Standard Horizon HX870 vs HX890

[KompetentKrew]

Searching past threads here, Standard Horizon seem to be the most recommended VHF handheld - either the HX300 for a "basic" one, or the 870 / 890 if DSC is required.

I thought one of the manufacturers removed some features from their latest model, but I can't remember if it was Standard Horizon or Icom, and I can't now find the thread.

I thought it was that they made the backlight red or amber, so it's now more suitable for use at night, but they removed position / location polling. Both seem like nice features to have, but I can't now find the thread, so maybe I'm misremembering.

Lots of sellers have the Standard Horizon HX890 for £199, but Force 4 advertise some remaining stock of the HX870 for £179. What's the difference?

Thanks.

 

[pvb]

I have an 870E, and it's a great radio. The 890E is a bit curvier, and has an FM broadcast radio receiver, so I'd go for that one now.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I just found the review I remembered:

I was disappointed to discover that the HX890 does not support transmitting the DSC Position Request function yet the HX870 does support this function (according to its manual). To be fair, the HX890 manual omits this (TX) function although it describes how to receive (RX) a position request from another radio. However, the HX890 manual also describes support of auto polling a "fleet" of other vessels (positions), yet my initial testing shows that the function does not work--which may be reasonable insofar that auto polling requires periodic transmission of a position request to each of the vessels in the "fleet".

More: http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4117

Seems to be the same guy posting in another thread on Panbo, where he makes some corrections in the following 2 comments: https://www.panbo.com/standard-hori...d-news-plus-new-hx890-and-hx40/#comment-44549

 

[grumpy_o_g]

It may have been because I was in a nice warm chandlery and had my reading glasses on but I thought the HX890 had a better display and was a bit easier to use than the 870 (which I normally use with cold or gloved hands through less than clear spectacles. Reading the spec it looks as if they are pretty much the same though so, on that assumption, I'd save £20 and go for the 870. Unless you have young eyes I think you'll find that you only use a very limited set of the functionality 99% of the time. I've never known anyone to use the deleted polling functionality and I rather like the idea of a handheld not being able to issue an all-ships. I know many of them are in very capable hands but they can still call on channel 16 or contact the coastguard.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I've never known anyone to use the deleted polling functionality …

I'm sure I read a post by someone on here who said they liked it - the wife or the kids take the handheld with them in the tender or when kayaking and this can be used for the reassurance of knowing where they are.

OTOH I see DSC being widely ignored for actual communication, so perhaps all this is an argument for a non-DSC set.

 

[[70521]]

OTOH I see DSC being widely ignored for actual communication, so perhaps all this is an argument for a non-DSC set.

Only because people don't take the time to learn how to use it. Do both sets have a GPS display? Personally, if one has a GPS display I'd go for that as it is another receiver onboard and you should be able to see exactly where they are if you do a DSC "ping" on them.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Only because people don't take the time to learn how to use it. Do both sets have a GPS display? Personally, if one has a GPS display I'd go for that as it is another receiver onboard and you should be able to see exactly where they are if you do a DSC "ping" on them.

I've got the 870 and wanted the DSC because it's my only radio - the GPS display could, as you say, be a bonus one day but it does kill the battery. I've not really measured it but would be surprised if I get six hours standby out of it, so I carry spares. Something else to factor in when choosing.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Only because people don't take the time to learn how to use it.

You may be right, but that doesn't help those trying to communicate with them.

I sailed for two weeks last year with a gentleman who had recently installed a new radio and who was keen to test its DSC functionality. I think he tested it with friends and it worked, and for a day or two under sail he tried several times to use it by contacting other vessels.

Finally, he called up a ship on channel 16 and asked for a radio check - they responded immediately and told him he was loud and clear, so he asked them to test his DSC call for him. They agreed and answered it, despite having ignored his DSC call a few minutes previously, when he had tried just before calling them on voice!

My experience too is more towards voice calls on 16 being answered immediately and seeing skippers and crew who, as you say, don't know how to operate the club's DSC radio.

and you should be able to see exactly where they are if you do a DSC "ping" on them.

Yes, I only realised yesterday, after posting, that the 890 will probably respond to DSC location requests even if it can't send them.

Thanks for your help.