Standard Horizon HX400 W/SBR-29LI, Handheld VHF Marine Radio

Nice 2-way radio, great heft, feels solid, all day battery life and I really like the charger base it comes with. I hate with some radios where you have to remove a cover and plug in a charger, just drop this one in the slot and it starts charging. It is also programmable with an optional cable and software that can be downloaded from S.H. The programming allows one to eliminate a bunch of unused channels in the VHF marine spectrum, like removing 14 and 15 so you can skip right from 13-16 in one hop. You can also add in other VHF frequencies like HAM repeater and business band with tone squelching and use custom names for the display. I like the volume knob, a real round knob that adjusts the volume without having to find a button, and press it a bunch of times listening to stupid beeps when you are trying to turn it down quickly.

Tugboater with too much time on deck. I've seen my share of radios disappear into the drink, or become equally useless after being employed in a driving (and I mean driving) rain (like that other brand). I chose Standard Horizon for my own personal radio for reliability, clarity, and features that work in a punishing environment. I've been using my new HX400 radio w/ CMP460 speaker/microphone while running a small workboat on a bridge project and both are living up to expectations. Battery life with the SBR 29Li is long, requiring me to recharge only once a week or so. I am very satisfied with this purchase.

This waterproof handheld vhf works very good and is easy to figure out.

I also have a Cobra handheld this one is very nice in comparison . Works as it should in the marina .

UPDATE: Get a better antenna for it. The factory antenna is not very good, and there are commercial-quality replacements available to improve performance. The Laird EXH155SM for $14 made a tremendous difference in receive sensitivity, and also slightly improved transmit distance when tested under controlled conditions.Earlier review follows:After ten years on a Standard Horizon HX-270S*, it was time to get a new handheld. The old radio suffered some corrosion after a breach in the gasket between the battery and the main radio. I cleaned it up and loaded a set of alkaline AA cells in there as a radio for the "jump bag" or as a loaner. I almost went for the GPS-equipped Standard Horizon HX-870, and was on the Yahoo user group the past year's time to learn the extraordinary capabilities and secrets of this model. Then I realized the '870 was way more complicated than I'd have time to mess with, and sucked battery power at an alarming rate, so I started examining other models. The HX400 has been out for a few years, and has gone through several firmware changes, which is reassuring rather than ominous. (The company has continued to develop and keep making this model for a while.) The battery capacity is its strongest selling point compared with the older HX370. I find no need for the "voice scrambler" that the '400 also comes with. Compared with my old HX270S, the transmitted audio quality is more crisp and clear with the '400, as monitored on a third radio (boat's main fixed-mount). This is a crucial improvement, and something to consider when shopping among brands and models. A muffled, transmitted message will make communications difficult in an emergency, and even in routine recreational use will mean your signal is less pleasant to listen to. The HX400 is vastly superior in audio intelligibility. Receive audio is good, with plenty of loudness before unacceptable distortion. Will update after testing it in a harsh signal environment to see how it does against strong, unwanted signals on other channels while in harbor. Criticism: A few points off for mounting the belt clip on the battery itself. If you swap batteries, you need to move the belt clip or buy a second one. Otherwise, the radio is Recommended. *see my comprehensive review of the HX270S from 2009 still posted on here.

Great radio that is well built. I was able to add my LMR channels to it with the YCE13 programming software and USB-57B programming cable.

great radio! does everything I expect of it. good strong signal. good reception and very clear.

Good quality as expected from Standard/Horizon