I've had a Standard Horizon HX850 S for about 18 months. It is both my backup, and something I clip on my belt when single handed fishing. It works great, holds a charge a long time and the GPS is virtually identical (readings) to my fixed VHF all the time. I also carry a ACR PLB, but like the idea of being able to do 2 way communication in a ditch situation.
Since then, this model has been superseded by the even more impressive 851 which allows you to put in up to 200 waypoints and has an arrow compass that will direct you to a waypoint or to a vessel sending a dsc distress. This thing has the possibility of functioning as backup to both the VHF and Chartplotter in the event you had a complete electrical breakdown.
There are few marine companies as consumer responsive as S-H. As with all handhelds, range is considerably reduced by antenna height (especially if you should be in the water).
Chris
