You need a high finish handheld VHF radio however cannot determine which might be finest? I’ve examined and used longterm the Customary Horizon and Icom top quality marine handheld radios and I like them each, however for various causes. In case you are undecided, then let me share a few of my expertise with you of each of those glorious VHF hand-held DSC radios.
Customary Horizon HX890 vs Icom IC-M94D
In the event you’re available in the market for a correct little bit of handheld VHF package, it in all probability comes down to 2 huge hitters, the Customary Horizon HX890 and the Icom IC-M94D. I’ve used each onboard over a good stretch, and whereas they’re each incredible bits of drugs, they go well with barely completely different sailors.
Customary Horizon HX890 – Handheld DSC VHF Marine Radio
Editors alternative for on a regular basis use and GRAB BAG
Let’s begin with the HX890. It’s a chunky, confidence-inspiring radio with a stable ergonomic really feel. Floats like a duck, survived varied check dunkings, and saved working like nothing occurred. Battery life’s glorious, even after a full day’s value of use. The interface is easy, the menus aren’t attempting to reinvent the wheel, and the built-in GPS is fast to to discover a repair.
I discover the graceful rounded form matches in my hand simply and the controls are intuitive and fall within the simply the proper locations to make use of while not having to look.
It has a very good battery life and I have a tendency to select this one as much as take with me on my sail boat and for operating about doing each day boating jobs.
Icom IC-M94D – Handheld DSC VHF Marine Radio
Editors alternative for on a regular basis use and as a backup for ships AIS / GRAB BAG
Now, the IC-M94D, this comes with built-in AIS receiver and DSC, which is an actual step up. Seeing AIS targets immediately in your handheld is genuinely helpful, particularly in fog or if you’re sat within the cockpit attempting to trace down that tanker sneaking up on you. It has a narrower however deeper physique form. It’s simply as ergonomic because the Customary Horizon, although there’s much more happening so it’ll take longer to to study all the features and to entry them shortly takes a little bit of follow.
I do have to have a look at this one as I navigate the menus and in search of AIS targets takes slightly follow. However for a backup to the ships AIS system, it does imply that you’ve the means to discover a MOB even in case you are dismasted or if for any motive your essential set is disabled.
Which one will it’s?
Each radios float and flash when overboard, each have GPS and DSC, and each are waterproof, although the Customary Horizon is barely increased rated to IPX8. The Icom wins hands-down on AIS integration as a result of it’s the one one which exists proper now with that perform, however the HX890 seems like a real workhorse, no frills, simply stable reliability and the battery life is a bit longer.
If you would like a sturdy, inexpensive, no-nonsense DSC VHF which you could chuck in a moist pocket and belief to work, go for the HX890. However should you fancy having AIS in addition to DSC in your hand and a bit extra tech below the hood, the IC-M94D is a cracking little bit of package, simply price range accordingly. I’m grasping and I like having each. I like having the perform of AIS receiver as an emergency backup in case my essential unit goes down, or let’s say I dismasted or ended up in a life raft or one thing. It’s additionally a helpful option to discover and monitor down a MOB in case your essential set isn’t working.
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