handheld prices - stable year after year?

[hmm]

I'm thinking of buying a handheld vhf (standard horizon 270 ...) £89, to use on a catamaran dinghy in an estuary (just to talk to others nearby really plus safety back up - flares always carried though from the bigger boat).

It's not really necessary, and certainly not urgent towards the end of the season, but if anyone knows that the price will still be £89 next year I'll buy now - if it is going to be £79 next year I'll wait.

So do you know how the price of these things alters (or doesn't it)?
Thanks

 

[Alrob]

I think ( but could be wrong) that the 270 is superseeded now hence low price - I paid about £130 a year ago for it

cheers

 

[hmm]

Yup

I meant the HX270E or is that the same?

 

[Alrob]

Re: Yup

yes same one - think new model is now 370E

 

[pvb]

Predicting the future...

Predicting the future is always a risky business, but I'd reckon that handhelds are going to get more complex and hence more costly very soon. If you look at the spec of Standard Horizon handhelds available now in the US and elsewhere, they're streets ahead of what they offer us in Europe, with features such as AM/FM radio, DSC capability and emergency SOS strobe lights. So I'd imagine that handhelds available here will soon become more feature-packed, with consequent price hikes. Whilst "old technology" discontinued models will always be cheaper, the higher prices of new versions will probably drag the discontinued ones up too. If you're happy with the spec of the HX270 for your needs, buy it now.

 

[hmm]

thanks

thanks

 

[hmm]

interesting

thanks

 

[morgandlm]

Re: Predicting the future...

I don't think your logic that increasing complexity of a hand-held VHF will lead to higher prices is supported by experience with mobile phones, PCs, TVs, digtal cameras etc. All of these have become hugely more sophisticated .... and cheaper. Perhaps handheld VHF will be different but I can't see why.
With regard the question of when to buy, my own view is that if you feel the need to wait in the hope of saving a few pounds, you don't really need it.
Morgan

 

[andy_wilson]

Nope

The 370 has run alongside the 270 for ages (since I bought my 270). The 370 includes PMR channels too.

 

[pvb]

Volume?...

Many of the other electrical items you've mentioned have benefitted from huge increases in the volumes sold. Do you think there's the same potential for greatly increased volumes with handhelds?

 

[shamrock]

Re: Predicting the future...

agreed - I reckon manufacturers have to 'run to stand still' a lot more these days - and so features are added to maintain the existing price. New features justify a small price premium for a short while until everyone else catches up then it's back to the previous price level. Meantime, someone else makes it for less, or has slimmer margins, and pulls down the price of all. So innovation is only profitable if you keep doing it, and milk that short time when you are ahead, every time.

It's a tough world!