VHF course booked... VHF on the Xmas list

Huib1965 · 09 December 2013, 09:06

Hi, 2013 VHF course booked so I can take advantage of the 1 day cheaper course and was thinking of putting a hand-held VHF on the Christmas list... My question to you.... Which VHF to ask for ? DSC ? ICOM, Standard Horizon, What are the pros/cons ? What is a must have on the hand held ? Your experience and professional views are welcome as ever

chris.moody · 10 December 2013, 09:05

I have an ICOM m23 and an ICOM m91d (that's the DSC one). Both are excellent radios. The battery life is better on the m23 because it does not have to run a GPS receiver. If I was going out on my own on the rib I would take the DSC set in case I got thrown into the water. If cruising in company I would probably take the non DSC with me.

Never used standard horizon but have heard good things about them. I would avoid the cheaper brands of VHF as they tend to be false economy.

Chris

--
Tigga - Avon SR4 Rescue with 40hp Yamaha 2 stroke

Huib1965 · 10 December 2013, 10:32

Thanks Chris. .. I think both are great but see if one of them are on special offer. .

chris.moody · 10 December 2013, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huib1965

Thanks Chris. .. I think both are great but see if one of them are on special offer. .

I purchased the M91d recently for £220 and I think the M23 is usually around £125. I consider both to be good value at those prices.

andyjcox1 · 10 December 2013, 12:05

I have the Icom M33 (non DSC) but it has always been good. Definitely get one that is waterproof and floats, just in case!!

Huib1965 · 10 December 2013, 12:12

I did see SH HX851 for around £182 recently so might go for that one .... certainly want DSC one as lots of times I will be alone .....

SPR · 10 December 2013, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huib1965

I did see SH HX851 for around £182 recently so might go for that one .... certainly want DSC one as lots of times I will be alone .....

IMHO the SH hx851 is terrible to use ! the M91d is far superior menu and user interface.

I have used both and customers want to buy the M91d after purchasing the SH version.

S.

GJ0KYZ · 10 December 2013, 16:48

The SH HX851 is not terrible to use; it's brilliant. I use mine on my rib and jet ski and haven't had a single problem with it. It's waterproof, it floats, it has 6w rather than 5w output power, it has an auto strobe light feature, it has full DSC and a basic GPS/compass function. What more do you need?

PeterM · 10 December 2013, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

The SH HX851 is not terrible to use; it's brilliant. I use mine on my rib and jet ski and haven't had a single problem with it. It's waterproof, it floats, it has 6w rather than 5w output power, it has an auto strobe light feature, it has full DSC and a basic GPS/compass function. What more do you need?

With you on this.....

Horses for courses I guess....I'd think very very very rarely would anyone want to use it as a real dsc radio ..it's really for the big red help button I think most would buy either.

For me if I can change channels, talk, do dual watch, and if needed transmit my position to those that may need to help me......then boxes ticked :-)

ashbypower · 10 December 2013, 18:55

I am Icom through and through we have 4 of them....... however I love our SH HX851 !!!!

SPR · 10 December 2013, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

With you on this..... Horses for courses I guess....I'd think very very very rarely would anyone want to use it as a real dsc radio ..

This is where icom come in to its own right, it has the same menu as bigger versions the m323 , m423 and M523 when it comes out.

No reason - not use the m91d as fully pledged DSC radio.

the M91D / new icom interface is very easy to use.

Each to there own I suppose...

Huib1965 · 10 December 2013, 22:26

I think the SH sounds best... good value for money and with a big red button when needed... thanks

SPR · 10 December 2013, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huib1965

I think the SH sounds best... good value for money and with a big red button when needed... thanks

or wait till after radio course and decide!

Huib1965 · 11 December 2013, 07:26

Good point...

gtb · 11 December 2013, 07:50

I had a chance to compare the Icom and SH side by side last week - they are identical size, shape, weight i.e. both quite bulky, both float, flash, plastic housing, all buttons, etc. Try the software and see which you prefer. I got the SH because there was a price difference that tipped it in that direction for me.

To be honest, neither will be any good for playing with the more esoteric functions while bouncing along at 20kn, but simple channel selection and DSC alert are going to be fine.

Huib1965 · 11 December 2013, 08:00

Cheers GTB...will pop into Force4 and try them both. ..