Handheld VHF

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panda9958

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I’m planning to do the RYA VHF course in the next few weeks and have started researching VHF radios. I think I will start with a handheld model and have come up with a list of 3 :-

Icom M71
Entel HT640
Nexus NX1000

The Icom and Entel can be had for around £140, the Nexus is considerably less expensive at around £60, although it is less powerful and uses normal batteries. This one would probably be okay as I don't expect to use it much.

Does anyone have any experience of these models, or should I be looking at something else ?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Oh, did the Powerboat Level 2 course a few weeks ago – brilliant fun and learnt so much in a couple of days !
 
handhelds are great for line of sight distance maybe a couple of miles or calling a marina up, but you really need a fixed set for transmitting longer distances.

Both the Entel and Icom are good radio's have you looked at standard horizon and the ray101e from raymarine ?
 
Buy the ICOM. best reception of them all. Not got M71 but had a previous handheld for @ 6 years - tough as old boots. Upgraded last year to a full DSC main set too. Excellent kit
 
I have had a waterproof Icom for 10 years , no problems and its been mistreated the rechargeable battery lasts for a hell of a long time 2 to 3 days ? maybe.

Dont go for a non water proof and steer well clear of ordinary batteries they are a pain in the jacksie, always going flat cost a bomb to purchase, a false economy by far.
 
Many thanks for your advice, looks like the Icom then !

May go for a fixed set in the future - I rather like the idea of DSC. I guess I need a chartplotter thing for that. I've been looking at the Garmin GPS72 handheld, although I like the Navman fixed units with the Smartctaft interface for all the fuel functions. Does not look like a DIY fitting job though !
 
I've had the Entel 640 for three years or so and I can't fault it. Excellent reception and battery life and a well made water 'proof' piece of kit.
 
I have just bought an Icom , the one that was the only buoyant one in the PBO test (Icom M33). I bought it before the PBO report came out based on my experience with other Icom units that I have used in non maritime environments.
I have used Icom for nearly ten years and have found them very reliable.
 
No doubt about it
For handhelds the best is the Standard Horizon
Not only cheap but built like an brick $hithouse
They are also a subsidary of a company that has been making radios for years

Not sure - but isnt Entel something to do with Standard Horizon anyway - could be wrong tho'

Another advantage with Standard is that they can come with an additional dry cell battery pack - keep it in your grab bag with some standard batteries and you will always have a radio ready for and emergency. Nothing worse than finding when you need it that you forgot to charge it.
 
I'd go Icom every time, based on my experience of using them. Great products, and great service. The handheld I have now which is no longer produced is a classic, and was the one issued to coastguards.
 
Sorry Brendan

I bought a couple of the Euro Series (I think thats what they called them) a few years ago - they simply fell apart - both of them. It was purely mechanical the cases split where the screws fitted.

Also my sailing club has always used Icom - up until about 10 years ago, the quality of the sound was good but about 7 or 8 years ago they introduced newer electronics that IMO was $rap. I always found myself saying "Say Again".
Everyone at my sailing club thats used Icom and the Standard agrees with me that the Standard is infinately more superior - in reception quality and robustness.

I've owned both - this is my opinion of course but go and try a Standard and you'll see what I mean.
 
Mine has taken a real trouncing and still performs and well put together. Icom always come out well when threads like this appear, so they can't be that bad?

I've tried many others, but don't see them as being better built or better sound wise.
 
Definitely the iCom. Had mine (M1EUROV)for over 2 years. Use it in all situations, on my boat and on RIBs in all weathers. It's never failed, or caused any problems, usually working well when other sets are not working too well.

Also iCom's after sales are fantastic. The belt clip broke, and iCom supplied a replacement (better designed) for a really low price within 24 hours.
 
last months PBO said the standard horizon hx 270 was the best on test i bought one on that advise alone and it is super smashing brilliant .
cheers john
well worth the £85 quid well well worth it.
 
Thanks for your input guys. I think I may go for the Standard Horizon 270 and save a few quid. I do intend to get a built in DSC unit at a future date.

Dave
 
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