NSW
201 posts
Is there anyone in Sydney or nearby who has a Standard Horizon HX760S hand held VHF which has a bluetooth function. I need to test whether it can be used with bluetooth neckloops that are used by people with Coclear implants and hearing aids. If anyone has one I will come and see whether it works with these neckloops. It will only take a couple of minutes to determine. Cobra also have a bluetooth function but it seems from the the literature that that is designed to work with mobile phones so may be a bit different. Still may also be worth a try if anyone has one of those as well. The results may add to the resources available to deaf and hearing impaired people who sail. Any help greatly appreciated.
NSW
201 posts
An update on how my search is going - or in this case not going anywhere. I contacted Standard Horizon in the USA who said they couldn't help as they only could service North America. They referred me to a company in Hong Kong who in turn referred me to a company in Western Sydney who I found doesn't stock this brand of radio.
I should also report that some weeks back I made contact with Australian manufacturer GME but the reply said they were not interested in making bluetooth available in their VHF products. I was disappointed in the attitude because it couldn't be that hard to do. Bluetooth is available in nearly every mobile phone sold these days. I would think the market appeal to many sailors who rely on implants and hearing aids and the resulting safety benefits from better utilisation of the VHF communication by these sailors would be a selling point for any manufacturer and retailer prepared to put them on the market.
So if you are friends with anyone in the manufacturing or retailing of VHF radios can you pass on the suggestion.
