Advice on VHF Radio

Big Al

Big Al

New Member
Oct 13, 2006
293
Canada
Boat Info
370 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruiser
V-Drives
Westerbeke genny
I have to replace my Ray202 VHF/hailer next year. I went to the local marine electronic shop and they sell Raymarine, Uniden and Icom brands. I wanted to buy a Raymarine VHF since all of my electronics are Raymarine but the salesman is telling me to get an Icom instead. He is saying Icom is superior in communication products VS Raymarine (and any other brands)

What do you think ?

Thank you.
 
On my previous boat (240 DA) I had an Icom. Worked great for three years. Current boat has the Raymarine 215, so far it works fine also... I don't really have a pref. as long as they put out well and clear. If your replacing, get one with all the features you want and one you can see and use easily. Matching your other electronics would come into play for me here also.
 
I think you were given good advice. Raymarine VHFs are notoriously unreliable and prone to failure. ICOM, SEA, and Standard are known for high quality and superior dependability. ICOM and SEA are both expensive, but the Standard Horizon is popularly priced but you may give up a few features the higher priced brands have.

Both my 2nd vhf and handheld are Standard and both have been flawless for many years.
 
Sorry contrary view. The RM 218 is a fanrtastic new digital radio. And I never had any trouble with the RM's I had
 
Always had Raymarine on various boats and never had a problem with any of them. When I bought my 2004 three years ago, the sales guy recommended ICOM. I have two of them and they have been flawless. ICOM is known for quality and has a better reputation than Raymarine, but my experience has been good with both. Autoplilots are a whole different story. Simrad is the way to go on that piece of gear.
 
I've had Standard radios on my 2 preveous boats, which were bulletproof.

Removed the Raymarine (original equipment), and installed a Standard.

Also have a Standard hand held, with a lithium ion battery.

While I'm partial to Standard, my second choice would be Icom.
 
Don't waste money on a Raymarine Radio. The quality is not worth the price. I replaced a Ray 215 with their 220 model on my 260. Neither were worth the price tag. I have been happier with my Northstar and a cheap handheld Uniden. Ray's are okay but not worth the money.
 
I wonder which one this is?
200026010-28-075-1.jpg
 
Thank you all for the information. This will be useful when I buy the new unit.

Still have a few months to think about it.
 
Nehalennia said:
I wonder which one this is?

It is the Raymarine 210. The problem with the radio is the microphone hook-up is right at knee height on the 260 and get's bumped a lot and eventually quits working. I replaced mine with the 215 on my 260. The issue is I had to also buy a new mounting kit because the 210 is not compatible and had to change the hole size just a bit. By the time I had bought the radio for $270 something and the flush mount kit for another $45 - I could have gotten a radio that was just as good for less.
Click to expand...
 
skolbe said:
Nehalennia said:
I wonder which one this is?

It is the Raymarine 210. The problem with the radio is the microphone hook-up is right at knee height on the 260 and get's bumped a lot and eventually quits working. I replaced mine with the 215 on my 260. The issue is I had to also buy a new mounting kit because the 210 is not compatible and had to change the hole size just a bit. By the time I had bought the radio for $270 something and the flush mount kit for another $45 - I could have gotten a radio that was just as good for less.
Click to expand...

I've always had a Standard Horizon, and have had great luck.
Do you have pictures of yours?
Click to expand...
 
I liked the ICOM 504 as well. Only had it one year then sold the boat. MMSI (allows one button distress) and digital calling. I ordered the remote mic. version so that the microphone cord wouldn't hang down over the throttles. They have a really sturdy chassis design and intuitive controls.

Performance of your VHF is probably dependent as much on your antenna as the radio itself.
 
I sold the boat and never took a pic of the new radio.
 
I have a RM 220 of 2001 vintage. It is a great radio and the built in hailer is a feature very hard to match in the current product offerings. I've been thinking of a change up and have been shopping the market. The ICOM 604 is the ticket but at $600 its steep. Perhaps just a new antenna this year.

The upgrade issue on a 460 is the hole size and what can fit the similar profile, but nothing is a drop in replacement.

I have STD Horizion hand helds as back up.
 
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