Need a new Handheld Icom or Vertex or Sportys

[azsportpilot]

I had a Vertex (yaesu) VXA-720

very cool looking with metal body and waterproof...... but

It was extremely complicated with multiple useless features buried deep in multi layer menus

I thought it was me and handed it to several of the younger pilots at the airport and said simply "put it on 122.9 for me"

none were able.... so I sold it cheap with the caveat that the buyer assumes the risk that the unit may be broken or something as Vertex was not able to talk me through changing the frequency either

the buyer emailed me 3 days after he rec'd it and said he got it working (apparently it was in memory mode and while in memory mode the freq cannot be changed, he also went on to say it took him 3 full days to figure it out and determine how to cancel the memory mode) good grief

he was a 27 year old IT professional and it took 3 days

I really love the look of the new VXA-750L with GPS but in reading online reviews it seems it is equally non-user-friendly

so on to Icon... no GPS available, but good reviews.... except for the guys in the helicopter forums complaining that only the older discontinued Icon's work with a headset.....the new models will not transmit through a headset, I'm assuming this is specific to the helicopter headsets using a U-174/U type plug, but I can't confirm that

apparently it might work if you install "Ferrite Beads" huh?

http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-434376.html

and

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/printt ... 3121&pp=40

The sportys seem cheaper made but not in price, any experience with them?

I want a Handheld that is as easy as an iPhone to use, (not blackberry-Vertex complex)

I don't need a memory function, I just want it to work, I want to be able to use it and change frequencies during an inflight emergency with one hand.... I won't have time to re-read the manual when i need it

any suggestions?
do the Icons work with a headset?
is the Sporty's as flimsy as they look?
does Vertex make anything a guy with an IQ below 140 can operate?

[Cluemeister]

I'm very interested in hearing responses as well.

[azsportpilot]

mypilotstore has a cool comparison chart, but it doesn't tell me what i really want to know

1- ease of use
2- headset compatibility

http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstor ... ceiver.asp

check it out lots of info

looks like they are all more similar than different
all are 5 watts
all have 3 yr warranty
all use BNC antenna connector
all weigh between 12-15 ounces
all are between $200-$400

though obviously the Sporty's ones didn't make the comparo chart as it is a Sporty's exclusive product

[pjcampbell]

I think the ICOM A-14 is going to be the easiest/simplest.

Also has a big Li Ion battery.

For basic COM only, I think the A-14 is the way to go.

[azsportpilot]

I think the ICOM A-14 is going to be the easiest/simplest.

Also has a big Li Ion battery.

For basic COM only, I think the A-14 is the way to go.

looks pretty basic and well made

i really like the 2000mAh Lithium-Ion barrery

Looks like the A-14 goes for $205 (headset adapter not included) so when you add the adapter $40... you are at $245

for $255 ($10 more) you can get the IC-A6 which includes the headset adapter... plus possibly other features

the IC-A6 has 8.33 kHz channel spacing for Europe.... but who cares, and the IC-A6 seems to downgrade you to the 1650 mAh Ni-MH battery

[rsteele]

I read the reviews of the Vertex before I bought mine and the ONLY complaint was the complicated UI.
I have to say I don't see the problem. Maybe it's one of those thing you "get" or not but I found it pretty easy to use. 30 minutes with the manual and I pretty much had it mastered. And, I certainly don't claim to be especially adept at user interfaces or user manuals. Mine is the older model with the VOR. Way easier to use the the latest iPhone which seems to want to hide as much functionality as possible.

Ron

[azsportpilot]

I think people buy a handheld for one of two reasons

A- to listen to the tower while they stroll around the exhibits at oshkosh AirVenture

or

B- as a tool to use when the electrical system fails in turbulence as they enter the class Bravo

in the case of user type "B" there will be no time to read the manual

[Cluemeister]

Here's the comparison for the 14 and 14S. Appears to be NAV and weather, and 100 more channel memory.

http://icomamerica.com/en/products/avio ... tions.aspx

[azsportpilot]

Here's the comparison for the 14 and 14S. Appears to be NAV and weather, and 100 more channel memory.

http://icomamerica.com/en/products/avio ... tions.aspx

don't need NAV, weather is nice, don't need memory

looks like with the cheaper "S" model ($209.00) you also lose the "Direct enter keypad" thereby having to slowly advance through the frequencies using up/dn arrows... that's a problem

the "non-S" version ($214.00) for nine dollars more you can simply type 1-2-2-9 when you want 122.9

https://youtu.be/vzIapM6HDkA?t=29

I don't think I will ever feel the need to track a localizer, and use the VOR to shoot an ILS approach in my LSA using my handheld radio

I wonder if the $255.00 IC-A6 offers any tangible advantage over the IC-A14 other than the Headset Adapter being included

[Cluemeister]

[/quote]

don't need NAV, weather is nice, don't need memory

[/quote]

For $9 you get NAV (GPS could go out, you never know), weather, more memory, and direct punch in of numbers.

[azsportpilot]

don't need NAV, weather is nice, don't need memory



For $9 you get NAV (GPS could go out, you never know), weather, more memory, and direct punch in of numbers.

Agreed,.....for the extra $9 you get a Direct Entry Keypad.... otherwise you have to use the arrow UP/DN buttons found on the cheaper "S" model

that would be a real pain just to set a frequency (I believe the "S" model is designed for ground crews who never change the freq.)

If the GPS goes out I'll navigate the old fashioned way

[rsteele]

30 minutes with the manual

What?

The interface really isn't that hard. I just went out the airport with the radio and the manual and played with it a while, referring to the manual on how to set up memory, direct frequency entry etc. You really only need two frequencies to do that so I used AWOS and CTAF. I don't know a squat about VORs, I'm a sport pilot after all. But even that became apparent in a few minutes. Long forgotten now.

As with a lot of tech, people have preconceived notions of how it should work. When those notions collide with how it does work it can be confusing. I know I have the same issue with computers. I used Unix/Linux for 25years before being forced to use Windows. After 10 years of intermittent Windows use I still find it confusing and frustrating. It just refuses to work the way I think it should! That's the main reason I use a Mac now. It's all good old familiar Unix on the command line and a I can run the cursed Office programs when I must.

I bought the handheld so I could listen to something while working at the airport and because I thought I was going to take lessons in a plane without an electrical system. I had 2 lessons and the instructor forgot his handheld for one of them. It was downright scary to fly in that area without a radio. So not it's a back.up.

Ron

[azsportpilot]

30 minutes with the manual

What?

The interface really isn't that hard. I just went out the airport with the radio and the manual and played with it a while, referring to the manual on how to set up memory, direct frequency entry etc. You really only need two frequencies to do that so I used AWOS and CTAF. I don't know a squat about VORs, I'm a sport pilot after all. But even that became apparent in a few minutes. Long forgotten now.

As with a lot of tech, people have preconceived notions of how it should work. When those notions collide with how it does work it can be confusing. I know I have the same issue with computers. I used Unix/Linux for 25years before being forced to use Windows. After 10 years of intermittent Windows use I still find it confusing and frustrating. It just refuses to work the way I think it should! That's the main reason I use a Mac now. It's all good old familiar Unix on the command line and a I can run the cursed Office programs when I must.

I bought the handheld so I could listen to something while working at the airport and because I thought I was going to take lessons in a plane without an electrical system. I had 2 lessons and the instructor forgot his handheld for one of them. It was downright scary to fly in that area without a radio. So not it's a back.up.

Ron

Ron,

Clearly you are extremely "Tech Savvy".... you are the perfect candidate for Yaesu-Vertex radio ownership, glad you were able to figure out their notoriously complicated platform or "UI" as you called it........ I suspect tech savvy guys like yourself are their target market

For the rest of us that do not want to learn another language and just want to pick up a radio, tune to a frequency and communicate... there is Icom..... and possibly Sporty's

[azsportpilot]

exactly, I don't want to have to read the manual

I want to push a button labeled "power" or rotate a volume knob

press 1-2-2-9

and be talkin on 122.9

easy peasy

[Flocker]

exactly, I don't want to have to read the manual

I want to push a button labeled "power" or rotate a volume knob

press 1-2-2-9

and be talkin on 122.9

easy peasy

Sounds to me like a great business idea. Pitch it to the Tank! I'd buy one.