Which hand held vhf for Christmas?

K

knewboater

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 Jan 2005
Messages
166
Location
North Somerset.
Visit site
Hope it`s ok to ask but which hand held vhf is the most popular and excellent in use plus value for money? Any advice will be appreciated, of course I already have a fixed vhf but thought a hand held would be a useful addition.
 
A really cheap one. So cheap that, if (when) it dies you can treat it as 'disposable'. Noone produces a waterproof handheld radio that is fully guarded* against real life boating (eg being dropped into the bottom of the dinghy and forgotten about for several minutes).

Oh, and those waterproof bag jobbies are great for the first little while then fail when you need them most.


*Check out the 'ip' rating of the radio, which gives ratings of (water) ingress.
 
Well I like the Icom M31 with LI battery - been reliable, wet, scratched and performs like a good un - would buy another if it ever broke down /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Don't agree at all.

I used to go down the cheap & cheerful route. Ended up buying a new VHF every season (sometimes 2). If you add it up in 2-3 years years you will have spent more than if you bought one decent one.

Now I've git a Simrad HT50 - been with me 3 years. As good as new.
Bottom of dinghy, "swimming" in the Orwell, ... it's done it all.
After a "wet" day I just hose it down, then towel dry it. Like I said, still as good as new.
 
I have an XM2000 it is not the best available but the rechargeable battery unit is removable and can be changed for a dry cell pack when charge runs down.The dry cell pack and spare AA batteries are in emergency grab bag.It can also be used from the 12v cig lighter socket
 
I think it really depends on what you envisage using it for? If it's just to talk to the crew of the dinghy that have gone ashore to get some milk and tea bags, any old cheapy will do.

If you want to use it as a serious back up for the fixed VHF, I would say, not any old cheapy will do.

I use an Icom IC-M71, it's a quite serious piece of kit, transmits at 6 watts on full power, very few HH do that. I use it more that the fixed VHF, because I sail single handed, and I can't hear the fixed VHF very well from the cockpit, nor if I am up on deck doing summat.

I keep the Icom secured about my person, very secured /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif....cos they aint cheap, but like most things, you get what you pay for. The transmitting and reception range is excellent on this model. If you want to know more about it, just Google up the model number, I am sure you will find it.
 
There is really a choice between buying a cheapo and accepting that it may not be well waterproofed or particularly good in terms of clarity of transmission and reception, or paying the price for something like the Icom M31. Somewhat cheaper (£99) but still well made, is the Standard Horizon HX270. I bought one last year and find it very good.
this thread covers the same subject, and another forumite has also recommended this radio..
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think it really depends on what you envisage using it for? If it's just to talk to the crew of the dinghy that have gone ashore to get some milk and tea bags, any old cheapy will do.

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume they're floating in a dinghy at the time, else it would be illegal. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think it really depends on what you envisage using it for? If it's just to talk to the crew of the dinghy that have gone ashore to get some milk and tea bags, any old cheapy will do.

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume they're floating in a dinghy at the time, else it would be illegal. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Gosh really? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif....Yawn.
 
I bought a silva s12 as it was cheap - total waste of money - having read on this forum and elsewhere about the reliability and service of Icom bought an m31 with li batteries - I wish I had done it in the 1st place
 
Cheap can be a reall false route here.

Some of the cheap sets on the market are only 2w and not 5.
Some if not most only have a years warranty.

You can still get a good set for around £100, waterproof, 5W, lots of goodies thrown in and a 3 year warranty.
Some companies give "on forum" support too !!

So if it did fail and let in water hey presto you get a new one!

Always said that bloke Big Mart knows his stuff!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Best regards
 
Mart

The beer offer is still open, as yet you have not come and said hi at a show.

Failing that you know where I am to be found now.

Best regards
 
Thats a very dangerous thing to say. Winchester is a lot nearer my Stamping Ground than Margate & I have been to Yaesu's office before.

Should I turn up with my 49 Rugby Playing alcohlic frinds to demand a Liquid Lunch.

Martin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top