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Looking for a backup VHF that'll take AA batteries... any specific recommendations? Must be waterproof and compact... Not looking to spend a fortune, but since my fixed unit just went out, I'd like to have a backup onboard where I can store a fresh pack of batteries next to it...
I realize most units have rechargeable batts, but I specifically want one that ISN'T rechargeable. Ability to use a 12v accessory plug would be nice though.
I have a Uniden Atlantis which I've been happy with. It comes with a rechargable pack AND a holder for AA's - you can use whichever one you choose. The price is right, too.
Thanks guys. Just to verify, can both of your radios transmit at 5w while running off AA batteries? Saw a couple of comments online that made me think that some may not.
AAa have a shelf life of 7+ years in the package. Pretty sure lion doesn't. Plus my backup flashlights, gps, etc all take AA. This is my BACKUP unit after all. Don't want to have to even think about charging etc - I want something that I can throw in a box, pull out in 2 years when my main unit dies again, and still be able to enjoy a day fishing.
I ended up picking up the Uniden Atlantis 250 at Bass Pro last night for $89. Appreciate the SH comments - they had a similar SH model for $89 or $99, in all honsty the two seemed pretty comprable, I chose the Uniden simply because the ergonomics/design seemed better and more modern.
I agree that one of the high end units with GPS would be nice to have - but wasn't worth the $250ish when I already have a backup handheld GPS, rather save that $ towards an epirb etc.
All Standard-Horizon handhelds have the ability to use a AA pack, and either come with a tray for that purpose (which replaces the included rechargeable pack) or have it available as about a $8 option. These radios have some interesting features: some have GPS, one has AM/FM and other bands, one has 40 land mobile channels in addition to the marine, some have an air temp sensor, some are programmable to have voice scrambling, some have flashing SOS strobes, some are just basic marine. In addition, several have a six watt high power mode, in addition to five. I realize that for a backup, a lot of this may be overkill.
Basically, all will transmit at five watts from the AA-pack. The three newest radios (750, 760, 850) also have an extra, six watt transmit function. This cannot be used from the battery pack, but those radios all also have five watt transmit capability as well, which WILL work from the battery pack.
I have an old (nine years) S-H 150 HH. It will transmit on five from battery, and has been a great handheld. Of course, it's huge, non-waterproof, and lacks any extras....but boy, it's been bulletproof.
AAa have a shelf life of 7+ years in the package. Pretty sure lion doesn't. Plus my backup flashlights, gps, etc all take AA. This is my BACKUP unit after all. Don't want to have to even think about charging etc - I want something that I can throw in a box, pull out in 2 years when my main unit dies again, and still be able to enjoy a day fishing.
I'm not sure where you got that from, but you had better go read it again. Regular AA batteries DO NOT have a 7+ year shelf life. Yo uwill be lucky to get a 2 year shelf life. Most are marked with a 1 or 2 year shelf life, and I have RARELY seen them hold a charge longer than 2. Besides holding a decent charge that long, they will ussually leak and corrode prior, ESPECIALLY in the marine environment. I just finished (couple days ago) trying to clean out 2 AA's that were only 1 year old from my small Maglight. They both leaked and corroded to the point I could not get one of them out of the flashlight. These were gold top Duracell's, marked for 2010 expiration, bought last year.
LIon's will hold a charge longer, and the battery packs that come with the HH's are waterproof, and will not leak unless broken open. And in most case, if if broken still won't leak because they are ussually AA size batter packs, inside of the waterproof plastic case.
I DO like the Standard Horizon idea of allowing for BOTH AA's and a rechargable battery pack. That's what they all should do.
... I just finished (couple days ago) trying to clean out 2 AA's that were only 1 year old from my small Maglight. They both leaked and corroded to the point I could not get one of them out of the flashlight. These were gold top Duracell's, marked for 2010 expiration, bought last year..
Bird
Not to hijack Flot's thread, but DO contact Duracell about that Maglite. They will replace it, or send you money to do so. I had two fairly high priced devices both ruined by leakage, one by Duracells and one by Energizers. They BOTH stepped up to the plate with replacements. (Side note: that's when I quit, forever, buying Radio Shack batteries. I had had very good luck with them, and price was right, but after these incidents I decided to read their fine print....right, no guarantee except a new battery if the old one fails.)
I've also had batteries corrode recently, one in a little-used TV remote control. My sister-in-law bought a pack of Duracells at Wal-Mart and one turned out to have leaked right in the unopened blister pack. There are a lot of Chinese counterfeit batteries out there, which may have something to do with the issue. Lately, I've been buying my batteries in bulk from Costco -- their house brand -- with no problems. The Costco batteries were well rated by Consumer Reports, too.
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Hit the waves on ham radio, even when it rains or snows.
I'm not sure where you got that from, but you had better go read it again. Regular AA batteries DO NOT have a 7+ year shelf life. Yo uwill be lucky to get a 2 year shelf life. Most are marked with a 1 or 2 year shelf life, and I have RARELY seen them hold a charge longer than 2. Besides holding a decent charge that long, they will ussually leak and corrode prior, ESPECIALLY in the marine environment.
I disagree. All the major manufacturers rate their standard alkaline batteries at 5-7 year shelf lives. You can buy a pack of batteries today with an "expiration date" of 2015.
Obviously batteries corrode over time (usually when discharged?) and we've all had the fun of digging a (dead) battery out of its device. Have you ever seen a battery corroded inside its original package? I have not although apparently (above) it's possible. I am sure I have batteries lying around the house that are 5+ years old that are unused and still work fine. If I dig through my garage I have no doubts I can come up with some unused circa 1997 batteries that look brand new and probably even still have a charge.
Non-recharable lithiums, on the other hand, have even longer shelf lives - I think 7-12 years is the norm there. This is also a great option.
As for rechargable batteries, according to wikipedia, the only viable option would be low-discharge NiMH (eneloops):
Quote:
Li-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect. They also have a low self-discharge rate of approximately 5% per month, compared with over 30% per month in common nickel metal hydride batteries (Low self-discharge NiMH batteries have much lower values, around 1.25% per month) and 10% per month in nickel cadmium batteries.
I am pretty confident that if I throw my backup GPS and Radio in a waterproof box with a couple packs of unopened AAs, I'll be able to count on that working in 2015. If you like, I'll put a note to test in 2015 and email you the results.
Your mis-interpreting the wiki article. It's saying the lowest discharge rate battery is a Li-ion, next comes the NiMH, then come the NICAD's. So the best bat to have, is a li-ion as far as dicharge goes.
Show me an AA battery, of any type, that lasted 7 years without leaking or going dead? Won't happen. Incidently, if you use the battery at all, it sharply reduces it's shelf life.
I DO like the Standard Horizon idea of allowing for BOTH AA's and a rechargable battery pack. That's what they all should do.
My SH HX471S also came with a 12V plug.
It does not transmit at 5W while using AA batts (this info is buried in owners manual somewhere)
Add me to the list who has a ruined AA Maglite due to Duracells. I worked on one for about 20 min tonite before giving up. Funny thing was, the battery that leaked still powered the lamp. Couldn't decide whether to send it back or not.
I bought the Uniden Atlantis 250, and since my main radio is still not back from warranty repair, have been using it for this last 2 weeks or so. However, I think it is getting returned. I'm not very happy with the strength or clarity of the signal I'm getting, for the time I used it I spent most of my time with it pressed up against my ear trying to make out conversations.
The final straw, last night my buddy brought HIS handheld along (a $$ Uniden Mystic) and it had better clarity than I usually get out of my fixed mount!!! Very surprised at this, especially from the same manufacturer ??
AAa have a shelf life of 7+ years in the package. Pretty sure lion doesn't. Plus my backup flashlights, gps, etc all take AA. This is my BACKUP unit after all. Don't want to have to even think about charging etc - I want something that I can throw in a box, pull out in 2 years when my main unit dies again, and still be able to enjoy a day fishing.
As others have pointed out, installed batteries may corrode over two years, especially on a boat. Many battery powered devices recommend that you remove the batteries when the device will not be used for a while. Personally, I've had several devices where someone left the batteries in and they corroded and damaged the contacts.
If you keep the batteries in the original packaging and install them as needed, they may last for several years. That won't work in an emergency though.
I bought the Uniden Atlantis 250, and since my main radio is still not back from warranty repair, have been using it for this last 2 weeks or so. However, I think it is getting returned. I'm not very happy with the strength or clarity of the signal I'm getting, for the time I used it I spent most of my time with it pressed up against my ear trying to make out conversations.
The final straw, last night my buddy brought HIS handheld along (a $$ Uniden Mystic) and it had better clarity than I usually get out of my fixed mount!!! Very surprised at this, especially from the same manufacturer ??
Interesting, you may have a defective one. I have one of these and so does a buddy I got out with. Both of our radios seem perfectly clear to me.
Interesting, you may have a defective one. I have one of these and so does a buddy I got out with. Both of our radios seem perfectly clear to me.
Curious. I've been using it and had grudgingly accepted that it "just was not as good" as my fixed mount.. reception was ok but voices came over a bit "fuzzy" ... I even went to some trouble to try to figure out ways to connect it to my main antenna.. then last night my buddy brings his expensive uniden on the boat and we're ~4 miles out and I hear a crystal clear conversation between two guys trying to decide if they want to leave the inlet. Don't know if the difference was in the radio receiver, the amp, or the speaker, but it was clearer than anything I had heard in a week of fishing with the other.
Handheld waterproof VHF that runs off AAs?
