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 Handy marine communication with the rugged Cobra MR HH400 XVP
VHF radio (continued)
Ergonomics:
I
have to say that I actually prefer the shape of the Cobra MR HH400 XVP over the
purely rectangular VHF radios on the market. The shape of the Cobra radio holds
nicely in your hand, feeling secure and comfortable. While we tumbled around the
deck of the boat on nasty ocean conditions with big swells and wind waves up to
four feet, the HH400 held its place in our palms.
Cobra designed the MR HH400 XVP to
nicely cradle in your hands
When fully
loaded with six AA batteries the unit can be somewhat on the heavy side, but grasping the Cobra
radio in your hand feels like holding a balanced rod and reel combo. The unit
just cradles in your hand reducing the counterforce you need to hold it up and
the
button placements are smartly positioned to facilitate easy, one hand operation
with the same hand that is grasping the radio.
Operating one-handed isn't a
problem with this radio
Durability: Durability
is very important especially for a handheld VHF radio that will be used as a
backup. We found the Cobra MR HH400 XVP to be one of the most durable units
we’ve tested. The chassis is composed of rugged plastic that's impact
resistance. To test this feature, we left the unit in a hard, metal container to
bounce around while we pounded wave after relentless wave on a rugged twenty
mile stretch in the ocean and when we reached the harbor we inspected the Cobra
VHF for any cracks or other damage. Our unit performed admirably with no
noticeable damage.
The rugged chassis keeps the
interior components safe and sound
Aside from
the armor-tough outer shell the electronics are well protected against intruding
water by tight seals around the entire unit. We didn't notice any water damage
even after we flushed the unit after each saltwater trip.
The HH400 VHF radio meets the JIS7
submersible standard
The stud
antenna is also durable. It flexes and you won't have to worry about breaking it
when mishandling the unit on the water, or when the unit rolls around in your
ditch bag. The buttons and knobs are all well made, and we experienced zero
problems after several months of testing.
Ratings:
|
Cobra
MR HH400 XVP Ratings (?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
A
nice rugged design and well built with complimenting components |
9 |
| Performance |
Great performance in power and range, being waterproof, battery life, etc.
The transmissions and receptions are clear |
8.5 |
| Price |
The
price for this rugged handheld unit is right on with the others |
8 |
| Features |
Nice set of features such as the tri-watch, memory scanning, JIS7
submersible standard, and it comes with accessories |
8.5 |
| Design
(Ergonomics) |
A
durable construction usually means added weight, but it's not too bad
because the shape of the chassis lays in your hand comfortably |
8 |
| Application |
A
useful handheld unit that can be used on the water as your main unit or
backup, and can also be used on land by outdoor adventurers |
8 |
|
Total Score |
8.33 |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus |
| J
Rugged design |
L
Rugged but heavy |
| J
Cradles comfortable in your hands |
|
| J
Good battery life |
|
| J
Useful features |
|
Conclusion:
Digital
electronics make life easier – especially in the area of communications. Cobra
Electronics has been designing electronic gear for decades and they leverage
this expertise in bringing us the MR HH400 XVP VHF handheld radio. This VHF
radio has good performance on the water and land, and is chock full of useful
features that every angler and outdoorsman should not be without. Features such
as Tri-Watch scanning can help you locate a fishing buddy that might be on a
different channel, and the preset memory allows you to easily flip through your
favorite channels when you're out on the water, trail, or on the road. Aside
from this feature packed performance, the Cobra handheld comes with a convenient
bundle of accessories like a belt clip, rechargeable batteries, and charger
cradle that can be used in the vehicle or at home. The Cobra VHF handheld is a
great communication device to have as your either main tool or as a backup in
case of emergency or failure of your primary unit. Our ditch bag is never
without one.
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