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Author Topic:   Handheld VHF recommendations

GeneNJ posted 05-12-2003 08:42 PM ET (US)
I will be buying a radio for a 13' Sport and it seems like a handheld will be best, as it can backup the fixed unit in the 23 footer. Any units to stay away from? Recommend?
Dick posted 05-12-2003 09:15 PM ET (US)
I carry a Ray 100 as a spare and it works great. When not in the boat it is in my workshop hooked up to an 8' Shakespeare on the roof.
Dick
HAPPYJIM posted 05-12-2003 09:25 PM ET (US)
I have an ICOM submersible, M1V, I believe.
Pay a little extra for a submersible just in case you drop it in the boat where water is standing.
It's nice if you get caught in a shower too.
I carry mine in the pocket of my floatation suit when it's cold out too.
Nice insurance just in case I get separated from my boat and I'm bobbing in the water.
captbone posted 05-12-2003 09:44 PM ET (US)
ICOM M3, only get an ICOM. I also like the M1 but the M3 can be had for $150.00 and you will not need the m1 with a 13 footer.
HAPPYJIM posted 05-12-2003 10:03 PM ET (US)
I'll tell you a sad M3 story.
Went on a sailing trip to Abaco Bahamas 2 years ago. Took the dingy ashore and after a good dinner and too many Bushwackers we headed back to the sail boat. My friend with a brand new M3 dropped it in the back of the dingy where there is always about a gallon of water on the deck for an instant. Toasted M3! They are water resistant. Go for the submersible. He bought an M1 to replace it.
GeneNJ posted 05-12-2003 10:33 PM ET (US)
I agree with the ICOM recommendation. They also make the M2, which is submersible and the price at MALL24-7 is $159.00, sounds like a good compromise.
Over the LINE posted 05-12-2003 10:46 PM ET (US)
I've had a Standard HX350S for a few years and have been very happy with it. I seem to remeber that it also got high marks from "Practical Sailor".
I got an antenna "jumper" that allows me to connect to my masthead antenna in case of emergency and it goes five watts output. It came with 110 and 12 volt chragers along with a extra battery pack that holds AA batteries, making it very flexible.
Good luck in your search.
triblet posted 05-12-2003 10:49 PM ET (US)
Definately get submersible. "Waterproof" means
kinda sorta splashproof. "Subermisible" means
3', 30 minutes.
I've got a Standard HX350S, and I like it.
Icoms are good too. If I were buying one
today, it would be a Standard HX450S.

Chuck
InHerNet posted 05-13-2003 09:19 AM ET (US)
My vote is for the ICOM. I use the ICOM M15, it is a little pricey but is very dependable and has lasted for years. Submergible is the ONLY way to go. When my handheld has been submerged I have to blow at the speaker to clear the water that muffles the sound. The only other thing I do not like is that it does not float. It will sink like a rock! I would hate to have to use it in an emergency and drop it while treading water.
Spend a few more dollars on your safety items and you will not be sorry if the need arises.
Don
HAPPYJIM posted 05-13-2003 09:31 AM ET (US)
check out the specs ICOM M1V $199.99 at
http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=358959&topCategory=249085&cat1=10021526&cat2=249092
whalerdude posted 05-13-2003 09:35 AM ET (US)
I bought the new mini sized Standard Horizon submersible with the lithium ion batteries. I think it was about $260 at West Marine. I love it. It is heavy for it's size. I wanted a quality radio. I keep it clipped to my pfd while I'm driving. The lithium battery can be recharged at any point in the charge cycle and it charges rapidly. It's worth the price for the quality.
HAPPYJIM posted 05-13-2003 09:47 AM ET (US)
whalerdude
That mini Standard is nice size, maybe 3/4 the size of the ICOM M1V.
Can you shift from 1 watt to 5 watt for transmitting?
GeneNJ posted 05-13-2003 01:08 PM ET (US)
The Standard mini HX460 and the Icom IC-M88 mini look cpmparable in features and price, in the $260.00 range. Is the higher cost of the mini worth the money?
Taylor posted 05-13-2003 02:52 PM ET (US)
I checked this early last year, and things may have changed since then. First, Chuck convinced me that you want a portable that is really waterproof, something immersible, not just splash proof or jet proof.
Here are the standards:
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/documents/jis_scale.pdf
I liked the ICOM IC-M2A for a couple of reasons. First, its JIS-7 (Immersion proof), and second it runs on either the included rechargeable battery, or on AA's. I carry spare AA's in case the main battery is run down.
The IC-M3A is only JIS-4 and the IC-M1A does not have the AA battery option. I seem to recall that I got one for something like $170 via Ebay.

hardensheetmetal posted 05-13-2003 05:05 PM ET (US)
I just got rid of a Raytheon 106 unit on ebay and purchased an ICOM M2. The unit will be used both in a center console and an inflatable so I wanted it submersible. I believe 159.00 was the lowest I found it for (and in turn got it for that price locally). The M88 is ICOM compact handheld, which I found for about $270.00 at Dave's Marine brokenlegdave.com
Dan
triblet posted 05-13-2003 05:49 PM ET (US)
Standard has PDF files of the manuals for most
of their products on their website at
http://www.standardhorizon.com/ .
According to the manual the HX460S can be
switched between 1, 2.5, and 5 watts. I
suspect that 1 watt channels like 67 are
1 watt only.
The biggest addvantage of the small radios
is that they are small and will fit in a
shirt pocket.
BTW, battery ratings are really conservative.
They assume you are transmitting 10% of the
time. I'm long-winded, but not THAT
long-winded. My HX350S is rated at 10-13
hours. I've gotten 23 hours with it just
receiving.

Chuck
phred3717 posted 05-13-2003 06:50 PM ET (US)
I didn't have a big budget for a new handheld - lusted after the Icom but bought a Standard Horizon "submersible" HX260S.
I have used the unit one season and had no problems - good range and clear reception.
In any weather it rides in a velcro pocket on front of my PFD (which sits on me).
Having "splashed" (ie fried) two cellphones and one vhf over the past 6-7 years I can attest to the need for a submersible :)
GeneNJ posted 05-13-2003 07:56 PM ET (US)
Thanks to all for your thoughts and recommendations. Just ordered the IC-M88 from Mall24-7.com, $259.50, no shipping or sales tax added. The small size was the deciding factor in making up my mind.
Whalebones posted 05-13-2003 08:00 PM ET (US)
I also have the Standard Horizon HX260S and my unit has not worked well. It seems to have a bad connection design for the battery connection and I've had to bend the spring steel outward on a few ocassions to get a connection. Definitely go for the submersible. If I had to do it again I would spend a little more money in hopes of getting a better unit.
rwill1 posted 05-13-2003 08:18 PM ET (US)
I love my Icom M1V, but I consider the small Standard a good alternative.
If you are going to buy a handheld, Lithium Ion batteries are a must. You may save a few bucks up front, but when you replace the cheaper units battery in a few years, you will wish you spnt a few bucks more.
And by the way, battery life on the M1V is great.

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Author	Topic: Handheld VHF recommendations
GeneNJ	posted 05-12-2003 08:42 PM ET (US) I will be buying a radio for a 13' Sport and it seems like a handheld will be best, as it can backup the fixed unit in the 23 footer. Any units to stay away from? Recommend?
Dick	posted 05-12-2003 09:15 PM ET (US) I carry a Ray 100 as a spare and it works great. When not in the boat it is in my workshop hooked up to an 8' Shakespeare on the roof. Dick
HAPPYJIM	posted 05-12-2003 09:25 PM ET (US) I have an ICOM submersible, M1V, I believe. Pay a little extra for a submersible just in case you drop it in the boat where water is standing. It's nice if you get caught in a shower too. I carry mine in the pocket of my floatation suit when it's cold out too. Nice insurance just in case I get separated from my boat and I'm bobbing in the water.
captbone	posted 05-12-2003 09:44 PM ET (US) ICOM M3, only get an ICOM. I also like the M1 but the M3 can be had for $150.00 and you will not need the m1 with a 13 footer.
HAPPYJIM	posted 05-12-2003 10:03 PM ET (US) I'll tell you a sad M3 story. Went on a sailing trip to Abaco Bahamas 2 years ago. Took the dingy ashore and after a good dinner and too many Bushwackers we headed back to the sail boat. My friend with a brand new M3 dropped it in the back of the dingy where there is always about a gallon of water on the deck for an instant. Toasted M3! They are water resistant. Go for the submersible. He bought an M1 to replace it.
GeneNJ	posted 05-12-2003 10:33 PM ET (US) I agree with the ICOM recommendation. They also make the M2, which is submersible and the price at MALL24-7 is $159.00, sounds like a good compromise.
Over the LINE	posted 05-12-2003 10:46 PM ET (US) I've had a Standard HX350S for a few years and have been very happy with it. I seem to remeber that it also got high marks from "Practical Sailor". I got an antenna "jumper" that allows me to connect to my masthead antenna in case of emergency and it goes five watts output. It came with 110 and 12 volt chragers along with a extra battery pack that holds AA batteries, making it very flexible. Good luck in your search.
triblet	posted 05-12-2003 10:49 PM ET (US) Definately get submersible. "Waterproof" means kinda sorta splashproof. "Subermisible" means 3', 30 minutes. I've got a Standard HX350S, and I like it. Icoms are good too. If I were buying one today, it would be a Standard HX450S. Chuck
InHerNet	posted 05-13-2003 09:19 AM ET (US) My vote is for the ICOM. I use the ICOM M15, it is a little pricey but is very dependable and has lasted for years. Submergible is the ONLY way to go. When my handheld has been submerged I have to blow at the speaker to clear the water that muffles the sound. The only other thing I do not like is that it does not float. It will sink like a rock! I would hate to have to use it in an emergency and drop it while treading water. Spend a few more dollars on your safety items and you will not be sorry if the need arises. Don
HAPPYJIM	posted 05-13-2003 09:31 AM ET (US) check out the specs ICOM M1V $199.99 at http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=358959&topCategory=249085&cat1=10021526&cat2=249092
whalerdude	posted 05-13-2003 09:35 AM ET (US) I bought the new mini sized Standard Horizon submersible with the lithium ion batteries. I think it was about $260 at West Marine. I love it. It is heavy for it's size. I wanted a quality radio. I keep it clipped to my pfd while I'm driving. The lithium battery can be recharged at any point in the charge cycle and it charges rapidly. It's worth the price for the quality.
HAPPYJIM	posted 05-13-2003 09:47 AM ET (US) whalerdude That mini Standard is nice size, maybe 3/4 the size of the ICOM M1V. Can you shift from 1 watt to 5 watt for transmitting?
GeneNJ	posted 05-13-2003 01:08 PM ET (US) The Standard mini HX460 and the Icom IC-M88 mini look cpmparable in features and price, in the $260.00 range. Is the higher cost of the mini worth the money?
Taylor	posted 05-13-2003 02:52 PM ET (US) I checked this early last year, and things may have changed since then. First, Chuck convinced me that you want a portable that is really waterproof, something immersible, not just splash proof or jet proof. Here are the standards: http://www.icomamerica.com/support/documents/jis_scale.pdf I liked the ICOM IC-M2A for a couple of reasons. First, its JIS-7 (Immersion proof), and second it runs on either the included rechargeable battery, or on AA's. I carry spare AA's in case the main battery is run down. The IC-M3A is only JIS-4 and the IC-M1A does not have the AA battery option. I seem to recall that I got one for something like $170 via Ebay.
hardensheetmetal	posted 05-13-2003 05:05 PM ET (US) I just got rid of a Raytheon 106 unit on ebay and purchased an ICOM M2. The unit will be used both in a center console and an inflatable so I wanted it submersible. I believe 159.00 was the lowest I found it for (and in turn got it for that price locally). The M88 is ICOM compact handheld, which I found for about $270.00 at Dave's Marine brokenlegdave.com Dan
triblet	posted 05-13-2003 05:49 PM ET (US) Standard has PDF files of the manuals for most of their products on their website at http://www.standardhorizon.com/ . According to the manual the HX460S can be switched between 1, 2.5, and 5 watts. I suspect that 1 watt channels like 67 are 1 watt only. The biggest addvantage of the small radios is that they are small and will fit in a shirt pocket. BTW, battery ratings are really conservative. They assume you are transmitting 10% of the time. I'm long-winded, but not THAT long-winded. My HX350S is rated at 10-13 hours. I've gotten 23 hours with it just receiving. Chuck
phred3717	posted 05-13-2003 06:50 PM ET (US) I didn't have a big budget for a new handheld - lusted after the Icom but bought a Standard Horizon "submersible" HX260S. I have used the unit one season and had no problems - good range and clear reception. In any weather it rides in a velcro pocket on front of my PFD (which sits on me). Having "splashed" (ie fried) two cellphones and one vhf over the past 6-7 years I can attest to the need for a submersible :)
GeneNJ	posted 05-13-2003 07:56 PM ET (US) Thanks to all for your thoughts and recommendations. Just ordered the IC-M88 from Mall24-7.com, $259.50, no shipping or sales tax added. The small size was the deciding factor in making up my mind.
Whalebones	posted 05-13-2003 08:00 PM ET (US) I also have the Standard Horizon HX260S and my unit has not worked well. It seems to have a bad connection design for the battery connection and I've had to bend the spring steel outward on a few ocassions to get a connection. Definitely go for the submersible. If I had to do it again I would spend a little more money in hopes of getting a better unit.
rwill1	posted 05-13-2003 08:18 PM ET (US) I love my Icom M1V, but I consider the small Standard a good alternative. If you are going to buy a handheld, Lithium Ion batteries are a must. You may save a few bucks up front, but when you replace the cheaper units battery in a few years, you will wish you spnt a few bucks more. And by the way, battery life on the M1V is great.