Standard Horizon HX210E Floating Handheld VHF Marine Radio

The Standard Horizon HX210E is a reliable handheld marine VHF radio that packs a lot of functionality into a compact form, making it ideal for both everyday on-the-water communication and emergency readiness. With up to 6 Watts of transmit power, the HX210E provides strong signal reach for short to medium range communications between vessels or from boat to shore. You can easily toggle to lower power (2.5 W or 1 W) at the press of a button – a useful feature for conserving battery life when full power isn’t necessary (for instance, during harbor operations or when talking to a nearby vessel).

One of the standout features of the HX210E is its floating design. This radio is built to IPX7 waterproof standards, meaning it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without damage. More impressively, if the radio is accidentally dropped overboard, it won’t sink. The HX210E is engineered to float face-up, and it will automatically activate a bright white strobe light (water-activated emergency strobe) when it hits the water. This flashing LED beacon makes it much easier to locate and retrieve the radio in low-light conditions or at night. Even if the unit is turned off, the water sensor will trigger the strobe – a valuable safety feature that ensures your radio can be found and recovered quickly.

The HX210E covers all the marine VHF channels you need: it includes the international channel set, as well as U.S. and Canadian channels, all selectable via the menu. This means the radio is ready for use virtually anywhere you boat. For emergency preparedness, there’s a dedicated Channel 16 distress button, giving you immediate access to the international calling and distress channel at any time. The radio also has the full complement of NOAA weather channels (10 WX channels), which provide continuous weather updates and hazard alerts; the HX210E can be set to monitor a weather channel and alert you if a weather warning is issued (Weather Alert function).

Ease of use is another highlight: the HX210E features a large, high-resolution dot-matrix LCD that clearly shows channel numbers, status icons, and battery life, with backlighting for night-time operation. The E2O (Easy To Operate) menu system makes navigating through settings and functions straightforward, even for first-time users. You can also assign frequently used channels to the programmable keys for quick access. The radio includes a jack for a speaker/microphone accessory, allowing you to connect optional handheld mics or headsets if desired.

A unique extra on the HX210E is the built-in FM broadcast receiver. This lets you switch the radio to FM mode and listen to regular FM radio stations in the 76 – 108 MHz band, which is a handy feature for entertainment or news when you’re not actively using the VHF marine band. It means you don’t need a separate radio for music or news on your boat – the HX210E has you covered.

Powering the HX210E is a 7.4V 1850 mAh lithium-ion battery (SBR-23LI), which provides up to 16 hours of operation on a full charge (with a typical duty cycle of 5% transmit, 5% receive, 90% standby). Included in the package is a rapid desktop charger (SBH-25) that can fully charge the battery in about 3 hours. You also get two charging cables: a 220V AC adapter for home or dockside use, and a 12V DC charging cable (E-DC-19A) that can plug into a car cigarette lighter socket or a boat’s 12V outlet for on-the-go charging. Additionally, the HX210E comes with a belt clip (CLIP-22) for convenient carrying and a high-efficiency flexible antenna (CAT760) optimized for marine VHF frequencies, ensuring good range and clarity on transmit and receive.

Built for the marine environment, the HX210E has a rugged housing and a solid, quality feel. Standard Horizon backs this radio with an industry-leading 3-year waterproof warranty – meaning if your radio fails due to water intrusion or any defect in normal use within three years, they will repair or replace it, no questions asked. This level of support underscores the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s durability.

The Standard Horizon HX210E is suitable for a wide range of marine users. It’s perfect for small craft (inflatables, runabouts, dinghies, kayaks, sailboats) as a primary communication radio, and equally valuable on larger vessels as a backup handheld VHF or for use between the main vessel and a tender. Its combination of float-and-flash safety, long battery life, and versatile features make it a must-have piece of gear for anyone spending time on the water who values reliable communication and peace of mind.