Handheld Marine VHF

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Help please. I need to purchase a handheld VHF for safety purposes for use in an SB3. I need it to operate on M2 as well as the tighter band of frequencies that seem to be available on most handsets. As the boat can get pretty wet when racing a good level of splash resistance is required as a minimum.

Any ideas, pointers, own experience please

Thanks

Chris
 
I think I must be missing a trick here. Please excuse my ignorance I am new to VHF ( course booked!)

In the Entel 640 specifications although the frequency range includes M2 ( 161.425) that is not a frequency that is listed as being an available channel.

Is this something that a user can programme or have I misunderstood?

thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
PBO Feb2006 reckoned on the Raymarine RAY101E or the ICOM M31 when they did a test

[/ QUOTE ]

My colleague and I are in agreement with PBO, but we are also equally split on which one is better out of the two! Both are amasing value for 150 quid (ish) and resist daily use in the wet very well.
 
Channel M2...

Firstly, you queried channel M2 availability on the Entel HT640. If you buy a “Version A” model of the Entel, it comes pre-programmed with channel M2, confusingly displayed as “P1” on the screen.

Whatever handheld you get, it really should have a Li-ion battery for optimum practicality. You can top up the battery at any time without suffering the “memory” problems which affect NiCad and (to some extent) NiMH batteries. Quite why top manufacturers like Simrad, Garmin and Raymarine launch new radios without Li-ion batteries is bewildering.

The Entel HT640 and Icom M1V Euro both have Li-ion batteries. The Entel is basically a rebadged Standard Horizon - which doesn't mean it isn't good, but I reckon it now looks rather old-fashioned. Whilst the Entel was indeed rated “Best Buy” by a YM test in November 04, you should note that for some strange reason their test didn’t include the Icom M1V – arguably the one radio which should have been included!

The slightly cheaper Icom M31 is now available with a Li-ion battery, but check carefully what you’re getting because there are lots of older NiCad versions around. Unfortunately, the M31 has a strange off switch which allows the radio to gradually discharge itself whilst turned off. Icom suggest removing the battery pack, but as fixes go I don’t rate this as especially helpful. The M31 also has (in my limited experience) pretty poor performance. I sold mine quite quickly. However, the M31 does have a battery tray which can take ordinary AA batteries – a useful feature for emergency use, and not available on either the HT640 or M1V.

The recently introduced Icom M71 also has a Li-ion battery and is about £60 more expensive. Or, for a hundred quid more, there’s also the tiny Icom M87, again with Li-ion battery as standard, and with the important availability of an AA battery tray as an option. This radio is very ruggedly built, extremely compact and rather appealing.

Of these four, I'd suggest you look seriously at the Icom M1V – it’s currently listed for £156 inc delivery from Redcar Electronics, although you may find it even cheaper elsewhere.

The Standard Horizon radios sold in the UK don’t have Li-ion batteries, otherwise they’d certainly also be in my list.
 
Re: Channel M2...

M1-V Euro is a superb bit of kit. Been using one for years, with the optional speaker mic, which attaches to your lapel, which is much easier than fumbling for the actual radio when you are busy.
 
I use the Entel 640 - in fact I have 2! Very good bit of kit ( I'm often wet!) and has 3 year warranty. Solent Marine Superstore sell 'em for £149.95. Last one I bought came with a fee ear piece and remote mike.
 
Here is a diferent view from PVB about batteries.

Whilst NiCads have been superseded by much better options Li-ions tend to be proprietary and expensive to replace.

I have standardised on NiMH in AA size for VHF, Camera etc. This means I can have one fast charger for all my needs that works off 12V as well as 240V and means that I can always have spare recharged batteries available.

So far the best VHF for NiMH batteries seems to be the Raymarine mentioned above and which came out well in the PBO test.
 
Re: Channel M2...

Very interesting. Redcar is indeed about £150, and Li-ion. I wonder why Compass - usually reliably good prices - quotes £270 with Nicad batteries for what otherwise looks like the same set?
 
Compass prices...

Ah yes, Compass seem to have got it wrong, don't they? Obviously the NiCad mention is wrong. As for the price, well they are "Europe's largest marine mail order house", and they do offer 10% off for online orders, and they do offer a "Lowest Price Guarantee". Unfortunately, the Lowest Price Guarantee doesn't apply to online prices, only to prices in printed mail order catalogues.
 
Re: Compass prices...

Compass do not buy their Icom's in the UK so they may not have M1 (37a) and M2 (P4) programmed.
Also as they do not buy in the UK they will also not get the special offers they the UK Icom dealers do.
They other thing to consider here is the it is only us Icom UK the give three year warranty no one else does!!

Both Nicad and NIMH suffer will sffer from memory effect only lithum ion does not.
Lithium ion is also lighter and has better capacity for size.

Regards
 
Re: Compass prices...

Icom UK is the only Icom distributor to give 3 year warranty.

So the point is if you buy from Compass and it is not a UK sourced radio you will only 12 month warranty.

Hope that helps

Regards
 
3 year warranty...

[ QUOTE ]
Icom UK is the only Icom distributor to give 3 year warranty.


[/ QUOTE ]
Icom radios sold in the US are advertised with a 3 year warranty, aren't they?
 
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