VHF Prices

[Jeff Pike]

I've been quoted £199 for an ICOM M421 fixed unit & £130 for a handheld Horizon HX270E backup. Prices look OK but has anyone bought cheaper and if so where please.

[nik]

I dont know about horizon, but I think these might be worth a look.

http://www.yachtinguniverse.com/shop...eld_Radios.htm

Nick.

[Jeff Pike]

Thanks Nik, Reason for looking at Horizon is a Lithium battery that lasts twice as long as the Ni Cad in the ICOM + spare battery tray & recharger accessories which come as standard rather than extra for about the same money.

ICOM price is a bit higher on Yachting Universal. Been talking to Alistair at www.mesltd.co.uk (retail arm of Navigate Marine Distribution). Net price shows £229 but talk and it goes down to £199. No doubt YU will do same if push them.

Jeff

[nik]

Hi Jeff,
I have just ordered the ICOM IC M1V from Yachting Universal at £165.
I went for that for the same reason you, the lithium battery.

All the best, Nick.

[codprawn]

Just remember if you have an Icom M31 or similar you can buy NiMh batteries for it - rated up to 2300maH

[nik]

I have just ordered the ICOM IC M1V from Yachting Universal at £165.

Correction. I have just cancelled this order.
Their web site state that most orders go out the next day. So, having waited nearly a week, I phoned them.
Their answerphone message says that they are away on holidays and not due back to the 20th.

Impressed? Not.

Nick.

[Ken]

thought I'd try and help here.

I do a fair bit of safety boating in plymouth with a group pf friends and we have used Standard (horizon) radios for years. Well impressed.

We have now updated to the Entel HT640 (its a standard which has been badged by the UK importer as Entel).

We brought a few at the boat show in jan from Piplers of Poole for about £150 each which included a submersible fist mic (an icom model badged as standard!)

The radios come with charger cradle and 12v cigar lighter cable and 240 mains cable. Battery is Lithium Ion and they are lasting us a few days use per charge.

The screen is big and clear and you can programme private channels if necessary for your sailing club etc.

We think they are better value than Icom and in our experience they sound clearer.

Hope this helps.

Ken.

[codprawn]

Read a test on handheld vhfs and the Entel came out as the winner.

[Robox]

Originally Posted by nik

I have just ordered the ICOM IC M1V from Yachting Universal at £165.

Correction. I have just cancelled this order.
Their web site state that most orders go out the next day. So, having waited nearly a week, I phoned them.
Their answerphone message says that they are away on holidays and not due back to the 20th.

Impressed? Not.

Nick.

Nick,
I,ve been waiting a week for the same model to arrive, but from a different source,and have been told that there may be supply problems from Icom ?
Rob

[marknj]

Yes this is true, I've been told we should have in stock end of this week.