Standard HX850s Handheld VHF w/ GPS

• STANDARD HX850S VHF HAND HELD DSC WITH GPS

This is a truly excellent hand-held DSC marine radio. It really has a lot going for it, although it is not perfect.

The outstanding attribute of this radio is that it supports Digital Signal Calling (DSC). This feature provides two major benefits:

1) it supports DSC distress calling ("the red button") which is a valuable safety feature. Essentially, the radio puts out an automatic distress call which includes the GPS coordinates of the radio.

2) DSC communications. Basically this allows your radio to call a specific other DSC-equipped vessel or radio by means of a digital packet signal sent on channel 70. If the digital call is received by the station being called, the radios automatically (or with user intervention, depending on which option is selected) then switch to a voice channel such as channel 69 for the conversation. This is a really nice feature that will become more and more common and essential as more vessels become equipped with DSC. This will inevitably occur since FCC regulations require all new marine radios to be so equipped.

There are other DSC features such as group calling and the ability to poll another DSC radio's GPS location.

For DSC to work the user must have an MMSI number. These are free and easy to get from the BOATS US website.

This radio is very easy to program. Within 30 minutes of opening the box, I had programmed in all of my friends' DSC numbers and figured out pretty much all of the functions of the radio. This required only occasional reference to the manual. Mostly the menus are clear and intuitive, and even have prompts contained within the menu. Most users will never need the manual after a little familiarization. If you are familiar with Vertex Standard radios, the learning curve is even quicker as the menus are very similar even as between Handy-talkies and console radios. I found almost all of the menus and front panel controls to be intuitive, not requiring the manual at all.

This radio has a built-in 12 channel GPS. It works fine and provides the user with location, Speed Over Ground (SOG) and Course Over Ground (COG). Regrettably, the GPS does not provide for programming in waypoint locations. This is unfortunate because it would have been very easy for Vertex Standard to have included this function. This would have made this radio an excellent backup for navigation. It is still a useful accessory for navigation, but less so for the lack of waypoints. You can use the radio as a compass and speedometer, and to identify the vessel's location, but that's about it for navigation.

The radio itself is very sturdily-built and is both submersible and designed to float if dropped in the water. Nice! It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a wall charger, and a cigarette-lighter connector that allows the radio to recharge (via the charging cradle) from a 12V cigarette lighter instead of a 120VAC plug. This is useful on boats that may not have AC power. There are numerous desirable unsupplied accessories, the most useful being a spare Li-Ion battery, a battery pack that accommodates AA batteries (a very useful thing to have in a pinch) and two different speaker-mics.

A few dings. The lack of waypoints in the GPS is unfortunate. Also, the GPS readout is in very small letters; users who require reading glasses may need them to view the GPS output. The radio accommodates 24 MMSI numbers--more would have been better.

Despite the few shortcomings that I report in this review, this radio is deserving of a five-star rating. Right now this one is among the very best marine HTs on the market and it gives a lot of bang for the buck. Highly recommended. RJB.

Buy Standard HX850s Handheld VHF w/ GPS Now

I have a 32' sailboat with the latest Standard Horizon vhf radio with AIS. I also bought this radio this spring as an essential backup. I use it in the dinghy and for those occasions when the other radio is not available. I have also in the past lent my "spare" to those who lost their own VHF. I readily recommend it to those who chose only one VHF on board.

This is a substantial upgrade from my earlier handheld. The GPS is quick and accurate, and with the DSC capacity and the ability to input your MMSI, gives you the ability to let the Coast Guard and others know where you are in case of emergency, or disclose your location to your friends. It floats, always a nice feature. It has scan and other programmable features. You don't need a PhD to use it, but it would hurt if you want to know everything that it can do. It is perfect for the ditch bag. The new programming requires entry of the MMSI twice, so you avoid the "two strikes and you're out" of the earlier models.

The battery feature is a bit different than my earlier SH portables and it does not accommodate AA batteries, but the battery life is good, you can charge from AC or DC and most importantly, when you need it, it works. Power and range are terrific.

I can only guess that Standard Horizon has another top-of-the-line model coming, because this was financially well out of reach until this Spring. It has become very affordable and a great value. Grab one while you can.

Read Best Reviews of Standard HX850s Handheld VHF w/ GPS Here

This handheld floating VHF radio from Standard Horizon's offering, seems to be a good Portable VHF radio. Time will tell, I have only listened to a Scan in my office at this time. It has the necessary features for the small boater. Good price from Amazon. And backed if it does go bad.

Want Standard HX850s Handheld VHF w/ GPS Discount?

I purchased an HX850S radio in March of 2009. The features of this radio are perfect as a backup handheld for a boat with a standard rig or for having aboard your dinghy. The Digital Select Calling feature with GPS coordinates is something you will want in any emergency situation. And it floats. (The latest model is the HX851).

I never had the opportunity to test or rely on its waterproof feature until last month (Nov 2012) when I took a wave into my dinghy while at a beach. The HX850S was floating in the wash when I got back in the dinghy. Unfortunately, the radio stopped working and upon close inspection, I found the case was cracked near one of the screws on the back.

I contacted customer service mentioning that I understood that there had been an early manufacturing problem with some of these radios that led to a cracked case that allowed water to render the radio unusable. The three year warranty on the radio had expired earlier this year, but they said that they would repair the radio for free. I just got the radio back and it functions again!!!

Obviously, Standard Horizon stands behind their products and cares about their customers what a great company (and the HX850S is a great radio)!

It floats, it has DCS. The batteries last a reasonable time. The size is right.

For the price I don't think it can be beat.

-Sven