Which handheld VHF ?

[Frogmogman]

I’m in the market for a new handheld VHF, and am thinking of buying a Standard Horizon HX890.

Any of you have any better ideas ?

 

[ctva]

You really need to hold them to see which feels best in your hands and has the features / interface that you are comfortable with. My choice is Icom, currently the M92 but when time comes will get the M94 which looks like a nice unit, floats and dsc.

 

[sailingmartin]

A lot depends on which make of fixed VHF you have. Much easier to have just one set of menus and buttons to navigate. I have a Standard Horizon HX870, which I presume is an earlier model and it works well and a Standard Horizon fixed VHF and the controls are identical.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

My Cobra was cheap shyte and never really worked well. It was always making static noise and setting the squelch at maximum would not get rid of it. The only solution was to hold a hand around the aerial. It went in the bin. One not to buy.

 

[Frogmogman]

A lot depends on which make of fixed VHF you have. Much easier to have just one set of menus and buttons to navigate. I have a Standard Horizon HX870, which I presume is an earlier model and it works well and a Standard Horizon fixed VHF and the controls are identical.

The fixed is a Raymarine RAY 70, which also has a second handset and speaker at the helm, so it’s not like I need the handheld for when I want to use the VHF in the cockpit, it’s more as a back-up and to take in the life raft (god forbid).

 

[Laysula]

I have a SH HX300E. It's great. good battery life works well and is now about 5/6 years old and still great. Does everything I want it to do.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I've got an 870 and an 890. Both good, although I did have a problem with the 870 which took a bit of time to convince SH that it was faulty.

 

[ashtead]

-I have a DSC from standard horizon but still have my old icom 31-has had a new battery but still fine after nearly 20 years. I prefer the feel of the SH but it’s quite bulky and pricy and I tend to keep the icom for dinghy use as I’m not so worried about it really. How much do you want to spend though?

 

[Biggles Wader]

My Cobra was cheap shyte and never really worked well. It was always making static noise and setting the squelch at maximum would not get rid of it. The only solution was to hold a hand around the aerial. It went in the bin. One not to buy.

Was that the basic £50 one? I use a 325 model which was about £80 some years ago and has been fine for my limited use. Always works and battery holds charge well.

 

[Daverw]

I prefer Icom for handhelds but quality wise no difference from standard horizon, just I’m more familiar with menus etc. would not touch cobra with a barge pole

 

[Hot Property]

I’m in the market for a new handheld VHF, and am thinking of buying a Standard Horizon HX890.

Any of you have any better ideas ?

I have one.

Very clear speaker, waterproof, floats, GPS AND a VHF radio which I thought a gimmick but is useful for me.

I have the waterproof mic extension which I find good when in a little boat.

After seeing my 890 my brother bought one too....

 

[LadyInBed]

I'm not in the market for a new HH, my 20 year old SH HH is still trucking on nicely. I've just looked at the SH range and was surprised to see all the extra bells and whistles that are being included, I don't want an FM radio, GPS, encrypted comms, three levels of Tx power, etc. The things I want are a good 6w Tx and a single low power, waterproof, easily read screen and good battery life, the add-on that I have found useful is Selected Channel Scanning and what would be a useful addition is an earphone jack.

 

[lustyd]

Standard Horizon HX890.

I have the old version of this and it's a great radio, but if I were to buy now I'd go for something more portable as these DSC sets are massive. Realistically the use of DSC in a handheld is quite niche so if you have a fixed set as well just get a small portable. The reality is that due to the size you won't have this on you if you go in the water so any dreams of enhanced safety probably won't come true.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

After a bit of a research, I ended up buying the SH HX890 last month.

 

[DFL1010]

Used a fair few in my time, and my opinion is there's Icoms and then there's the rest.
Given how much abuse they get at work, they rarely show it.
The M73 is worth it, but not cheap, but even the cheapy M25 is value: it just does what's required without fuss. Micro USB port's handy too.

 

[rgarside]

Shame one can't try these:-
Outdoor Radio - UV-9R Plus WaterProof - BAOFENG

 

[Zing]

I’m in the market for a new handheld VHF, and am thinking of buying a Standard Horizon HX890.

Any of you have any better ideas ?

I have one. It‘s fine.