Best VHF Handheld

[pescador]

I've got a couple of hand helds now and find them useful when on the West Coast. One has DSC/GPS which is fine, but, the battery seems to last only 6 hours when you leave it on (Standard Horizon). I am looking for better quality transmit power and longer battery life. I don't need another DSC/GPS model. I'm looking at the ICOM M73 or M73Plus. Both have 6 watts transmit power and batteries that last 18 hours. Anyone using these two radios or have knowledge of them? My fixed mount ICOM is better than any other fixed mount I've had in the past, so, logically think the ICOM handhelds should be the same.

 

[UkeeDreamin]

I have the SH HX851 as my handheld. 6 watts, with DSC and built-in GPS. Battery life depends on what power setting I leave the radio on and how much I use it. Have made the mistake of leaving power on high and 6-hours of life sounds about right. If just listening to 16 and the weather on low power, however, with the odd chat with a buddy boat, my battery lasts all day, including checking the weather that night. Also lasted fine on a single charge for a 5-day kayak trip in Desolation Sound by keeping it on low power and only turning it on when we were in our boats or listening to the evening forecast. Key is to only use the high power setting if transmitting and turning back to low when done. Would check to see if the ICOM's claimed battery life is best case at low power and little to no broadcasting or if that is the real life battery expectation for the use you anticipate.

Cheers!

Ukee

 

[Pippen]

Another vote for the SH HX851 and the power setting does dictate. I am 99% sure somewhere around here too I have a cigarette lighter charger it came with which is handy if you have one on the boat.

 

[Peahead]

Gord, I also have the SH HX851 and a big part of any handheld's lack of range is the tiny rubber duck antenna so adding another watt or two ( even if there is higher pwr handhelds than 6 watts ) won't do alot for range. You'd have to double or triple the wattage to make a significant difference .....and then you'd have a have a bigger battery on it to get any duration....and still only a lousy rubber d antenna. The next logical step would be a 25 watt mounted VHF which is no longer a "handheld". Getting the handheld higher off the water or ground or even adapting into better antenna will help ( I adapted an older model handheld to a 4' whip and it helped a lot but of course makes it less portable.

I am not a marine technician by any stretch but I have spoken to a few over the years and as far as I understand the higher wattage choices on a handheld only make a difference for transmitting so therefore your battery will only draw more wattage and drain faster if you transmit at the higher wattage settings. When you are monitoring and receiving ( not transmitting) the change in wattage settings has no effect at all and makes no difference to power or quality of incoming signal - so therefore no additional battery drain until you actually transmit.

For extra battery time I use my DC adapter charger and am considering buying a second battery for mine.

 

[pescador]

Thanks for input guys. I have the same model you have. Guess its pretty popular. I do leave it on high power most of the time so that may be affecting battery life. Appreciate the input...

 

[hambone]

I find marine handhelds to be frustrating as it's easy to buy a lemon even after reading reviews and picking the "best" one.

I rely on a good handheld for work and for value I would recommend the Standard Horizon hx290. Not the most feature packed handheld but it's very loud and the battery will last all day. I'm used to running it on the lower setting, but you an go up to 5 watt transmit power.

Considering the price of iCom handhelds I really don't have anything good to say about them.

 

[FisherTim]

I find marine handhelds to be frustrating as it's easy to buy a lemon even after reading reviews and picking the "best" one.

I rely on a good handheld for work and for value I would recommend the Standard Horizon hx290. Not the most feature packed handheld but it's very loud and the battery will last all day. I'm used to running it on the lower setting, but you an go up to 5 watt transmit power.

Considering the price of iCom handhelds I really don't have anything good to say about them.

1 up for the HX290(Standard Horizon)

I work in a marina, we use HX280's, I have a 290 I got myself, It's floating, waterproof, has GREAT volume, It's louder than my stationary, and is always clear.

I can easily hear my 290 when it's on my belt, I'm sitting on top of the backrest of my sleepers, have my Engine at WOT, and have wind gusting past my ears at 25KTS.

It doesn't have a ton of features, but It's got everything I need(H/L, U/I/C, 5 favourite channels, 16/09 quick switch, WX, Lock, and SQL control) The battery lasts me a full day of Boating to work, Working all day, and coming home 12-14 hours later. If I forget to charge it, it usually gives me another 4-6 hours of life the next day.

 

[Pippen]

Thanks for input guys. I have the same model you have. Guess its pretty popular. I do leave it on high power most of the time so that may be affecting battery life. Appreciate the input...

I was thinking about this Gord and I now recall you had one....in fact you recommended it to me when I purchased.

 

[pescador]

Scott, I'm always trying to push the bounderies and get better performance. Nothing wrong with the HX851. Sounds like if I could bolt an 8' ft antennae on it........we'd be set. I'm trying to monitor activity on English Bay from my man cave in Point G (monitor guys, not talk). The hand held doesn't quite do it. Think its just the issue with the antennae not being high enough.

 

[Peahead]

Scott, I'm always trying to push the bounderies and get better performance. Nothing wrong with the HX851. Sounds like if I could bolt an 8' ft antennae on it........we'd be set. I'm trying to monitor activity on English Bay from my man cave in Point G (monitor guys, not talk). The hand held doesn't quite do it. Think its just the issue with the antennae not being high enough.

Exactly correct - I live at about 600 ft in elev. in Lynn Valley area and at that elevation even with stock rubber antenna on the HX851 I can hear sandheads, T10, Bell and hump area fairly well - cap mouth is like they are standing next to me! ..... Even Thrasher and Grande area comes in, but scratchy..... The power wattage setting and height/quality of antenna of the transmitting boat/station's radio is then ultimately what makes a big difference in hearing them or not ( as well as their exact proximity to obstacles such as islands/mountains etc). The receiving station/handheld's proximity to interference from buildings/pwr lines etc would also degrade quality.

 

[Pippen]

Scott, I'm always trying to push the bounderies and get better performance. Nothing wrong with the HX851. Sounds like if I could bolt an 8' ft antennae on it........we'd be set. I'm trying to monitor activity on English Bay from my man cave in Point G (monitor guys, not talk). The hand held doesn't quite do it. Think its just the issue with the antennae not being high enough.

Haven't tried it in a while but I seem to think when I first got mine I was okay in my home office on the second floor of my house down on Kits Point. I am sure in basement man cave it may be different...I am sure my main floor may also be different as I notice the bars on my cell phone drop due to interference.