Interesting VHF radio deal

[Brian Nystrom]

I received a sale notice from West Marine that included this radio:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=7567019&langId=-1&cid=E110301_Start-Stop

I can't vouch for it personally, but the specs look really good, the warranty is excellent, the fixed price post-warranty repair is very reasonable and the price seems like a bargain. If you're in the market for a marine VHF, it's certainly worth considering.

[bbjorn]

For just a few bucks more (I found it for $151 at this dealer: http://www.marine-radio-store.com/standard-hx850s-vhf-hand-held-dsc-with-gps.html) you should check out the Standard Horizon HX850S, which I bought last year and highly recommend. It has all the features you'd expect in a VHF handheld plus DSC capability and basic GPS. If you don't know about DSC, see the link below.

The HX850s is the earlier model of Standard Horizon's current model, the HX851s, which sells for a lot more. The primary difference between the two is extra GPS features on the latter which I didn't care about. The HX850s's main selling feature is the new DSC (Digital Selective Calling) technology -- a giant step forward in terms of maximizing the chances of saving your bacon in a dire emergency. Some advantages of DSC over a standard voice transmission: a pre-programmed digital mayday call will automatically send your GPS coordinates along with your boat description to the Coast Guard via channel 70, there's a significantly greater transmission range due to a network of tall USCG receiving towers recently completed along the entire US coastline, and digital transmission has a 15% greater signal strength than non-digital (voice). As soon as the digital call is received either by the Coast Guard or another boat, verbal communications will begin.

The only drawbacks to this radio that I'm aware of are that, like all floating radios, it's a bit large, and the battery life is just 8 hours, so it's not a good choice for multi-day trips. But it does fit easily into the radio pocket on my PFD.

For more info on DSC:

http://a0701408.uscgaux.info/pages/Articles/DSC-VHF.htm

Blaine

[efkirton]

I received a sale notice from West Marine that included this radio:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=7567019&langId=-1&cid=E110301_Start-Stop

I can't vouch for it personally, but the specs look really good, the warranty is excellent, the fixed price post-warranty repair is very reasonable and the price seems like a bargain. If you're in the market for a marine VHF, it's certainly worth considering.

West Marine in Woburn is moving and the vhf 150 referenced is offered at a 75% discount! I just purchased it for $34.50 tax included. thanks for the tip