Which VHF: Navman, Icom or Cobra?

Tim M · 15 November 2004, 18:42

Im looking for a new VHF radio at the mo.
I'm torn over the following models. Im sure most people will tell me to buy the Icom, but it's the most expensive, and doesn't have DSC...
-Navman 7100 DSC VHF Radio - £165 (is this one waterproof????)
-Icom IC-M401Euro Compact Waterproof VHF - £199.95
-Cobra Marine Waterproof DSC VHF Radio F55 - £114.95

Price and waterproofness are my two key concerns.

I'm also looking for an ariel for it; what sort is best for a RIB?

Louise · 15 November 2004, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by timofengland

Im sure most people will tell me to buy the Icom, but it's the most expensive, and doesn't have DSC...

How about this one: http://www.yachtinguniverse.com/shop/page13.htm

And no, I'm not on commission!

Mark Halliday · 15 November 2004, 18:54

Tim

Have a look at www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7056&highlight=cobra for viwes on the cobra set.

I believe the navman is as waterproof as they get. i.e. 1/2 hour in a deep puddle. Even Jon brooks rates it!

codprawn · 15 November 2004, 19:35

What about the Raymarine - believe it is the same inside as the Navman but looks much nicer!!!

I have totally ruled out the Cobra but choice is between the Navman/Raymarine and the Icom - decisions decisions!!!!

Tim M · 15 November 2004, 19:36

I really like the look of the Navman. The price too is very attrative.

Louise: that's a very nice Icom - I hadnt seen that one before. However, it's got the same features as the Navman and is £40 more expensive (the price of an ariel!!) and doesn't look as nice IMHO.

Does anyone has any experiance of the Navman?

slimtim · 15 November 2004, 19:51

Tim,

The prices on that site are EXCLUDING VAT! Watch out!

I haven't really looked at VHFs before but when i get a hand held one I think i'll probably go for Icom.

Cheers

Tim

Tim M · 15 November 2004, 19:54

Thanks Tim. The doesn't really matter, as I've decided to go for the Navman.

I just relised there is a recent thread on the 7100 on here, and it all sounds good!

£165 including VAT seems quite a good price as well.

Just need an aeriel now!

ashbypower · 15 November 2004, 19:57

IMVHO ICOM win every time, on quality and service. We run 2 and just doing adeal on our third.

By the way we are not and never have been connected with ICOM !!! (Free baseball cap Jon?

)

Brian

Rogue Wave · 15 November 2004, 22:58

I would never buy another Icom product as i have had a couple of failures with the ones I have had and I don't want to use em anymore. To this end we have fitted a new Navman 7100 and our repaired Icom 503 euro on the same boat and we will see which one fails first.

What usually happens now is Jon Brooks gives me a good slagging !

Daniel TD5 · 15 November 2004, 23:32

tim go to the boat show in jan sure you will find a good deal to be had
go on thursday night get in cheap

dan

Mike Martin · 16 November 2004, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

tim go to the boat show in jan sure you will find a good deal to be had
go on thursday night get in cheap dan

Yep and most dealers are pi**ed!!

Mike

Bilge Rat · 16 November 2004, 11:50

Eventually anything that goes near the sea or in it fails, its a fact of life so deal with it, Navman, Icom buy whatever you like they will all eventually fail......what you really need to consider is the level of after care service with each set you buy !!!

Jon Brooks · 16 November 2004, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

What usually happens now is Jon Brooks gives me a good slagging !

Stuart

I think it is past that now.

All I was doing was giving the full facts rather than just "Icom are crap"
Would look a bit one sided and I would be neglegent in my job if I did not.
If I felt it was a true failing of the kit I would back you 100%.
Those that have had gen problems and gen failing of the kit I have bent over backwards to help.

I am sorry you had a bad experience with out kit.
I am sorry that it will stop you buying Icom again.
All our customers are valued by us.

Navman is good kit to, I can't fault it.

If someone say's "Stuart breaks everything he touches"

You will defend your corner too.

Regards

gingercoastie · 16 November 2004, 12:30

In support of Jon, I am very hapy with my 2 Icom Radios and will definatly buy another.

MeMe · 16 November 2004, 14:03

.......can someone give me a pointer as to what might be causing my vhf to power up ok (all lights lit etc) however it's not transmitting or receiving. It's a fixed Icom M401 with external antenna. All connections look good (ariel - power - earth) etc

David Hickman · 16 November 2004, 14:29

I am just reading you reply Me Me which was posted at 1503 but the time now is only 1428? Am I loosing the plot or are we in a different time zone on ribnet??

MeMe · 16 November 2004, 14:36

..........a different time zone as the time now is 14:36 by my watch.

Ah - figured it out, my time zone was set incorrectly.

Bilge Rat · 16 November 2004, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMe

..........a different time zone as the time now is 14:36 by my watch.

Ah - figured it out, my time zone was set incorrectly.

Must be a Northern thing

Daniel TD5 · 16 November 2004, 17:38

i have the icom IC-M1EURO V i got second hand from a ribnet member
sorry jon could not aford a new one

it works with out fault its a credit to some thing that has been used all its life
and then can be passed on to us poor lot for more use and the serial end in 95 so is it a 1995 unit

by icom you won,t regret it

i think cobra make that nice beer you get down the local curry house

its very nice

dan

Tim M · 17 November 2004, 18:11

The Navman came today. I've just finished putting it in. It looks like a nice piece of kit. Only thing I can find wrong with it so far is the "dust cover". This just seems to slip off when I try and put it on. There's no clip or ridge to hold it in place, and with a very smooth surface theres not enough friction to hold it.

Oh well, I will see how it fars when I take it out to sea!