Standard Horizon HX400IS Intrinsically Safe Handheld VHF
- Brand:
- Standard Horizon
- Part no:
- HX400IS
Image: Go2Marine
Where to buy
Specifications
- Mounting
- Handheld
- Transmit power
- 5 W
- Waterproof
- IPX8
- Channel sets
- All three
- Battery life
- 17 h
- NOAA weather alerts
- Yes
- Battery
- 2550 mAh
The HX400IS is a commercial handheld VHF from Standard Horizon, built as an intrinsically safe radio. It carries all USA, Canadian and International marine channels plus NOAA weather channels with a weather alert, and has room for 40 Land Mobile channels from 134 to 174 MHz with CTCSS and DCS. Transmit power is selectable between 5 W and 1 W. It is rated IPX8 at 1.5 m for 30 minutes, and runs on a 2550 mAh Li-Ion battery rated at about 17 hours of talk time. A noise-cancelling mic and built-in voice scrambler are included.
Our take
The 2550 mAh battery and its roughly 17 hours of talk time mean a full day of watchstanding without hunting for a charger. The IPX8 rating at 1.5 m for 30 minutes covers a drop over the side. The Land Mobile channels need a dealer to program them and a license.
From our buying guide
Standard Horizon says range depends far more on the antenna than on transmit power, and that a handheld on its stock antenna at sea level may only reach a mile or two. It has its own battery and antenna, so it keeps working if the boat's power fails.
Check before you buy:
- It has DSC and GPS if you want a distress button that sends your position, since handhelds are not required to have DSC.
- The waterproof rating comes with the maker's depth and time, since IPX8 has no fixed depth or time.
- The maker says it floats on its own, since some float only in an optional case.