VHF Marine Handheld

[Fireman]

I'm looking to buy a VHF Marine handheld radio.

Any suggestions?

 

[DaleH]

The old Powerboat Report tests showed the Std-Horizon units to out perform Icom. Check with Jim from BOE Marine. I have purchased 2 floating VHFs from Std-Hor and they're bulletproof! 6-watts units too!

 

[sparky]

Standard Horizon all the way. I've got an HX270 (non-floating), and an HX850, which is a floating, GPS-equipped, 6-watt powerhouse. Its by far my favorite radio, other than the usage of buttons to turn the volume up/down (I prefer a knob like the 270).

 

[Fireman]

Thanks for the advice.

I just ordered the Standard Horizon HX850s Handheld VHF with GPS from BOE Marine.

Hopefully it will be here in just a few days.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[sparky]

One of the coolest things that the 850 can do is output the GPS data via a small coiled cable in the charging base. I've put a serial connector on my base station, and can interface the VHF to my laptop and use it as a backup chartplotter. I've found the GPS to be surprisingly accurate. You won't regret the purchase.

 

[Fireman]

Thanks for the info Sparky.

It arrived today via UPS and is currently charging in the base. There's a lot of information in this 80+ page owner's manual. Looks like a nice radio with lots of useful features.

Looking forward to using it soon.