Review of Uniden Atlantis 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio

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List Price: $89.99
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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 transmittingsalt water had shorted the PTT switch.

Turning the radio off and on was no helpit 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.

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I use this radio for open water swimming events in salt water as a Pilot in a 15' Zodiac Inflatable or kayaks.

Pro: Good ergonomics, has both 1 and 5 watts, clear communications, rechargeable batter or AA pack.

Con: I was trying to make it through some waves in a kayak and the boat flipped. The radio was attached to the kayak and got wet, not for long and not at all deep. Now the display is fogged up and it doesn't seem to turn on.

The ad says "Water proof", JIS4/CFR46 Waterproof Level. This is actually a level 4, out of 1 to 8, which only rates it for sea spray.

Net: If this WAS water proof, I would recommend it. Since it is only rated for sea spray, I can not recommend this radio for boating. How does this get put in the Marine section I wonder?

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Was working on zodiacs doing an FTX and had some decent sized seas but at no point in our night did I or the radio go in the water. Apparently that was all it took because because now the window is completely fogged up and I have nothing but problems transmitting on it now. I wish companies could be held responsible in some fashion when their marketing for an item is "waterproof" but the radio shouldn't even be anywhere around water.

Honest reviews on Uniden Atlantis 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio

It is already the second Uniden Atlantis 250BK Marine Radio we use on our motorboat on waterways inside and outside Europe. Perfect to handle. Nice looking. Well working. And really waterproof. My wife let it fall down into the water last week. But after we got it back on the boat after some minutes and dried it it was working like before without any fail. By the way: The white color of the item was my wife's request. She loves it and she promised never let it fall into the water again. Wait and see.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Uniden Atlantis 16-Channel VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio

This VHF Radio is a great value. It is not only waterproof, but comes with all of the accessories to power it through A/C, battery, AA batteries, and even comes with a "car adapter" to plug into the accessory outlet.