Recommendations for a vhf handheld - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Hunters Pa · 11-24-2014, 05:01 PM

Check out a couple that meet the basic criteria - floats, waterproof, budget. Then go with the one that is most intuitive to use

Chops6531 · 11-24-2014, 05:32 PM

I just saw a radio that's on sale at west marine....it's the vhf85...would that be a good radio?

ful-rac · 11-24-2014, 05:39 PM

Go with standard horizon.

Cbad Mike · 11-25-2014, 02:00 AM

Mongo Johnson · 11-25-2014, 05:02 AM

Find West Marine videos on features to get a baseline for what's available. Read their reviews. See what's said on Amazon for user input.

Consider getting DSC as it's on less expensive units these days. It will kick up the price a tier since it requires the unit to have GPS to pinpoint your location primarily. As an emergency features it's valuable.

Lots of threads discuss its value.

Then consider practical things like battery life, size, floatable... Standard Horizon, Uniden, and Icom seem to lead in popularity.

pbb · 11-30-2014, 03:57 PM

So I know everyone recommends West Marine for warranty support.

Their website listing for the HX150 lists "Warranty: Three-year waterproof, $65 flat rate"

Any experience dealing with them on this? The HX150 owners manual describes a "flat rate" limited lifetime warranty. So one possible interpretation is that there is a three-year waterproof warranty, and then the limited lifetime $65 flat rate warranty.

I would be hesitant to buy something that had a waterproof warranty that would cost me $65 (or about 65% of the list price) for service.

Can anyone confirm that West Marine would replace a unit (at no additional cost) within 3 years with water damage?

(I am just making sure I understand the warranty before I plunk down any money, or make any choices about which radio and where to buy)

BTW, anybody put their radio in a waterproof case to be double protected?

bubblehide · 11-30-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongo Johnson

...

Consider getting DSC as it's on less expensive units these days. It will kick up the price a tier since it requires the unit to have GPS to pinpoint your location primarily. As an emergency features it's valuable....

Several of the new radios come with DSC or what ever the particular manufacture decides to call it. It is a feature that when you press a specific button intended for emergency situations (when you have or witness an emergency), it transmits your exact GPS location, and allows you to transmit verbally. Anyone with a radio that has this feature receives your location, instantly. This allows for anyone with this feature, to almost instantly know where you are in respect to their location, shortening the time it takes for others, boaters, Coastguard... to respond and provide assistance. And, often times, time is of the essence. How much is your life worth?

radastaff · 11-30-2014, 04:33 PM

west marine
standard horizon
mines been goin strong for 10 years or so
just needed a new battery few years back

11-24-2014, 05:39 PM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Go with standard horizon. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

11-25-2014, 02:00 AM	#4
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	__________________ [SIGPIC]

11-25-2014, 05:02 AM	#5
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	Find West Marine videos on features to get a baseline for what's available. Read their reviews. See what's said on Amazon for user input. Consider getting DSC as it's on less expensive units these days. It will kick up the price a tier since it requires the unit to have GPS to pinpoint your location primarily. As an emergency features it's valuable. Lots of threads discuss its value. Then consider practical things like battery life, size, floatable... Standard Horizon, Uniden, and Icom seem to lead in popularity. __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.

11-30-2014, 03:57 PM	#6
pbb Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 149	So I know everyone recommends West Marine for warranty support. Their website listing for the HX150 lists "Warranty: Three-year waterproof, $65 flat rate" Any experience dealing with them on this? The HX150 owners manual describes a "flat rate" limited lifetime warranty. So one possible interpretation is that there is a three-year waterproof warranty, and then the limited lifetime $65 flat rate warranty. I would be hesitant to buy something that had a waterproof warranty that would cost me $65 (or about 65% of the list price) for service. Can anyone confirm that West Marine would replace a unit (at no additional cost) within 3 years with water damage? (I am just making sure I understand the warranty before I plunk down any money, or make any choices about which radio and where to buy) BTW, anybody put their radio in a waterproof case to be double protected? __________________ 2008 Olive Hobie Revolution 13

11-24-2014, 05:01 PM	#1
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	Check out a couple that meet the basic criteria - floats, waterproof, budget. Then go with the one that is most intuitive to use

11-30-2014, 04:33 PM	#8
radastaff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 314	west marine standard horizon mines been goin strong for 10 years or so just needed a new battery few years back