Standard Horizon GX2150 reviews

[sy_gilana]

Best dang radio for the money anywhere!
The next version might have a MUX and USB connectors built in.

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by Tynesider

Here in the UK I have a SH GX2100E working with my SH 300i plotter for the AIS and very pleased with it.

Like you 'may' add a transponder to it at a later date, but have you looked at 'what transponder' and how would you link it in?

I really like the looks of the vesper marine stuff, something like the watch mate 850. I don't plan to tie it in with anything else, and will set up another VHF antenna on the arch. The Standard 2150 provides some redundancy and the easy DSC call functions in the cockpit, and hopefully one day will talk to my plotter. With the 2150, I'm pretty sure that it recognizes your MMSI, avoiding proximity alarm issues.

Procrastination can pay off buying into technology. I'm in no hurry but need it before any more singlehanded passages. Really important to be seen and allow other captains to reach us via DSC.

[Jonty]

We too have the GX2100 and are very pleased with same. Targets displayed on the Navnet on both chart and radar display and no problem with loosing them. I use the stand-alone gps to supply position to the GX. The one criticism is the relatively poor audio compared to our Icom 601.

John

[Tynesider]

Originally Posted by Jonty

We too have the GX2100 and are very pleased with same. Targets displayed on the Navnet on both chart and radar display and no problem with loosing them. I use the stand-alone gps to supply position to the GX. The one criticism is the relatively poor audio compared to our Icom 601.

John

Hi John

Funny as I have to turn my GX2100e radio down as it is 'too loud' at times and the reception sound quality is also good.

I 'assume' your aerial is also ontop of the main mast as is mine so you should also always get good reception, other than that I can not suggest anything else other than check any deck connections and the one at the back of the radio are good.

[Kenomac]

We like ours, installed 5 months ago and use all the features including hailer, AIS hooked up to small Garmin to monitor only AIS; the remote RAAM 3 unit in the cockpit is very handy. The only issue, the unit is currently back at the Standard Horizon service center for repairs; the squeltch doesn't work properly, unable to squeltch long range chatter especially on CH 16 & 9. The service center says I only needed to reset the unit (whatever that means), hopefully, that's all that's wrong.

Note: The RAAM 3 cockpit remote is awesome. I can use the radio, view AIS signals, view GPS and speed, time, hail, everything while lounging in the cockpit underway.

[Jonty]

I meant audio quality. The Icom has much better sound quality and is louder, size of speaker I guess.

John

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by CaptFrankM

Actually, it works very well as a foghorn, especially if you need to sound the horn repeatedly. What I meant was that it didn't work well for "regular" horn uses. For example, one blast or two blast passing signals, a prolonged blast at blind corners and the five blast danger signal. It's OK if you are already in PA horn mode, but if you need the horn in a hurry, it's significantly faster to grab a compressed air horn than to try to change from radio mode to PA mode.

I can see that happening in a restricted channel or harbour during fog or mist Switch the SH to PA for voice and horn, and use a handheld for VHF monitoring...in such conditions you wouldn't need a lot of range if you are just contacting a lift bridge operator or a harbourmaster.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by cheoah

I really like the looks of the vesper marine stuff, something like the watch mate 850. I don't plan to tie it in with anything else, and will set up another VHF antenna on the arch. The Standard 2150 provides some redundancy and the easy DSC call functions in the cockpit, and hopefully one day will talk to my plotter. With the 2150, I'm pretty sure that it recognizes your MMSI, avoiding proximity alarm issues.

Procrastination can pay off buying into technology. I'm in no hurry but need it before any more singlehanded passages. Really important to be seen and allow other captains to reach us via DSC.

This is very much my game plan. I would have a separate AIS tuned antenna for the Vesper, however, and the usual VHF for the "broader frequency range" of the SH base unit.

[rebel heart]

I've had mine since they first came out, got the remote mic as well. Love it, couldn't be happier.

I bought a stand alone black box transponder as well.

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

[barnakiel]

We have a 2100. We love it. 2150 is an improved iteration of 2100.

b.

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I can see that happening in a restricted channel or harbour during fog or mist Switch the SH to PA for voice and horn, and use a handheld for VHF monitoring...in such conditions you wouldn't need a lot of range if you are just contacting a lift bridge operator or a harbourmaster.

Do you lose AIS function when in loud hailer mode? I mean to say, do you lose the targets on the command mic display? That would not be cool, if one is using the native display for AIS function.

If not, using the handheld is a great alternative in a situation like this.

I'm not the only one who feels like the command mic cable is just a little short, and a little stiff. But it works.

I really want a loud hailer for safety. Not really. I want to have some fun with it

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by cheoah

Do you lose AIS function when in loud hailer mode? I mean to say, do you lose the targets on the command mic display? That would not be cool, if one is using the native display for AIS function.

If not, using the handheld is a great alternative in a situation like this.

I'm not the only one who feels like the command mic cable is just a little short, and a little stiff. But it works.

I really want a loud hailer for safety. Not really. I want to have some fun with it

It's kind of nuts that they give you like 50' of cable to run and then like 3" of coiled 1/2" wire.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by cheoah

Do you lose AIS function when in loud hailer mode? I mean to say, do you lose the targets on the command mic display? That would not be cool, if one is using the native display for AIS function.

If not, using the handheld is a great alternative in a situation like this.

I'm not the only one who feels like the command mic cable is just a little short, and a little stiff. But it works.

I really want a loud hailer for safety. Not really. I want to have some fun with it

Well, that why I would have the Vesper. The AIS function of the SH would be part-backup and part feed to the plotter if I wanted an overlay. The Vesper in standalone mode has the filtering I want for an overview. The SH would plop the closer CPA candidates onto my plotter program for my attention when close to land features.

That's my current thinking, anyway. It's 18 months before we would like to push off, so who knows what choices may exist then?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by cheoah

Do you lose AIS function when in loud hailer mode? I mean to say, do you lose the targets on the command mic display? That would not be cool, if one is using the native display for AIS function.

No, the AIS display remains when in PA or Fog mode. The channel number in the corner of the AIS display changes from a number to "PA".

Mark