Wanted: VHF Radio

[henryfreston]

After fitting my navman 7100 and using it a few times i have found that it doesn't send a signal very well at all.

Looking for a good quality radio, ideally icom or garmin.

[ShinyShoe]

Why blame the Radio?

Are you sure its not the aerial... or its wiring?

[Copinsay]

I would have said Standard Horizon are fine this time last year, but after really poor support from the service department recently, I'd not buy SH again... the long-ish warranty doesn't count for much IMHO. Would probably go ICOM next time.

[henryfreston]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Why blame the Radio?

Are you sure its not the aerial... or its wiring?

because when I tried to attach the ariel plug to the radio, the socket on the radio twisted (it was only held in place with silicone?!) and this resulted in the wires conneting the plug failing. We took the radio apart and re-soldered the wires back onto the plug and sealed it all back up.

After all that it is still the same and won't send a signal.

Also tries my mates on my boat with my ariel and it worked.

Also I fancy having a better brand than trying to fix the navman.

[henryfreston]

Originally Posted by Copinsay

I would have said Standard Horizon are fine this time last year, but after really poor support from the service department recently, I'd not buy SH again... the long-ish warranty doesn't count for much IMHO. Would probably go ICOM next time.

cheers i will avoid standard horizon

think i want to go icom or garmin, any thoughts on the garmin 100i?

I've got £100 to spend so I am restricted to second hand.

[Nos4r2]

If you're going 2nd hand in my experience the Icom will be a better bet. The batteries seem to last longer before refusing to hold a charge.

[ShinyShoe]

Your 25W VHF runs on batteries?

[henryfreston]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

If you're going 2nd hand in my experience the Icom will be a better bet. The batteries seem to last longer before refusing to hold a charge.

Ok the reason I was thinking garmin is that I have got a garmin 451s and I though it would be easier to wire the two together to use the DSC system.

I forgot to mention, that I am going for a fixed vhf, not handheld.

[ShinyShoe]

Don't think you should have any issues getting NMEA out of a common icom / SH.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Your 25W VHF runs on batteries?

No-I know Henry's boat and due to the layout it didn't even enter my head that he's have a fixed set


I'd still go for the Icom though.

[henryfreston]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

No-I know Henry's boat and due to the layout it didn't even enter my head that he's have a fixed set


I'd still go for the Icom though.

any particular model you recommend or are they all pretty good?

[Nos4r2]

WHatever fits best in the hole you've already got there

[Poly]

Originally Posted by henryfreston

cheers i will avoid standard horizon
.........
I've got £100 to spend so I am restricted to second hand.

We'll before you chuck out the baby with the bath water - most people here generally talk reasonably highly of S.H. I've certainly seen as many complaints about Icom over the years on here.

And if you can get new for your budget (if it fits the space as Nos says). New = warranty which to me would be a major selling point Fixed VHF: Standard Horizon GX1200E Fixed DSC VHF With Softkeys (GX1200E)

[mick]

All my gear from plotter to handheld on my boat is SH had no issues touch wood coupled to a Metz manta

[kerny]

The fixed SH seem to get a better report than the icom's, had mine 3 years and no issues but with the handheld icom's it seems to be the other way round especially the M71 models .

[henryfreston]

I guess I will just have to wait around and see what comes up then, thanks for the replies.

[ShinyShoe]

Have to say I'd probably bight on that that one Poly linked to if it fitted the space. warranty vs no warranty sorts it.

[Wibs]

Henry.

I use a SH handheld, had no problems with it. (Over 2yrs old)

The fixed one Poly has linked does look tempting- however, have you space for an aerial.?

My handheld works for me in The Solent, I'm always in sight of land and usually not far from other boats- with the added assurance that if I do leave the boat- the VHF comes with me.!

Can't think what model mine is, but I believe it was the 1st handheld to have DSC.

Can't comment on the Icom as I've never owned one, but did use a fixed one on my VHF course- and would prob buy one if I had room for a fixed unit+ aerial.

[ShinyShoe]

Wibs - he has a fixed which has transmission issues which aren't related to the aerial. So he's looking to replace it with a fixed...

[henryfreston]

I have now raise my budget

Something is telling me it's not worth going second hand on something so vital.

Now the options are;

- Standard Horizon Gx2000 @ £172.80
- Garmin 100i @ £162.95
- Icom IC-M323 @ £167.96