Sub £150 handheld VHF????

[kaman]

Just gave away my 60 quid Cobra handheld as I didn't really rate it.
Been a bit more adventurous this year in the Sib so looking for a better handheld to replace the departed Cobra.
Any suggestions most welcome.

[whisper]

Spend a little more and go for a DSC handheld

http://www.force4.co.uk/8452/Standar...-with-GPS.html

[philpot]

Most of the guys who fish from kayaks including myself use Standard Horizon or Icoms as they take some serious stick and are FULLY waterproof. I don't have the info on DSC models but You won't go far wrong with these two hand held units.

Phil

[Johnscubanut]

Agree! Icom & Standard Horizon both on our boat!

[HDAV]

I have been looking at these recently there are quite a few around the higher cobra are supposed to be better HH350/500 etc £100ish but you can get a standard horizon for similar money.

Cobra HH500 Floating VHF with Bluetooth - Yachtshop The bluetooth is supposed to be useful.

Standard Horizon VHF HX300E - Yachtshop

Standard Horizon HX280E Handheld VHF Radio ATIS Ready 3 year warranty


But DSC costs a bit more Handheld VHF: Icom M91D Buoyant VHF/DSC Handheld With GPS (M91D)

This looks good value http://www.cactusnav.com/standard-ho...Path=116_28_29

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by HDAV

The bluetooth is supposed to be useful.

Out of curiosity, how would you use Bluetooth on a handheld? I could see perhaps using an earpiece, but I doubt it would last long in salt spray.

Other uses?

jky

[HDAV]

well you leave your "cellphone" in its dry bag in your pocket or in a locker and use the radio as the headset...... allows you to receive calls from your phone while phone stays safe and dry. I wondered what the point was but can see the uses... especially if you need to communicate with an office etc by phone and harbour master etc by vhf.

Bluetooth® wireless technology is a standard which has been developed for use in mobile (cell) phones and other devices. This radio can be wirelessly linked to your mobile phone if your mobile phone also has Bluetooth. This process of linking your mobile phone and this radio requires a one-time “pairing” after which the two devices can be “connected” when they are within range. When connected, this radio can act as the speaker and microphone of your mobile phone while your phone is stowed in a safe and dry location.

[kaman]

Cheers guys for your inputs.
I will peruse the suggestions and make a purchase over the next few days.
I

[kaman]

Just purchased this.
Should be a big improvement on the old Cobra I had.

http://www.cactusnav.com/standard-hx...Path=116_28_29

[MatFromPoland]

I have found Standard Horizon XH851 for 150 on ebay:

Vhf Standard Horizon marine HX851E Floating Transceiver With Gps | eBay

[tehguy]

I believe there are only 2 VHF DSC handhelds on the market at the moment (I could be wrong), one by Icom and the other by Standard Horizon. I have the latter and it's great, packed full of features GPS waypoints, fully waterproof and floating, you can even make it flash the keypad and screen if it is submerged so if it falls overboard in the dark you can find it.

[solent spence]

I bought the icom dsc this year and it has been very good for us. The dsc sets are a bit larger but give that extra piece of mind having the full gps functionality if a distress situation arose.