Standard Horizon's HX270E hand-held VHF has proved a great success, and will continue to be widely available within the 2007 range.  The addition of the new HX500E however, sees yet more features becoming available to boaters.

Not only is the HX500E the smallest hand-held that Standard Horizon has ever produced (W x H x D: 60 x 104 x 30.5 mm), but it also features a connection to add an optional speaker mic or hands-free headset.  The latter is particularly helpful for yacht racing, so the navigator may hear the start sequences, recalls, and information on what course different boats are on etc, whilst, at the same time, having his hands free to concentrate on the racing.

Also included is a high intensity distress strobe light, which, in an emergency, blinks internationally recognised SOS signals to attract assistance.  The VHF is fully submersible (IPX7), with a bright LCD display and backlit keypad and screen depicting bold alphanumeric channel labelling.  The user has a choice of power output options, resulting in longer talk-time.  Select 2.5 or 1 Watt close in to shore or outside the marina, then 5 Watts when at sea or in an emergency situation.  The radio will automatically select High Power on Channel 16.

Additional features include a battery life indicator, 700 mW of audio power so that the radio may be heard even in the loudest of conditions, plus a dual watch facility to scan the user-selected Channel and Channel 16 simultaneously.  There's also a large rotary knob, specifically designed to make handling the radio easier with cold or gloved hands.  Included within the initial purchase is a range of accessories - Ni-MH battery pack, DC cable, rapid charger, belt clip and operating manual.