Shopping for New VHF

Seevee

Member
Dec 3, 2015
238
St. Pete, FL
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2004
Engines
4.3 Merc Twins, Alpha One, Kohler 5kw
All,
Shopping for a new VHF, to replace a Ray 55 that has failed.

Don't need a high end one, but want a good reliable one that I can count on. The DSC capability is nice but not a requirement for this need. However, seems like there's a lot of them that contains GPS and could be used for a backup GPS, which would be nice.

Price range in the $200 to $400, unless there some killer one that has some great features for more.

Recommendations?
 
Seevee, I have used several brands over the years, both hand held and dash units and I must say my favorite brand is Standard Horizon. I recently had to return one to them because my grandson fiddled with the contrast and I couldn't see the screen. Long story short, they fixed it and returned it to me at no charge. That kind of exemplary customer service makes me a customer for life.
 
Seevee, you can find them for all prices. If I were a FL boater, and depending on how far off shore, I would probably want AIS, GPS, and probably NMEA2000 connectivity just-in-case. Standard Horizon, Simard RS35, etc. There are a ton of them out there. ; )

Hope this helps.

Mike
 
Agree on the Standard Horizon for the money Garmin makes a couple nice units depending on how much you want to spend. Just about all new vhf's are DSC Class D, most are NEMA 2000 compatable.
Contact BOE Marine the sponsor of this site.

BOE Marine - Marine Electronics / Yacht Brokerage - www.BOEmarine.com - 866-735-5926
 
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i just bought a standard horizon GX1700. it has the DSC and GPS built in. i paid about $200 brand new and i got a $40 mail in rebate with it
 
All,

I ended up with a Ray 60, fits in same spot and a good basic radio.

Thanks for the input.
 
Seevee,
i am in the same position, my Raymarine 215vhf which came with the boat a 2004 34 Sundancer the mic and cord are gone, i am looking at replacing the whole unit as it is over 14 years old. How do you like the Ray 60 so far. love the idea that it fits in the same spot as i don't want to cut into my dash. thank you
 
Seevee,
i am in the same position, my Raymarine 215vhf which came with the boat a 2004 34 Sundancer the mic and cord are gone, i am looking at replacing the whole unit as it is over 14 years old. How do you like the Ray 60 so far. love the idea that it fits in the same spot as i don't want to cut into my dash. thank you

While the 60 is OK and very adequate for a transceiver, I would have shopped for something more capable for the space it takes up. The previous owner put bought it before I had input, so I never did shop for anything.
 
Had a Standard Horizon GX1700 in my last boat, and plan on installing one in this boat, I loved it.
 
Just had installed a S/H 2200w. Complete install as the old N/S 100 VHF had mic controls and the unit mounted up under the dash.
No comment on usability, but it sure looks purty sitting there in the dash.
 
I think I'm going to pull the trigger on SH HX 870 this season as a back up to the Ray 240 and for use on the dinghy. They've got a $40 rebate on them.
 
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This is what I just installed. Good way to get AIS data to the new screens.

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&DivisionID=3&ProdCatID=83&ProdID=1769

Standard-HorizonGX2200.jpg
 
Just installed the same gx2200 in mine as well. I really wanted the 6500 but sh couldn't give me an accurate eta


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I need a new VHF too... :(

I like the one that bracketracer posted! Thanks! Probably too rich for my blood though. I was thinking about getting a Uniden or a West Marine...
 
i just bought a standard horizon GX1700. it has the DSC and GPS built in. i paid about $200 brand new and i got a $40 mail in rebate with it

I have had one of these for about a year. I am very satisfied with it. I would definitely recommend it.
 

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