Handheld VHF - Recommendations?

[Pippen]

Hey Guys & Gals,

I am looking to get myself a new handheld VHF and wondering if anyone has any recommendations or avoidances with respect to brands/models etc? I had an old one that I passed to my Dad back in MB a couple of years ago and figure I should get myself a new one this season.

I am looking for it for 2 reasons....

• To keep on board in a "ditch kit"
• Also to have when "exploring" the WCVI etc....we spend lots of time in places like Kyuquot exploring various areas where we leave the boat anchored off the beach and head for a hike etc. Just in the event that something ever happened I'd like to have one on my person.

Thanks for any insight!

Scott

 

[nedarb2]

i have a standard horizon and it has been great. I think standard has now matched, if not passed icom. If i were to buy a another handheld or mounted radio today it would be a standard.
My handheld battery lasts about 3 fishign days of scanning (which uses up the most power) and on high output power. also came with a wall and car charger

 

[SpringFever2359]

I've had the Icom M32 for a number a years now, just a basic handheld and use/have it in my camper or take it up to the cabin @ Quatsino..basically used as a base unit...so far so good, its mostly used to get the weather report in the evening or morning before going out and has all(12v&120v) chargers included...

There are soo many improvements to these units since I purchased mine,they probably all come now with Lithium Ion's,but make sure you get the longer lasting Lithium battery, and maybe the adapter for use with aa's if your using for a "ditch kit"(pack extra aa batteries), IMO built in GPS also a must for a "ditch" kit unit..
The Standard Horizon HX851 would be my pick,if I was looking to buy another unit,I do love my SH plotter

have fun "shopping", and do let us know what you get

 

[eastpoint]

Pippen

I bought one of these.standard-horizon-hx851, for the reasons in the following article. Worth the extra small amount of extra money I think, especially in light of what you want it for. Works well.

http://www.marine-electronics-reviews.com/standard-horizon-hx851.html

Eastpoint

 

[Pippen]

Thanks guys for the info.....I'll have a read of the article tonight; heading to a buddy's place right now to watch the game.

I call it a "ditch kit"....but mostly it is a wetbag that seals up....awesome bag made by Simms. http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/dry_creek_roll_top.html?id=MjN9KKkD:66.203.207.66

But it has emergency gear (the usuals) I keep in the bottom....but also it holds my camera and some extra gear...and I'd really like to put a VHF in there. My buddy has one of these bags and had his camera gear in it....it drifted down the Bulkley River for quite a ways and all was still perfectly dry.

One of my main reasons for putting this together is for a ditch kit....but also sort of a shore bag as mentioned for exploring.

 

[pescador]

Scott, I have the Standard Horizon HX850S. Its got 6-watts of power and has a self contained GPS receiver and DSC capability, which I use as a back up to my fix mount unit in the boat. As well, I've got a cheap West Marine model that I leave in the cabin when I'm at Nootka to get weather reports and stuff in my Mustang floater when I fish solo. You will notice the 6 watt unit performs better than most 5 watt generally. DSC may be the standard now, not sure, but I wouldn't buy one without it. Also, check battery life specs. Mine will generally last a couple of days if I'm just monitoring 16. Must less if you're communicating.

 

[beemer]

Scott, I have the Standard Horizon HX850S. Its got 6-watts of power and has a self contained GPS receiver and DSC capability, which I use as a back up to my fix mount unit in the boat. As well, I've got a cheap West Marine model that I leave in the cabin when I'm at Nootka to get weather reports and stuff in my Mustang floater when I fish solo. You will notice the 6 watt unit performs better than most 5 watt generally. DSC may be the standard now, not sure, but I wouldn't buy one without it. Also, check battery life specs. Mine will generally last a couple of days if I'm just monitoring 16. Must less if you're communicating.

x 2 on the standard Horizon. I have a brand new Icom that sits next to my older standard Horizon and it picks up less than half of the same transmissions. The Standard is much clearer. If I was using my handheld in the bush I would go for the hx600 model
http://www.standardhorizon.com/inde...29708C9145F1A71D9E1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=1

It has a air band as well , which would come in handy in the bush. I have a buddy with one and he raves about it.

beemer

 

[Pippen]

Many thanks guys the decision has been made rather easily.....I read a number of reviews and articles including the ones above. The HX851 seems by far to be the number one out there...it is "editors pick" in a number of articles I had read.

Anyone have any recommendations as to where to purchase? I know a retailer close to me that will likely have them but I was so put off by the service there a year or so ago, I hate giving them my business.

I am assuming when they are referring to "battery testing" as noted below it would be 7 hours if in constant use rather than just monitoring with occasional use. As noted pescador said his lasts a couple of days....vs what is noted below.

Performance and Battery Life Testing

We rated the screen on the HX851 excellent; it really doesn’t get much better than this in a handheld VHF radio. With a resolution of 132 by 64 the dot-matrix screen proved more than capable.
Top row icons include transmit or busy, transmitter power, channel group, and GPS reception. The selected transmitter power output level is shown onscreen with and H(6-watts), M2(5-watts), M1(2.5-watts), or L(1-watt). A transmission is also indicated by a red light on the case front, when receiving the light displays green.
Audio performance was outstanding. During our output test we measured 98 dBA.
The HX851 turned in a fair performance in our battery life test by lasting 7 hours. When you consider the compromise in battery size and weight needed to make a radio float and to operate all the added functionality of this radio seven hours is still a respectable performance.
​

 

[Pippen]

x 2 on the standard Horizon. I have a brand new Icom that sits next to my older standard Horizon and it picks up less than half of the same transmissions. The Standard is much clearer. If I was using my handheld in the bush I would go for the hx600 model
http://www.standardhorizon.com/inde...29708C9145F1A71D9E1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=1

It has a air band as well , which would come in handy in the bush. I have a buddy with one and he raves about it.

beemer

Thanks Beemer. I could listen to my favourite radio stations on that one too which it doesn't look like I could do on the 851!! Nothing like listening to talk radio to soothe ones nerves in a high pressure situation.

It also looks like a great little unit; only drawback appears to be that the GPS will only work when it is in the charging cradle.

 

[Pippen]

Just wanted to extend thanks again guys.....I hadn't got around to getting a VHF until yesterday; picked up an HX851 and managed to get a pretty good deal on it here in Vancouver.

 

[eastpoint]

Good choice Pippen

I bought one last year and love it.
Make sure your get an MMSI number if you don't already have one. Program it in ASAP. The DSC will not function until it is programmed!!!!
Google MMSI Canada, its free. just fill out a form and fax it off.

I fish alone at times too, I always consider that if I were to fall in with engine in gear, playing or netting a fish, it would significantly increase the odds of being rescued.

I typically wear an inflatable PFD when alone too.
Every boat should have one just in case you need to abandon ship.

Eastpoint

 

[Pippen]

Hey eastpoint....thanks for the heads up on that. Just downloaded the forms.

 

[beemer]

After a call I heard today on the radio I am not sure I have too much faith in the Epirb or DSC system. Coast Guard puts out a PanPan then a MayDay for a activated epirb , boats , helicopters the whole 9 yards to the lat/long.The guy turns up 4 miles away at a marina washing his boat!!!

 

[beemer]

I just got one of these horizon 851hx handheld vhf yesterday. Very awesome as back up radio especially with DSC/GPS functions. My old one was OK but did not float, and this one has way more safety features. So I had a question did any of you guys use separate MMSI number for your radio? I was wondering if I use the same one I have on my boat.

High Five

Nice radio Highfive. I would check the specs , but I believe that the HX needs to have its own mmsi because it is a stand alone radio not integrated.

beemer