Which of these two Yaesu handhelds would you buy?

[Corey]

Two nice new radios I saw advertised in the new CQ magazine.

Tri Band
VX-8DR – A Devoted APRS Users Version of the VX-8R Series
GPS is optional on the radio, you need to add a GPS devise to it.

Dual Band
VX-8GR – A Devoted APRS® User Dual Band Version of the VX-8R Series of Handheld

 

[1911]

For my money, I'd way rather have the 8GR; no need to attach and carry around a separate GPS to run APRS like the 8DR.

I own a VX-7R, essentially the non-APRS version of this radio and it is a great little radio just for voice.

 

[4x4mike]

Which of these two Yaesu handhelds would you buy?

What kind of needs do you have from a radio? I know you've a big setup in your FJ but do you use all of those features? Do you need a lot of features in the field?

I run a FT-60r for several reasons. It's super rugged, has many antenna options, it's small and light and it won't break the bank. I use my radio for everything from talking simplex to the guy down the street, to navigation, volunteer work and races. I have never felt the 60r didn't have something I needed.

 

[DaveInDenver]

If you intend to use the APRS features, the VX-8GR would be my choice. If not, I'd get a VX-6R or maybe a VX-7R if you want the dual RX capability. I have a VX-7R and probably could do without the dual operating features in a pinch but it's nice to have. If I was spending actual money now for a non-APRS 2/70 radio, it would be the VX-6R or FT-60R like Mike mentioned.

I see the VX-8GR being nice with the built-in TNC, APRS and GPS. I do not see the 6m and 1.25m bands of the VX-8DR as really necessary, yet I'd not like having to put the GPS dongle on. It seems to me that it would be pretty much always be on it and annoyingly like a kludge. So I just don't see much reason to get a VX-8DR over a VX-7R. Well, unless you plan to run a hand mic, in which case the GPS might be less annoying.

 

[Corey]

Actually I would like to use the radio when camping sitting by the fire, or just lounging, and not wanting to sit in my rig to use the 857D.
Could also use it when in my rocking chair at home

The GPS one makes more sense.
Question on that one, do you think you can bookmark locations with it like a handheld GPS to log a nice camping site you found, then use the radio to return to it later, or you would more than likely have to jot down the cords on paper and input it to a dedicated GPS?

 

[DaveInDenver]

The GPS one makes more sense.
Question on that one, do you think you can bookmark locations with it like a handheld GPS to log a nice camping site you found, then use the radio to return to it later, or you would more than likely have to jot down the cords on paper and input it to a dedicated GPS?

AFAIK the Yaesu radios (VX-8, FTM-350) cannot save waypoints for download. The FTM-350 can set in memory a handful of positions and navigate to or alarm on them. They will output waypoints, at least I know the FTM-350 can, to the serial port. Now I believe the Kenwood TH-D72 can do more of that (like 100 waypoints), so might be an option.

 

[Corey]

Hmmmm
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/3072.html

Looks like a nice one with 5,000 tracks.
I would have to look more into it.

 

[mountainpete]

Corey,

Curious if you have opened your search to Wouxun? They don't have a lot of extra features but the pricepoint (around $100) and performance make them very good value. Lots of positive reviews online (with a few negatives too).

No GPS though... just the basics. But you can get a dual-band Wouxun and fill your truck with fuel 4 times for the price of that Kenwood.

Alinco could be another brand to look at too...

Pete

 

[xtatik]

Me, personally.......neither LOL.

 

[cruiserlarry]

Hey, Randy, you're probably waiting for an HF handheld :ylsmoke:

I have used the VX8R and VX8DR for a couple of years - great radios. Long Battery life, clear audio, and they work 4 bands, as opposed to the VX8GR's 2 bands. The VX8DR has several other features not available on the GR, so check out what you want the radio to do, and go from there. For me, having the extra bands just in case was worth it - for you it may not matter, and then the GR will be fine. I also have a TH-D72A, and while it has a great display, and can work as a stand-alone GPS, it is bulkier, and hardier to program / adjust in the field to me - but it is still and excellent radio. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so the fact that the Yaesu VX8DR is rated for water resistance (3ft/30min) is also a big plus - drop the Kenwood in the creek, and it's over...

 

[4x4mike]

Me, personally.......neither LOL.

My thought as well. Corey, why would you need a GPS for sitting at a campsite? I assume you'd drive to said campsite so you can use the gps in your car to find out where you are.

 

[Corey]

Corey,

Curious if you have opened your search to Wouxun? They don't have a lot of extra features but the pricepoint (around $100) and performance make them very good value. Lots of positive reviews online (with a few negatives too).

No GPS though... just the basics. But you can get a dual-band Wouxun and fill your truck with fuel 4 times for the price of that Kenwood.

Alinco could be another brand to look at too...

Pete

I have heard of the Alinco, I see them advertised.
I like the quality of the Yaesu though.

My thought as well. Corey, why would you need a GPS for sitting at a campsite? I assume you'd drive to said campsite so you can use the gps in your car to find out where you are.

I thought the GPS part would come in handy when just out wheeling around on a weekend exploring (not camping) looking at sites.
I often have done this in the past, I will head out early and spend the day exploring logging road spurs looking for good remote sites.

My indash GPS will show in emergency mode the cords, but you can not use it to get to a location.

Larry, I will look at the others too.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I have heard of the Alinco, I see them advertised.
I like the quality of the Yaesu though.

I thought the GPS part would come in handy when just out wheeling around on a weekend exploring (not camping) looking at sites.
I often have done this in the past, I will head out early and spend the day exploring logging road spurs looking for good remote sites.

My indash GPS will show in emergency mode the cords, but you can not use it to get to a location.

Larry, I will look at the others too.

Alinco products are fine, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it fits your need and budget. I had a DX-70TH for a few years that was as reliable as any other radio (I used it stationary at my QTH, not mobile). One known issue with the rotary encoder, but Alinco sold me one for a reasonable price. But all radios have design weaknesses and everything eventually wears out.

If you just want GPS coordinates, then the VX-8 will give you that. Just doesn't do the sophisticated waypoints, mapping and track stuff. OTOH, I'm not sure I would buy an expensive HT or mobile just to do this. A friend of mine gave me a Garmin GPS III+ that easily shows GPS data and has some basic mapping and tracking features to boot. I'm sure you could find mountains of older GPS receivers for free or next to nothing. But I'm also hip to the idea of carrying around a dozen different things and so collating functions makes perfect sense. That was part (or most really) of the reason I got a FTM-350 was to consolidate the function of 2 radios, a TNC, multiple antennas into a single solution.

 

[SoCal_80]

I have owned the 7R for about a year now an love it!

 

[xtatik]

Hey, Randy, you're probably waiting for an HF handheld :ylsmoke:

Well duh!
But, I'm just not a fan of the do-all, doo-hickeys. They never seem to do all the ancillary functions very well. As for having the additional useless bands....why?
Back when I didn't know better, I put a FT8900 in the truck thinking I would need these extra bands. When I'd tune to those bands..........(sound of crickets)....nothing..nobody home.
As for the waterproof capability....I wouldn't test it. I've gone fly-swimming (flyfishing mishaps) with my trusty FT60's numerous times. Zero problems. They're cheap and built like tanks. I let my crusty Garmin 60cs tell me where to go (within reason).