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Old 14 June 2006, 08:53   #1
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Best CHEAP handheld VHF?

Can anyone recomend the best cheap handhelf VHF?
The Silva Star ones seem the best value at £59 in various shops.

Has anyone seen these Midland ones? the spec looks pretty good with 5 watt output, and there very small.
LINK HERE
They work out at about £39 delivered.
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Old 14 June 2006, 09:03   #2
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I use a Silva s12 - good rubbery grip for when your hands are wet and it clips onto the lifejacket webbing using the belt clip, with a carabiner through the wrist strap for security. I've contacted Liverpool coastguard from 10 miles west of the IOM - but I think there's a relay mast on the IOM... Very clear ship to ship at about 5 miles and useful when kayaking around the coast.
Only downside is no battery status indicator - I just charge it after every trip.
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Old 14 June 2006, 09:13   #3
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The Silva Star ones seem the best value at £59 in various shops.
Its cheap and crap. I bought one of these about 2 years ago (when it was £99) and it broke after a few weeks. Its not waterproof and not very well made. Took it back and got a replacement under warrentee. I only used the replacement a few times and the speaker went. I gave up on it in the end.
However, I recently bought another silva (im a glutten for punishment) the next model up the S12. Again it doesnt seem partcularly well made; ive had it 2 weeks now and it's been used about 4 times, yet the mubber grip seems to be peeling away already. Time will tell how well it stays on. Apart from that its not bad - seems to be fairly waterproof.
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Old 14 June 2006, 09:50   #4
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However, I recently bought another silva (im a glutten for punishment) the next model up the S12.
What did I tell you??!??

For a handheld VHF I would strongly reccomend either the Icom M31, or the Standard Horizon HX270e - both of them fantastic units. Price wise, I think my money would be on the Standard Horizon - you can get one for under a ton, and I think they are superb little sets.
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Old 14 June 2006, 09:52   #5
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The S12 was £99.

Im not convinced about Standard. The day I borrowed your boat neither of your radios worked......

Can't beat a good old Navman
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Old 14 June 2006, 10:08   #6
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Originally Posted by Jimbo
What did I tell you??!??

For a handheld VHF I would strongly reccomend either the Icom M31, or the Standard Horizon HX270e - both of them fantastic units. Price wise, I think my money would be on the Standard Horizon - you can get one for under a ton, and I think they are superb little sets.
I got 2 Icom M31 (new ones with the Lithium Batt’s) and to date have dropped bashed and dunked them (must fill in that 3 year warranty card) good bits of kit. Yes there is a well documented issue of this unit discharging it’s self if left switched off for a long period. But as they come with desk top charger and seeing as how they don’t need to be fully discharged before recharging them not a huge issue. I reckoned was far better to spend a bit more and have it work than save some beer tokens.
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Old 14 June 2006, 11:47   #7
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Im not convinced about Standard. The day I borrowed your boat neither of your radios worked.....
Fixed radio didn't work - you are quite correct. However, the problem has been narrowed down to the arial, and not the radio! Replacement arial sitting in my car...

The handheld simply had a flat battery - it's worked 100% since!

The HX270e is £99 also. Bear in mind that mine has survived being left in a dry box full of water for over 2 weeks, being thrown from a moving powerboat into another one, chucked around in the back of my car, is usually clipped to my Lifejacket being bashed and smashed, and still works! Now talk to me about your silva again... :-p
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Old 14 June 2006, 11:48   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon666
Has anyone seen these Midland ones? the spec looks pretty good with 5 watt output, and there very small.
LINK HERE
They work out at about £39 delivered.
They are not waterproof - relying on a bag instead. In my experience bags leak - and I have one of the really cheap cobra radios which came with a very similar looking bag - which split within 6 months of very light use.

It also has rotating knobs for controls - have you ever tried to use these inside a bag!

Importing to the UK is also dodgy (although there are people reslling these here at slightly higher cost) - as may not be type approved for UK use, and may have to pay import duty.
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Old 14 June 2006, 16:31   #9
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Thanks for your feedback guys, must admit i like the look of the Standard Horizon jobbies.
Who the cheapest dealer?
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Old 14 June 2006, 18:07   #10
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Thanks for your feedback guys, must admit i like the look of the Standard Horizon jobbies.
Who the cheapest dealer?
Give Dave at Boat Care Uk a ring - 02392796740. Tell him Jimbo said he'd do a good rate on a Standard Horizon H/H.
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Old 14 June 2006, 21:14   #11
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Give Dave at Boat Care Uk a ring - 02392796740. Tell him Jimbo said he'd do a good rate on a Standard Horizon H/H.
If you tell him Jimbo sent you he'll probably charge you double
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Old 14 June 2006, 21:18   #12
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If you tell him Jimbo sent you he'll probably charge you double
Nope, I'm getting very good terms at the moment, he paid the VAT on my handheld, and I've only paid him 2/3 of the cost of my fixed set at present!
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Old 16 June 2006, 13:40   #13
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I would highly recomend the Standard Horizon HX270e if it is as good as the previous model I've had for about 4 years - on the RIB and when kayaking so its had regular dunkings.

The second battery pack that takes AA batteries is really useful as I just leave it in the grab bag with Alkalines in it just in case.

£92.50 here
http://www.yachtbits.com/standard_ho...ndheld_vhf.php



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Old 16 June 2006, 14:08   #14
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Jan or Steve (stevetheboat) @ nautequipe, superb friendly service and well priced
Gerry
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Old 16 June 2006, 15:50   #15
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Horizon

If you live down in the South Coast area it has to be Horizon as the serviice centre is is Winchester and you can drop off and collect next day . I broke mine and it was sorted FOC !
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Old 22 June 2006, 22:23   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim M
The S12 was £99.

Im not convinced about Standard. The day I borrowed your boat neither of your radios worked......

Can't beat a good old Navman
Tim seriously your Navman- you can't hear over the engine because the speaker is too small, the display has navman sickness and has misted up due to water ingress...I would by a Standard or Icom over anything else any day.
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Old 22 June 2006, 22:24   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
Nope, I'm getting very good terms at the moment, he paid the VAT on my handheld, and I've only paid him 2/3 of the cost of my fixed set at present!
Jimbo trust me there will be a statement coming before long!
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Old 22 June 2006, 22:39   #18
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Jimbo trust me there will be a statement coming before long!
You are quite right, I had totally overlooked sending you a web hosting bill. I will correct my omission!
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Old 22 June 2006, 23:21   #19
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Originally Posted by Mike B
I would highly recomend the Standard Horizon HX270e if it is as good as the previous model I've had for about 4 years - on the RIB and when kayaking so its had regular dunkings.

The second battery pack that takes AA batteries is really useful as I just leave it in the grab bag with Alkalines in it just in case.

£92.50 here
http://www.yachtbits.com/standard_ho...ndheld_vhf.php



Mike
Recently got one of those too . Very impressed so far , it seems really solid and Iam amazed at the range and clarity . I haven't had to re charge the battery yet and its been used and left for about 4 weekends in a row . That extra battery pack that takes AA bateries is the best thing .
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Old 26 June 2006, 16:43   #20
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Not as cheap but I've got the Entel HT640 submersible, no probs with it at all, lovely bit of kit! About £140.

http://www.entel.co.uk/products/leis...t640/index.htm
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