In praise of Standard Horizon

Channel Ribs

Channel Ribs

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11 Mar 2006
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The island of Alderney
www.alderneymarine.com
[blatantplug]

I am familiar with the two smaller SH chartplotters, but have never really got stuck into the handheld models; until this week.

We got in one of the 370 handheld radios and have been learning it's ways, I must make public how impressed I am. We had to get to know it well because we are demonstrating it to a commercial buyer next week. The basic functions all jumped out at me but I felt the need to delve into the destruction manual to see what I had missed, it turned out to be an interesting read! The thing is a marvel, my only critisism is that the tea-maker attachement was extra. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have always been a fan of Icoms, particularly the M31; although I accept that for the same money the Raymarine 101 is technically excellent. For hard use the Simrad HT50 is lovely, but at 300 quid outside most budgets.

Value for money and first impressions of quality - the Standard Horizon takes the trophy though. Having said that, if anyone has had a bad time with either the 270 or the 370 I would be interested.

[/blatantplug]
 
Hmm, the one I'd quite like is the HX471 with DSC & AM/FM radio. Shame it isn't allowed in the UK/EU, for whatever reason. Which I'm sure somebody will have a justification for, just as somebody will be able to explain why the HX370 is at $130 in the US and about £160 in the UK.

Marc.
 
HX471...

I'm with you on that! I'd like an HX471 - you can get them from Hong Kong for £114 inc shipping and they put "Gift" on the parcel so the Customs people might not charge extra. And what a specification, including FM radio and Li-ion battery.

The HX370E might not be a good choice for everyone. Apart from having programmable PMR channels, a strobe light and a headset jack, it's substantially similar to the HX270E (which is only £85 inc UK delivery). For most leisure users, the price premium probably isn't worthwhile.
 
I have had the HX260E since 2003. Very impressed with it, but it is the one with the NiCd battery pack. There is also an alkaline pack for the grab bag.

Very pleased with it. Extremely robust and have not had the excuse to buy the HX270 to get the NiMH battery pack. Price has come down since 2003, but the Standard Horizon?YAESU has always been very competitively priced.
 
Got an HX270E - can't really fault it (wouldnt want to drop it my foot tho /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) - unless n0 and n1 arent m1 and m2 !
 
Martin,

Thank you fof those kind words.
Would just like to add that all our marine kit comes with a three year warranty.
Neither Simrad or Raymarine offer this.
Have to say in their defence Icom do.

Both the HX-270 and HX-370 come with Nimh batter, AA tray charger, mains and 12v lead.
All the base are covered.....I hope.

Whilst it is nice to see the praise for the other radio HX471, I must point out that it is not legal to own or use that unit in the EU unless you have a US flagged vessel.
I feel it is important to point that out to anyone who is considering a purchase.
You could end up with a £5k fine!

Also the unit will not have M1 (n0) or M2 (n1) programmed in.

You will and do pay extra for the HX370 but if you need the headset option and not the Licence PMR channels then it maybe worth looking at the HX-500, which we launched at LIBS this year.

I have always been a fan of the SH/Yaesu kit long before I joined them.

Should you have any further questions please feel free to call, mail or PM me.

Best regards
 
Re: Still cute...

Just received my HX270E today, at a competitive price courtesy of Malthouse. Looks like a super bit of kit, really solid, easy to use, well pleased.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have had the HX260E since 2003. Very impressed with it, but it is the one with the NiCd battery pack. There is also an alkaline pack for the grab bag.

Very pleased with it. Extremely robust and have not had the excuse to buy the HX270 to get the NiMH battery pack. Price has come down since 2003, but the Standard Horizon?YAESU has always been very competitively priced.

[/ QUOTE ]

agree 100%

I rarely use it for transmitting but quite often in receiving mode, anyway one year the NiCd batteries lasted for the full season
 
Re: Still cute...

[ QUOTE ]
Not with EU approval no.

Sorry

[/ QUOTE ]

Jon what is it that it does that makes it incompatible with EU regulations?
 
Re: Still cute...

Hi Tosca,

The main reason would be CE marking.
Also the built in DSC and FRS would not help.
Both features would have to be taken out.

Lady

Wow your showing your age! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
As you can see this is not the only forum I post on.

Cheers
 
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