Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
07-21-2004, 11:37 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: CAPE COD MA.
Posts: 529
Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this unit?
07-21-2004, 01:00 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Lakeland, FL Scout 185SF
Posts: 422
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
I have been running a SH Intrepid LE with an 8' Shakespeare Galaxy 5225XT mounted on my T-top for just about two years and I have no complaints with the unit. I'm in the USCG Auxiliary, and use this radio for 8-10 hours every weekend.
I've been out as far as 22 miles in the Gulf of Mexico and have gotten successful radio checks from SeaTow. Even the USCG radio at Group St Pete can tx/rx with my boat in almost every area in Tampa Bay. BTW, Group's radio mast is just over the height of a single-story structure, and they often tx on 1 watt.
As you know, the Intrepid LE unit has DSC, scan, etc. The only thing I've added is an external speaker to hear things better when the boat is on plane. I'd buy another one without a second thought.
I've just added a second fixed mount VHF radio and antenna for use during patrols. I found an ICOM M45A at West Marine for $90. I bought an 8' Shakespeare 5101 antenna for $39 at Pass Pro. It could be me, but it seems that the ICOM has better range than my Intrepid LE, even with the less expensive antenna. Go figure.
Then again, maybe it's because I have the ICOM connected to my Deep Cycle battery while the Intrepid is on my Cranking battery. Who knows??
I've been out as far as 22 miles in the Gulf of Mexico and have gotten successful radio checks from SeaTow. Even the USCG radio at Group St Pete can tx/rx with my boat in almost every area in Tampa Bay. BTW, Group's radio mast is just over the height of a single-story structure, and they often tx on 1 watt.
As you know, the Intrepid LE unit has DSC, scan, etc. The only thing I've added is an external speaker to hear things better when the boat is on plane. I'd buy another one without a second thought.
I've just added a second fixed mount VHF radio and antenna for use during patrols. I found an ICOM M45A at West Marine for $90. I bought an 8' Shakespeare 5101 antenna for $39 at Pass Pro. It could be me, but it seems that the ICOM has better range than my Intrepid LE, even with the less expensive antenna. Go figure.
Then again, maybe it's because I have the ICOM connected to my Deep Cycle battery while the Intrepid is on my Cranking battery. Who knows??
07-21-2004, 04:12 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 1,414
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
outstanding radio...I use one. I believe they made the intrepid and then the intrepid plus...the difference being that the plus version has a hinged cover over the dsc button and the earlier one had a plastic cover that just pulled off.
07-21-2004, 10:37 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 7,983
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
Great radio...I bought one...then took it back and upgraded to the Spectrum so I could get the hailer and 4 line display (Lat/Lon, Speed and Track). The Intrepid has a 2 line display and will display Lat/Lon when connected to your GPS.
Standard Horizon has a great warranty and a flat rate service plan for after the warranty expires. Not sure what the flat rate is or if its cost effective given the price of a new VHF but it seems like they stand behind their product.
As someone else mentioned, don't skimp on the antenna...
Standard Horizon has a great warranty and a flat rate service plan for after the warranty expires. Not sure what the flat rate is or if its cost effective given the price of a new VHF but it seems like they stand behind their product.
As someone else mentioned, don't skimp on the antenna...
07-21-2004, 11:03 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Lakeland, FL Scout 185SF
Posts: 422
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
Flat rate for serivcing my HX350S handheld is $65. Same for my Intrepid LE.
07-22-2004, 07:21 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: On the Water VA.
Posts: 160
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
Great radio No complaints excellent range and clarity would buy another in a heartbeat
07-22-2004, 07:33 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Out west
Posts: 3,293
RE: Standard Horizon Intrepid LE V.H.F.
The previous posts outline my opinions and experiences. There may be more fancy unit's out there but nothing more functional.
I've hooked mine up to the chart plotter and the gps lat and long appear on the screen. If DSC ever becomes more universal I'm ready. btw, the hookup to my Garmin 182c was a simple (once you figured which wires to tap in) two wire setup.
I've hooked mine up to the chart plotter and the gps lat and long appear on the screen. If DSC ever becomes more universal I'm ready. btw, the hookup to my Garmin 182c was a simple (once you figured which wires to tap in) two wire setup.
