help_outline Skip to main content
  The Houston Canoe Club
Share our Joy of Paddling!








P.O. Box 925516
Houston, Texas
77292-5516



The Houston Canoe Club 

is a Paddlesports Risk Management Club

Sign the Waiver
HCC


Add Me To Your Mailing List

HCC Paddling Forum

VHF Marine Radio - Safety Reasons
Author Last Post
David 

Yes I probably should have waited for the Horizon to come in stock but do not paddle alone. Nothing beats the Horizon HX 870 though some don’t like it due to its bulkness, doesn’t fit in a PFD pocket and some Kayakers have returned it for this reason. A consideration if you want to wear the radio on your person attached to your PFD.

I usually only paddle in group trips like Turtle Bayou, Galveston Island State Park, Armand Bayou etc. Due to medical reasons I can’t take long expedition trips, or paddle alone wish I could. I am glad you like your Horizon I think it’s the best.

I have seen lots of Kayakers with many different radio models. A kayak trip leader I know has the Uniden Atlantis 670. The thing I notice is more and more Kayakers are getting radios for safety reasons.
If you want to get a radio, get the best radio you can within the budget you can afford. 

I am beginning sailing and have found several apps for my phone to help with navigation:
Navionics
Vessel View
Fishing Points

I am looking forward to see how these work next time I am sailing on the water.

Happy Paddling,
Julie




Sounds like a very good radio.
I like the GPS waypoint navigation and compass features of the HX870.

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=F074C5751E79473FCD911FF7D468A2E1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

But, its Man Overboard SOS/strobe light feature automatically turned on, when water splashed on it from a wave coming across the deck of my sea kayak. So, I put it in a clear, waterproof, DryPak pouch. I can still operate it, and hear it, through the pouch.
A VHF Marine Radio is always a good thing to have for safety reasons so I have recently purchased a VHF Marine Radio and wanted to give my reviews.

It is without question that the Horizon HX870 is the top of the line in VHF Handheld Marine Radios. That is the one I was going to purchase however West Marine was sold out of them. The Horizon HX870 is a great radio and has been designed for the lone kayaker who is venturing out on their own. Something I never do and feel that it is safer paddling in a group.  At a price of $199.00 I decided to choose a different radio and here is what I purchased and why over other options.

I ended up getting a West Marine VHF 160 made by Uniden that was on sale for around $127.00. I had researched reviews of different radios before my trip to West Marine and therefore knew of some of the complaints from customers on some of the models.  By choosing the 160 model I actually saved $72.00 a significant savings over the Horizon HX870.

Here are some of the features of the West Marine VHF 160 with package of accessories over other models and why I chose this model. IT FLOATS! IT'S WATERPROOF! Some of the other Uniden models do not float or waterproof.
AC/DC CHARGER - some units only come with a car charger. So I can charge the 160 in my house as well as the car.
EXTRA BATTERY CHARGER FOR ALKALINE BATTERIES, IPX8 rating - the same as the Horizon HX870. Other Undien radios have lower IPX rating,.EMERGENCY STROBE LIGHT, NOAA WEATHER ALERT and many other features.

So when choosing a radio be sure to look at the IPX rating and make sure it's an (8)
I hope this helps some of you who might be getting ready to purchase a radio for safety reasons. Be sure to do your research before you go.
















































Return to Forum