Uniden MHS335BT Floating Handheld VHF with Bluetooth
- Brand:
- Uniden
- Part no:
- MHS335BT
Image: overtons.com
Where to buy
Specifications
- Mounting
- Handheld
- Transmit power
- 6 W
- Waterproof
- IPX8
- DSC
- Class D
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- NOAA weather alerts
- Yes
Manuals
- Owner's manual (HTML)manualshive.com
The MHS335BT is a handheld VHF radio that floats and is rated IPX8, meaning it can go under to 4.9 ft for 30 minutes. It transmits at 6 watts and has full Class D DSC with a built-in GPS receiver. Bluetooth links it to a smartphone app, used to set the radio up and to send text messages to other radios. In the water it switches on a man-overboard distress feature and a strobe by itself. NOAA weather channels with alerts are included.
Our take
Rated IPX8 to 4.9 ft for 30 minutes and floating, this handheld is built to cope with a drop over the side, and its water-activated strobe and MOB distress feature switch on by themselves once it is in the water.
From our buying guide
Standard Horizon says range depends far more on the antenna than on transmit power, and that a handheld on its stock antenna at sea level may only reach a mile or two. It has its own battery and antenna, so it keeps working if the boat's power fails.
Check before you buy:
- It has DSC and GPS if you want a distress button that sends your position, since handhelds are not required to have DSC.
- The waterproof rating comes with the maker's depth and time, since IPX8 has no fixed depth or time.
- The maker says it floats on its own, since some float only in an optional case.