SONARK MARINE REVIEW · UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
The HX890 is still a capable floating GPS/DSC handheld, but it now sits in Standard Horizon’s legacy lineup. The key question is whether its price makes it a better buy than newer alternatives.
Four clear choices. One job for each.
Choose it when the price is meaningfully lower and you specifically want GPS/DSC in a proven floating handheld.
The cleaner choice for most new buyers who want the same GPS/DSC role plus Bluetooth.
Pick the Icom when built-in AIS receive matters more than staying with Standard Horizon.
A simpler lower-cost floating handheld for boaters who mainly need dependable voice communication.
Most handheld VHF radios only do voice. The HX890 adds two things that change what it can do in an emergency.
DSC (Digital Selective Calling) lets you send a distress alert with one button. The alert goes out on Channel 70 to the Coast Guard and nearby DSC-equipped boats, identifying your vessel by its MMSI number.
Built-in GPS adds your exact position to that alert. That is what makes the HX890 more than a backup radio. If you go overboard, end up in a dinghy, or the main radio fails, the distress call still carries a position from the radio in your hand.
One catch: DSC only identifies you once an MMSI number is programmed into the radio. Recreational boaters in U.S. waters can get one free from BoatUS, Sea Tow, or the U.S. Power Squadrons. More in our VHF setup guide.
| Radio | Power | GPS + DSC | Extras | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Horizon HX890 | 6W / 2W / 1W | Yes, Class H DSC | IPX8, floats, alkaline backup tray | GPS/DSC handheld at a legacy price |
| Standard Horizon HX891BT | 6W / 2W / 1W | Yes, Class H DSC | Adds Bluetooth; IPX8, floats | Most new buyers |
| Icom IC-M94D | 6W / 1W | Yes | AIS receive; IPX7, floats | Seeing AIS targets on a handheld |
| Standard Horizon HX210 | 6W | No | Floats face-up, water-activated strobe | Low-cost safety backup |
| Uniden Atlantis 275 | Up to 6W | No | IPX8, floats | Simple voice backup |
Specs change between production runs. Confirm current specs with the manufacturer before buying.
It now sits in Standard Horizon's legacy lineup, with the HX891BT as the current model filling the same role. Legacy stock is often still available, which is when the HX890 can be a good value.
Both are 6-watt floating handhelds with built-in GPS and Class H DSC. The HX891BT adds Bluetooth. If the two are close in price, the HX891BT is the better buy.
Yes. It is a floating, IPX8-rated handheld.
No. If you want to see AIS targets on a handheld, look at the Icom IC-M94D.
You need one for DSC to identify your vessel in a distress call. The radio still works for normal voice calls without it, but register an MMSI and program it in before relying on DSC.
VHF is line-of-sight, and a handheld transmits from a short antenna held low, so range is usually a few miles between boats. A fixed-mount radio with a tall antenna reaches much farther, which is why a handheld works best as a backup or portable radio.