VHS w DSC/GPS

[BillyD]

Hi all,

Anyone have experiential knowledge to share about the various brands of floatable (PFD pocket sized)  VHF radios with DSC/GPS features?

IComm, West, Cobra, Standard Horizon or Lowrance.......quite a range in cost.  Wondering how they've been performing.

Time for me to upgrade, The McMurdo is over 5 years old and my little VHS doesn't float.  I am mostly looking at the  additional DSC feature as I already have a Garmin for specific GPS needs.

 Recommendations anyone?

Edited May 6, 2017 by BillyD

[Philip Anderson]

Have had some problems with my Standard Horizon HX870 going dead until I bent the battery contacts out to provide a bit more "spring tension". 2nd one that's done that.

Edited May 7, 2017 by Philip Anderson
More specific info

[Brian Nystrom]

I avoid Standard Horizon radios, as I've had problems with them in the past (a bunch of club members did). OTOH, Icom radios have been pretty much bulletproof.

I'm not surprised that your "VHS" doesn't float, since it's a video tape .

[billvoss]

I periodically need to clean corrosion off the battery contacts used for recharging on my old Standard Horizon DSC+GPS radio (their first DCS handheld I believe), and I'm on my second battery.  Other than that I haven't had any issues.  Of course they don't sell that radio anymore, so your mileage may vary.

Mine floats, but it is physically LARGE for a VHF radio.  I think you will find that is true for all floating handhelds.

Though I still use VHS tapes occasionally at home, I haven't tried one on the water yet.

Edited May 7, 2017 by billvoss

[EEL]

I cannot specifically answer the question asked because I do not have the type of radio asked about. 

Generally speaking, Icom and Standard Horizon radios have better build quality than the others, but that does not mean the others are unacceptable. Personally,  build quality is important to me and I would always buy either an Icom or Standard. All of these radios are fungible in terms of basic radio performance.

I understand in the past members of the club bought a Standard Horizon which was a lemon and  having a M88 on the PFD shoulder strap has almost been a badge of membership, but being a contrarian I make two points.  First, there are many models made by Icom and Standard and each has some models which are better than others. Icom might well be better across the board,  That said, some basic Standards are known as very reliable, tough  workhorses.  Second, these radios are not designed to be used as kayakers typically use them which in turn means some care needs to be taken or any of them may fail after extended use. 

Consider what is the value of having a floatable radio;  it should to be tethered to you so of what benefit?  Although battery technology is changing fast, floatables have historically had lesser capacity batteries.  I want as much capacity as possible given the importance of having a radio that will last when it hits the fan.

One spec I look for is the waterproof rating of the radio when the battery is not attached.  I believe that is a good measure of just how impervious the radio will be to water intrusion in the long term. 

Ed Lawson

[BillyD]

Thank you all for the feedback....just what I was looking for.  As for the value of floatable tech...points well taken.  I'm now thinking of maybe tethering my DVD's too....ha. 

 

Edited May 8, 2017 by BillyD