Which Is Better ? Good-Used or Cheap-New VHF ?

[Feral Cement]

Subject line says it all - would you rather have a lightly used 10 year old Standard Horizon for $50 or a brand new Uniden/Midland for $90? Features are comparable, variables are age versus price. New SH/Icom is not an option.

Thanks,

John

[donradcliffe]

Listen to the weather channel on both radios, and pick the one with the best speaker.

[xymotic]

New one every time because it will have DSC.

In addition I'd take a new one over a two year old one as they've made it illegal to sell radios that aren't class D. (separate DSC receiver)

And FWIW new Standards start at like 115 so ????

[Feral Cement]

Originally Posted by xymotic

New one every time because it will have DSC.

In addition I'd take a new one over a two year old one as they've made it illegal to sell radios that aren't class D. (separate DSC receiver)

And FWIW new Standards start at like 115 so ????

All models I have looked at have DSC. The best price I can find on a SH fixed unit - including shipping - is about $135. I've seen new units not SH as low as $80 delivered. You can see why a $50 SH with DSC starts to look good, in spite of its age.

So, is age a significant issue if the unit has been protected and not abused?

John

[xymotic]

One other thing though is that a used DSC radio will be programmed with another persons MMSI and you cannot usually change it, and if you can it will likely cost at least $50 so you're back to the $100 point for a old radio that is not class D and will likely have some level of corrosion on the components.

West Marine will price match, so: Standard Horizon Eclipse GX1150 VHF Radio at The GPS Store

[Feral Cement]

Originally Posted by xymotic

One other thing though is that a used DSC radio will be programmed with another persons MMSI and you cannot usually change it, and if you can it will likely cost at least $50 so you're back to the $100 point for a old radio.

Wow - never knew that re-setting the DSC cost money! Does registering the original DSC numbers cost as well? Seems like that would deter people from activating the feature.

John

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Feral Cement

...Does registering the original DSC numbers cost as well? Seems like that would deter people from activating the feature.
John

No.
See ➥ MMSI Registration for VHF/DSC

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by Feral Cement

Wow - never knew that re-setting the DSC cost money! Does registering the original DSC numbers cost as well? Seems like that would deter people from activating the feature.

John

Well, I mean even "if" the MFR will do it for nothing, it's gonna cost you $20-30 in shipping.

[Feral Cement]

Originally Posted by GordMay

No.
See ➥ MMSI Registration for VHF/DSC

Thanks, Gord.

Is it free to submit new info on an old radio?

John

[bangkaboat]

If your boat had an older vhf & your budget was squeezed, I'd say move it down the priority list, assuming it works fine. But, if you had no vhf & had to buy one, "new" would be my preference, because of built-in DSC and AIS, and possible corrosion factors.

[Feral Cement]

Just bought a used SH 1250 - used once - for $40. No shipping, no DSC.

[xymotic]

So, rather than have 'wrong' DSC info you chose to not have dsc at all? To each his own I guess but man I think that's pretty nutty.

[Feral Cement]

Originally Posted by xymotic

So, rather than have 'wrong' DSC info you chose to not have dsc at all? To each his own I guess but man I think that's pretty nutty.

I talked with the cruisers in my area with the most nm under their keels and the concensus opinion was to put the extra $$$ into OTHER safety equipment, specifically an epirb.

Everything's a compromise.

John

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by xymotic

So, rather than have 'wrong' DSC info you chose to not have dsc at all? To each his own I guess but man I think that's pretty nutty.

If you read boatUS's site they ask that you cancel your account to a number if you sell your boat so it is available to the new owner. I just looked at it the other day when I updated my handheld account. SC

[S/V Antares]

The concept of buying any electronic device that is 10 years old when you can get a new one for under $150 (Icom at West M. with a coupon etc) is not a great savings in the long run. Add in new features like AIS, DSC and a warranty and it is less of a deal. I am a dedicated "dumster diver" but draw the line on saftey items.