On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 17:16:32 -0800, Jim Richardson
wrote:


Looking at getting a new vhf handheld, the old one is, well, old, and
cranky. Looks like the Standard Horizon's HX260 is on closeout for $100
in several places, any one have any experience with this handheld? the
price is right for a waterproof/submersible, and SH makes mostly decent
kit, in a chevy not a caddy sort of way.

I've had one on the Great Lakes for about four years. I've found it
dependable, decent range and sturdy. While I have the alkaline back-up
battery pack, I've never used it, as the ni-cad pack on the 260S holds
enough charge for a couple of weeks for me (95% monitoring at the
tiller, and 5% XMIT). I charge it overnight about six times a year. It
has been dropped in a wet bilge, thrown around in a planing Zodiac,
and spent a lot of time in a crash box marinating...still works well.

Practically, I've been able to contact my boat at dock (a standard
Metz antenna at around 45 feet off the water) from sitting in a Zodiac
five to six miles distant over two intervening low pieces of land.
That was about the limit, though. Also practically: it's neither small
nor light compared to some of the "card deck"-sized models of late,
but it's rugged, soakable and lasts sufficiently long. I use it pretty
constantly in the Zodiac and by the tiller, as the ICOM at the nav
station is of little use when I'm single-handing.

$100 is a stealf for this unit if you are a weekend, coastal sailor.

Hope this helps.
R.