bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Considering buying a Silva S12 VHF for short-range use in the cockpit (approaching marinas, etc, when going below is not convenient). Any opinions on this model (good and bad)? Thanks.
Silva S12 handheld VHF - how good??
- Thread starter bluedragon
- Start date
3reefs
Well-Known Member
Mine works fine. My only grumble is the lack of any indication about whether the battery is full, or just about to hibernate. My solution was to obtain the external AA battery pack whick looks 'orrible. Next time I will try to find a radio with a charge indicator - if they can put them on mobile phones, they can put them in radios.
Vara
Well-Known Member
PBO did a test on HHs Feb06,Raymrine and Icom came out top but the Silva reads OK.
£79 v £160 would be a compelling argument for me if I was only going to use it occasionally,but in IMO a good handheld soon becomes primary method of using VHF as its so easy to access so I would tend to go for the Icom.
£79 v £160 would be a compelling argument for me if I was only going to use it occasionally,but in IMO a good handheld soon becomes primary method of using VHF as its so easy to access so I would tend to go for the Icom.
fireball
Well-Known Member
We've had 3 at the club for patrol boat ... without careful handling the battery quickly becomes knackered and it is a sealed unit .... I'm replacing it with a fixed VHF in the next boat ... I need something reliable!
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Love it - and got it new for £59. I agree with the lack of charge indicator, very annoying, but otherwise it's 4 watt max output works a very long way offshore if communicating with coastguard etc. For calling marinas and port control it works satisfactorily to about 3 miles off. With a fixed set for long distance stuff it does all I need, we also find it helpful when one of us is off in the tender.
lydiamight
Well-Known Member
A satisfied user--don't think you can get anything else approaching it for the same price (i.e. around £59) Agree about the lack of battery indicator though.
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
Where did you get one at £59? I'm seeing around £77 typically.
Pinnacle
Well-Known Member
bluedragon
Well-Known Member
This is not the S12 but the cheaper non-waterproof version. I wondered if there might be some confusion. Thanks anway.
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
Just bought a Standard Horizon HX270E for £99.99
Build quality is good, and it comes with both mains and 12 volt chargers, NiMh batteries plus a pack to allow use of alkalime batteries. PBO testers did not like fact that that it does not automatically switch to full power when you press the 16 button, but is still reckon it is a better buy than the S12 in view of the various adverse comments I have seen on these forums about Silva.
The Standard Horizon seems to have had a price cut after the PBO tests so is now good value.
Build quality is good, and it comes with both mains and 12 volt chargers, NiMh batteries plus a pack to allow use of alkalime batteries. PBO testers did not like fact that that it does not automatically switch to full power when you press the 16 button, but is still reckon it is a better buy than the S12 in view of the various adverse comments I have seen on these forums about Silva.
The Standard Horizon seems to have had a price cut after the PBO tests so is now good value.
beneteau_305_553
Well-Known Member
Agree with go for the icom.
The M1 E or the M 31 . Both have lithium ion batteries and charge indicators.
in comparison Nicads and nimh are very poor. The battery cuts out as you are transmitting and comes back on to recieve! Nicads and nimh do have memory and in my experience li ion is the way to go.
the extra £ will always be worth the money.
also both icoms are waterproof
The M1 E or the M 31 . Both have lithium ion batteries and charge indicators.
in comparison Nicads and nimh are very poor. The battery cuts out as you are transmitting and comes back on to recieve! Nicads and nimh do have memory and in my experience li ion is the way to go.
the extra £ will always be worth the money.
also both icoms are waterproof
Pinnacle
Well-Known Member
Nope - not your fault at all - its all mine.
Anthony
Well-Known Member
Had a Silva, never worked properley, received ok but inetmittently didnt seem to have any range on transmitting (struggle to reach teh marina office from in the marina). Gave up on it, retunred it and paid the extra for an Entel, great radio, great service. I discounted the icom as it used very old battery technology.
When I bought a new fixed VHF this week I decided to rule out the cheaper brands such as silva and cobra, after the bad experience with silva. I dont use a VHF much, but at the end of the day they are saftey items, and I want to believ that they will work when they are needed.
Anthony
When I bought a new fixed VHF this week I decided to rule out the cheaper brands such as silva and cobra, after the bad experience with silva. I dont use a VHF much, but at the end of the day they are saftey items, and I want to believ that they will work when they are needed.
Anthony
Dave99
Well-Known Member
S12 isnt bad from what i can see. I've used the model below before and didnt get on with the ease of use. The best handheld i've can see on the market at the moment I reckon is the above mentioned Standard Horizon. I really looked into them this morning and have sold 3 just to people i know already. I might even get one for myself. They are waterproof and come with 12v and 240v chargers as standard and a dry cell case. They retail at 149 yet you can pick one up for less that 100 pounds