Need a new Fixed VHF

stul · 19 March 2017, 00:18

hi Advice Please
Need too upgrade dive club boats with new Fixed VHF radios and electronics also Chart plotter and Sonar for wreak hunting
What is good and not overpriced
Need 2 of each

Pikey Dave · 19 March 2017, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by stul

hi Advice Please

Need too upgrade dive club boats with new Fixed VHF radios and electronics also Chart plotter and Sonar for wreak hunting

What is good and not overpriced

Need 2 of each

Personally I would only ever fit Icom radios.

pumpmanphil · 19 March 2017, 14:31

Icom 4 me 2 [emoji106]

Mollers · 19 March 2017, 14:33

Raycom tends to be the preferred 'brand' for the commercial user.

Cheap it ain't.

pumpmanphil · 19 March 2017, 14:33

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lakelandterrier · 19 March 2017, 18:36

For me Icom or SH for fixed VHF, Garmin for the plotters. Just MHO.

Might well depend on what deal you can get on a bulk order.

LT

Phil M · 19 March 2017, 22:22

I have a lowrance link 8 and Garmin echomap 50dv. Radio is great and the ais is a real bonus. The dv scanner is fantastic for wreck hunting. Is almost photo like and a real step up from the traditional sonar. You can make out leaves on seaweed, it's that good a definition.

Phil M

office888 · 20 March 2017, 00:35

Standard Horizon's new GX6500 has GPS and an AIS transceiver integrated.

stul · 20 March 2017, 10:47

Thanks sounds interesting, can you let me have the detais please, model No ect details would be great eco sounder of that detail would be great
Thanks Stuart

Mextli · 20 March 2017, 12:09

For a VHF only ICOM will do. I own a IC-423G and it is a very good VHF.

Doesn't do AIS but I'm on a 4M Searider so AIS would be an overkill anyhow.

office888 · 20 March 2017, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by stul

Thanks sounds interesting, can you let me have the detais please, model No ect details would be great eco sounder of that detail would be great
Thanks Stuart

Panbo: The Marine Electronics Hub: Standard Horizon GX6500: a loaded VHF radio also integrated with Class B AIS

Phil M · 20 March 2017, 14:34

PM sent

Poly · 20 March 2017, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mextli

For a VHF only ICOM will do.

Although in reality Standard Horizon will do just fine too, and actually Lowrance, Raymarine and Garmin all make perfectly credible radios that will interface nicely with their sounders/plotters. As presumably lots of people will be using this - I'd suggest you want the most intuitive user experience you can - nobody is going to be reading the manual.

GuyC · 20 March 2017, 21:43

I've got an ICOM M400BB which is the black box radio with the box hidden in the console and all the controls on the microphone. I didn't have the space to fit a 'normal' radio on the console. It seems to work very well and you can just unplug the microphone.

Daniel · 20 March 2017, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Raycom tends to be the preferred 'brand' for the commercial user.

Cheap it ain't.

Is this raycom a new blend of Raymarine and Icom ?

stul · 21 March 2017, 10:43

With a dive club BSAC12 we get a lot of new guys girls trying the boat out ,and learning of electrics usealy goes word of mouth,after some one sets it up
Yes not many read what they should

Pikey Dave · 21 March 2017, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Although in reality Standard Horizon will do just fine too, and actually Lowrance, Raymarine and Garmin all make perfectly credible radios that will interface nicely with their sounders/plotters. As presumably lots of people will be using this - I'd suggest you want the most intuitive user experience you can - nobody is going to be reading the manual.

I've had very poor experience of Raymarine radios in the past, went through 3 on the last boat & then fitted an Icom m323.

Daniel · 21 March 2017, 11:14

Icom is the VHF of choice for most leisure users, even high end and entry to mid level commercial. Serious commercial use is always sailor.

j.i.wilson · 21 March 2017, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mextli

For a VHF only ICOM will do. I own a IC-423G and it is a very good VHF.

Doesn't do AIS but I'm on a 4M Searider so AIS would be an overkill anyhow.

Sorry. Disagree with comment regarding A IS. It's always a good thing to know what is around you. AIS helps you so this should the visibility clip down. Do agree there's no need to broadcast AIS - but receiving is desirable, especially in busy sea ways. Not only does it allow you to see where others are - it also allows you to call them direct via their MMSI number.

office888 · 21 March 2017, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.i.wilson

Sorry. Disagree with comment regarding A IS. It's always a good thing to know what is around you. AIS helps you so this should the visibility clip down. Do agree there's no need to broadcast AIS - but receiving is desirable, especially in busy sea ways. Not only does it allow you to see where others are - it also allows you to call them direct via their MMSI number.

AIS transceivers these days are a lot cheaper than radar. They guarantee visibility so you don't get run over by a container ship or tanker (my biggest fear in Charleston!).