What Handheld VHF

Judders

Judders

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It seems to me that I can pay anything between £50 and £250 for a handhelf VHF and I am totally confused. I have spoken to teenagers (or tried to) in three leading chandleries and am none the wiser.

My requirements are that I have a small (18ft) sailing boat for cruising in sheltered waters. I want to keep as little as posible running off the battery so have opted for handheld.

What factors should I consider?
 
My advice depends on your budget.

1) You cant go wrong with iCom - but not necessarily the best value

2) I have a Silva Waterproof VHF which I can recommend, its very rugged (it has a rubber surround) and has put up with a lot of abuse & dunkings. I think i've seen them for about £80.
 
I have, in addition to a fixed set, an Icom M1EURO V, which I think has now been superceded by the ICOM M71.

I use it on other boats besides my own as a main VHF. I also have the seperate mike for it which makes it even more useful.

Slightly more expensive, but, IMO, you get what you pay for. Good battery life, Li-Ion battery. I also carry a spare battery for it when on other boats.
 
I would go for a Standard Horizon anyday. I now have 3 of my own, which get continually abused and I have had lots of very satisfied customers that have opted for the HX270e.
 
Another vote for Standard Horizon. You won't find better value for money or quality. Easily as good as Icom & a fraction of the price.

Martin
 
I bought the HX270e, it is good value for money and works well. I think it best to avoid the very cheap sets which in some cases do not have a full 5 watt output.
 
I purchased the midland atlantic. only one at areasonable price that gives out a full 5 watts, and at the price i am not going to cry if it goes overboard, not my main set but seems to do the job fine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif does exactly what it says on the tin
 
icom m-71 fab.. even left it on last week and it lasted from early morning then woke us in the night(pilot boat) and was still full of power the following day.
 
I have an Icom M1EURO V and a Simrad HT50. Two, I know, don't ask me why. However, the Icom is vastly superior. Better volume, easier controls and better batteries.
 
I have a Silva which is rubbish, and an ICOM M-31, which is excellent.

PS, Judders, any chance of a trip out in your little boat sometime? You know you're welcome back on board with me anytime - maybe a little weekend sail if your diary permits, and you could return the favour with a lovely day out when it's warmer!!!
 
I am afraid I can't help suspecting that a proportion of the bits on Ebay are stolen. Whilst I am equally sure that there are legitimate traders on there, I am uncomfortable using it.
 
I don't know about the model mentioned but an awful lot of the Uniden & other brands offered on Ebay only comply with US Spec. & are illegal for use in the EU.

Martin
 
Sorry to hear that, While I don't buy a lot of stuff that way so far it has all been safe. Using Pay pal is safest method, I believe. I found the prices of said item varied quite considerably, I saved around £30+ on that item. Happy New Year when it comes.
 
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