Hand held VHF, DSC, GPS Radio

[Paul]

Hi guys
I've been meaning to get myself a VHF transceiver for a while now as I've been out alone fishing on the Solent last year and plan to do so again this year.
I've narrowed it down to either the Standard Horizon HX851E or the Lowrance Link-2
Both have good reviews, similar specs other than the Standard Horizon has a max 6w power and the Lowrance 5w max.
I've a Lowrance fishfinder plotter and like its build quality and intuitive format to work it BUT the Standard Horizon does come with a good pedigree so I don't know which way to go the price difference is only a tenner so doesn't factor in
Anyone have any experience with the above radios or manufacturers or thoughts which one to go for

Paul

[blootac]

Personally I'd go probably go with the standard horizon.
The 6w (every little helps with a hand held) and auto strobe could come in very useful.
Other than that they look almost identical.

[Paul]

Personally I'd go probably go with the standard horizon.
The 6w (every little helps with a hand held) and auto strobe could come in very useful.
Other than that they look almost identical.

Many thanks for your thoughts and input blootac
Aye, I'm tending to 'bend' towards the Horizon purely due to their reputation over the years
I'm going to visit Force 4 Chandlers and have a play with both to see how they handle in the hand and what sort of clip they have to attach themselves to belts/buckles as I don't want it falling off when moving around in the boat whilst launching/retrieving and fishing etc

Paul

[blootac]

Which ever you get don't rely on the clip that comes with it. I've got an entel which has a pretty substantial looking belt clip but I also tie it to my life jacket using a caribiner and the wrist strap.

Within the first 5 minutes of bouncing around the radio was dangling by the strap. I'd have lost it if i hadn't tied it on.

[Paul]

Thanks for that info, I'll be doing the same for sure

Paul

[Martin]

Once again I'm lagging behind you guys, still gathering my tackle together
I've been looking at a few, the small cobra gets a good write up, but I don't think it'll be anywhere near as good as the horizon, it's a hell of a lot cheaper at £50 ish.
I'll certainly be looking at the external aerial option on the hand held though, due to the lack of power on them and a tiny aerial I bet they really struggle at times.

[blootac]

I couldn't afford a dsc radio so mine is a standard vhf.
I prioritised output power, had to be submersible, and volume. I thought I could make things float easily enough if needs be.
While I can attach an external aerial I've not needed to and have always been within coastguard range, even when close to cliffs which I thought would bounce the signal around.
I always take the mobile phone with me just in case as an additional backup.

[Paul]

Ok an update on this thread.
I went and looked at both these units and to have a chat with the retailer selling them.
Both units were of the same size and weight and both felt good in the hand.
The Lowrance looked a little more 'modern', less fussy with fewer buttons, larger screen and packed a few more features than the Horizon.
That said The Horizon with more buttons to me seemed easier to navigate being an 'old git' as I had to ask myself if I'd remember to push this button once or twice on the Lowrance to get a function I wanted
It's hard to describe the functionality of each unit so I'd recommend each individual trying these handsets out first before purchase because 'each to their own' as the saying goes
I didn't like the plastic flap covering the Lowrance DSC button as I thought it could get caught and broken off easily unlike the flush fitting rubber bung type covering the DSC button on the Horizon
After talking with the retailer they said that they had sold many Horizons over the past 3 years without many issues however the Lowrance was relatively the 'new kid on the block' and only time would tell
Happy that I could 'work' the Horizon fairly easily straight out of the box I parted with my hard earned and now that I've played with it at home I'm convinced it was the right one for me

Paul

[stigoftd]

I was in the same situation last year when deciding what to get and due to the nature of sibbing i went for the cobra waterproof floating vhf partly for its price but also due to the design and ease of use
sofar it has been great and realy batterd about - soaked - droped in the mud and generaly used hard

i have had an icom before which was top of the range but after only 3 years of use it failed so thaught if the icom does this it is allot cheaper to replace and realy you get the same out of them - but we are all different but i wouldnt go for the top range handhelds when just sibbing

[Martin]

I went for the Standard Horizon HX870e - DSC / GPS
Nice feeling bit of kit, looks the part, 6w and 3 other settings, Floating with flashing LED when it hits the water superb OSD, Separate battery pack for standard batteries, Clip, 12v & 240V charger, Desktop stand..
Cracking bit of kit.
Gael Force Marine were the cheapest when I bought mine, with free delivery also and that's on top of being the cheapest I could find.