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Standard Horizon Two Way Radios, Marine Application

Curated from 92 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: October 15, 2024

Standard Horizon Two Way Radios, Marine Application

Brand: Standard Horizon

Price: $114

Snoop Score:

5.1

Sentiment

6.6

Popularity

7.3

Technical

3.5

Buy on Amazon for $114 See All Marine Two Way Radios Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

This product is a robust two way radio designed specifically for marine applications, offering reliable communication on the water for fishing and boating enthusiasts. It provides essential emergency features and durable construction that make it ideal for harsh aquatic environments. User feedback paints a picture of a device that performs solidly in emergencies with standout features like a waterproof build and a quick-responding MOB button — one reviewer noted, “This thing is waterproof, has a MOB button that'll alert any boat that has DSC in the vicinity.” While many users laud its value and ease of use, there are some gripes regarding battery charging limitations and sporadic DSC/GPS behavior. Overall, the discourse suggests that while not without its flaws, the radio delivers a performance that impresses most marine users. In conclusion, this radio is well-regarded for its core marine communication capabilities, especially by those valuing durability and emergency responsiveness. Despite a few technical hiccups, it is recommended for enthusiasts looking for effective marine safety communication on a budget.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Marine Two Way Radios

Does everything we want in a handheld at a really good price.
Positive Feedback

we are looking for recommendations on a LOUD (as in the internal speaker) handheld Marine VHF radio, please.
Negative Feedback

5.1

Standard Horizon Two Way Radios, Marine Application

Buy on Amazon for $114

Emergency Communication

9 / 10

Navigation Safety

1 / 10

Recreational Boating

1 / 10

Commercial Marine Operations

7 / 10

See how this compares to all Marine Two Way Radios

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Good value and performance

“Does everything we want in a handheld at a really good price.”➕

“Hope this helps!”➕

Durable and reliable design

“It's a solid radio. I always bring it with, even on charter.”➕

“Standard Horizon (Yaesu) is my preferred brand.”➕

“The standard horizon is a fine radio.”➕

“It's a good little radio.”➕

Effective emergency features (MOB and distress button)

“This thing is waterproof, has a MOB button that'll alert any boat that has DSC in the vicinity.”➕

Reliable floatation and submersible design

“This is my go to radio for open water... if I run into trouble in the middle of the lake, I can just press and hold the distress button for a couple seconds.”➕

“It floats and the distress button is quick and easy to use in an emergency.”➕

“Works fine.”➕

Enhanced battery life and USB charging

“If you're out for long hours and would want to use a power bank to recharge, consider focusing on the USB-charging models.”➕

Good sound quality and auto-activate strobe feature

“the sound quality is good (talk and receive) and has a neat feature of an auto-activate strobe if it falls into the water.”➕

Effective DSC and GPS functionality

“My phone and navionics is a better GPS.”➕

“if I had to abandon ship it’s the handheld that I would want with me.”➕

Intuitive interface design

“To me, the SH interfaces make more sense.”➕

Great value with full feature set

“It's the last handheld you'll ever need to buy. It's also under $200, so cheap.”➕

Reliable floatation design

“the Standard Horizon floating ones are the best of the bunch for kayakers.”➕

FM radio functionality

“As a bonus, it plays FM radio for when you’re bored & want a belittle background music.”➕

Overall satisfaction with HX890 performance

“I have an HX890 and am happy with it.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Low volume speaker performance

“we are looking for recommendations on a LOUD (as in the internal speaker) handheld Marine VHF radio, please.”➕

Limited battery charging options for spare batteries

“this is a pretty key feature that is easily worth the $50 price difference between brands.”➕

Erratic DSC activation and GPS signal failure

“The 890 awoke randomly and set off the DSC, but didn't send the gps signal.”➕

Limited and inconvenient battery charging options

“One of the defining characteristics of a kayak trip is the lack of wall plugs and cars to plug stuff in so I always find myself rationing battery power if I'm out for more than a weekend.”➕

“these days anything that doesn't charge via usb is a pain in my ass.”➕

Reduced performance in river conditions

“They're less effective on rivers but still good for quick communication so we don't have to yell.”➕

Non-floating design can limit emergency use

“Get a floating one.”➕

GPS feature drains battery faster

“but i find it burns down the battery faster. The floating part is what makes em stand out above the other brands.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Uniden Atlantis 275 Handheld Two-Way VHF Marine Radio	$106	8.7	Details	Buy
Standard Motor Products Standard Horizon HX210	$118	7.5	Details	Buy
Uniden UM385BK 25 Watt Fixed Mount Marine VHF Radio	$104	7.4	Details	Buy
STANDARD HORIZON HX890BK VHF-HH, 6 Watt, w/GPS&FM Rcvr	$197	7.3	Details	Buy
STANDARD HORIZON HX890 Black Handheld VHF	$199	7.0	Details	Buy
Uniden Atlantis 155 Handheld Two-Way VHF Marine Radio	$75	6.0	Details	Buy
Standard Horizon Two Way Radios, Marine Application	$114	5.1	Details	Buy
Uniden MHS75 Waterproof Handheld Marine Radio	$90	3.9	Details	Buy
Retevis RM01 Handheld Marine Radio	$59	3.8	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

General marine radio brand comparisons and options

“Icom or Standard Horizon are the 2 major players in hand held VHF.”➕

“VHF marine radios for the boats.”➕

“Motorola CP185 is a solid radio for crew Comms, no complaints.”➕

“Worst case you provide two radios.”➕

Antenna height limitations for handheld radios

“The biggest problem you are going to have with any of the handhelds is antenna height.”➕

UI and interface differences between radio brands

“To me the GPS is there mainly to support the DSC function, which is really useful for distress as you don't have to try to speak coordinates into a mic muffled by water.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Bluetooth and accessory compatibility speculation

“I believe standard horizon has Bluetooth compatible VHFs.”➕

“bluetooth capable vhf and bone conducting headset.”➕

Licensing, regulatory, and usage considerations

“The "proper" way to do this with a radio used across different vessels is to obtain a portable MMSI.”➕

“I like having it clear that I am on a handheld radio.”➕

“If you are in the US contacting other people in the US, then you only need to buy the radio.”➕

“I didn't realize I needed this.”➕

Competitor brand comparisons and feature differences

“I use the Icom M25 and it’s the best handheld I’ve ever owned.”➕

“Consider also models like the Icom M25 or Standard Horizon HX210. Regarding the HX890, Icom makes a”➕

“What a fucking luxury lol.”➕

“They flash when wet and float.”➕

Pricing and regional differences

“the reason for the Cobra HH350 is that I can currently get it around 40% cheaper.”➕

General advice on VHF usage and communication strategies

“I've used both Standard Horizon and Icom and greatly prefer the Icom.”➕

FCC licensing and repeater setup considerations

“if you need repeaters, you may have to get a license from the FCC.”➕

“If not you need to get a fcc business license.”➕

“Rent and get a repeater set up professionally.”➕

Debate on radio types for different use cases

“But, as the other guy said, they all work fine.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Mixed opinions on DSC distress functionality

“The DSC distress is both useful and a bit of a gimmick at the same time.”➕

Opinions on radio reliability between brands

“standard horizon or icom, can't go wrong.”➕

Skepticism about range claims and marketing exaggeration

“Those claims are more of a mountain top to mountain top range.”➕

“Hoping the much much shorter isn't too muched up :).”➕

“That 'Up to 25 mile range' is pure marketing bull feces.”➕