New to VHF,should I buy HX290, HX751 or HX851?

Glow · 17 April 2012, 14:53

As above, any advice is very welcome.

I have never owned a VHF before and most of my boating will be within three miles of the coast. Having read all the reviews, and hoping to buy the right piece of kit first time (learned that lesson).

Would the DSC GPS enabled HX851 be overkill for my needs? There is so much opinion out there that as someone who has no experience in this I am going round in circles.

I like the idea of a single button press in an emergency, but is it worth the extra £70 over the HX751?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

jokaboat · 17 April 2012, 14:54

Do a VHF course to make it legal and ask the guy running the course?

Glow · 17 April 2012, 15:04

Thanks, I am hoping to complete a course in the next month, I will of course ask the instructor what would be most suitable. No need for rolling eyes at me, I thought it was a fair question.

If possible I would like to take my new radio with me to the course as I am hoping to use a 1on1 tutor.

SPR · 17 April 2012, 15:12

if you can afford it DSC option is best...can you buy a gps for £70 ?

regards

Peter_C · 17 April 2012, 15:38

They also make handheld DSC equipped radios with built in GPS. I would highly recommend one for safety. Nothing easier than pushing a button and having your exact coordinates sent out.

It is a valid question

Glow · 17 April 2012, 15:55

Many thanks, the HX851 has built in GPS, which was one of the main reasons I am looking at this model. I do own a basic handheld gps but it would be easier to relay this info through DSC.

PeterM · 17 April 2012, 16:20

Buy the DSC enabled radio ;

Its one less thing to carry about ( one radio / gps compared to seprate units)

It will tell the world you need help without having to do much excpet press a button and when youv'e done the course you'll have the knowledge and confidence to talk to people more and if needed do a mayday call as well as hit the red button.

I'm a big Std Horizon convert after dropping my ( sinking ) icom some years ago and the 851 will be my next buy

jokaboat · 17 April 2012, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glow

Thanks, I am hoping to complete a course in the next month, I will of course ask the instructor what would be most suitable. No need for rolling eyes at me, I thought it was a fair question.

If possible I would like to take my new radio with me to the course as I am hoping to use a 1on1 tutor.

Good man, cancel the rolling eyes forthwith

IMHO DSC is a rarely used addition to a radio. Certainly never used it in a day to day situation. I agree with the emergency bit but you still have to follow up with a voice mayday so why not cut straight to that? For a hand held I would personally go with a good make rather than worrying about the DSC bit.

PeterM · 17 April 2012, 16:49

[QUOTE=jokaboat;456799 I agree with the emergency bit but you still have to follow up with a voice mayday so why not cut straight to that? For a hand held I would personally go with a good make rather than worrying about the DSC bit.

[/QUOTE]

Hmmmm. Standard Horizon I feel is considered a good make and a DSC is not a substitute for a mayday call and a mayday call is not a substitute for DSC.......

DSC emergency will give an exact location ( and distress type if suitably menu chosen) but wont tell people the number os people on board or give a real world position - ie 2 miles south of ...... which is a alot simpler to understand if you happen to hear a mayday on the radio....

I'll get my coat now.....

martini · 17 April 2012, 19:45

Currently a thread running here on the merits of DSC.

The extra 70 notes might be hard to swallow now but it could one day be the best £70 you've ever spent.

Also worth noting that (I haven't looked into it) the GPS built into the DSC radio is probably not much use for anything except giving the radio a position to transmit. You'll still want your GPS/map for navigation.

Copinsay · 17 April 2012, 20:24

Hello

I have the HX581E and it's a great bit of kit to keep on you. Do see the VHF radio thread suggested, as that gives you a wider perspective.

I can see why unless you'd been in an emergency situation, DSC may seem of little use, but being able to get a precise first emergency call out in a few seconds, without needing to read a chart and speak coordinates is a big plus in my book.

I'd say well worth the extra cash - do shop around as there's some variation in price.

Good luck

Steve

jake 4589 · 17 April 2012, 20:29

Just to add,

If you decide to go for the Standard Horizon HX851 then make sure it has the letter E after the 851.

This means that it is the European version not the international one.

Jake

Glow · 17 April 2012, 21:40

Thanks for all the replies chaps, it really has helped. I am going to go for the HX851E as it ticks all the boxes, even though in reality (read hopefully) I will only ever use it up to a small percentage of its capability.

I have been reading the other VHF thread with interest, I wont pretend to understand all of it just yet but I am getting there!

Thanks again for all the help and to all those who took the time to reply

Best price I have found so far is Channel RIBS, £175

Divertris · 17 April 2012, 21:40

I have a Standard Horizon handheld and cant fault it. Great bit of kit. I doubt you will be able to use yours on the course alot of VHF courses have fixed units there that are wired for the course with no antenna and they are wired to each other. Just allows you to use the distress button etc without raising false alarms. If you have it before the course well worth taking it along to get familiar with it though.

Glow · 17 April 2012, 21:54

My thinking was that if there was anything I couldnt suss out it was the perfect opportunity to ask the expert.

squiddy · 24 April 2012, 14:13

I have a 851E - bit of advice, if you use the GPS function your batteries will be dead V quickly. Especially if you just use normal off the shelf batteries. BUT having the GPS function 'on board' is well worth it as it will give coordinates automatically with DSC distress. This is the main reason i got this VHF.

I would suggest getting the rechargeable battery option. Without GPS, the radio on one charge lasts a good long while. Few days in my experience with little use.

I use a dedicated GPS as well- but if i was in any way concerned of the conditions then I would enable the GPS function on the radio , incase an auto distress needs to be sent with coordinates.

Glow · 24 April 2012, 15:31

Thanks, I have ordered one from Channel Ribs so should be with me soon