Which handheld VHF?

[Guest]

I'm looking for a cheap handheld VHF. Pumkin have the XM2000 and the Silva M298 both at £89.95. Does anyone have any experience of these or is it worth paying more?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Robin]

If this is as a backup or for the grab bag, chose one which will take normal AA batteries or similar as well as re-chargeables. In my experience especially if little used, the re-chargeable batteries will eventually fail, our last set had a type we could no longer replace so it was in effect useless. We now have a Navicom, bought in France for about £90 last year, the battery holder will take both kinds of battery so we can take plenty of spares with us in the grab bag if the unthinkable happened.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[JamesS]

I bought an SX Micro 90 hand held VHF some 8 years ago for £195 which then was considered to be 'cheap' and certainly at the bottom of the range.

Still going strong, rechargeable battery still ok and is a good as the day I bought it.

The point is paying more doesn't mean you are getting a better deal but as your earlier correspondent says - do check the battery arrangements - are they rechargeable etc etc.

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Becky]

I bought an XM2000 this summer and it has been very good. It has both a rechargeable battery with charger and a separate AA battery pack. I use it when entering new marinas to keep contact with the'powers' who are telling me where to go. Only had to resort to my main VHF once, when entering Lymington as the handheld was breaking up somwhat. If you get one of these, you will find that they arenot only cheap but perfectly good to use.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[JonBrooks]

Always worth shopping around.
Cheep is not alway's best, I would say that!
Worth looking at the Boat Show if your going.

Points to look at :- Waterproof-ness?
Warranty?
AA case?
12v charging?
Spare? easy to get hold of?
Back up?

Regards



<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Guest]

We use allsorts ....

We use allosrts that we can get hold of for inspectors on ships .... often I pick them up as second hands in UK .... we use ICOM, Swiftech, Eagle etc. at last count we had 4 different makes. Difference ? NOt a lot really and my guys are pretty brutal !! The only note I would make - is the chargers are naff on swiftech .... advising not moe than 5 hours connection. YEP ! We blew a couple of packs till I scrapped them and got hold of slower chargers from a Model Airplane shop .....

Our experience hasn't really highlighted any useful difference netween the cvheap and expensive !!!!! Of course if you are going DSC then that's anothet matter.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
/forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

Whatever you get - DON'T get the Silva.
Complete and utter crap - had mine just under a year (it's going back), and its unreliable to say the least. I used mine for the purpose it was intended: use on a yacht. Never been dropped, imersed in water (just the odd spray - always wiped clean, stored in a dry place) yet it displays traces of rust. TX button sticks, and often won't get unstuck.
How they dare market this thing as being for for marine use is beyond me. Am on the lookout for some decent kit now. But I will never ever buy Silva kit again.

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[Col]

I have an XM, and the NiCads packed up after about a season of light use. I bought an Icom as a replacement, then thought about trying to repair XM to use as backup. I found it is possible to carefully seperate battery case and remove old NiCads. I then bought a set of Ni-MH hi capacity batteries from maplins and soldered them together and relaced back into batt pack. I glued it all together and now it is better than when new!!.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[JonBrooks]

Can I quote you on that ))))
Only Joking

Best regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Koeketiene]

You can, as far as I'm concerned.
If it's crap, I'll say it's crap; if it's good I'll say it's good. Only fair.

Your stuff any better? And can I quote you on that? ;oD

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[StephenW]

Suggest you DO ensure the unit is waterproof. When you think where its likely to be used (cockpit and possibly liferaft if you need to abandon ship) its nice to know that a key bit of kit won't conk out just because its wet!

I bought an Icom M21 for this reason, and have been very pleased wit robust design and reliable operation. They now do a cheaper M31 which is still waterpoof and about £140. I know its more expesnive but again, this could prove to be a key piece of kit

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[JonBrooks]

I would have to say yes!!
Would not be doing my job is I said anything else.

The new one for the Boat Show is very good.

Regards

Jon


<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

 

[Robin]

Yes it must be waterproof for sure, but you can achieve that with a plastic Aquasac or similar quite cheaply. Be wary of 'waterproof' claims, if it is not submersible it is not waterproof. Personally paranoia would make me put a waterproof one in an Aquasac too! Ours is a backup set only so we use a cheapie, in an Aquasac, with 2 separate AA battery packs as well as the rechargeable pack. It is normally kept in the (waterproof) grab bag with other stuff and put in a cockpit locker if we are on any length of trip.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Koeketiene]

;oD

Nice one!

Since I'm in the market for a new one - which one is the new "Boat Show" one?
Will there be a discount if bought at the Boat Show?

<hr width=100% size=1>Fair winds.
If not... reef early!

 

[LORDNELSON]

We use an ICOM IC-M3EURO whic was bought about four or five years ago. It was one of the cheaper models then and meets most of the criteria given below. Still working on the original re-chargeable batteries and will take AA cells. We have an Aquasac for use in the tender and if its wet on board.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[sailorman]

not these days it seems they run some sort of car
tell
no real competion

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[connacht]

Can anyone (Mr Brooks maybe) explain why Icom sets are so much less expensive in the US? Maybe its got something to do with the competition there.

<hr width=100% size=1>Valf

 

[MainlySteam]

Been covered in many posts before, but is much to do with the fact that VHF radios certified for use in every other part of the world are not accepted by the EU, they have requirements which exclude international sets from sale there - that is also why you do not see hardly any sets whatsoever from non EU manufacturers in the EU (Icom is the only pleasure oriented one that I know of that is).

If you have a look at sites such as Standard Horizon (Japan), Icom (Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ), etc, etc you will see what I mean.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ex-Gladys]

Why stop at VHF? Most everything in the US is the same price in dollars as we pay in pounds - I can think of software, PC hardwarwe and peripherals, TV, video, motorvehicles for a start

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[[3889]]

Had both and would recommend XM but if you intend to use often buy at icom prices.

<hr width=100% size=1>