Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by pederj on 02/01/10 - 1:36 PM

Im considering purchasing a hand held VHF radio for my boat. Im hoping to stay in the $100 to $150 price range. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with good or bad models/brands? And what features should I look for?
Thanks, John

Posted by Phil T on 02/01/10 - 3:49 PM

I would recommend the Standard Horizon HX 850S with GPS. It is ~185.00 but worth it.

One vendor is the GPS Store. See this link

I use this as a backup clipped to my PDF.

Posted by DWinter on 02/01/10 - 3:55 PM

I'd also recommend you make sure it transmits at least 3 to 5 watts or is switchable up to that. Remember VHF is line of sight so the difference between 5 watts and 2 watts can be considerable.

Posted by mattgeiger on 02/02/10 - 5:12 AM

I have a Standard Horizon HX750S VHF. It's by far the most durable HH I have used, and I've used a lot. No GPS, but you're in my neck of the woods, it's not as much of a concern. Come see us at the May rendezvous on Lanier...

Posted by MW on 02/03/10 - 1:59 PM

I have a fixed mount VHF but, use a H/H as back up in my "R.D.B" (Rapid Ditch Bag). I use the inexpensive $50 +/- Midland Nautico model "NT1". It has a difficult menu to scroll through for regular marine "comm's" (prolly why it's inexpensive) but, it does what "I" want it to do (Goes right to emergency channel "16" at 5 watt's full power when turned on). I got the "Bell's and Whistles" pack to go with it for my birthday, so it can use reg. alkaline AA batteries or the "NiCad" batt. pack, headset, charger etc.. The optional "Bell's and Whistles" pack prolly cost as much as the unit itself, and I would NOT have normally bought it but, I got it as a gift, and I didn't want to break any little hearts, and the NiCad pack is helpful (I keep AA's in the bag too).