VHF Radio, Standard Horizon, Purchase price looks good

Standard Horizon HX290 Floating Handheld VHF Radio

I saw it for $124 with free shipping on amazon
The reviews seem good

Anyone ever used one of these before ?

Got one for GF, she likes it, does the job, no frills radio that floats.

Hey Guys,
Been reading on forum about some vhf radios.   seems many like the Standard Horizon HX851 radio.   One of the "higher end" radios, pricewise.

This radio retails $249.00.   If You  "add to cart" they list their price now, for  $199.00.   Also,  there is a $30 rebate from Manufacturer....so  net price after rebate is  $170.00  for this radio.       

I think this is  good price?    Do you?

Check this site on web:   http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard-Horizon-HX851-Handheld-VHF-Radio-with-GPS-P2312.aspx

MadMedik

I hope you are sitting down, I got it as a display model and got it at West Marine for ...$99 . No manual for it, but I can get that online.  The 851 is no longer sold by WM, so you may find one still available, each store works there own deals on this.  I talked down if I signed up for their points program.

shelf life battery?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Standard-Horizon-HX290-Handheld-VHF-Marine-Radio-Floating-Transceiver-/261976934100?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cff0ac6d4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Standard-Horizon-HX290-Floating-Handheld-VHF-Radio-/111662851095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ff9fe417

I have the top of the line gps panic button etc..250$ St Horizon for my radio and its holding up and still has 2 years warranty

but my 2 sets loaner cheapy floating vhf  ' unidens' are getting worse and worse and dont hold charges and cant be relied on 100% although most days they do the job-sometimes they go out otw..rare

 so I picked up this for wife radio and loaner etc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361071020538?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I can't seems to work the GPS feature on the unit. It is so hard to figure out. Is there any kind of video I can check out? Reading the manual suck.

I have the top of the line gps panic button etc..250$ St Horizon for my radio and its holding up and still has 2 years warranty

but my 2 sets loaner cheapy floating vhf  ' unidens' are getting worse and worse and dont hold charges and cant be relied on 100% although most days they do the job-sometimes they go out otw..rare

 so I picked up this for wife radio and loaner etc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361071020538?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Just got the same set.  Love the look and weight of them and they seem stout

I have the top of the line gps panic button etc..250$ St Horizon for my radio and its holding up and still has 2 years warranty

but my 2 sets loaner cheapy floating vhf  ' unidens' are getting worse and worse and dont hold charges and cant be relied on 100% although most days they do the job-sometimes they go out otw..rare

 so I picked up this for wife radio and loaner etc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361071020538?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Just got the same set.  Love the look and weight of them and they seem stout

Just ordered my sh hx870......pumped!

I can't seems to work the GPS feature on the unit. It is so hard to figure out. Is there any kind of video I can check out? Reading the manual suck.

On the 851? 

Took me a lot longer than it should have to figure it out.  Two things help: 1) a lot of practice with it, and 2) knowing that you need to be moving for the compass to work.  #2 was the big thing.  I still doubt I'd be able to navigate with it.  Seems more useful as a way to identify and report your exact location to rescue personnel than anything else.

Generally speaking the GPS functions of the vhf aren't meant to replace a regular GPS.