Which hand held vhf for Christmas?

Yeah I know.

The lovely Ailsa had said you had been in.

I would always be happy to buy YOU a beer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

All the best
 
Another vote for the Entel - I have had mine for two years and it's been abused in that time, dropped, sat on, left swimming in bottom of the cockpit. It has a long battery life and I can't recommend it enough.

Hope this helps. G
 
Hi Charles,

Not 100% but close /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

M87e has been out for a good few year's.
Is aimed at the commercial market and had licenced PMR channels on it as well.

It is more expensive than the M71 which is the direct replacement for the M1V and was launched at London Boat Show 2006.

Best regards
 
But at discount prices...

The M87 may well theoretically be more expensive than the M71, but at discount prices it's cheaper, as Charles said. Lowest prices I've seen recently (inc UK delivery) are £170 for the M87 and £180 for the M71. One feature which the M87 has over the M71 is the availability of an optional battery tray for using AA batteries in an emergency - a feature many leisure users like to see.
 
Re: But at discount prices...

I stand corrected.

That is a very good price for the M87e.
Its SRP when I left Icom was £265 + VAT.
It was not very popular due to its squat size and small display.

I totally agree, the AA back is a great thing to have.
It nice when it is included in the package like so many offer now.

With all that in mind if I had to choose between the two I would go for the M71 everytime.

All the best
 
Thank you everyone for your help it looks like the icom-m31 or the entel ht640, so I`ll look at those two. I tried to find the magazine that did a test a few months ago but to no avail. Thanks again RGH
 
One thing to watch for...

If you’re looking at the Icom M31, make sure you get the version with the Li-ion battery, you need to check carefully what you’re getting because there are cheaper NiCad versions around, as well as the cheap “Sport” version which doesn’t even have a rechargeable battery. You should also be aware that the M31 has a strange off switch which allows the radio to gradually discharge itself whilst turned off. Icom suggest removing the battery pack whenever you're not using it, but as fixes go I don’t rate this as especially helpful! The M31 also has (in my limited experience) pretty poor audio performance. I sold mine quite quickly! However, the M31 does have a battery tray which can take ordinary AA batteries – a useful feature for emergency use, and not available on the HT640.

Whilst the Entel is undoubtedly a good radio, I can’t help feeling it looks very dated now (it’s been around for quite a few years). If I was in the market today, I’d be very tempted to spend a few quid more and go for the Icom M87 or M71 (£170 and £180 respectively inc UK shipping from Marine SuperStore).
 
Another vote for the Standard Horizon.

HX270E - less than £90, waterproof (submersible), 5W transmit power if needed, when it's switched off, it's off, comes with a back to take AA batteries. Feels very solid and robust, 2 year guarantee, plenty of 'volume' available without distortion.

The Icom set was a no-no for us, because of the issue with flattening the batteries in a fairly short time when switched "off". The Raymarine (150E??) looked very nice, but I couldn't justify nearly doubling the price. As a bonus, I find out that Standard is made by Yaesu, who have been making robust and reliable ham radio kit for years.

Downsides - heavy, but they all are; only one charging cradle which needs to be shared between 12v and 240v charging (e.g. if you want to charge the batteries at home).

Only picked it up at SIBS this year, so no intensive use yet, but it 'feels' right.

YMMV...

Andy
 
RGH

The last handheld review was in Sailing today, just before SIBS.
It was carried out by Tim B.

I would suggest that you look at it as one man's idea's and views.
Not as conclusive IMHO as the group type tests you see in PBO.
Thses tend to give a broader view of good and bad points.

Best regards
 
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