Time for a new VHF, what do you think?

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by colemj

It is the GX2150. The remote was an extra $83.

You forgot one really important feature. If you want to call a ship, you simply select the vessel, and press the "call" button. No entering the mmsi number or any other cumbersome thing.

But the OP stated that he did not have the extra funds for this radio, and that is a valid reason to not get it.

Mark

That's just a hard reality about boats. It's always possible to "buy up" and get really useful features, but most of us don't have limitless wells of money.

[sww914]

Yeah, see, I'm trying to not upsell myself. Next thing you know I'll be at $1200.00 for all the bells and whistles. I suck that way. I think I'll hold to my $100 to $200 line. I'm even looking at the used SH stuff on evilbay.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Is this some east coast / west coast thing?

We are in the Caribbean - works fine here.

Mark

[Dockhead]

I know the OP was talking about fixed VHF sets, but I thought I'd mention that my very favorite handheld (out of about a dozen over the years) was an El Cheapo Cobra HH325, which was a real quality piece of kit, despite the low price. Great sound quality, excellent controls, altogether nicer than the Standard Horizon H851 which replaced it (when it was stolen in Cherbourg ), despite the 3x cost of the SH.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by sww914

Yeah, see, I'm trying to not upsell myself. Next thing you know I'll be at $1200.00 for all the bells and whistles. I suck that way. I think I'll hold to my $100 to $200 line. I'm even looking at the used SH stuff on evilbay.

What you really need is a console dinghy with a steering wheel and ****.

[sww914]

With downriggers and a fighting chair and 2 refrigerators and a dive compressor and a wet bar and an entertainment center and AIS.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by sww914

I don't care much for features, I just want a radio that works. I can't spend extra for AIS, sorry.
The three that I'm looking at are-
Icom 412 for $200.00
Standard Horizon 1200 for $150.00
Uniden 415 for $100.00
They're all small and submersible, my two main concerns.
Which to buy?

Can't be bothered to learn if any of them have DSC, but getting a base unit or portable VHF new without DSC and an assigned MMSI number would seem unwise to me at this stage. It's a reliable and secure technology that extends one's "reach" by several times.

[Kettlewell]

Can't be bothered to learn if any of them have DSC, but getting a base unit or portable VHF new without DSC and an assigned MMSI number would seem unwise to me at this stage. It's a reliable and secure technology that extends one's "reach" by several times.

All new VHF radios sold must be DSC.

[sww914]

DSC sounds pretty cool. I'm pretty sure that none of the pangas around here have AIS, that's part of why I don't care about it. Probably few of the trawlers do either.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by sww914

DSC sounds pretty cool. I'm pretty sure that none of the pangas around here have AIS, that's part of why I don't care about it. Probably few of the trawlers do either.

I've yet to see a shrimper show up on ais, definitely not a panga. Those guys aren't even bothering with a single light.

In Santa Maria some of the shrimpers sat at anchor sans illumination.

[sww914]

Broad generalization. Mexican fisherman just don't give a #^(K!

[s/v Jedi]

Still, I would buy this new model Simrad RS35: Simrad RS35 Fixed Mount VHF Radio

Actually, I will do just that, as I dumped my Icom in rage over (again!) broken mike cords. I tossed it.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I've yet to see a shrimper show up on ais, definitely not a panga. Those guys aren't even bothering with a single light.

In Santa Maria some of the shrimpers sat at anchor sans illumination.

Speaking of Mexican Shrimpers, one parked next to me in the SOC. Big rusty thing. The missus had just made banana bread, SO... I took them over 2/3 of a loaf and a pack of cigarettes. I was rewarded with 3 fish and a full bucket of prawns! They were happy and we were happy!

[Boracay]

We've a basic Standard Horizon and it's been a good reliable radio.

The one feature that I'd really like on a VHF radio is a remote handset.

The Simrad RS35 has an associated wireless handset and looks real good. Bit over your price range.

I don't know if it's me or what but it seems as though every time there's an important VHF matter I need to be doing something else at the same time (like control boat, drop anchor, keep watch...) and having to decipher the VHF sizzle and crackle at the same time is getting to be past my fading abilities.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Boracay

The Simrad RS35 has an associated wireless handset and looks real good. Bit over your price range.

The wireless remote is an eye catcher yes. But the main unit itself is also well equipped with DSC, AIS, NMEA0183 and NMEA2000. It has the looks of a Standard Horizon killer if you ask me and the $349 price tag is pretty sweet for what you get.

But that's not all: the Lowrance link-8 looks to be the same radio with a $299 price tag, bringing it very much towards a price tag for most with an eye to future electronics integration.
Lowrance Link-8 Fixed Mount DSC Marine VHF Radio

I'd still pay the $50 extra for the Simrad though