Marty wrote:

Capt. JG wrote:

I'm thinking about Christmas :-) and am contemplating a new handheld.
I've owned Standard Horizon radios, currently the HZ350S and a smaller
one, both of which have impressive range and battery life. I'm
thinking about the GPS/DSC enabled SH 850S. Someone have experience
with it or can recommend another, similarly featured VHF?



Jon, I have an ICOM IC-MIV, it's been very good, waterproof, good range
, exceptional battery life, (manufacturer claims 16 hrs, but I get about
24 and that's with the thing scanning about 20 channels continuously),
small, good audio output,,, just my 2 cents...

Cheers
Martin
Seconded.

Been using an Icon IC-M1EuroV for the last seven years. Its *NEVER* let
me down and the original battery is still good and holds its charge well
in storage.

The only issues a

The power in socket on the charger cradle is slightly fragile and if
handled roughly, may need its connection to the circuit board
resoldered. An easy job for anyone with a soldering iron.

Also the charging contacts on the back of the battery can corrode if its
left lying in a puddle of seawater. Cleaning with a fibreglass abrasive
pencil and a tiny dab of silicone electrical grease has permenantly
cured that problem.


I used it for about 4 years dingy cruising as the main radio with a fist
mike and a masthead aerial so I *KNOW* it stands up to rough use and
lots of water.