West Marine PLB and waterproof handheld vhf

L

Larry Patrick

New member
Im in murrels inlet going to west marine .Possibly buying these two items. Any updates on which units to purchase? I searched archives some,but figured I would ask about new products. Waterproof with gps in handheld vhf im thinking and possibly Mcmurdo for the plb? Not sure which brand they carry,Would prefer to ask for c-brats advise, going there today to browse and will buy later in the week. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Larry Patrick":11hx8xfe said:
Waterproof with gps in handheld vhf
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I have the Standard Horizon HX851 (waterproof, floating, gps, DSC). It got excellent reviews and is recommended frequently which is why I chose it. It is pricey though (~$225). The vhf radio works well (used it frequently prior to installing 2nd fixed mount). My only knock on it was that the battery doesn't seem to last as long as my older non-floating ICOM. But that older ICOM didn't have gps or DSC so less power draw. In summary, I like it and feel confident having it in my ditch bag.

As far as PLBs, I have the ACR Aqualink. From my research prior to buying it, it seemed equal numbers of people like the ACR and the McMurdo so I don't think you can really go wrong. I went with the one with the best deal at the time. The ACR came w/ rebates, free stuff, and a subscription to 406Link.com so you can test the PLB.
 
Larry
This a great question and most timely for me. Looking forward for more replies. Size, battery life, floating vs non and other features(esp.for inclusion in a ditch bag or on lifevest. Be great to hear what others have done. Lot of choices out there esp.for handhelds--PLB a little easier and Rob's thoughts make sense.
 
I just got another Standard Horizon handheld VHF. The HX300 model with usb charging so I can use phone chargers we already carry to charge the radio too.

Just one note on the PLB. Take a look at the ResQlink + model for a very compact form that also floats. It fits in the small chest pocket of my self inflating life vest. It is a PLB and must be manually activated but they have a non+ model that looks the same but is non-floating so stay away from that.

Greg
 
I have both 2 ACR and one Mcmurdo. I purchased the Mcmurdo when it was on sale for $200--and for its smaller size. I agree that the ACR 2881 (plus) which floats is the best choice. HOWEVER, just because it floats, it does not mean that the unit does not have to be held in a position, so that the antenna will work properly. The "non floating" PLB can be made to float with a simple "float coat". The advantage of the full size EPRIB, is that they float, in the upright position, so that the antenna is oriented to send the distress signal. All of these are GPS enabled.

I agree that the Standard Horizon radios are excellent. I do not have one with a GPS, but do have a small hand held GPS, with marine charts in my ditch bag should it be needed. I can see the advantage, if you can contact someone with the hand held. Remember that the range under ideal conditions will be 10 miles--but in reality most likely 5 miles or less. Lets say that the radio is one foot off the water--if you are lucky--when you are in the water. Assuming that another boat had an antenna 10 feet hight...that gives you the 5 miles..Yes a 2,000 foot high CG antenna on a TV tower, would have a longer range--but it is very unlikely that you will be within 10 miles of that antenna....

The built in DSC will give some advantage, and is worthwhile. The ICOM IC-M92D also has these features. The SH HX851 does have an additional feature I consider almost essential for a survival radio--you can buy an AA battery tray. I have my strobe, flashlight, GPS and radios (Yeasu VX-8R--2 meter, 80 CM and 6 meter (mod for Marine VHF also), with GPS--as well as 2 Marine VHF portable radios) all use AA batteries as a back up. I carry a dozen extra AA batteries in the ditch bag.
 
Thanks for replys,this will be first time buying these items so its good to get some insight. Went up and down the isles checking out boating supplies today at west marine. Starting a ditch bag for next years trips. Looked at the plb and vhf ,will purchase something before heading home.
 
This thread is very interesting because I am also considering my first hand held VHF to be used as a back up on board and on shore to monitor marine communications as a learning experience. It is narrowed down to the same two models Bob has mentioned; ,the ICOM IC-M92D and Standard Horizon HX851. I get the benefit of AA battery power, nice to have. My concern is from different sites, customer reviews seem to favor ICOM from a reliability viewpoint.

My Standard Horizon GX 1700 has been flawless so far but it is not dunked in seawater and expected to live.

Any other experiences out there?

Dennis
 
Both Icom and Standard Horizon (Yaesu, Vertex Standar) are also ham radio and commercial radio manufactures. I have owned brands in VHF marine and Ham configurations since VHF marine came along in the late 60's. The first VHF I owned was a Standard Horizon, crystal controlled--4 channels, and in a 6 x 9 oval speaker box. Before that smaller boats used AM radio: longer range, but more problems, and long antennas.

My experience, friends and reading on the various forums--you are good to go with either brand. With my Ham radios, the Icom are slightly easier to use, but the Yaesu (Standard) have a few more innovative features. Reliability seems to be about the same.
 
Bob,

Thanks for the reply on the VHF hand held. A tangent topic is VHF antennas. I decided on the Morad 156 HD but there is no marine communication this time of year in North Dakota to test it with so all I can receive is weather which works fine. With you experience, any opinion on the Morad antenna solution? We winter down the coast from you in Mexico Beach. If I can get my trailer situation where I want it I hope to bring our 19 Angler along.

Dennis
 
My seconds for the Standard Horizon HX 851. Yes it has GPS, but also a strobe that will activate when it is in the water, where it floats. It also has a nice glow strip that shows up through most of the night.

I use mine frequently, and have had very good results. On the boat, it rides on my PFD. The button lock is an easy to use and useful feature. I don't use the scan feature much, so no comment there. The sound is reasonably clear even with the volume turned full up.

I would certainly recommend it. No thoughts on the PLB.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Is the SH HX851 still the best value ( a couple of years old) or are other makes and models equivalent or better that I should review?
 
Have not been researching HH VHF's lately, but my Standard Horizon HX851 is still working flawlessly. I'd sure be comfortable with going that route. If I needed a second one (I have a thing about redundancy) I would try and get the same model. Still good features, DSC and on board GPS.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I corresponded with Brent via e-mail about the SH 851.

The HX 851 is still a great radio. The Icom M92D is comparable. It has a noise canceling mic built in. The Standard Horizon is 6 watts (vs 5 watts) has NMEA 0183 output thru the charging cradle. The SH has a strobe light built in. There is an accessory noise canceling external mic, and an accessory AA battery tray (a nice feature for a ditch bag, I always have one for the VHF in the ditch bag, along with a dozen or so batteries.)

I have both Icom and Standard Horizon (Vertex) hand held radios--both are good, but I tend to prefer the Standard Horizon. Personal preference. The specs are very close on both radios. Both high quality and have good longivity! You cannot go wrong with either.
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thataway":2n7bftgr said:
I corresponded with Brent via e-mail about the SH 851.

The HX 851 is still a great radio. The Icom M92D is comparable. It has a noise canceling mic built in. The Standard Horizon is 6 watts (vs 5 watts) has NMEA 0183 output thru the charging cradle. The SH has a strobe light built in. There is an accessory noise canceling external mic, and an accessory AA battery tray (a nice feature for a ditch bag, I always have one for the VHF in the ditch bag, along with a dozen or so batteries.)

I have both Icom and Standard Horizon (Vertex) hand held radios--both are good, but I tend to prefer the Standard Horizon. Personal preference. The specs are very close on both radios. Both high quality and have good longivity! You cannot go wrong with either.
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Is the SH 851 still the best radio of its type for around this price point? I see that it is now around 4 years old and I wondered if something better has since replaced it.
 
That's the question which Brent asked. There is the Icom, but the specs are so close--the Standard Horizon is 6 watts, vs the 5 watts for Icom--not a lot of difference. You have the "latest" DSC, GPS, As I said, I especially like the alkaline battery trays. If you get stuck, you can carry a dozen or so batteries, and have a back up--with out recharging the lithium ion batteries.

I have no idea what the next big jump in radio will be. But I have some 20 year old Ham gear which still works just as well as the newest. The new are smaller, lighter, have a lot of bells and whistles, and take a PhD in electronics to understand the menu.

Sort of like I can still drive a 1950 VW, but cannot drive my wife's new car which does not have an ignition key…and a touch screen…they both get you there, and the mythical VW still gets better gas mileage….
 
I ended up with the west marine floating vhf 160 its 6watt,has strobe/flashlight noaa emergency weather alert. As soon as I start boating Lake Erie or saltwater,going to get PLB and epirb. Now im on a lake with lots of boat traffic.
 
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