Standard Horizon, a leading manufacturer of rugged and waterproof VHF sets, proudly introduces the GX-6000E, a ‘sister set’ to its cutting edge GX-6500E.
Just like its sibling, the GX-6000E is packed full of features, including a full DSC VHF set, a loud hailer, a GPS navigation page and a Class B (non SOLAS) AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver. The lower-priced GX-6000E offers AIS reception only, whereas the higher specification GX-6500E model which has an integral 66-channel GPS and Class B AIS transponder, passes information about your own vessel’s identity and track to similarly equipped ‘targets’.
However, the GX-6000E will still tell you everything about the targets, including their Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, their name and call sign, and the bearing, distance, speed over the ground (SOG) and course over the ground (COG). The set also contains programmable alarms for closest point of approach (CPA) and time to closest point of approach (TCPA). In some ways the GX-6000E is more helpful than radar in that it allows you to track and identify a target, and then contact it directly using the soft keys.
The GX-6000E is aimed at boat owners who want the maximum amount of features for the most competitive price, and all packed into a compact chassis with plenty of expansion ports. At the heart of this remarkable set is a DSC VHF, which offers the full range of radio functions, including priority scan, programmable scan, position polling and a push-button distress alert. Additionally, sockets on the rear allow it to be connected to any NMEA2000 or NMEA0183 device, such as a chart plotter or the required external GPS such as the SCU-31, which provides the data for an electronic compass, waypoint navigation and GPS status page to be displayed on the high definition, backlit LCD screen.
Another major feature is the ability to supplement the supplied microphone with either a RAM4 (SSM-70H) second station handset, which replicates all of the key functions, including the AIS display, or – for even more freedom of movement, – the wireless RAM4W (SSM-71H). When combined with the wireless base station (SCU-30), this wireless remote station has a range of around 60 feet, and the GX-6000E can support no less than four RAM4Ws (or two RAM4s) connected at the same time. If you simply want more reach on the supplied microphone, then there is an extra 20 feet available using the MEK-4 extension kit. Both remote microphones allow full control including intercom ability from any one microphone to another or to all.
As with all Standard Horizon products, operation of the GX-6000E is highly intuitive, and uses the E20 ’Easy to Operate’ menu system. Channel selection is via an oversized rotary knob with push to enter, and there is also a built-in voice recorder that can capture two minutes of audio reception. This allows you to play back a faint or garbled message, or just record a coast station weather forecast.
Extra features include a dual zone loud hailer with pre-programmed fog signals and a listen back facility. There is also an integrated voice scrambler if secrecy is required, important to commercial fishermen, and an advanced receiver with an attenuator for both local and distant transmissions.
Providing a host of vital electronic aids in one package, including AIS reception, with the ability to access them remotely from either end of your boat, the GX-6000E represents good value for money. The potential to expand the functionality further with full NMEA connectivity makes it more powerful still.
Recommended retail price: £579.95 including VAT.
Key features:
- Standard Horizon GX-6000E
- Integrated Class B AIS receiver
- AIS/AIS SART Target display
- AIS Call Sign, Ship’s name, MMSI, BRG, COG, SOG, DST
- NMEA2000 and NMEA 0183 compatible
- Front panel waterproofed to IPX8
- Programmable closest point of approach (CPA) alarm
- Dual zone 25W PA/loud hailer and programmable fog signals
- GPS compass, waypoint and GPS status pages
- Oversized rotary channel knob with push to enter
- Easy to Operate (E2O) menu system
- Optional microphone extension kit (20 feet)
- Supports two RAM4 or four RAM4W repeaters
- Integrated voice recorder for 2 minutes of received calls
- Advanced receiver attenuator for local/distance RX
- Integrated 32 code voice scrambler
- Three year warranty