yes ... that ageless newbie question ... which one??!!

0ldbloke · 09 February 2016, 16:02

OK ... have been through more threads on here than I can count …
I know the reply will be Icom or Standard Horizon ...
but help me out here ... 'Which Handheld VHF??'

I have enough set aside to buy either ...
Icom M25
or the
S.H. HX280e
or the
S.H. HX370e

I know the 'how long is a piece of string' answer ...
but I have been tossing a coin for weeks ... and after initially being very happy ... the coin is getting mighty peeved now ...

I don’t see the need to spend more than is needed …
it’s the Scot’s and Yorkshire blood in me that says the HX280e will be fine … but my severe allergy to pain and/or death that suggests the M25 or the HX370e

I am not an ‘out there every time I can’ Sibber ... more of a ‘when I can’ Sibber...
last year because of family health issues that meant I was a ‘not at all’ Sibber ... but am hoping for a better year this year ...

I see no need for an all singing all dancing VHF ... I need it for safety reasons not because my neighbours’ one makes tea and scones …
floating or non floating doesn’t bother me .. when we had an inland boat everything had string or cork floats attached if it needed it … (a CD player jumping over the side and finding it couldn’t swim taught us that) …

so please … given the choices … yours would be??

many thanks in advance guys …

Pikey Dave · 09 February 2016, 16:10

Out of that lot, you have 2 choices:- the cheapest or the one you really want. There ain't a bad un amongst 'em. They will all do the necessary when required.

Paul_S · 09 February 2016, 16:13

I know it wasn't one of your choices, but I just recently bought the HX870E, just the fact that I thought it meant that I could do without a PLB. I know it's not a direct replacement for a PLB, but for where I boat (Firth Of Clyde) I figured that it would be ok.

It is bigger than I imagined though.

Poly · 09 February 2016, 18:56

What extra features does the 370e have over the 280? Google suggests the main difference is an in built PMR, are you going to use that? If not and there are no other big differences then I'd go for the 280 (assuming the m25 also has no extra bit)

To me the ext step up is dsc handheld, but there are downsides like battery life as well as cost...

ShinyShoe · 09 February 2016, 20:10

SH - HX370e as poly says has some extra channel functions but needs dealer programmed ($$$). On a NiMh Battery
SH - HX280e is a LiIon Battery. Cheaper, waterproof but doesn't float. Need to decide how much a float would cost and see if there is an option with a float built in. (it needs a lot of cork).
Which is where the M25 comes in. Includes flash and float. Also its charged from USB if thats something that would be useful... ...I can never find all the bits to charge my VHF in the car. I always have a USB micro lead...

John Kennett · 09 February 2016, 21:55

How about an HX300E? That floats, flashes and has USB charging too.

0ldbloke · 10 February 2016, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

How about an HX300E? That floats, flashes and has USB charging too.

oddly enough ...
I was just about to ask about the HX300e ...
until now I couldn't see past all the bumph ...
should I be considering a floating VHF rather than thinking of it as a glossy extra??
if this is the case ... then I can narrow my choice ...
by ruling out the HX370e for its unnecessary bling ...
and the HX280e for its lack of swimming ability ...
the HX290e floats but has less battery time ...

so with my wallet strapped to me inner thigh ...
I'm really looking at the Icom M25 or the HX300e ...
now ... where was that coin?? ... I fancy a quick toss!!

jeffstevens763@g · 10 February 2016, 10:53

being an old bloke too and a bit need things simple.
i recently bought a new radio i went for floating, dsc,showing position and battery life, makes followed a thread on here concensous was icom & standard horizon which i bought and spot on it is too.

cheers

Poly · 10 February 2016, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldbloke

should I be considering a floating VHF rather than thinking of it as a glossy extra??

It depends how you expect to use it.
1. In a SIB it will presumably be attached to your lifejacket? A lanyard stops it going awol. A float is useful but if you've just fallen out at speed by the time you orient yourself it may be out of reach (sight?) anyway.
2. Will it only ever be you that uses it? If you aren't passing it between people or boats the chance of it getting dropped is much less (as there would be no reason to remove the lanyard).

John Kennett · 10 February 2016, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldbloke

should I be considering a floating VHF rather than thinking of it as a glossy extra??

I don't think it's essential but it is definitely a nice bonus.

Trevor G · 10 February 2016, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I don't think it's essential but it is definitely a nice bonus.

I'd also recommend floating - most people I know who have dropped their VHF in do it whilst getting ready on a pontoon or accidentally kick it off the quayside!

willk · 10 February 2016, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor G

I'd also recommend floating - most people I know who have dropped their VHF in do it whilst getting ready on a pontoon or accidentally kick it off the quayside!

I've not dropped mine yet - but I did see a bloke drop one off a Land Rover in the middle of the Irish Sea. Fortunately it was:

1. A Cobra
2. Someone else's

simonafloat · 12 February 2016, 16:53

I have the hx280e and it's great. Really solid feel to it. Managed a radio check with milford haven last week, that's well over 60miles away. Battery lasts very well too.

Simon

Poly · 12 February 2016, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonafloat

Managed a radio check with milford haven last week, that's well over 60miles away. Battery lasts very well too.

It won't be - they will have a local mast much closer to you! E.g. If you are in the Sound of Kerrera you call "Stornoway" where there is no chance of line of sight to due to mountains - but they hear you beautifully from a mast much closer to you.

ShinyShoe · 12 February 2016, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonafloat

I have the hx280e and it's great. Really solid feel to it. Managed a radio check with milford haven last week, that's well over 60miles away. Battery lasts very well too.

Simon

There is a spreadsheet of all VHF aerial locations obtained under a Freedom of Information request which is on 'whatdotheyknow' site. Should let you work out which aerial you probably spoke to.

simonafloat · 12 February 2016, 21:42

Interesting - I can see that milford haven lists access to 7 remote vhf sites but it doesn't say where they are.

simonafloat · 12 February 2016, 21:48

Ah. Hartland & Coombe Martin. Bit closer to home

Poly · 12 February 2016, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonafloat

Interesting - I can see that milford haven lists access to 7 remote vhf sites but it doesn't say where they are.

This should give you a map of them all - I don't guarantee the accuracy:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...s.kg6gLstIR0kA

(especially the one showing in Belgium! - looks like the MCGA don't know the difference between W&E Brixham 50°23'.82N 03°30'.63E !!!)

Gilly111 · 13 February 2016, 05:35

You get what you pay for but at the end of the day they are all limited to what they can do iv got the icom sometimes it's a weak signal sometimes it's strong it all depends wher you are

treerat · 13 February 2016, 08:51

On a sib waterproof and floating makes a difference in my book unless you're going to keep it in a bag at all time.

Mind you I still keep mine in a bag and as I've the Icom m33 I do it for protection.

As others have said, go for which one you can get hold of in the time frame as there is very little difference between them.

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/ele...s/vhf-handheld seems to have a sale on hand helds - the SH are less then £10