VHF Radios - Great Values

[fwebster]

I use a second VHF radio on my boat. Its location on the panel exposes it to pretty much constant sun. The LCD display is now faded and is difficult to read more than the big channel number. Rather than pay for a repair on a 10 year old radio, I decided to replace it with an upgrade to newer technology. I just purchased a Standard Horizon Matrix VHF w/ AIS and onboard GPS (requires no interfacing to a position fixing device thru NMEA) from our sponsor/owner BOE Marine. As Jim Maier, "CSR Admin", posted last week, they have their annual sale going on now, plus Standard Horizon has roughly a 10% (depending on model) mail-in rebate offer until 1/15/2015. My final cost with rebate was 73% of Standard Horizon's minimum advertised price, i.e. the West Marine price.

Standard Horizon and ICOM are the top 2 marine radio brands and Standard has better features, warranty and service. If you need a VHF, this is a very good time to buy.

 

[Boat Guy]

Great post Frank....

I agree SH makes a good radio. I have their handheld that I clip on when running just in case. The HX851 with DSC.

Which unit did you get?

 

[mistercomputerman]

This one?

http://www.boemarine.com/standard-h...f-w-ais-gps-class-d-dsc-30w-black-map-399-99/

 

[MonacoMike]

I have the GX 2100 previous model (no GPS built in, although easy to connect to Garmin plotters) and it is fantastic. You will not be dissappointed in this radio and at a great value too. I can't find the link to Jim"s post about the sale. Here is the link to the SH rebate.

http://www.standardhorizon.com/pdf/8-1-2014_2014_Endless_Summer_Rebate.pdf

MM

 

[fwebster]

Yes. Matrix/GX2200

Since I made my first post, the radio arrived via UPS. I ordered the VHF after 5 pm on Monday, BOE shipped it Tuesday, and it arrives before noon on Thursday. Jim's company and employees do a great job!

 

[Pyrojodge]

Frank, I got the Gx2200 for my birthday this year and am very happy with it. It is loud clear and I pick up coast guard stations in Buffalo and Sarnia clearly from my location. It is a very easy radio to learn to operate. Good find on the sale. I'd suggest this radio to anyone.

 

[TALON]

Very popular VHF... I ordered one my self, should be here next Monday.

 

[peterkvs]

Frank, I put the same radio in my boat last spring and it is excellent. I interfaced the AIS to the C80 chart plotter and it displays the AIS targets on the chart plotter. I just wanted to add that because it has it's own built in GPS that you only have to have the radio on in order to use the distress button where before you would have to make sure that the whole electronics suite was on so that the radio had the GPS NMEA data stream. I am sure you know this. But others might benefit from that tidbit. I love the dual watch feature so I can be on 68 and monitor 16. Helpful when we travel in numbers. The microphone also acts as a speaker which is great when the Cats are wound up and you want to hear the radio, just hold the mike to your ear.

Enjoy,

Pete