Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Got this for my small boat, it was on sale at West Marine and listed as 'waterproof' (who wants a boat radio that's not waterproof?). Takes multiple power sources, does dual watch, weather band, and the price was right.
After it charged up it worked great. We used it several times for coordinating activites without incident.
Until, while helping trailer the boat, my friend slips on some seaweed and this 'waterproof' radio hits the water. It was in MAYBE a foot of water for half a second, but that was enough. The PTT button was stuck on, the button would physically push and release but the circuit stayed active and the radio kept transmitting- salt water had shorted the PTT switch.
Turning the radio off and on was no help- it refused to power up with the PTT switch held down (just made a beeping noise).
Further research reveals that this unit is rated JIS4. According to [...], JIS4 means 'splash resistant'.
Most of the other marine portables are rated JIS7 (same as IPX7)- can be submerged under 1 meter (3 feet) of water for 30 minutes with no ill effects. Some are rated JIS8 (indefinitely submersible up to mfr. specified depth).
Many of the other units also float, and most aren't that much more expensive than this one.
You might check out the Uniden MHS75, which is actually cheaper, smaller, and is JIS8 rated. It also has SAME weather radio alerts, which this doesn't.
I'm giving this 2/5 stars because I think a boating radio, to be used on the water, should be more than just 'splash proof', especially when nearly all the competition is JIS7. And had me and my friends been stuck on the water instead of on the boat launch, the unexpected failure of this unit would have put us in serious trouble.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Uniden Atlantis 250BK 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio
The Uniden Atlantis 250 features all NOAA emergency weather channels, as well as all USA, International and Canadian marine channels. It also comes ready for an optional speaker microphone and meets JIS4 waterproof standards. Uniden Atlantis 250 gives you the power to go anywhere.
Uniden Atlantis 250 gives you the power to go anywhere.
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