comfortable having proper radio communication device on Sailboat, Bass Boat, Bay Boat, Bowrider, Fish ‘n Ski Boat or even Jon boat or a dingy.

Let’s take a look at Cobra MRHH 350 FLT Floating VHF Radio.

By my mind the perfect combination of the price, the features and high percentage of five-star customer’s reviews.

Here is a short description from Amazon.com and a price is little less hundred bucks or 2 used for sixty and eighty.

„Floating – Never lose your radio. Floating design and orange core makes retrieving radio easy if dropped overboard.

6 Watt VHF – Select between 1, 3 and 6 Watts for short and long range communication.

Ultra-Compact Design – Ergonomic and compact design is easy to hold and intuitive to operate.

ALL NOAA weather channels – Instant access to national All Hazards and weather information, 24 hours a day.

Noise-canceling microphone – Blocks background noise for clearer conversations.

The best value in our handheld VHF radio line up! Backed by 50 years of Cobra quality, this floating radio has an orange core for higher visibility and is easy to retrieve if dropped overboard. It features 6 Watts of power for longer range communications and full access to all NOAA weather channels and alarm tones for weather emergencies. It also includes all of the core features like Noise canceling microphone, JIS7/IPX7 rated Submersible, Tri-Watch, Memory Channels, Memory Scan and BURP.“

environment among running engines

Just to accept my sayings, here is the real user’s review I surely trust him as I know how it to be in the engine room and how loud is an environment among running engines.

„I must start by saying I am not much of a Cobra electronics fan after having issues with their products in the past. I was skeptical at first when I bought this radio but the reviews were right this radio can’t be beat for the price. I’m currently working on a tugboat and needed a handheld that was inexpensive, waterproof, and loud. This met all of those requirements, even with the engines roaring I can hear this radio when I’m out on deck. I’ve dropped this radio on the steel deck and it only scuffed the plastic body. I also bought the speaker mic for this radio and the combo is perfect for my uses. I use this radio daily and have only had to charge it once in the last month.“

As a minus, I found some discontents like this

„Its so annoying to have to buy dedicated batteries for a radio.“

Yes, it could be annoying when are forced to charge every day, although we have already got used to execute this procedure with our smartphones daily.

When it comes to AA battery usage, it is ridiculous. Those never can outweigh the rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery pack, and as you read a tugboat skipper review above, he charged his Cobra MRHH 350 FLT Floating VHF Radio just once a month so what a big deal to plug it to charge sometimes.

I hardly believe when a battery pack can withstand a month

Maybe only on low reception mode but from an experience, I know that you do not need to talk too much by radio especially when fishing or Jibing and Tacking when on a sailboat.

For the pleasure craft a Cobra Marine VHF Handheld Radio definitely tick all the boxes. It does not mean, that your favorite brand is worse so choose yours instead.

Have fun on the water! Just remember that to be reachable with any communication tools could save your and life of your fellow.