Handheld VHF Radio
- Thread starter Louis
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Standard Horizon
For what you are looking to spend, I'd go with something like this. For another 100 clams or so, you could get one with a built in GPS feature, like the HX850S. Standard Horizon is one of a few good vendors. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GDXNAK Standard Horizon HX850S - http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?&fno=21&uid=73289248546&sku=2008175104432.89 Fair winds
For what you are looking to spend, I'd go with something like this. For another 100 clams or so, you could get one with a built in GPS feature, like the HX850S. Standard Horizon is one of a few good vendors. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GDXNAK Standard Horizon HX850S - http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?&fno=21&uid=73289248546&sku=2008175104432.89 Fair winds
It all depends on what you want it to do and what
you want to do with it. We recently purchased this http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=5485A42436EB7F81A71201F21F67B86F&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0 for less than $90 from Defender. Best deal I've found in years, including WM's radios. It works great, is very loud (important in the cockpit). Only downside is the belt mount.
you want to do with it. We recently purchased this http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=5485A42436EB7F81A71201F21F67B86F&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0 for less than $90 from Defender. Best deal I've found in years, including WM's radios. It works great, is very loud (important in the cockpit). Only downside is the belt mount.
check out Apelco handhelds too
I know some fellow sailors that speak highly about their Apelco Handheld radios. I think that Practical Sailor had a test on handhelds in recent years. Check them out too.
I know some fellow sailors that speak highly about their Apelco Handheld radios. I think that Practical Sailor had a test on handhelds in recent years. Check them out too.
features
Hello, One nice features are dual or tri watch. This way you can monitor channel 16 and some other channel. For example, when I race, the committee boat broadcasts on channel 68. With dual watch I can monitor 68 and channel 16. Another nice feature is selectable power output. If you are in a harbor and want to hail a marina, 1 watt is more then enough. If you are further away, you could select 2.5 or 5W. Using 5W all the time will drain the battery more than 1W. Most VHF's today have NOAA weather channels, those can be handy. The last nice feature I can think of is various battery possibilities. My West Marine comes with a rechargable battery pack. It also comes with another pack that uses AAA. This way, if the main pack dies, I can use AAA's. Lastly, some Standard Horizon models include a strobe light, and other radio bands, like FRS / GMRS, and even AM / FM. I have the West Marine 150 model. It costs less than $150 and comes with a charging base, battery, extra battery case for AAA's, belt clip and charger. I am happy with it. Barry
Hello, One nice features are dual or tri watch. This way you can monitor channel 16 and some other channel. For example, when I race, the committee boat broadcasts on channel 68. With dual watch I can monitor 68 and channel 16. Another nice feature is selectable power output. If you are in a harbor and want to hail a marina, 1 watt is more then enough. If you are further away, you could select 2.5 or 5W. Using 5W all the time will drain the battery more than 1W. Most VHF's today have NOAA weather channels, those can be handy. The last nice feature I can think of is various battery possibilities. My West Marine comes with a rechargable battery pack. It also comes with another pack that uses AAA. This way, if the main pack dies, I can use AAA's. Lastly, some Standard Horizon models include a strobe light, and other radio bands, like FRS / GMRS, and even AM / FM. I have the West Marine 150 model. It costs less than $150 and comes with a charging base, battery, extra battery case for AAA's, belt clip and charger. I am happy with it. Barry
I bought a
UNIDEN Atlantis 250 VHF Radio, Black Handheld $99.99 USD from Boat US about 5 years ago. West Marine makes/sells the same radio under its own name. I paid about $20 more for it when I bought it. I also bought a clear plastic bag with a lanyard to keep it dry. This has been one of the best "boat units" I've ever spent. If this radio dies tomorrow, I would buy exactly the same model/unit again.
UNIDEN Atlantis 250 VHF Radio, Black Handheld $99.99 USD from Boat US about 5 years ago. West Marine makes/sells the same radio under its own name. I paid about $20 more for it when I bought it. I also bought a clear plastic bag with a lanyard to keep it dry. This has been one of the best "boat units" I've ever spent. If this radio dies tomorrow, I would buy exactly the same model/unit again.
1 - 5 watts for Handhelds
A hand held VHF is only good for back up or short range use. I got so frustrated with my Uniden Atlantis that I almost handed it over to Davy Jones. They are fine for communicating with the marinas for slip asignments or close boat to boat communications but for any kind of distance they are useless. They also consume batteries rapidly when they are transmitting at 5 watts and drop communication links. I still use mine occasionally but prefer the inside mounted VHF most times for the range and power it gives me.
A hand held VHF is only good for back up or short range use. I got so frustrated with my Uniden Atlantis that I almost handed it over to Davy Jones. They are fine for communicating with the marinas for slip asignments or close boat to boat communications but for any kind of distance they are useless. They also consume batteries rapidly when they are transmitting at 5 watts and drop communication links. I still use mine occasionally but prefer the inside mounted VHF most times for the range and power it gives me.
Handheld VHF
I have a West Marine VHF 150. I like that it is submersible. The lithium ion battery last at least 12 hours and stays charged for months of non use. Comes with extra battery pack with AAA's. I don't like the location of the mic hole that is on the lower third of the radio. Takes some getting used to because most radios have the mic on the top third. I really don't like that when the unit is turned on, it goes to the last channel and power setting that was set on the last use. I think this is a safety issue. Radios should go to channel 16 at full power when turned on. In an emergency, the operator should not have to look for channel 16 and 5 watts. JMHO
I have a West Marine VHF 150. I like that it is submersible. The lithium ion battery last at least 12 hours and stays charged for months of non use. Comes with extra battery pack with AAA's. I don't like the location of the mic hole that is on the lower third of the radio. Takes some getting used to because most radios have the mic on the top third. I really don't like that when the unit is turned on, it goes to the last channel and power setting that was set on the last use. I think this is a safety issue. Radios should go to channel 16 at full power when turned on. In an emergency, the operator should not have to look for channel 16 and 5 watts. JMHO
Decision made!
Thanks for all your responses and advice. I day sail on the Hudson River, so the ability to transmitt long distances wasn't important to me. After comparing the westmarine VHF 150 for $149 and the Standard Horizon 270 for 89.00, the features and warranty of each seemed just about identical. So I have ordered the Standard Horizon from Defender. I will let you know what I think about it after using it for awhile.
Thanks for all your responses and advice. I day sail on the Hudson River, so the ability to transmitt long distances wasn't important to me. After comparing the westmarine VHF 150 for $149 and the Standard Horizon 270 for 89.00, the features and warranty of each seemed just about identical. So I have ordered the Standard Horizon from Defender. I will let you know what I think about it after using it for awhile.
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