So I need (OK, I just want it) to buy an HT for portable use. And to be clear, I really only want it for portable use - not as a mobile unit with a mag mount or a home unit or anything else. I've got those areas covered. I just want a small, tough portable for use when I'm in a rental car for the day, or when I'm out working in the yard, or out of the cruiser at a camp site, or working late at night (like now) and still at the office alone.
I considered one of the Kenwood HTs that have the sky command option and would allow me to control the TS-2000 so I could sit on the patio at home and have all the benefits of the TS-2000 via my HT (including its antennas). But I can always buy one of those later, and I can't use that feature at the camp site anyway or at work (at least I don't think so).
So I've pretty much narrowed it down to the new Yaesu vx-8 (if it ever gets in-stock long enough for me to order it) or the Icom 92-AD.
I've used the vx-7 and really liked it, so I'm sure the vx-8 will also be great, plus the addition of a TNC and bluetooth. It is super tough and water resistent (I'm accident prone). And it sells for $400.
The Icom 92-AD is not as small as the Yaesu and doesn't have the TNC, but it is digital via the D-Star system and essentially has cross-band repeat via D-Star. Also, if you want to spend the extra $300 you can get the GPS mic for really nerdy cool status. But the 92-AD runs damn near $600 and I have no current use for the D-Star or the gps mic.
Part of me still says just buy a vx-7 or vx-6 and add a mic and spare battery and still come in under $400.
Any opinions in mud-land? I'm planning to order from gigaparts tonight or tomorrow.
I considered one of the Kenwood HTs that have the sky command option and would allow me to control the TS-2000 so I could sit on the patio at home and have all the benefits of the TS-2000 via my HT (including its antennas). But I can always buy one of those later, and I can't use that feature at the camp site anyway or at work (at least I don't think so).
So I've pretty much narrowed it down to the new Yaesu vx-8 (if it ever gets in-stock long enough for me to order it) or the Icom 92-AD.
I've used the vx-7 and really liked it, so I'm sure the vx-8 will also be great, plus the addition of a TNC and bluetooth. It is super tough and water resistent (I'm accident prone). And it sells for $400.
The Icom 92-AD is not as small as the Yaesu and doesn't have the TNC, but it is digital via the D-Star system and essentially has cross-band repeat via D-Star. Also, if you want to spend the extra $300 you can get the GPS mic for really nerdy cool status. But the 92-AD runs damn near $600 and I have no current use for the D-Star or the gps mic.
Part of me still says just buy a vx-7 or vx-6 and add a mic and spare battery and still come in under $400.
Any opinions in mud-land? I'm planning to order from gigaparts tonight or tomorrow.
