Birthday Money

Aja

Aja

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That time of year again and I find myself with about £200 to spend. I'd like to get a new hand-held VHF as my current Cobra H/H batteries have begun to lose their recharging capabilities. I did try replacing the chinese rechargeable batteries but wasn't terribly successful.

I suspect the way forward with handhelds these days is one that has GPS and other toys. What do the forumites recommend and links to images or shops would be nice. I don't do ebay though. Sorry.

I'm happy to spend more - I'm sure that some will say that a basic Icom is all that is required, which is fine - but I just want to hear other opinions too.

regards

Donald
 
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I bought waterproof and floating Standard Horizon DSC for less than £200 from Force 4 and I'm pleased with it. Check their website to see what's available.

SH and Icom are generally regarded as the two best makes I think.

Richard
 
How do you use your boat? Thats gotta be pretty critical to answering if HH DSC is a good spend.

Do you have a fixed VHF?
Does it have DSC?
Where do you use it?
What do you use the HH for?
Do you sail in company or alone?

The in terms of other things to consider in the HH VHF world:
- Floating
- Waterproof
- Flash in water
- LiIon batteries are 1000 times better at holding charge in storage so will come up in the how you use it debate
- How to charge - 240V, 12V, USB
- 5W or 6W
- Replay functions (not convinced they are more than a gimmik!)
- Bluetooth Functions (probably of no relevance for a yachty but u never know!)
 
sailorman said:
My Raymarine has a battery pack with 6 AAs in it, so sensible & if they fail any non rechargeable AAs will fit as a stop gap
Click to expand...

I didn't know about HHs with AA size batteries until quite recently. Struck me as a very good idea if ever finding onesself in a liferaft as most grab bags (well mine at least) carry a couple of dozen AA batteries. The NiMh 'pack' type battery in my current HH is less reassuring! But I only use the HH as an auxiliary and the OP may have other priorities.
 
Aja said:
My Cobra already does this, thanks.

Donald
Click to expand...


Hang on, are you saying you want to replace the whole HH because the original batteries are a bit dead and you aren't happy with the replacents you tried- but that they're AA size?

I find it a bit difficult to believe you can't get satisfactory AA replacements but if you do change the whole handset PM me if you feel like selling it on...:encouragement:
 
I got a Standard Horizon handheld "free" with a chartplotter about 8 years ago. Great radio, still holds charge from end of season to start of next.
 
Another vote for SH DSC HH (can't remember model number off top of my head). Even with fixed DSC as well I would still want it on my HH since it's my emergency/back up VHF. The SH is an excellent radio though equivalent Icom I'm sure is just as good. Charge is held for months on single charge up if you're not using it all the time. Can get either for under £200 without using eBay.
 
when buying look at AllGadgets as recommended by quite a few on here just last week, he usually is very competitive on price with great service.
 
We have a Standard Horizon HX 851... DSC, GPS and floats. Charge lasts at least a week.

Part of our "Grab bag"... along with the portable AC unit and the miniature genset to keep SWMBO comfy while we drift... :-)
 
Monique said:
We have a Standard Horizon HX 851... DSC, GPS and floats. Charge lasts at least a week.

...
Click to expand...

We bought one of them recently - also to replace a Cobra with a dead battery pack. We're very pleased with it - reasonably light, excellent functionality and decent battery life.
 
Aja said:
I'm sure that some will say that a basic Icom is all that is required
Click to expand...

How about a really nice icom like the one JeffNev linked to? Unless you don't have a fixed DSC VHF on your boat I question the utility of DSC/GPS on a handheld. I find DSC functions awkward to use on the remote mic of my fixed set and suspect it'd be the same deal with a handheld. Don't get me wrong I like DSC and know how to use it, I just don't see it as useful on a handheld. A GPS chipset and additional circuitry probably increases battery drain.

Although I can see the utility of last-minute recording in the event of receiving a faint mayday in the middle of nowhere, the likelihood of most people every being in a situation where "Say again all after..." won't be more efficient is probably minimal.

Waterproof, good battery, decent power, clear audio, dual (or tri) watch and, if possible, decent user interface. The basics done really well is what I'd want.
 
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