Customer Reviews

Uniden Atlantis 250BK Black Waterproof Handheld VHF Marine Radio

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This VHF is less expensive than others, but I have noticed that it's receive and transmit capabilities do not match those of the VHF's my friends take out.
I know it says 5 watts, but after trying to hail a nearby village I realized that this VHF would not reach while another would.
I would recommend the Atlantis model that is about half the size of this one, not sure of the model number, but it looks similar to this one, just smaller.

I got this radio three years ago and it has held greatly up to my expectations. I use this radio every day and would never go on my boat without it. The sound quality is great and it is very easy to use. I particularly love the scanning and tri watch features. Scanning between channels 9, 16, 22A, 68, and 72 make it easy for me to keep track of all the chatter. The range on this radio is great and my max range so far has been ten miles. Receiving quality is just as good. The battery life is great, but because of my heavy use the charge has not been holding as well as it used to. If you need and excellent and affordable radio this is one of the best choices out there, and I am positive I will look into purchasing another Atlantis radio when this one goes, but I don't think this radio will die any time soon.

I bought one of these for everyday use in the Everglades, and have had no problem with it, it has even been subject to my waterproof and drop tests (been submerged in marsh water and rained on multiple times dropped on cement, gravel, in sand, and mud.) and have had no transmitting or recieving problems. Unfortunately, if you drop it on cement from 8 feet just the right way you can crack the threaded part that the antenna attaches to. I have transmitted and recieved as far as 8 miles with this radio. My line of sight is open and there is no electronic interference where I am, so individual results may vary. Even though I broke mine im buying another, and than I will have a spare battery. For the price, not a bad deal.

Battery for radio does not last 6 hours, after charging per manufacturers instrucions. Very dissappointed with this product. Radion seems to function, transmitt, and recieve okay...but without a battery its useless!!!

Not a bad radio for the price but do not expect to talk over any meaningful distance. We use it almost exclusively to communicate with bridges as we approach to request them to open. We have had success in talking within a 1/4 mile of a bridge. Battery life is good and it charges quickly. Reception is clear and it is simple to operate. The two chargers are great: a wall plug charger for home and a cigarette plug charger for the boat.

Maybe I have unrealistic expectations for a marine band radio and maybe it is due to our terrain, but I was expecting clear transmition farther than a mile.

I've had this model for 3 years, and it's been OK. Just OK compared to others belonging to friends. When it suddenly died, I spent many hours on several days trying to get support from Uniden. Basically, there isn't any. Customer Service by e-mail was appaling. Wait times on the phone were unacceptable, and I got nothing but "rote replies." After this experience, I checked the company ratings on the internet and found them to be highly negative. Bottom line: It's a pretty good product as long as it lasts, but if you ever need help, you'll wish you had delt with another manufacturer.

This device has a special custom battery. Unfortunately, mine did not come with a special custom battery charger, which makes it rather useless when the battery runs out.

I PURCHASED A SET OF THESE 2 DAYS AGO AND PUT THEM TO THE TEST. THE RECEIVER WAS GREAT. LOUD AND CLEAR. THAT WAS THE ONLY THING GOOD ABOUT THESE RADIOS. AS FAR AS DISTANCE IT WAS UNDER A MILE EASY. THE WORST WAS THAT WHEN YOU TRY TO TALK ON THESE WHOS EVER LISTENING CANT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BECAUSE THERE IS SOME FLAW IN THE CIRCUITRY THAT CAUSES A TERIBBLE EHCO AND SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE IN A CAVE FAR AWAY. ALSO VERY POOR SCREEN LIGHTING. NOTHING LIKE THE PICTURES LOOK. MFG NEEDS TO BE REAL. TOO BAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN A NICE RADIO. DONT THE MFG CHECK THESE BEFORE THEY SELL THEM. ANYWAY IF YOU NEED A MARINE RADIO PORTABLE THAT YOU JUST WANT TO LISTEN TO THEN THIS ONES FOR YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TALK FORGET IT. NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL.I TOOK MY SET BACK YESTERDAY AND GOT MY MONEY BACK.

wally

A special chip is being installed, output transisters changed, and this radio will not be anything like stock. Amazon pushes for a review, so you get nothing. Read someone elses. Radio is being used OUTSIDE the jurisdiction of the US, not subject to FCC regs. Line of sight to a 12,000 ft mountain, amplified there, and transmitted with firepower. Private network however. It has the guts for modification.

Got to be careful of RF burns. This is not advisable for normal users, and any modification voids warrenty. Got five altered already.