STANDARD HORIZON
HX890
$199.99; westmarine.com standardhorizon.com Warranty: 3 years
Like Icom, Standard Horizon’s VHF is professional-quality, and the HX890 has most of the top safety features, save for the
AIS receiver sported by Icom’s M94D. The built-in FM receiver allows for casual listening. Two scrambler systems allow private communications between Standard Horizon radios similarly equipped. The case is slim and comfortable in the hand.
LIKES
• AA spare battery pack allows emergency use without external power.
• Menus are easy to navigate.
• Soft keys are programmable for specific functions.
• High-power output improves transmission strength.
• A 1,800 mAh battery.
IMPROVEMENTS
• Man overboard (MOB) is soft-key accessible and could be hidden, hindering quick access.
• Screen resolution is legible but lower than the Uniden.
IN THE BOX
• Antenna
• AC adapter—space-saving design
• Battery charger
• Cigarette lighter cable, CP-25H
• Lithium battery pack
• Spare AA battery pack
• Belt clip, MB-133
• Hand strap
• Data cable
• European power adapter
OUTPUT POWER: 6 watts (high), 1 watt (low)
BATTERY LIFE: 11 hours
WATERPROOF RATING: IPX8/Mil-STD-810F
GPS: Built-in
FLOATS: Yes
USABLE CHANNEL GROUPS: INT, USA, CAN, WX channels DSC: Yes
DIMENSIONS (W×H×D): 2.6-by-5.43-by-1.5 in.
WEIGHT (APPROX.): 10.94 oz.
TEST RESULTS TRANSMISSION CLARITY: 4
RECEPTION CLARITY: 4
We tested two of these radios because the first one was defective. The second one, acquired at West Marine, fully functioned up to expectations.