Lowrance LHR-80 vhf/gps/dsc

My Lowrance LHR-80 finally got here (actually it got here a week ago, but I've been kinda busy). Naturally, it required one more snafu.¹
It's a bit larger (2 5/8" x 5 1/2" x 1 1/2" ) and feels lighter than other small handhelds units I've used, but I guess that's the LiPO battery and what makes it float. I charged it up, turned it on, and Wow! A screen I can read without glasses! (unlike my phone)



The channel number is most prominent, below that is a channel name (16:Distress, 69:Pleasure²), the time, and your coordinates all in fonts large enough to see.

 The second impressive trick was the GPS got a lock in little more than one minute (all of my other GPSr's need at least 2 or 3 minutes to lock and display time and coordinates). The GPS screen is kind of rudimentary though, and reminds me of my first Magellan handheld from the turn of the century.


It has a connection for NMEA output in the charger base and I was looking forward to hooking it up to my Humminbird Matrix 10 FF as it has a big display. I’m not sure that’s going to happen though as I don’t want to risk getting the charger base wet.


 
Its also LOUD. One click up from mute is what I'd consider normal volume and would make me jump if it came on at night.  Turn it all the way up and your hailing boats on the horizon.

The best trick, however, is the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature that makes the radio act like a cross between a simplex cell phone and a near-shore epirb. Now I can flip up the little red cover on the side of the unit, press the little red button for 3 seconds, and the Coast Guard and anybody else with DSC in the neighborhood knows that I've fallen and I can't get up (and where I am on the water).



 To use the DSC, you have to obtain an MMSI (unique "phone number") and that was pretty painless. Go to http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/ and register (no charge).  Although the MMSI is supposed to be for the vessel and not the radio, the Coast Guard says you can get one for a handheld that does not remain with a vessel. So I filled in "other" for the type of vessel, "kayak" for description, and wrote in "none" for vessel documentation. Out popped my number.
 Program in your buddies MMSI number and you can call directly with a ring tone and if he has DSC/GPS you can see his relative position on the screen. You can store a total of 20 buddies.

It also has all the standard features: 3 favorites, favorite scan, all channels scan, ten channels of WX, and it floats.

 My only gripe so far is with the waterproofing. As with all the submersible vhf's I've had, the radio unit is usually well sealed, but the battery and the battery connection is where the problems seem to originate. The LHR-80 has no gasket between the battery and the radio and although they fit tightly together, they're not water tight. I confirmed this with a dunk in the sink. It does float, but after drying it off and removing the battery, I found a bit of water inside between the battery and the radio. Not much mind you, but if that were salt, that would be very bad. (mental note: Don't leave it in standing water and rinse both pieces after use).



The LiPO batteries are quick charging (3 hrs) and the charge lasts a solid 10 hrs in stby w/gps. Which brings up another slight sticking point for me; how do you charge batteries in the wilderness? For me, that’s the only advantage of being able to use AA’s. The LHR-20 that this replaced (for me) had both a LiPO pack and  provision for AA’s. Yeah, yeah, ok, they are current limited and can’t kick out the TX power of the LiPO. But the LiPO does not TX at all once it’s depleted and its easier to carry a fair number of AA’s as spares

Field Trial:
I called Chappy and said "lets go fishin, but make sure you charge up your vhf."  It turns out Chappy has the Horizon HX850S (the only other handheld vhf/dsc/gps on the market.³ He'd won it in a tournament and never paid much attention to it. (are y'all startin to hate Chappy as much as I do? He's a southern version of Spot )       We got his MMSI and I met him at the launch the next morning. He handed me his radio and the manual and headed out with his 10 year old son (this is one of the reasons why he catches fish; because he does not waste time at the launch screwing around with the walkie talkies ).

 The first thing I noticed was that the Horizon had a much smaller display (I needed my glasses), other than that, they're very similar. It does not have the "rudimentary" buddy tracking either (but there is no need to mention that to Chappy⁴) So I programed in his number and gave it a shot.
 
The system worked flawlessly. When you make an individual dsc call, both units "ring" rather loudly until acknowledged. Then both radios switch automatically to the caller's channel of choice and you carry on your normal conversation there.

 The usefulness of emergency DSC is a no-brainer. Non-emergency DSC is really just automatic hailing, but thats very nice in terms of being able to hail individuals or select groups (as oppsed to the broadcast to everyone on channel 16 using a non-DSC VHF). In terms of safety, it clears 16 for folks who actually need it and are not so blessed (yet). DSC is definitely a nice feature to have in a handheld. DSC w/GPS is even better.







¹ A couple of phone calls with the requisite "there are less than 5 callers ahead of you" holds and it turns out that they did ship it quickly. They said it was delivered last Tuesday. I finally had to ask "What address did you ship it to?" My neighbors house 3 doors down.  I left a note on her door and it appeared on my door step last night. She left a note that said she'd called fedex and that they'd made her feel it was her fault.

²Hey, I didn't write it.

³Uniden made a "Mystic" that had it all, but I don't get the impression that it's still in production

⁴Screwing around with the walkie talkies at the launch has its advantages 

actually had to look up the term LiPO.. to find out it was lithium polymer... duh...shoulda known that...

but, had some very wild whacky thots about the name of the battery, too, and the puns and one liners that could originate from there. ... and decided to keep them to myself 

Wali, i'm suspecting you are going to be growing very fond of your new radidio. i've liked several of the garmin rhinos for many of the same features, but they are mostly set up for hunters and freshwater fishermen who are keeping tabs on family members out with them This one seems to be just the ticket for yak fishers on the salt. 

Thanks for the great review.

Brunton Solaris 26 Foldable Solar Array

They come in different sizes and prices.  There is also a rollable version:  http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256 14 watts (15.4 Volts / 900 mA)

They have some new, more efficient, smaller designs coming out soon; however, they seem to be focused on 5Volt output (USB power level)

Edit:  This looks like a great option. SolarFlat™ 1000mA 12V ouput under $200  (all the way down to less than $40, but that would charge really slow).  You can probably find it cheaper.  They seem to list things very high on their website.  But the REI price for one item was 400 something and they listed it for 600 something, so you know you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

That is one Sweet toy!  I've got to win me one of those!   

I'm loving your gear reviews Wali!  Now, if you could get as much time fishing as you do tinkering you wouldn't have any reason to hate Chappy.   

-Spot-

I was just looking at the Uniden Mystic earlier today.  Looks nice.  http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC#

I was just looking at the Uniden Mystic earlier today.  Looks nice.  http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC#

THAT is a really nice toy! It has a real mapping screen and its what I'd look for in the next generation. But as I understand it, it predates the Lowrance and the Horizon.  
Only thing is I don't think its available anymore.

Brunton Solaris 26 Foldable Solar Array

They come in different sizes and prices.  There is also a rollable version:  http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256 14 watts (15.4 Volts / 900 mA)

They have some new, more efficient, smaller designs coming out soon; however, they seem to be focused on 5Volt output (USB power level)

Edit:  This looks like a great option. SolarFlat™ 1000mA 12V ouput under $200  (all the way down to less than $40, but that would charge really slow).  You can probably find it cheaper.  They seem to list things very high on their website.  But the REI price for one item was 400 something and they listed it for 600 something, so you know you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

yeh, what he said,   among others..

Now, if you could get as much time fishing as you do tinkering you wouldn't have any reason to hate Chappy.  
-Spot-

Think you could put a little more salt in that wound for me?

I've been flying (paddling) a desk lately and thinking about fishing is better than working. But you're right, nothing catches fish better than time on the water. But then again, reading the manual and piddling around with the walkie talkies at the launch has its advantages.    Chappy's showed me a couple of spots, but not all of them.

Maybe you guys might want to chip in and get Spot a new radio just to make sure he's safe. Better yet, get him a Spot and leave it in his boat as a nice surprise!

Update after 10 months of abuse:

It lives!! I like this radio. 

My primary gripe with the battery seal may have been unfounded. On closer inspection, I noticed the connector pins on the radio have O-rings that stand proud of the surface and seal against the battery contacts. The small amount of water that I spotted after dunking it would be (is) inconsequential. 

A fresh water rinse and thorough dying after any salt swim, including separating the battery from the radio, is still a VERY good idea though. 

The battery life (10+ hours) is undiminished and the charge time is still 3 hrs. I have had no problems at all with communications within line of sight or through a couple miles of marsh on low power and have not felt the need to use high power TX.

Possible improvements? That burp feature that clears the mic and speaker that I've seen on a couple of other waterproof handhelds would be nice. Once dunked, you have to blow them both out vigorously or it sounds like your underwater (well, daaah)
I'd also still like to have a separate non-rechargeable battery pack. Solar panels for recharging are nice, but my normal recharge time is when its too dark to fish (which is the short time between 2 an 4 in the morning when my eyes close ) I've been hanging out with Chappy too much

Update after 10 months of abuse:

It lives!! I like this radio. 

My primary gripe with the battery seal may have been unfounded. On closer inspection, I noticed the connector pins on the radio have O-rings that stand proud of the surface and seal against the battery contacts. The small amount of water that I spotted after dunking it would be (is) inconsequential. 

A fresh water rinse and thorough dying after any salt swim, including separating the battery from the radio, is still a VERY good idea though. 

The battery life (10+ hours) is undiminished and the charge time is still 3 hrs. I have had no problems at all with communications within line of sight or through a couple miles of marsh on low power and have not felt the need to use high power TX.

Possible improvements? That burp feature that clears the mic and speaker that I've seen on a couple of other waterproof handhelds would be nice. Once dunked, you have to blow them both out vigorously or it sounds like your underwater (well, daaah)
I'd also still like to have a separate non-rechargeable battery pack. Solar panels for recharging are nice, but my normal recharge time is when its too dark to fish (which is the short time between 2 an 4 in the morning when my eyes close ) I've been hanging out with Chappy too much

thank you Wali

I have the 850---has been a reliable and dependable performer in the yak, always get a reply when ask for a radio check.  It does float, I keep it in the front pocket of my Hobie (actiually a Stohlquist) vest when in the boat.  On sale at West Marine.

Hmmm...
Comparable price, both look good.
Wali - any experience with the SH 850?

Hmmm...
Comparable price, both look good.
Wali - any experience with the SH 850?

My only experience with the SH 850 was Chappy's (who's since donated his to the fishes ) 
I set his up and it was very similar and performed as well as mine. The screen was a tad smaller and slightly harder to read, but other than that, they seemed comparable.

thanks. think i might go with the HX851.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

thanks. think i might go with the HX851.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Nice if you need the navigation.  The HX850S is pretty much the same radio with DSC GPS but without the navigation.

$228 (free US shipping) for  the HX851 at http://www.shopepal.com

Looks like the Uniden Mystic is discontinued.