Which handheld DSC?

Standard Horizon HX870E, around £210. I've had one for a couple of years, good battery life, lots of features, excellent screen definition. It's waterproof and floats.

I think if you're buying a new handheld, you might as well go for the DSC function.
 
Last edited:
pvb said:
Standard Horizon HX870E, around £210. I've had one for a couple of years, good battery life, lots of features, excellent screen definition. It's waterproof and floats.

I think if you're buying a new handheld, you might as well go for the DSC function.
Click to expand...

+1 to all of that, i also have one and find it's a good bit of kit.
 
I would vote for the HX870E too - excellent functionality and seems well built. I've never been particularly fond of Cobra - they started out as a manufacturer of CB gear and they still seem a bit tacky to me.

As far as the question of DSC or not, I would come down on the pro-DSC side, but with some qualifications. My experience of the HX870E is that the range for DSC is not great - I would not want to stake my life on it. Based in Southampton, I have never had a DSC test call from the handie acknowledged by the Coast Guard although they always respond to test calls from the fixed DSC on the boat. The primary use that we make of DSC on the handie is to allow someone on the boat to track someone in the dinghy or on a windsurfer. When my wife is out on her paddleboard, she takes the handie in case she gets into difficulties and I can ask the chartplotter on the boat to track her so that I can check she's OK and know when to put the kettle on as she is returning.
 
So the Horizon HX870E gets it I think. Icom seems good to but more expensive? Plus my current Icom HH has corroded
My fixed set is a horizon DSC with mic extension and I've been happy with it. I've no experience of cobra but doesn't seem to be recommended by this sraw pole anyway
 
Topcat47 said:
I'd not recommend the Cobra. ? Mine is "iffy" as in the Solent which is well served with SS antennae, I am disatisfied with its performance. I don't use it as a mobile phone!
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm convinced to avoid the cobra. The horizon has a robust chassis design too
 
I've got the HX870E too. I had hoped for better range than the cheaper handhelds that I'd been used to, but Physics is apparently still Physics and I'm adding a masthead antenna to my dayboat.
 
PabloPicasso said:
So the Horizon HX870E gets it I think. Icom seems good to but more expensive? Plus my current Icom HH has corroded
My fixed set is a horizon DSC with mic extension and I've been happy with it. I've no experience of cobra but doesn't seem to be recommended by this sraw pole anyway
Click to expand...

I have an Icon M-71 and Phil a M-73, no DSC, great kit. Mine has survived a few falls on deck on rough weather. I use a kill chord attached to it to keep it on board and attached to me. Battery lasts and lasts good sound quality (best I ever had on a handheld) and the voice activated mic (sold separatly offff course ) is great for work on the mast or bow. I do have 2 friends with experience with floating ones. One has his floating in the North Atlantic for the last 3 years. The other has his handheld floating in the Mediterranean since last summer.
 
Worth noting that the DSC pulls the battery down faster - switch it off if you don't need it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top