Standard Horizon GX1280S
Marine VHF Radio Review

The Standard Horizon GX1280S Matrix has a moderately sized front panel fitted with a large display screen and rotary channel selection knob.

This Standard Horizon marine VHF is capable of interfacing with the companies’ optional voice scrambler and can connect to a remote microphone.

Standard Horizon GX1280S

Performance

We found transmitter power output to be stable over the full range of tests. The radio scored a good for frequency stability and an excellent for receive sensitivity.

The receive selectivity specification on the Matrix is 70 dB. In audio testing it did very well, managing a sound pressure level of 92 dB.

We liked the large display screen on the Matrix and gave it an excellent rating. A navigation page can be selected that will display the date, time, course, speed, and latitude/longitude when this radio is connected to a GPS unit.

Operation

Most pushbuttons on the Matrix do double duty. Dedicated individual buttons provide control for dual watch/intercom, menu/call, high/low transmitter power and navigation, and scan/memory. Two other buttons when used together select the U.S., International, or Canadian channel bank. When pressed individually, one button selects 16/9 and the other weather channels. We found the menu a bit cumbersome to use.

Matrix features Dual Watch, Priority scan, and Memory scan. Memory and Priority scanning is available after the desired channels are placed in memory. Memory scan looks at all channels in memory in numerical order from lowest to highest. Priority scan inserts a look at channel 16 each memory channel.

Digital Selective Calling

DSC calling capability of the GX1280S Matrix is limited. This radio will send and receive distress, individual, all ships, and group calls.

Final Thoughts

The GX1280S Matrix is waterproof and carries a 3-year warranty. It produced excellent overall performance results.

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