GME vs UNIDEN vs ...

GME!! Aussie made. Nothing wrong with Uniden though I'm biased towards local product and will support local industry. Parts available everywhere if needed. Just make sure you install the antenna correctly with good connections to the coax.

GME Aussie 'assembled'..!!

'GME aussie made'...... we worry about whether a $400 radio is Aussie made or not, fly the flag etc, then put it in a $40, $50, $60 thousand or more Japanese, British or American vehicle... hardly a huge deciding factor....

Dave

I have GME 3420 remote head... Aussie made.. I think they are a bit complicated with far too much crap on them for a bloke who wants to speak to someone else closeby.... Anyway its clear outwards and inwards,,, Michael

The Bushwhackers
All good and well, but please show me an Aussie made vehicle like the Troopcarrier, or a Nissan Patrol,

Doug, can't argue with you there, it's just the 'buy aussie' mentality of some that amuses me. Considering the costs involved in vehicle purchase and fitting out for touring or whatever, a radio assembled in Australia from,more than likely overseas components, wouldn't make much difference. Buy whatever suits your needs, and budget.

I am an Australian manufacturer of mining machinery components, and my creed is that if I cant make a better, or cheaper component than my opposition, or if my service doesn't warrant the extra costs involved in manufacturing in Australia, then I will be out of business, with no whining on my part.

Yes, I buy Aussie in preference to imported goods whenever possible, but I don't jump up and down and say 'look what a good loyal bloke I am'.

You said it yourself, sometimes there is no choice.

Oh yeah, the components I manufacture end up digging holes in China, must be doing something right.

Cheers, Dave

Doug, Madcow & others,

I checked the GME website this morning, quite impressive, but...
I was a little disappointed to see them state that their printed circuit boards are made by robots 'in a fraction of the time human hands can make them'. Doesn't sound like they employ too many aussies in manufacturing.

Also, this copy and paste from the GME website:

'To compliment our range of Australian designed & manufactured products, and to provide our dealer network with a complete product portfolio, we have entered into a number of strategic alliances with offshore manufacturing organisations. These external relationships are based on either an exclusive distribution agreement, or a contractual arrangement where an approved overseas factory will build products developed by our Engineers..'

How many Aussie jobs are we helping to provide? I certainly wish it were more, but I'd suggest that the retailers & sales reps would be in the majority, same as Uniden. I've been wrong before, but GME admit to having ' strategic alliances with offshore manufacturing organizations', and ''a contractural arrangement where an approved OVERSEAS FACTORY will build products designed by our engineers'

Australian made? I think we are being misled.

Cheers, Dave

Used lots included no names over the last 25 years as convoy links and as checkpoint ( cross country rallying) communications.
Our Uniden units have worked pretty well and have been reliable although we have seen others with them wher they packed up due to vibration (bad mounting?) and dust causing circuit board tracking.
Our GME and I-com units have been bulletproof and seem to consistently work over longer distances in both vehicle and hand held. They also cost more.

regards

a

Don't forget about Icom .The IC 400 Pro would be one of, if not the best uhf on the market. Great build quality and you can decide how basic you want it
Down the track you may need other functions wich you can activate as required.

Cheers Teza

The ICOM IC440 is also remote but, unlike the GME, it has the mic & speaker in the hand unit and can be heard without the need for an extension speaker. I think it is an excellent quality unit.

Don,

No argument from me mate.
The Icom units are also very good.

As far as a speaker in the mic head though, I have to say that my hearing isn't what it used to be but I have no problem hearing conversations from the GME speaker even though the box is under the dash.
No need for a remote speaker, although the feature is there if you need it.

The remote head (compactness) was the necessary requirement when I was shopping for one. The price was a secondary consideration.
I was happy to try the Aussie brand this time round.


Bill.

Bill,

I didn't actually try the GME, listened to the Icom sales pitch re poor hearing and extension speakers needed for GME if hearing is on the wain..., as mine is, I'm a deaf old bugger.

My head unit is mounted under the seat...too much crap under the dash in the LC200, including a knee airbag.

And, the hand unit on the Icom is not any bigger than the GME from memory. As for Aussie made..., well I have my doubts that it is..., maybe assembled as someone else implied but since I paid north of $90K for a Japanese vehicle, it hardly makes any difference where the radio comes from.