New handheld VHF Standard Horizon HX890E with moisture inside

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Four weeks ago I bought a new VHF radio, Standard Horizon HX890E from a very well known marine navigation equipment store supplier. The vhf was kept inside the cabin which is very dry and used once.
The condensation on the screen is so bad that it is impossible to read the screen or see the channel number. I have asked for a replacement because obviously it is faulty. When i spoke to the supplier, I was surprised when he said that it was common for this particular vhf model to have moisture problems and they will contact Standard Horizon to be fixed, he was hesitant and reluctant when I asked for a replacement.
The first problem is the poor quality control from Standard Horizon and secondly, although the supplier was polite, his approach did not fulfil me with confidence. My other handheld vhf is a 14 year old Standard Horizon which has been excellent and moisture free. It doesn't worry me as it will be sorted out one way or the other, however, it is very disappointing that Standard Horizon are dropping their standards.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

...and the photo of the vhf

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I have an 870 that suffered from humidity, and was fixed under warranty. My 890 has never shown a problem, and it probably gets a lot wetter than most.

It being new I'd be asking for replacement in the shop. Their problem, not yours.

 

[sarabande]

Inside the device there will be a small 'dot' of plastic about 3mm dia. It's a water sensor, similar to those used in iphones etc. When it's pink/white it means the insides have not been exposed to moisture, but if it turns blue....

And it's an irreversible change.

 

[Daverw]

I suspect that Standard Horizan would be a little concerned over a dealer stating this as a normal problem, never had any quality issues with and of their kit either marine or Ham, if you are still concerned I would give them a ring, they are in the UK and very helpful.

 

[Graham376]

I was surprised when he said that it was common for this particular vhf model to have moisture problems and they will contact Standard Horizon to be fixed, he was hesitant and reluctant when I asked for a replacement.

Don't be fobbed off with that reply, it's up to the retailer to give money back or replace, NOT for you to rely on SH warranty repair.

 

[fredrussell]

I also had to send a new SH fixed VHF back to Yaesu because screen fogged a bit. They were excellent about it, came back quick sharp and no problem Since.

 

[burgundyben]

I bought an HX890 too, same thing, full of condensation.

Marine Superstore sent it back for me, about a week later they sent me a new replacement which also has moisture inside....

 

[Halo]

This is a defective product. Demand a refund and buy a different make and model. There are plenty of good ones on the market.

 

[Bilgediver]

This is a defective product. Demand a refund and buy a different make and model. There are plenty of good ones on the market.

One of our club members showed me one of these as she thought the battery cover was not right. There is no way it was watertight as the sides did not even contact the body and the cover could be rocked.

The supplier replaced it. I discovered much later they had replaced it with an Icom.
Does your battery cover appear to be sealing correctly on the sides?

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

One of our club members showed me one of these as she thought the battery cover was not right. There is no way it was watertight as the sides did not even contact the body and the cover could be rocked.

The supplier replaced it. I discovered much later they had replaced it with an Icom.
Does your battery cover appear to be sealing correctly on the sides?

I am very tempted to change it for an Icom, however, it is a great shame that a very well know manufacturer like Standard Horizon to allow this to happen. The cover looks tight but obviously something is wrong with a lot of HX890 radios,

 

[Bilgediver]

I am very tempted to change it for an Icom, however, it is a great shame that a very well know manufacturer like Standard Horizon to allow this to happen. The cover looks tight but obviously something is wrong with a lot of HX890 radios,

I was surprised when I saw the loose fitting cover. I have a lot of Yaesu equipment here and experienced no more than would expect from wear and teat over many years other than the on off switch on a small handheld which is of the touch type. Seems to be a common problem on some models with a Youtube video showing a fix posted on line

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Finally, I have received a replacement HX890E and took it to the boat on Saturday to try out; it was a sunny day and within a few hours the screen was misted up with condensation. Very disappointing; it looks like Standard Horizon are manufacturing and assembling the VHF radios under conditions not suitable to quality standards; they are "Made in China". It appears that I am not the only one with this moisture problems trapped inside the SH HX890 and just for this reasons, i would not recommend this vhf.

 

[Graham376]

Reject it for full refund and buy another make or model.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Reject it for full refund and buy another make or model.

Most likely I will send it back unless i find a way of releasing the trapped moisture. However, to my knowledge, there is no much of a choice, the only other one with similar specifications, except the AIS, is the ICOM M94DE. I was talking to someone who just purchased a top model ICOM vhf (could be the Icom M94DE) and he had moisture problems too, perhaps they are all made in the same factory.

 

[Momac]

I have a fixed Icom plus a handheld
The fixed radio came with the boat so could have been fitted from new in 2003.
The handheld I bought in 2014.
Both very simple but robust and trouble free radios.

 

[ashtead]

Would a couple of months in the airing cupboard not help dry out ? Works on mobile phones sometimes if they have been swimming.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Thanks, yes, this is what I am doing at the moment and hopefully the trapped moisture will evaporate. However, it is alarming to know that Standard Horizon can not control the humidity levels during assembly. If the vhf is left as it is, the trapped moisture will damage the electronics inside the vhf over time. Zero marks to Standard Horizon for quality control.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

All very simple money back as not fit for purpose assuming that it is marketed as water proof, water resistant doesn't mean anything. The legal requirement and contract is with the retailer not the manufacturer as far as the purchaser is concerned, you may have to enforce that contract through the small claims court ( a threat may be sufficient) It seems that it is supposed to comply with IPX8 and has a 3 year warranty, the retailer has the right to repair but you should question just how they are going to achieve that seeing as the set is compromised.
It's made in China which in itself is not a bad thing it just depends on the specification and price agreed, China will make anything you want its quality depends on how much you are willing to pay. By contrast ICOM the leading (IMO) manufacture of such equipment has it's own manufacturing factory in Japan and as such is responsible for the entire operation. You tend to get exactly what you pay for.

 

[Daverw]

I do prefer Icom for mobile comms stuff either marine or Ham but also never had any issue with standard horizon or yaesu as I mostly know them. I personally would give Yaesu UK a call directly they are very good and helpful

Yaesu (UK) Ltd
Unit 12
Sun Valley Business Park
Winnall Close
Winchester
SO23 0LB
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1962 866667