Waterproof, flush mount VHF?

[TheRealAndy]

Does such a beast exist? I know waterproof units are available but I want to flush mount one in the console and I would prefer the water to stay outside of the console.

Cheers.

[BaitThrower]

The GME GX600 I believe can be flush mounted. I have the GX300 which is the same size/type unit and you can get a flush mount template for that one, so the GX600 should be the same. Apparently these radios are waterproof, but they do mention that the aerial and power connection on the back may require additional protection. But if you are flush mounting in a console, the back should be protected fine... The front is certainly water/splash protected.

[peterbo3]

...........ICOM

[Coontakinta]

NAVMAN, ICOM, GME, they are all weather/waterproof and all can be flushmonted with the right additional equipment

[northernblue]

The GME GX600 I believe can be flush mounted. I have the GX300 which is the same size/type unit and you can get a flush mount template for that one, so the GX600 should be the same. Apparently these radios are waterproof, but they do mention that the aerial and power connection on the back may require additional protection. But if you are flush mounting in a console, the back should be protected fine... The front is certainly water/splash protected.

These units will flush mount, but I have had two with dead screens from [I believe] the heat generated by direct sunlight [over days and weeks], the other problem I find with these units is mould, all over the mic and cable.
I cant say if other units fare any better, but this is my experience with this unit.

[uripper]

GME GX600 are only splashproof....Icom do a waterproof which is the IC-M304 but does not come with a flushmount kit, only with the bracket mount

[TheRealAndy]

Cheers guys. I figure spashproof is fine. If the radio is submersed I am pretty screwed anyhow!!! Its to go in the centre console, facing the stern which avoids most of the unwanted spray anyhow. Needless to say, it will get wet from time to time as does everything in an open boat. As for cables, that will all be in the centre console itself, which is as dry as anyboat will ever be whilst still ontop of the ocean.

Northernblue, how was your radio mounted? Mine will be mounted horizontally, so not facing into the sun.

[peterbo3]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m31/peterbo3/IMG_0454Medium.jpg
TRA.
No ICOM comes with a flush mount kit. It is a pair of brackets that hook onto the sides of the radio & secure it to whatever it is mounted through. Around $30.
Splashproof is meaningless. Your car speakers are probably splashproof but are you going to put em on your boat. If you plan to use your VHF as a safety device, get a real radio with the appropriate submersion rating. ICOM, Uniden, GME & Navman plus other brands are so rated.
Heat is only an issue if the cooling fins at the back of the radio cannot get fresh air & the unit overheats internally. Do not do a box install. Sunlight has got zip to do with it. The pic shows my ICOM in a flush mount through alloy.

[Simmo2]

http://www.vxstd.com.au/marine/gh_1500s.html

[TheRealAndy]

TRA.
No ICOM comes with a flush mount kit. It is a pair of brackets that hook onto the sides of the radio & secure it to whatever it is mounted through. Around $30.
Splashproof is meaningless. Your car speakers are probably splashproof but are you going to put em on your boat. If you plan to use your VHF as a safety device, get a real radio with the appropriate submersion rating. ICOM, Uniden, GME & Navman plus other brands are so rated.
Heat is only an issue if the cooling fins at the back of the radio cannot get fresh air & the unit overheats internally. Do not do a box install. Sunlight has got zip to do with it. The pic shows my ICOM in a flush mount through alloy.

Cheers Peter. The heat thing is not a problem, but i do know that LCD's are susceptable to heat, hence my questioning. Excess heat will make the go black, but they should come good again once they are back to noraml operating temps. Regardless, I am not willing to take the risk.

That VHF in the pic is a big unit!!! I just want a small one that can cop a wave from the front side!

[northernblue]

My experiences,
I had a GX 600 flush mounted into the console of my side console 5m plate barra boat, I kept the boat under cover at home and had no problems with the screen for 6 months.
The boat spent about 2 weeks at my dealer for some TLC to the gearbox, [the boat was stored in the open at the yard] when it returned home the screen was black, totally black.
The screen would clear to a degree [50-60%] but would return to black after being turned off for a period of hours.
The dealers boat [similar type as mine] also had the same failure, and was also stored in his boatyard, in full sun.
Both radios were installed within weeks of each other.

GME denied that there was a problem with their screens, but did replace the units
The replacement unit worked worked fine for 12 months.
When I moved to Brizzy about 18 months ago, I didn't have covered storage for my boat and the screen failed again.

It should be noted that I was originally in Darwin, and the tropical sun has a bit more bite than the sunny coast.

As a side note the GX 600 does not actually say how waterproof it is, it refers to complying with some standard, IP [something].
I think that the unit is waterproof to 0.5m deep for 1 minute or something like that.
That said, I never had any problems with using the hose to wash the entire boat clean, inc using a soaking sponge to wipe the GX 600 itself, before a quick squirt with the hose to rinse off soap.

My new boat, a 23 sharkcat also has one of these units, the screen is ok but after all the rain since Xmas the mike and cord is just a conglomeration of mould...Yuck!!

[QF3 MROCP]

Just remember when mounting the P2P not to have it within a metre of the compass. The magnet in the P2P and the compass don't get on too well with each other.

Peter

[gawby]

Andy,

I don't know if this helps but it is in the latest Whitworths catalogue:-/

Graeme;)

It is a bit hard to read the writing so.

Designed to help ptotect cd and radio cassette [layers from salt water, dust and grime. Comes complete with drop down face and surface mounting bracket foe easy installation on most makes and models. OA dimensions 210mm(w)
x 85mm(h) x 230mm (d).

[Piscatory Pursuit]

It is hard to look past an ICOM. I have had one in a couple of different boats in Florida for over 10 years with no problems. It gets pretty warm and muggy in Florida.

Standard Horizon is another quality brand.

You want a waterproof rating of IPX7 or better. This means it is submersible in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. If the boat is going down and you have the DSC distress call going out automatically, I want it going out as long as the antenna is above water!!! Not to mention in a bad storm when you really need it I want a waterproof not splashproof VHF.

Both ICOM and Standard Horizon models have an IPX7 rating or better.

A VHF can save your life. Not a place to pinch pennies.

Also don't cheap out on an antenna either. You can have the best radio in the world but it is only as good as the antenna.

Both brands can be flush mounted with an optional kit.

[dnej]

Pat ,
That is great information.Much appreciate your input.
Some times we only look at pricing,and dont really know the real details of the unit,unless a lot of research is done
David

[Steven78]

GME radio are made in Australia too thats something to think about. I have had only good things to say about Standard Communications. I did some work on the MNEA standard input on the 600d radios to interface with HumminBird Chart ploters the 600d needed a software up grade for it to work i supplied the RS232 raw data in ASCI format to Standard communication and with in 3 working days i got the radio back. The IPX rating is based on AN NZ standards for Dust and water protection. I have had 2 boats with the AMFM radio and the 600D and 600 and yet to have problems.

[northernblue]

[quote=Piscatory Pursuit;788058]

Both ICOM and Standard Horizon models have an IPX7 rating or better.

[quote]

Thanks Pat thats the rating I was alluding to earlier.

How do you find these models for mould growth?

[Piscatory Pursuit]

Hi northernblue,
I haven't had any mold problems because I have all of the electronics on the boat on a quick release bracket so I can take them off of the boat when its not in use.

I find covered boats and electronics have more mold problems than ones that aren't covered. If your electronics are stored where it is hot and moist and very little airflow your going to get mold.