Time for a new VHF, what do you think?

[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?

[colemj]

Standard Horizon, hands down.

Mark

[Cheechako]

I say the cheapest well respected name. The Uniden go pretty cheap on Fleabay and seem to work fine. $79 new: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IN-THE-B...r#ht_561wt_965

[Rakuflames]

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?

Mine is a Standard Horizon HX290. It's small and submersible, and picks up from a large area. It easily fits into a fanny pack, so I can have it on my body when I sail by myself. It was, I think, $89 on sale at West Marine, and came with both AC and DC charger. It also holds a long charge.

I don't see how you could do any better for what you want.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Mine is a Standard Horizon HX290. It's small and submersible, and picks up from a large area. It easily fits into a fanny pack, so I can have it on my body when I sail by myself. It was, I think, $89 on sale at West Marine, and came with both AC and DC charger. It also holds a long charge.

I don't see how you could do any better for what you want.

Raku, I think that he is looking for a permanent mount VHF, not a handheld. They have rather different parameters and characteristics, as I am sure that you know.

As to the choice between his candidates, I have become somewhat disenchanted with Icom VHF and SSB marine products (not htier ham rigs), and would also go for the SH set.


Cheers,

Jim

[rebel heart]

I know you said no ais but I'll be the guy who says the standard horizon with ais is on sale at defender for $340.

I love Icom but unless you have some particular piece of functionality from them I'd rock the Standard Horizon.

[sww914]

Yes, I'm looking for a mounted VHF.

[nolandinsight]

I'd go with the Standard Horizon.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I know you said no ais but I'll be the guy who says the standard horizon with ais is on sale at defender for $340.

Wow, they have increased in price. We bought one from them 1.5yrs ago regular price (not on sale) for $325.

Mark

[deckofficer]

I agree with Rebel heart, if your going to be cruising with the boat I'd spring the extra $140 over the Icom for AIS. Eric, correct me if I'm wrong, but for that price your vessel wouldn't be detected by others with AIS, but you will know about them in a timely manner?

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I agree with Rebel heart, if your going to be cruising with the boat I'd spring the extra $140 over the Icom for AIS. Eric, correct me if I'm wrong, but for that price your vessel wouldn't be detected by others with AIS, but you will know about them in a timely manner?

Correct. That Standard Horizon set is has AIS receive-only (which is extremely useful).

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by colemj

Wow, they have increased in price. We bought one from them 1.5yrs ago regular price (not on sale) for $325.

Mark

I think it's a different model? They made a gx2000 then the 2150, I think, or something like that. Maybe not. I got mine about the same time you did but honestly can't remember the price.

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I agree with Rebel heart, if your going to be cruising with the boat I'd spring the extra $140 over the Icom for AIS. Eric, correct me if I'm wrong, but for that price your vessel wouldn't be detected by others with AIS, but you will know about them in a timely manner?

Yep. No splitter needed, and I bought a $20 cable to hook up my garmin handheld gps (wired to 12v, it sits in a bracket) to the SH radio. A transponder is obviously "better", but for the price it's really hard to beat the SH AIS/VHF.

It gets great range, does closest-point-of-approach (and time to the same) alarms, and you can scroll through any target vessel's info.

I additionally nerded out and put one of the SH ram3 remotes in the cockpit. So in one display I have:

- true heading
- sog
- any ais contacts on a radar-type display
- a vhf

Again it's not perfect, but for $500 out the door (counting the remote) and a cake walk installation it's not bad.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I think it's a different model? They made a gx2000 then the 2150, I think, or something like that. Maybe not. I got mine about the same time you did but honestly can't remember the price.



Yep. No splitter needed, and I bought a $20 cable to hook up my garmin handheld gps (wired to 12v, it sits in a bracket) to the SH radio. A transponder is obviously "better", but for the price it's really hard to beat the SH AIS/VHF.

It gets great range, does closest-point-of-approach (and time to the same) alarms, and you can scroll through any target vessel's info.

I additionally nerded out and put one of the SH ram3 remotes in the cockpit. So in one display I have:

- true heading
- sog
- any ais contacts on a radar-type display
- a vhf

Again it's not perfect, but for $500 out the door (counting the remote) and a cake walk installation it's not bad.

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

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Raku, I think that he is looking for a permanent mount VHF, not a handheld. They have rather different parameters and characteristics, as I am sure that you know.

As to the choice between his candidates, I have become somewhat disenchanted with Icom VHF and SSB marine products (not htier ham rigs), and would also go for the SH set.


Cheers,

Jim

He said 'small and waterproof." I didn't look up the number he meant.

I agree with ICOM. I had a portable one, and when I lost the base (go figure!) -- it couldn't be replaced. That was pretty annoying!

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by colemj

If you want to call a ship, you simply select the vessel, and press the "call" button.

I know people on here rave about DSC but I have never, ever, had someone "call me" nor have any of my calls gone through when I tried. The call times out, I hop on 16 or 13, hail the guy, and we're in business.

Is this some east coast / west coast thing?