Very open and subjective question but
Looking to buy a budget hand held radio as a secondary unit/back up/away from the boat.
Who is happy/not happy with there choice.
What features get used?
Hi Andy,
I have a couple, but can recommend the waterproof 12v chargeable Uniden VHF. I think they cost around $150...but range is limited (as expected).
Note: I usually only use for ship to dingy or club / boats along the river. Tried using is a few ks out of Outer Harbour & again close to Pt Vincent and it really didn't work well, so as a backup it is limited to line of site without plugging into external aerial. Also, battery charge does not last longer than a few days if 'on' so make sure you have the 12v rechargeable cradle link.
cheers
rob
+1 icom. You can get the icom with gps in it forcthe same price as the normal icom handheld. They float and are waterproof
I have owned a number of these hand held and use them regularly.
Performance of the ICOM is generally disappointing as compared the cheaper GME particularly the GX 800 which charges with 240v.
Go figure.
My 20 cents.
I own the 5 watt iCom IC-M23 which I purchased from Whirworths:
www.whitworths.com.au/
I purchased it as I needed a lightweight, waterproof VHF with decent range for long distance seakayaking.
Sailing in Moreton Bay I can pick up channel 16 from the VMR stations in Maloolabah right down Southport.
In my kayak, being a lot lower to the surface, the range wasn't so good but on the repeater channel 81 I could communicate with the Redcliffe Coastguard from Caloundra, Tangalooma and Peel Island.
Interestingly, my first iCom died as water made its way in during a rather unceremonial dumping in the surf at the top of Bribie Island and Whitworths were happy to replace it with a new one.
Happy shopping.
Select to expand quoteConcepcion said..
Hi Andy,
I have a couple, but can recommend the waterproof 12v chargeable Uniden VHF. I think they cost around $150...but range is limited (as expected).
Note: I usually only use for ship to dingy or club / boats along the river. Tried using is a few ks out of Outer Harbour & again close to Pt Vincent and it really didn't work well, so as a backup it is limited to line of site without plugging into external aerial. Also, battery charge does not last longer than a few days if 'on' so make sure you have the 12v rechargeable cradle link.
cheers
rob
I have the Uniden submersible as well and I am impressed by the range! Battery life is not that flash though. Probably need to replace the rechargeable battery but I think they are about 50% of a new unit. I only get about two hours! Locally the rescue associations radio masts are fairly high so I get them at long distances. If you are in the water and using a handheld I reckon the range would be short.
On my trip up to the Gulf fishing last year I forgot to take my Icom so I purchased a Uniden on the way up. I did not want to pay much for one trip so went with the cheap Uniden. The Uniden was not worth a pinch, could not even talk to my mate round the bend in the river, though I could hear his Icom. As someone else said battery life was ****. You could not leave it on to monitor a channel. It is now in the bottom of my junk cupboard where it will probably stay for the next ten years then I will throw it out. As for the GME, they make a reasonable dash mount VHF so there hand held may also be OK.
I should say the GME seems to get better reception low to the water and the speaker is loud.
but my icon,s have interchangeable batteries including a penlight battery adapter.
your call
Select to expand quoteSectorsteve said..
my icoms battery seems to never need charging. great battery life.
+1
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..
Pay a little extra and get an Icom and you will have it for life.
+1. For years I found Icoms good quality. Maybe a bit more expensive but worth it.
thanks for your thoughts. looks like I will spend that bit extra and get an Icom.
