Best vhf handheld

[The Black Pig]

My Entel ht940 Handheld will only display half the screen so I’m looking for new doesn’t have to have dsc but gps co ordnance would be nice , rechargeable long battery is a requirement


Any thoughts?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

My Entel ht940 Handheld will only display half the screen so I’m looking for new doesn’t have to have dsc but gps co ordnance would be nice , rechargeable long battery is a requirement





Any thoughts?

Anything from Icom or Standard Horizon, personally I wouldn’t consider any other brands. GPS functionality goes hand in hand with DSC, so I doubt you’ll find anything that has GPS & not DSC.

[matata]

Standard Horizon....batteries last ages and doesn't miss a beat....previously had Icom but would only buy SH again...Nik

[treerat]

I'm an Icom user and find them perfect for me, as above either of the two main players will work nicely.

[lakelandterrier]

Standard Horizon or Icom for me I agree with PD.- I think very little to choose from between the brands. I'd see which meets your specific operational need and budget best.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Standard Horizon or Icom for me I agree with PD.- I think very little to choose from between the brands. I'd see which meets your specific operational need and budget best.

Are you including Cobra in that?

[xlgum]

+ 1 on the sh and icom but for me the icom wins in clear and loudness speaker.
So I think the sound on the icom is the best.
Cobra I don’t know

[HDAV]

HX890 is great there was an awesome deal last august for £200 with a free fist mic.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Limecc

Are you including Cobra in that?

Unless Cobra have improved about 1000%, I wouldn't include them in anything. Cheaply built tat in my experience. I had products from them. 2 broke, one went back because it wasn't fit for purpose.

SH and Icom all the way.

[willk]

In February 2008 I bought an Icom M71. It's done a lot of miles. I still use it - my "small arms" comms. It's been battered and scraped, bent and corroded, soaked and dried, charged and discharged, neglected and resurrected, year after year....

Buy an Icom/S-H or go home.

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Unless Cobra have improved about 1000%, I wouldn't include them in anything. Cheaply built tat in my experience. I had products from them. 2 broke, one went back because it wasn't fit for purpose.

SH and Icom all the way.

I do agree

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Anything from Icom or Standard Horizon, personally I wouldn’t consider any other brands. GPS functionality goes hand in hand with DSC, so I doubt you’ll find anything that has GPS & not DSC.

X2 Another Icom long term user and Fan

[The Black Pig]

Ok thanks for the info ALL

I had a SH fixed VHF dsc which was high quality so I’m leaning that way, sorry to all cobra fans but once you have that Skoda stigma you can’t seem to shake it but they might be ok, they all edged into the cheep end of the market with a naff starter product (£3995 on the road) springs to mind

I prefer a rechargeable unit asaposed to loose batteries

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

I prefer a rechargeable unit asaposed to loose batteries

Don’t think anyone sells a none rechargeable vhf, they do come with a battery tray you can Chuck standard alkaline batts in, may be useful for long haul trips without recharging facilities or as a back up.... certainly no DSC units are alkaline batteries the HX890 uses a battery pack but come with the alkaline tray in the box https://www.marinesuperstore.com/mar...kaAgdgEALw_wcB

[Miss Guided]

I have an old I-com but when I renew, it will be a Standard Horizon

MGx

[Ferryman]

I use a Standard Horizon HX890, bought last year after a fair amount of research. It’s used most days in the summer in all weathers - the battery lasts for ages, I’ve never bothered to charge it on the boat.
Highly recommended!

[The Black Pig]

I went for the SH hx400 intrinsically Safe, a pair at £170 but will have to buy an adapter as its for the US market but with all international channels and some 40 dealer programmable land channels which I might look into at £40 ish

I will keep you posted

[HDAV]

As in you bought 120v is spec radios? You can get the U.K. chargers from SH or CPC (none genuine half the price) what’s the reasoning for hx400 over say the hx300/290?

[The Black Pig]

These came up at a good price, They are very rugged and built for commercial use and like the extra battery life
I was put off by the floatables as I understand they flash when submersed and you can’t easily turn this off then call if you’re in the drink

[jonp]

Icom, never had a problem.