Best Handheld VHF (PBO recent survey?)

demonboy

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Me again! This time asking about handheld VHFs. I'm already getting tired with running from the helm to the nav table every time I need to speak to the harbour master so a handheld VHF has moved up on my shopping list.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!!!
 

Oldhand

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I used to do what you are planning but a handheld is not always a good solution as the low transmit power often gets "overspoken" on a busy channel. Why not consider a dual staion VHF installation? One which gives a DSC facility in the cockpit is the ultimate solution IMHO.
 

pvb

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Best choice is...

Bearing in mind your cruising area, Jamie, you might not be too worried about whether your handheld is technically legal in the UK. This opens up a number of more interesting choices. Whatever you get has to have a Li-Ion battery, for charging convenience.

The Icom M-88 is a superb compact handheld, about $265 in the US (whereas the UK equivalent version, the M-87, is about £265!).

But the handheld I'm most intrigued by is the Standard Horizon HX471S. This tiny handheld has a built-in DSC distress call facility, using a stored GPS position which it downloads whenever it's in the charging cradle. It also has an AM/FM radio built-in, including aeronautical band. And it has a built-in FRS radio facility, too. All this for $250 in the US. Sounds tremendous value, and of course it's JIS7 waterproof, etc.
 

demonboy

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@ Oldhand: Hmmm, interesting argument but I can see many £££ signs here. I've just installed an ICOM 421 which I don't think can use the CommandMic accessory. DSC in the cockpit is sensible but can i set up a repeater in the cockpit with this unit? I'm not sure i can.

@pvb: looking into now!
 

pvb

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It\'s the dogs, isn\'t it?

Saw it first in the 2005 West Marine catalogue - they're selling it for $300. You'll find it for around $250 from 2 or 3 US firms with eBay shops. Shipping to Europe will probably be around $40.
 

Oldhand

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Dunno, I'm not an Icom expert, the M601 can use a command mike but perhaps lesser models can't. I use a Simrad RS87 installation which has full control at both stations, surely not too expensive in relation to your type of yacht?!
 

wooslehunter

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Icom have a deal on at he moment & have knocked £100 off the M1-EURO V. You can get them for around £170-180.

It's coastie's choice: waterproof & has Lithium Ion batteries so no Ni-Cd memory problems.

Good little radio.
 
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[ QUOTE ]
I use a Simrad RS87 installation which has full control at both stations, surely not too expensive in relation to your type of yacht?!

[/ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a slight improvement on my Raymarine 215E dual station setup, which requires that I first have to put the chart table station into secondary mode before a call can be made from the in-cockpit station.
 

tillergirl

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Before you get a handheld, have a look at the Standard Horizon VM3500 DSC. It has an optional remote microphone which is more than a second microphone but in fact a full second station. Mounted in the cockpit it does away with the need for a handheld in the cockpit (you might of course want one for other purposes) and allows you to do all VHF/DSC functions without leaving the helm. It means that you can turn off DSC alarms without leaving the helm etc. The main set is not a compact set but is marketed as easy to use with large keyboard and knobs. One advantage of the slightly larger set is a quality speaker with nice tone. Both set and second station microphone are fully waterproof. Worth looking at if you need a DSC as well.
 

demonboy

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[ QUOTE ]
......surely not too expensive in relation to your type of yacht?!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure what you mean by this comment. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Just because I own this "type of yacht" does not mean I have a great big pile of cash to throw at it. In fact we are on a very tight budget, which is why I chose the ICOM 421. It was installed a few weeks ago, so I'm not replacing it!

I should make it clear that I am not in the market for another station. This thread was started to find opinions on handhelds, though I do appreciate all the comments thus far. IMHO the HX471S looks quite exciting, in part due to its features and also its compact size. Looks like it's only available in the states though - reckon I'll get stung on VAT getting it sent over to the UK? I think I should be sending it directly to my boat in Turkey.
 

Nauti Fox

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I've just got a 421 as well, good set at a good price. I use an Icom M31 as a backup set and on the flybridge. Never had any problems with people going over the top of me and find the reception very good. The only thing that lets it down is it discharges itself. I believe Icom say this is normal for this set, apart from that it works well, and at a good price for a waterproof piece of kit.
Now, if Pifco made one, what a set that would be!
 
A

angelsson

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Re: Best choice is...

Hi,
The HX471S looks a super product, most features I have seen so far, especialy the emergency GPS tranmission.
My concern, having read previous post regarding importing US products being legal in UK.
Do you know what is the situation with the HX471S?
Mike
 

pvb

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I\'d imagine...

I'd imagine that it's not CE marked as conforming to EU Directive 1999/5/EC, so technically a UK resident shouldn't use it here. However, it would be quite OK for a visiting US yachtsman to use it here, and it would work perfectly well. Crazy, or what?
 

demonboy

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Re: I\'d imagine...

Do you know if I'd get stung for VAT if I got it shipped over here in the UK? It's not really a problem for me as I'd send it to Turkey instead but would that then mean I'm using it illegally anywhere in the EC?
 

pvb

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Re: I\'d imagine...

As far as I'm aware, shipping it to the UK would theoretically incur import duty at (I think) 5% on the cost of goods + shipping, plus VAT at 17.5% on the whole lot (including the duty). Whether you actually have to pay duty and VAT will depend to some extent on how it's shipped. The last time I bought from West Marine, they shipped by FedEx and I got a bill for duty & VAT from FedEx sometime later. If stuff is shipped via the postal service, Royal Mail will usually collect the duty & VAT (and an admin charge) at the time of delivery, although I got a package from the US the other day by post which just arrived without a charge.

But despite all this, a $250 handheld costing $40 to ship from the US should only cost around £200 even with duty & VAT.

And, yes, it would be technically illegal to use a non-CE marked radio in Europe, although you'd really think that our governments would have more important things to worry about.
 

Marmalade

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I have a Standard Horizon - not a DSC set or anything but

a) handheld in the cockpit - top idea; we swear by it
b) SH v reliable - not a moment's trouble
 

JonBrooks

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Re: I\'d imagine...

[ QUOTE ]
a
And, yes, it would be technically illegal to use a non-CE marked radio in Europe, although you'd really think that our governments would have more important things to worry about.

[/ QUOTE ]

No technically about it, it is very black and white, it is either illegal or it is not.
In this case it is.
Breaking the WT Act is a very serious offence.
We are not talking a slap on the wrist!

Ofcom have stated that they will be inspecting marina's, harbours and launch sites this season.
If you are in one you stand a good chance of having your collar felt.

That aside if you buy in from the US you will have channels missing, if it is a DSC set if it is not class D you will have problems.
There is a class called SC101 which is for US coastal boating only.

Regards
 
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