The Standard Horizon GX1150 Eclipse is the latest iteration of entry level marine VHF radio from this prominent player in the marine electronics arena.
This Standard Horizon radio ships with the radio, front panel attached microphone, owner’s manual, tilt mounting bracket suitable for dashboard or overhead use, mounting hardware, and a fused power cord.
Standard Horizon GX1150 Eclipse
The GX1150 is like any other marine VHF radio, you’ll need to mount it, connect power, and hook up a VHF antenna prior to use.
To mount the GX1150 flush in a panel you would need to either improvise your own mounting system or purchase the optional Standard Horizon MMB-84 flush mounting kit.
Should you decide to flush mount this radio you may want to add gasketing between the panel and the radio to prevent water from slipping behind the panel.
Back panel wires will let you connect this radio to an external speaker and GPS device. The radio will use the position information supplied through a NMEA0183 connection to display time and present position onscreen.
Buy this Standard Horizon marine VHF radio in white.
Buy this Standard Horizon marine VHF radio in black.
The radio face measures 6.1-inches wide by 2.4-inches high. The radio’s die cast metal chassis housing extends back just 5.5-inches from the front panel back.
Controls and Operation
You will handle operational tasks on the GX1150 by using five dedicated pushbuttons, up/down arrow keys, a pair of rotary knobs and onscreen menus. Pushbuttons select 16 or 9, weather channels, set scans and operate menus.
Up/down arrows make menu and channels selections while the knobs control power on/off, volume and squelch. Of course, you will also find a red DSC distress call button located under a switch guard.
Digital Selective Calling
The GX1150 is a Class D radio which means it has two built-in receivers, one for voice and one for DSC call reception. Once you program an MMSI number into the GX1150 it will send and receive distress, individual, all ships, group, and send and receive position data calls. This radio also has a built-in DSC test feature.
Individual and group directories contain the MMSI numbers of other vessels you wish to call, up to 48 individual numbers can be stored.
Performance
Like other new release radios from Standard Horizon I have reviewed, this one has improved transmitter technology with a very power efficient design. While transmitting at full power I measured a draw of only 4.1 amps. At the 1-watt power setting the draw was eight tenths of an amp.
The receiver sensitivity and the channel separation both rated excellent based on the factory specifications listed. Audio output was a respectable 90 dBA with volume at maximum while listening to a weather broadcast. As expected, some voice distortion was noted at extreme high volume settings. Overall performance of the Standard Horizon GX1150 was good.
Display Screen
The GX1150 uses a 1.8-inch full dot matrix monochrome display screen. The selected channel number is displayed in large numbers on the right side while other onscreen data including position data, channel group, GPS status, and channel comment show on the left or top. The screen has 7 levels of backlight adjustment selectable via the display menu. I rated the screen good.
Odds and Ends
The GX1150 can be set to use U.S., Canadian or International channels as well as NOAA weather channels and will provide weather alerts. Scanning modes in memory, priority and dual watch.
Microphone controls on the GX1150 let the user change channels, select transmitter power and quick select 16 or 9. The push-to-talk switch is located in the usual position on the side in easy reach of fingers.
The GX1150 carries a 3-year warranty and is waterproof to IPX7 standards. That means it could be submerged to a depth of 1-meter for 30 minutes without suffering any ill effects.
Buy this Standard Horizon marine VHF radio in white.
Buy this Standard Horizon marine VHF radio in black.
Final Thoughts
The Standard Horizon GX1150 is the latest entry level marine VHF radio from this well respected marine electronics maker. It offers a basic feature set and good overall performance in a reasonably priced package.