VHF Radio Selection

[BoaterGuy]

So I'm about to order a fixed mount VHF radio and I'm torn between these three radios:

Standard Horizon GX1600 Explorer Fixed-Mount VHF Radio

• Remote Mic Capable, Class D DSC, Noise-Canceling Mic, Specify Color

• Current Draw @ 13.8 Volt DC: 0.8 Amp Receive / 5.0 Amp Transmit

• JIS-8 Submersible, Mount: Bracket / Flush* - Cutout: 5.4" x 2.8"

Price - $154 w/$30 MIR = $124

Raymarine Ray55 Fixed-Mount VHF Radio

• Remote Mic Capable, Class D DSC, Speaker Mic with Controls, Color: Gray

• Current Draw @ 13.6 Volt DC: 1 Amp Receive / 6 Amp Transmit

• IPX7 Submersible, Mount: Bracket / Flush* - Cutout: 7.09" x 3.15

Price - $269 but on sale for $230 until May 5th

Icom IC-M412 Fixed-Mount VHF Radio

• Class D DSC, AquaQuake Draining Function, Dual / Triple Watch, Specify Color

• Current Draw @ 13.8 Volt DC: 1.5 Amp Receive / 5.5 Amp Transmit

• IPX7 Submersible, Mount: Bracket / Flush* - Cutout: 5.81" x 2.38"

Price - $162

Standard Horizon GX1700 Explorer GPS Fixed-Mount VHF Radio

• Remote Mic Capable, Class D DSC, Built-In GPS Receiver, Specify Color

• Current Draw @ 13.8 Volt DC: 0.8 Amp Receive / 5.0 Amp Transmit

• JIS-8 Submersible, Mount: Bracket - Cutout: 5.4" x 2.8"

• Has Compass display on screen

Price - $209 W/30MIR = $179

I'm leaning towards the GX1600 as it has the best display and the most features and is the cheapest. The ICOM has the least amount of features, but is proven to be reliable and high quality.

The Raymarine is high quality as well but the most expensive and has a better display than the ICOM but not as good as the 1600.

The 1700 is like the 1600 but has built in GPS and has a compass display on the front, which is cool. How difficult is it to tap into the Yamaha GPS? Also what happens when the engines are off?

Any recommendations of which radio to choose?

 

[Julian]

I've not heard of anyone successfully tapping into the Yamaha GPS. I just have a handheld radio as I don't go out of sight of land and really only bought it to communicate boat to boat on the Chicago Loop cruise.

 

[GiddYupJoe]

@RobA I hate to even post a link from... but I think it may answer your GPS question.

http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=240&t=60500

 

[BoaterGuy]

Thanks I was just trying to search for that, but was having no luck.

 

[BoaterGuy]

So that thread shows me how to connect the GPS antenna... kinda (it's confusing). But still would like some input on the radios.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

If you are going to have a GPS on the boat, don't get the radio with GPS. I like iCOM but all of the radios in your list are quality units and will suffice.

 

[Bruce]

I am going with the GX1700 or the new GX2200. Most likely the GX1700. Living in Baltimore I assume you will be boating in the salt.

The ability to press a button and send a distress call without relying on any other device seems like it could be invaluable in an emergency.

Tapping into the speedometer GPS seems like unnecessary labor and risk.

 

[Topper232]

Check Hodges Marine. I've had pretty good luck with their prices. I have the Standard Horizon 1700

 

[tracerrx]

I have the iCOM, and have connected it to my Garmin with no problems. Also a Sherwood folding antenna.

 

[tdonoughue]

I have done it. That was my post. Here it is over here: http://www.jetboaters.net/threads/installation-of-dsc-vhf-radio-to-the-stock-gps-antenna.517/

Sorry if it is not as clear as it could be. Happy to answer any questions or to clarify...

 

[biglar155]

I am going with the GX1700 or the new GX2200. Most likely the GX1700. Living in Baltimore I assume you will be boating in the salt.

The ability to press a button and send a distress call without relying on any other device seems like it could be invaluable in an emergency.

Tapping into the speedometer GPS seems like unnecessary labor and risk.

Agreed. I like the idea of the radio having its own GPS just to make sure it's working when you need it. Stuff happens, things break.

I always shake my head when folks say "I don't need the best, I'll only use it in an emergency." Sorry, but an emergency is when I want the very best there is. That's why it's called an "emergency" and not a "well, I hope this works but if it doesn't oh well."

 

[tdonoughue]

Well I didn't use the internal GPS to do less than the best. I did it to avoid the second install and wiring of a second GPS unit. And the unneeded expense.

The radio has the ability to see the GPS feed directly. That let me thoroughly test it and let's me check at each launch to ensure I have good signal and everything works.

 

[Bruce]

The GX1700 has a GPS unit built in. So wiring it up is simply a matter of connecting power and the VHF antenna.

If it is powered on then it is capable if making a DSC call and reporting your position at the touch of a button.

That is the kind of simplicity that I want if my family ever had to make a distress call.

If I already had another unit connected to the speedo GPS or a plotter I would be happy with what I had. But starting fresh, I want the built in GPS which can be had for a small premium.

 

[davel501]

The AIS units are cool if you ever operate around commercial shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Hori...-32&keywords=marine+radios+vhf#productDetails

 

[BoaterGuy]

Thanks for all of the replies. I will be boating in the Chesapeake bay and also in the Baltimore harbor where there are a ton of commercial ships. However they are usually not an issue for me.

I'm going to side with @Bruce on this one and go with the redundant GPS receiver radio. Plus it has a pictorial compass! I checked Hodges and it does seem to be 20 bux cheaper than the site I was looking at.

 

[Captbob]

I have the GX 1700 Horizon with the built in GPS. It has so many features that I have not mastered them all. The reason I bought it in the first place was because of the built in GPS. You don't have to worry about connecting to at chart plotter or anything else. It is very simple. I got it from West Marine when they were offering free shipping. You may be able to find it somewhere else cheaper. I also called Horizon with some question on the operation of the unit last season and they answered the phone ( A first in todays world) and were very helpful.

 

[ergiol83]

+1 for the GX1700. Very solid reception, and built it GPS is a huge plus. I hear great things about ICOM especially the 424 and 324 models but they tend to be more expensive than Standard Horizon. In any case, GX1700 is one of the best VHF radio in my opinion. I just bought HX890 (their new top end handheld radio)