VHF

[maus]

Any users out there how can give advise on which VHF system to buy for world cruising?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, maus.

[Suijin]

I've had good experience with ICOM and Standard Horizon.

[rebel heart]

The Standard Horizon GX2150 is a lot of bang for your buck. VHF, DSC, AIS receiver. Wire-up a handheld GPS (literally twist two wires together) and you're doing good.

Standard Horizon Matrix AIS+ GX2150 Fixed Mount VHF Radio

[Tim R.]

ICOM seems to be the gold standard for myself and most cruisers I know but I have had SH in the past and they make great products.

[skipmac]

Have been using Standard Horizons for 40 years and love them. Never had a problem.

One suggestion. If you plan on doing the canals in Europe the regulations say you should have a VHF with ATIS (no not AIS) capabilities. Not sure if this is just another rule on paper or if it is actually enforced.

[fjwiley1]

I've had good experience with both. However, like Rebel Heart, I think the new Standard Horizon GX2150 would be the best way to go.....

S/V Water Wings

[dan360]

Don't know what kind of boat you have and your sailing plans etc, but I'm a big fan of adding a remote at the helm so you can hear pan pan, securite messages clearly without wondering if its another random person hailing a mate. Also when on passage at night you can have the radio turned up in the cockpit but quiet in the saloon.

We use it at the helm a lot when on busy overnight passages through shipping. Less of an issue if you intend to sail coastal and during the day etc.

We have this one: HM162B/SW Remote-Control Microphone - Features - Icom America

[jackdale]

+1 for remote cockpit microphones.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by jackdale

+1 for remote cockpit microphones.

I've got a RAM3 with my SH GX2150. The thing is totally worth the $100. I honestly wish I could have multiples. One in the berth, one in the cockpit, etc.

[SVNeko]

I second the GX2150 suggestion. Great radio.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I've got a RAM3 with my SH GX2150. The thing is totally worth the $100. I honestly wish I could have multiples. One in the berth, one in the cockpit, etc.

As an aside - one the coolest instruments I have seen was a Raymarine repeater in an owner's cabin.

[s/v Jedi]

And everybody names the VHF they own without a second thought Would they do that when buying a new one themselves too? Or would they check what came on the market since?

I would surely want a VHF with NMEA2000, with AIS and with a good wireless remote. Who has this?

[rebel heart]

I qualified mine as the best bang for your buck, it clocks in at $350. I have a feeling the Simrad unit above is a couple of bucks more.

Edit: never mind, it looks like the cost is similar.

Still, I'd rather recommend something that I've used and can vouch for rather than just what a manufacturer tells me works well.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I qualified mine as the best bang for your buck, it clocks in at $350. I have a feeling the Simrad unit above is a couple of bucks more.

You would be wrong, the Simrad is $349.- while the gx2150 is 399.99 (both prices just checked at defender.com)