Standard Horizon HX851 users: compass functionality?

LOL  If you happen to come across an extra Sennheiser G2/G3 or similar lavalier setup for the top of my DSLR please drop me a PM

Will keep my eyes open for one. Oddly, they don't hit the used market outside of ebay all that often. At least not in my travels.

I'd settle for a Sony UWP-D11 or something similar 

I got this VHF only for the emergency red button..  But with this power comes huge responsibility.    

Kind of weird to have since you dont even know if it works.  Anyone ever had to use it?

As for coordinates and such. Its too much of a hassle to learn and use.. 

I just figured to punch in my numbers and notify the coastguard that they have my info.  If you ask me how to do this I would not even remember how to off the top of my hear..

The way I use it is turn it on; comms check; and goes clipped into my vest.

I would definitely get a smaller one without if it had the emergency feature.

Great clear radio.. Just a bit bulky to wear. However Im happy with the purchase.

Grear clear radio.. Just a bit bulky to wear. However Im happy with the purchase.

pretty much my experience as well.  Still figuring out how to gracefully get it attached to the PFD.  Not quite there yet.

Grear clear radio.. Just a bit bulky to wear. However Im happy with the purchase.

pretty much my experience as well.  Still figuring out how to gracefully get it attached to the PFD.  Not quite there yet.

Me too.. I just clip it on my left shoulder and tuck inside my PFD.  Im not sure if its really secured if I took a spill..  I might just use a velcro strap.

I don't like the on/off button being in the front.  On a recent trout trip I turned it off at the end of the day, then slid it back into my PFD pouch and it must have turned on from something pushing the switch again.  Next morning no juice.  Luckily I always bring a spare.  Battery life is no bueno at the 6 watt setting if you leave it there all day.  I may buy a spare battery or just load up the aaa alkaline battery pack and bring it with me every trip.

I plan to just keep the AA pack in a water proof bag in the bow hatch for emergency backup.   Alkaline will have a much better shelf life over lithium.

Battery life is no bueno at the 6 watt setting if you leave it there all day. 

Good to know.  Used mine for the first time on freshwater (Lake Collins) last weekend, fairly short range, and just kept it on the low-power (1 watt?) setting. Lasted for everything we wanted it for over the weekend (short bursts of heckling and the WX feature). 

I was just thinking about a spare for multi day trips where recharging would be a pain.  My alkaline pack is for five AAA batts.  Just sealed it up with 5 new batts. and put it in the rear emergency bucket of my Adventure.  Great idea!

I made up a leash with coated braided stainless steel cable.  One end is attached to the radio and the other has a loop that can be attached to my PFD with a carabiner (sp?).  I used very small diameter cable and made the loops with those lead things that you crush over the cable joint and covered them with marine grade heat shrink tubing.  I bought the cable from Amazon.  It was advertised as a leash cable for Go-Pro cameras.  I ended up only using about half of the length so I wouldn't get strangled by the cable.  It sounds like there are enough of us using this particular radio that a get-together to share the knowledge might be worthwhile.  Maybe at Shelter Cove?

Martin

I'm registered, and will be there.  We could talk before the Safety meeting on  Friday night.

excellent idea on the cable.  I'm'a take a look into that myself!

I plan to just keep the AA pack in a water proof bag in the bow hatch for emergency backup.   Alkaline will have a much better shelf life over lithium.

You might want to put the alkalines in the radio and try them out while you have the rechargeable as a backup. I tried AA batteries when I first got mine and had very disappointing results. I haven't used them in a while to double check and see if they were weak batteries. It might be that the AA battery pack would only be good as an emergency use backup and not for a day on the water after your rechargeable died.

The manual says you can't do 6 watts on alkaline.  Interesting that you all keep saying AA, not AAA.  Mine is definitely AAA.  Will use only as back up to lithium battery pack.

The manual says you can't do 6 watts on alkaline.  Interesting that you all keep saying AA, not AAA.  Mine is definitely AAA.  Will use only as back up to lithium battery pack.

Yes, 5 AAA batteries. You might want to do a test to see how long it lasts. I'm sure it would work for a distress call, but it might not work for a multi day trip backup.

The hx851 is on sale at WM and Amazon for more than half off... Ordered one for 120.. [emoji4]