Which Handheld VHF?

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

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www.yacht-forum.co.uk
In January, YBW reviews gave the award for best handheld to the Standard Horizon HX 270E (I believe?).

But since then a few new ones have come out - for example the:

Icom IC-M71
Standard Horizon HX750E

These two recent ones offer 6W transmit power, but don't come with a AA or AAA battery option as standard... and they're a fair whack more expensive.

Are they worth it? Something else better? Is the extra 1W that big of a deal?

Criteria are:

Will last for ages and just work when I want it to.
Clear to hear and clear for the remote listener.

Normally I go for the best I can afford at the time - but the 270E seems well liked - but it's SO much cheaper than some of the ICOMs that it's making me think I might be missing something.
 
Icom M31
SMG_330_M31_S.JPG


Simple to use, "waterproof", economical, good battery life and good size & weight. Only downside is aerial prone to damage if used as carrier handle.
 
I have used a Standard Horizon, earlier model, for 10 years. Battery is still fine, built like a brick outhouse. The backup battery pack is useful IMHO.
 
There have been lots of threads on here discussing HH VHF. I went for Standard Horizon from Malthouse (from this forum). I recently saw them advertised for less than £70, sorry, I can't remember where it was.
Allan
 
Your two key criteria today should be (a) Li-Ion battery and (b) something that floats. I'd go for the Standard Horizon HX750E for about £115. The Icom M71 is more expensive and doesn't float. The Icom M33 does float (just). The Icom M31 doesn't float, and the battery discharges unless you remove it.

Standard Horizon are excellent handhelds, I use an HX470 and really like it.
 
Standard Horizon 270 is less than £70 at marinescene in Cardiff, check their website. SH is good kit. The technical guy from icom now works for SH I believe. SH I also believe is Yahssu (spelling) a well known and respected name in comms.
The 270s I have seen used and abused without problems. However they don't float but for the price they are excellent.
No connection to marinescene or SH just endorsing good kit.
Harry.
 
Another useful criterion is 'can you get an adaptor to charge from the yacht at a reasonable price?' I like to be able to charge either at home or on the boat.
A BNC aerial socket enables you to use the yacht aerial should your main VHF die mid channel, if you feel that's useful. This also enables you to test said aerial.
Having said that, our Icom M27, which doesn't have bnc aerial, has stood up to several years of quite hard use, I would buy another one.
Not sure about Li-ion batteries, will you be able to buy a new battery in 6 or 10yrs time? I suppose a new radio is cheap enough? Probably best option if you use the radio intensely though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure about Li-ion batteries, will you be able to buy a new battery in 6 or 10yrs time? I suppose a new radio is cheap enough? Probably best option if you use the radio intensely though.

[/ QUOTE ]You're more likely to be able to get a Li-Ion battery in the future than other types - it's the way the industry's going.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Only downside is aerial prone to damage if used as carrier handle.

[/ QUOTE ]

And the fact that the batteries discharge if left in. It's still a very good unit though.
 
FWIW I purchased 3 HX 270E radio's for my club last year ~ they're easy to use ~ hold their charge well ~ are clear to here. They come with a belt clip that won't let the radio fall out accidentally.

I'm going to buy another 2 before next season!

Peter.
 
Please while you good gentilmen are on VHF's I have an old Standard model XH255S and would like to know where to get a battery model CNB 255 from.
Thanks Chaps and Seasons Greetings from Barbados
David
 
Re: cheap and cheerfuls - has anyone ever tried the Midland Pacific ? They are currently less than £60. Can't find a review anywhere ...
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure about Li-ion batteries, will you be able to buy a new battery in 6 or 10yrs time? I suppose a new radio is cheap enough? Probably best option if you use the radio intensely though.

[/ QUOTE ]You're more likely to be able to get a Li-Ion battery in the future than other types - it's the way the industry's going.

[/ QUOTE ]
You're very likely to be able to buy Li-ion batteries, but will you be able to get the size, shape and functionality that you need? Have you noticed that few of them are interchangeable between even phones from the same maker? Whereas with an olde worlde Nicad/Nimh set up, you just rebuild the pack with AA cells or stuff AA cells in the adaptor that came with the handheld. Time will tell if this is important, if the fast and flexible charging of Li-ion is a big advantage to you today, I wouldn't worry about it. There is a thread on here about laptops which mentions the inflated prices of Li-ion batteries as spares.
Not sure about the effect of say 4 months non-use in winter, does anyone have data on this?
Just something to bear in mind, that's all.
Cheers.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Re: cheap and cheerfuls - has anyone ever tried the Midland Pacific ? They are currently less than £60. Can't find a review anywhere ...

[/ QUOTE ]With a Standard Horizon HX270E selling for only £70, I think most people would be better off with the HX270E if they want a "cheap and cheerful" set.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure about the effect of say 4 months non-use in winter, does anyone have data on this?

[/ QUOTE ]One of the advantages of Li-Ion batteries is their very low rate of self-discharge. When it's not being used during the winter, for optimum life store a Li-Ion battery in the fridge (but not the freezer!).
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not sure about the effect of say 4 months non-use in winter, does anyone have data on this?

[/ QUOTE ]One of the advantages of Li-Ion batteries is their very low rate of self-discharge. When it's not being used during the winter, for optimum life store a Li-Ion battery in the fridge (but not the freezer!).

[/ QUOTE ]

Just bought a new Icom. Instructions say, if leaving for any lenght of time, DO NOT LEAVE FULLY CHARGED, but half discharge so that only 2 bars show on battery indicator. - Store in fridge is apparently also good!
 
Brought an M31 as a cheap and cheerful replacement for the trusty XM2000 which didn't float either! Generally impressed, with audio and transmission quality, clarity of display and easy of use. Li-Ion battery has good life and the option to fit disposable batteries in the adaptor pack is useful. Belt clip is robust and I’ll try to remember to attach this one a lanyard.
 
Sorry to Hijack, but does anyone know where the cheapest place (online) would be to buy the floating Icom handheld?
 
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