Standard Horizon HX870E VHF Radio DSC

Standard Horizon has proudly launched its new HX870E 6W handheld DSC VHF transceiver with built-in GPS, an upgrade of the hugely popular HX851E.

Whilst still having all of the intuitive features of its predecessor, a major new feature of the HX870 is the the ability to plot up to 20 routes from a directory of 200 waypoints, greatly enhancing the radio’s functionality as a navigation aid. The new model also has a much larger screen, whilst the battery capacity has been increased from 1150mAh to a powerful 1800mAh.

Other new features include a Group Monitoring function, which allows the positions of up to 9 other HX870E usersto be shown on the screen’s compass-style display, ideal for flotilla sailing or sea angling events, and achieved by the automatic position polling of selected, pre-programmed vessels.

A Man Overboard softkey Icon has also been added which enables the user to immediately mark the position in the case of emergency.

The new HX870E is built on a die cast chassis which enables it to cope with the harshest environment and the submersible waterproof rating is IPX8 (5 feet for 30 minutes). Yet another new and important feature is that the the automatic distress strobe, will flash a bright SOS the moment the radio hits the water, even if the radio is switched off at the time.

To allow the HX870E to connect with other on board devices, such as a laptop for uploading waypoint information, the casing features a USB data port that can output NMEA sentences (DSC, DSE, GLL, RMC, GSA, GSV and GGA) at a rate of 9600 baud.

The HX870E can run from several power sources, including via a 240V AC mains converter or 12V DC adapter, which can fully recharge the Li-ion battery in 3 hours, or from an interchangeable tray of 5 AAA alkaline batteries. As with all of Standard Horizon’s waterproof products, the remarkable new HX870E is covered by a no-quibble three-year warranty, and features the kind of specification and versatility you would usually expect to find on a dashboard-mounted class D VHF transceiver.

Specification:

• Model: Standard Horizon HX870E
• Power output: 1/2/5/6/W @ 7.4V
• Frequency ranges: 156.025 MHz to 157.425 MHz
• Battery: 1800mAh Lithium-Ion.
• Size: 2.46" x 5.57" x 1.77" (62.5 x 141.5 x 45mm) w/o knob and antennae
• Weight: 11.8oz (335gm) w/FNB-V99Li, belt clip and antenna)
  Comes with Mains Charger, 12v DC charger and akaline battery tray.