Ship to shore?

[Jaheim]

I'm in need of a new radio, and have narrowed it down to the following 5 (criteria was $$$), I'm going to mostly be in inland rivers and communicating with Lock Masters, other boats, and listening to weather reports (I know I know). I'll also be on Lake erie every now and then. I will be getting a GPS unit next and heard that some of these can hook up to GPS units to relay position information...Probably not a huge factor for what I'm doing.

All the bellow radio's seem comperable, and I'm sure it'll come down to brand loyalty rather then features. I've used uniden CB's before and they've always been very reliable. Can anyone say anything good or bad about either of the 5 bellow.

1) Uniden UM415 Black VHF Fixed Radio UM415-BK $123.75
2) Standard Horizon GX1150B Eclipse DSC+ Ultra Compact Class D VHF - Black GX1150B $111.95
3) Cobra MR55B-D Fixed Mount Class D VHF Radio - Black MR F55B-D $108.45
4) Cobra MR45-D Fixed Mount Class D Submersible VHF Radio MR F45-D $100.05
5) Uniden UM380 White VHF Radio Class D UM380 $100.35

 

[Guest]

Re: Ship to shore?

I to have been looking for a VHF radio for some time and my choice was to go with the Lowrance LVR250 for $139.00 as I know from the past that Lowrance has been very very reliable and has always worked well for me. I to has the built in feature of hooking a GPS to it to automaticly broadcast your possition to the coasties when you flip the switch. A must in times of emergency responce. Good luck finding what YOU feel is best for your needs. If you go up to the LVR880 model for $189.00 you can have private conversations with your fellow boaters sa well as listening to thier where abouts over the VHF.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Ship to shore?

All fixed-mount marine VHF radios have been required to have a NMEA 0183 interface for years now (in the US), so all these will connect to a NMEA 0183-compliant GPS.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Ship to shore?

I would suggest looking for the best ant. and having it tuned to the radio. A $10.00 radio will
sound like a $1000.00 one. The best radio in the world wont work properly with a bad ant. match

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Ship to shore?

Based upon your requirements (no chartplotter function) and your interest in an economical approach, I would suggest the HX851 Standard Horizon handheld VHF/GPS. It will do everything you want including broadcasting a DSC distress message with your LAT/LON coordinates, and will eliminate the sometimes complicated rigging of a DSC VHF fixed mount radio with a separate GPS chartplotter. This $220 combo unit http://www.boatersland.com/handheld-vhf.html would be a good start for you, even if you wish to add a separate GPS chartplotter in the future.