Icom M91D and Standard Horizon HX851E

SparkUK · 21 November 2013, 11:39

Anyone got one or both of these? I'd be most interested if someone has had or still has both. Basically I'm unsure which one to buy and would be interested in feedback. (or any other similar suggestions)

Apologies if you're on WSF as I've asked on there too.

PeterM · 21 November 2013, 11:46

Got the SH - I like it as it feels less bulky than the ICOM version. Battery is very good , tough unit etc . Does lots of stuff and 'could' at a push be used as mini navigation system ( if you are good with waypoints and lat long info).

Not much between the two I think in terms of what they actually do and how they work. Personal preferance and cost really....ICOM seems still to be a noticable amount more expensive.

chris.moody · 21 November 2013, 13:00

Just purchased an ICOM m91d.

Looks to be well made and the new user interface is very intuitive. Will test the battery life and voice quality this weekend.

Seems a bit mean of ICOM not to include a car charger in the box considering the price.

Chris

Chris Caton · 21 November 2013, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

Just purchased an ICOM m91d.

Looks to be well made and the new user interface is very intuitive. Will test the battery life and voice quality this weekend.

Seems a bit mean of ICOM not to include a car charger in the box considering the price.

Chris

I've just got the icom m91d as well, though it seems I can't actually have it till Xmas

Force4 doing them for £250 with a spare battery, product code 200229 which sort of helps with lack of a car charger but I agree with Chris, for that sort of money it should be included

IanH · 21 November 2013, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

Seems a bit mean of ICOM not to include a car charger in the box considering the price.

Chris.

I may have a spare one FOC if you are interested. However I need to check where it is - I have a feeling that it may be down with the boat at Littlehampton and I'm unlikely to be there until early next year.

As for Icom. I like mine but I find the GPS speed not worth having if you want to keep to a harbour speed limit as it bounces around by up to 2kts even when maintaining true and steady course. Unfortunately Icom don't do themselves any favours and ignored my technical question regarding this. I was hoping that there may be a firmware update to fix the consistency of the GPS at lower speeds (<7kts).

-Ian

SparkUK · 21 November 2013, 18:34

Some interesting feedback there gents, I appreciate it, please keep them coming

ShinyShoe · 21 November 2013, 19:07

What does the charger comes as - a cradle with a seperate mains adaptor? Whats it rated too? Volts and current?

chris.moody · 21 November 2013, 23:02

The m91d uses a cradle to charge. I guess it makes it easier to waterproof but it means you have to carry both the PSU and cradle around with you. The cradle PSU is 12v at 0.5A.

Chris

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

ShinyShoe · 21 November 2013, 23:11

So to do a car lighter socket connection all you need is a suitable plug and a car lighter socket (and probably a fuse) and some wire, no need for any voltage regulator.

Should be an easy addition.

gtb · 22 November 2013, 08:41

I had a look at both the iCom and StandardHorizon, and ended up getting the HX851E at a good price from Delcom.

IMHO the functionality of the two radios are sufficiently similar that it just comes down to personal preference. If one had volume/squelch knobs then I'd have gone for that over the buttons.

I'd encourage you to go to a store and fondle each of them to see which feels better in your hand. They are both quite chunky, and can be a bit of a fiddle to work one-handed while maintaining a good grip.

I've been happy with the quality of the HX851E, sound quality is very good, menus etc are the usual multi-level choices to get to anything, but easy enough to select channels and adjust vol/squelch which is what I spend most of the time doing. Battery life is very good, time to GPS fix very good, and as Peter M wrote, you could use it to navigate to waypoints, but that would only be if you are desperate.

The HX851E belt clip is not super strong, I guess it is a compromise between holding it on your lifejacket securely and making it easy enough to remove and use. I think I'll investigate ways attach it via lanyard.

I then went on to get the VC-27 earpiece, which is crap. The wire is *very* thin and the PTT button stuck on when wet. I've since replaced it with a (third-party) D-ring earpiece and boom mike which is much better.

Can't help with info on living with the iCom as I don't have both.

Chris Caton · 22 November 2013, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtb

I'd encourage you to go to a store and fondle each of them to see which feels better in your hand. They are both quite chunky, and can be a bit of a fiddle to work one-handed while maintaining a good grip.

I would wholeheartedly agree with going to a store to have a try, only problem for us up North is the stores will only get them in if you are buying it, they won't stock stuff that ain't selling, so only choice is to ask for advice on here n hope for the best, oh for the choices of the South Coast

SparkUK · 22 November 2013, 17:03

This is true. I've just tried one of the locals but they can't match Force4s deal on the Icom

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Chris Caton · 22 November 2013, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkUK

This is true. I've just tried one of the locals but they can't match Force4s deal on the Icom

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I've rung round a few of the local dealers, got fed up with being fobbed off with old stock, the Force4 deal with a 2nd battery sold it too me, but I was very tempted by the SH, I think if I had the chance to have a play with both before buying I may have gone for the SH, but very happy with the Icom

SparkUK · 22 November 2013, 17:56

I'm not unfair enough to try them in the local stores then order online, I'll just try them both in a Force4 store. Bit of a drive like but hey ho

chris.moody · 22 November 2013, 18:04

I bought my m91d from marine superstore, £220 delivered

Chris

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

Chris Caton · 22 November 2013, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkUK

I'm not unfair enough to try them in the local stores then order online, I'll just try them both in a Force4 store. Bit of a drive like but hey ho

I agree, if somewhere local is good enough to stock the kit and can compete reasonably close on price then I would be more than happy to support them

SparkUK · 22 November 2013, 18:49

I think based on the feedback from you guys the differences are mostly about the packaging rather than anything else. I'll have to handle them both now!! I was hoping one of them would be rubbish hahahha.

Chris Caton · 22 November 2013, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkUK

I think based on the feedback from you guys the differences are mostly about the packaging rather than anything else. I'll have to handle them both now!! I was hoping one of them would be rubbish hahahha.

no probs if you want have a look at my Icom, can't hep with the SH though

SPR · 22 November 2013, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

I've rung round a few of the local dealers, got fed up with being fobbed off with old stock, the Force4 deal with a 2nd battery sold it too me, but I was very tempted by the SH, I think if I had the chance to have a play with both before buying I may have gone for the SH, but very happy with the Icom

The menu system on Icom M91d is far superior than SH IMHO , I hAve used both - I own a real m91d and training version I use on courses ...

S.

Black · 22 November 2013, 22:03

I looked at both and went for the Icom. The menu and buttons are just spot on.

Battery life has been much better than my previous Icom

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