Small Handheld VHF

S

SV Grace

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
RO Number
25212
Messages
19
I"m looking to find the smallest simple handheld VHF radio.

Just want something small, light, submersible, with rechargeable battery + alkaline tray. And cheap.

Seems the smallest ones are all about 2.3" x 3.8" x 1.2" (not including antenna).

Looking at the following:

Standard Horizon 270
13.4 oz.
$83.15

Standard Horizon 500
12.3 oz.
$123.61

Uniden 450
slightly bigger
11.9 oz
$152.95

Uniden Voyager
8.8 0z.
$147.82

Some more expensive options are the Standard 471 (9.3 oz) and IcomM88 (9.9 oz.)

http://www.boatfix.com/cart2/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=81

I don't need any special features, since I already have a fixed mount VHF and a clunky handheld.

Any thoughts or other options?

Thanks
 
Waterproof. The one feature that I really did use on mine!

If my handheld hadn't been reasonably waterproof it would have died an early death. On more than one occasion I have grabbed the handheld and hopped into the dingy to go escort/help an arriving boat into the raftup. Things get busy, your tying boats up, then shaking hands, then helped aboard and handed a beer. Two hours later return to the dinghy and find that the handheld has fallen to the bottom and is covered in the water in the bottom of the dinghy....

Otherwise: Consider the battery pack. The battery will eventually fail and need to be replaced so see what the cost of a replacment is. If you will be using the handheld a lot you might want to consider having a backup battery that can be charged stand alone so you can keep swapping out. Some handhelds even have the option of a battery pack that accepts standard AA batteries which can be a great advantage for emergency use.

Rod
 
First rule is to look at the BoatFix web site. Lots of good stuff and great prices.

Second rule is it must be either Standard or Icom. No other options.

Make sure it has a AA backup pack. And AA rechargeables are reasonably cheap so it really does give a great backup option.

YMMV
 
I have the SH 270. solid unit, think it would meet your needs. I bought it for the same reasons, backup to the fixed vhf and to take on the dink. Boat fix had it to me in a few days.
 
I've used several hand helds. Recently, I have been using the Uniden Voyager and am quite impressed with it. It has
a cast aluminum case, water proof and the battery is quite good. It doesn't seem to discharge on it's own like some radios
I've had.

If you have your hand held a long time, you will need to buy a new battery for it. Take a look at the costs of replacement
batteries.
 
I had a Humminbird, which was great and worked flawlessly the entire time I had it.
 
If you get one that has rechargable batteries, make sure they are the kind that can be replaced with standard AA or AAA batteries. This way, you can keep a new package of batteries on board for several years and they will remain fresh. The rechargable ones always seem to be run down at the wrong time.
 
I sell a ton of Uniden Atlantis 250 BK. Good construction, 3 year warranty, waterproof, ect. Sells for $129.99. Great product for the price. No one has ever complained.
 
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