New handheld VHF required.

buzzin hornet · 13 August 2012, 08:40

All

Would appreciate some help in selecting a new VHF. Don't want to spend an absolute fortune, but want something that gives us peace of mind and is robust enough for the amateur boater on a weekend or for the two weeks annual holiday.

Theres lots to choose from so its a bit mind boggling.

Any advice/ personnal experience would be gladly recieved.

Cheers

Scott

csjukes · 13 August 2012, 10:06

Cobra MR HH125 is a great radio.
Started off boating a few years back but recently purchased great new rib. Didnt want to spend to much on a vhf so I went onto eBay to have a look. The cobra got fantastic reviews and I must say its brilliant. It just does the job which is what you need and I have used it well so it also seems reliable. They all do the same job but some have more features than others but if you just want a good, reliable VHF then the cobra will be prefect!
Csjukes

Pikey Dave · 13 August 2012, 10:24

Icom M71 ther's also a DSC variant if you want to spend a bit more. Quality gear.

Ribochet · 13 August 2012, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Icom M71 . Quality gear.

+ 1

Ian M · 13 August 2012, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by csjukes

Cobra MR HH125 is a great radio.
Started off boating a few years back but recently purchased great new rib. Didnt want to spend to much on a vhf so I went onto eBay to have a look. The cobra got fantastic reviews and I must say its brilliant. It just does the job which is what you need and I have used it well so it also seems reliable. They all do the same job but some have more features than others but if you just want a good, reliable VHF then the cobra will be prefect!
Csjukes

Mmm. 3 posts and recommending kit .................

Ian M · 13 August 2012, 11:14

Not that I can recommend any kit, but you mention your 2 weeks annual holiday. If like me, you are usually away from civilisation for parts of that time battery life may well be an important consideration. From what I have seen the DSC functionality does seriously affect battery life.

buzzin hornet · 13 August 2012, 11:45

Battery life is not so much an issue as we take the old tin top with us which has a nice big solar panel stuck to the roof. An inverter takes care of most of our charging needs.

Reliabilty is the key as I have kids on board and we are now looking at doing longer day cruises as well as the more usual fishing/ playing about with the ringo etc.

Cheers

Scott

Pikey Dave · 13 August 2012, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by csjukes

..........................then the cobra will be prefect!
Csjukes

If it's so good, I'm suprised they don't make it Head Girl

csjukes · 13 August 2012, 13:00

Its a 'class' above its similarly priced competitors!

Dhf · 13 August 2012, 13:24

The ICOM M33 holds a great charge, and its buoyant, I clip mine on my LG so if fall in, I can still use it.

Peter_C · 13 August 2012, 16:07

I carry a handheld equipped with DSC these days. Safety to me is being able to call our Coast Guard and fellow boaters right to my GPS location with the push of a button.

Can't recommend a specific radio though. I have an Icom with DSC for my fix mounted unit.

Nos4r2 · 13 August 2012, 16:20

Cobra gear is awful.

Go for Standard Horizon or Icom if you can. My M71 has taken a lot of beating in 5 years.

wavelength · 13 August 2012, 16:48

Quote:

Go for Standard Horizon or Icom if you can. My M71 has taken a lot of beating in 5 years.

+1

my coastguard issue Icom lasted years, great battery life and was still good when handed back in. Been covered in mud, dunked in sea, dropped out of the vehicle and regularly washed off with a hosepipe. Never a problem.
Buy cheap and you'll end up buying twice - unless of course you don't go near the sea.

TonyC · 13 August 2012, 17:50

I'd +1 for the Icom M71.

Great bit of kit, and battery life is great.

kerny · 13 August 2012, 18:02

M71

Poly · 13 August 2012, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by csjukes

It just does the job which is what you need and I have used it well so it also seems reliable.

Your advice is at odds with the generally perceived wisdom in these parts on Cobra compatability with Ribbing. They might be fine as a backup tucked up the cabin of a yacht but bounced around and sprayed with water perhaps not...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Mmm. 3 posts and recommending kit .................

Well of course even new members might have useful experience to share! Nothing to say that new comers don't have a wealth of experience outside rib net - but everyone needs to treat all recommendations with suspicion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzin hornet

Reliabilty is the key as I have kids on board and we are now looking at doing longer day cruises as well as the more usual fishing/ playing about with the ringo etc.

I wonder if a fixed VHF might be more appropriate. (A handheld is a useful addition even then).

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

Buy cheap and you'll end up buying twice - unless of course you don't go near the sea.

Nah I had a cobra h/held that started randomly transmitting before it had ever been on a boat! Its replacement leaked!

Channel Ribs · 13 August 2012, 18:46

Icom do make a good radio, but in value for money terms the Standard Horizons just nip in ahead. Their build quality per pound is outstanding. You can expect to get a solid radio for a smidge over 100 quid.

Razorbill RIBs · 13 August 2012, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Icom do make a good radio, but in value for money terms the Standard Horizons just nip in ahead. Their build quality per pound is outstanding. You can expect to get a solid radio for a smidge over 100 quid.

Boatnomad · 13 August 2012, 19:03

Icom,as good as you will get.They are expensive,but will not let you down.

Nos4r2 · 13 August 2012, 20:32

I've got both a Standard Horizon HX270 and an Icom M71. I've had the Icom 5 years and the SH 2 years.

I'd choose the M71 personally, simply because after 5 years it's still holding charge like new and has a tether on it whereas the SH doesn't so it has to live in a pocket or on a holder.