Which are the better VHF radios?

[marto78]

I had a GME previously which wasn't too bad and am now running a Cobra but think I would be better off with a loud haler.

I have heard people say that Icom and Standard Horizon are good. Are there any models that are better than others or any other brands I should take a look at?

Budget is between $300-$400.

Cheers
Marto

[honda900]

Marto,

a lot of guys have Icoms installed, not to many bad words to be heard.

regards
HOnda.

[Dicko]

Icom are well regarded. GME have used before & no probs. About to buy another.

Wouldn't touch Lowrance again. (which is the rebadged Navman). Had one in last boat thinking it would hook uo to a HDs10 easier being all lowrance & it didn't. Besides that the radio was woeful for range & clarity.

[SatNav]

1. With a budget of $300-400 then you have little choice other than to stick with the generic off the shelf VHF units.

2. If you were actually serious re "better" VHF radios then you would need to start looking at units like Tait, Motarola etc

[trymyluck]

Most problems that I've had with vhf radio's have all been related to the antenna.

[2IC]

yea I have an Icoms VHF & my only problems with it have all been antenna related,, so when buying your VHF just make sure you get a good aerial with it

[Apollo]

I asked Grandmarlin the same question when I was looking at fitting one to my boat - his answer - ICOM, so that was the way I went. No regrets

[myusernam]

stadard horizon and cobra are cheap american brands. For nearly the same money you can get a uniden which are pretty good IMHO
Icom significantly dearer.
Check out price of imported uniden (just change to international mode in settings for use in AUS)
Landed my last one for $140

[justlovefishing]

Will be fitting Icom to my boat when it goes back into the water. we use these in the coast gaurd boat and they are brillant

[nathan dumschat]

I have just fitted a GME to my boat. I can talk to friends at Mooloolaba from inside my shed in Gympie with a little 600 mm long antenna. Got to be happy with that and on special at BCF for under $200

Nathan

[johncar]

The ICOM's are no doubt a good make but may be a bit out of that budget from when I looked last. In that price range around $320, both my boats have the Garmin 100i and I am pretty happy with them so far. Very clear sound and nice large numbers and display, good scanning functions etc. No problems with transmission or reception and I also have them connected to my GPS's via nmea 0183 and use the DSC calling function which works well.

[bluefin59]

My icom m304 imported from the states was way less than $200 delivered about 3 yrs ago ,great unit with good range ...Matt

[thelump]

I have an Icom. Seems to work pretty well.

[marto78]

Thanks for the replies guys, it seems the Icoms are regarded highly by most so that is what I will be getting by the looks of it. I've just had a quick look online and the M504 looks good especially since it has a waterproof rating of IPX8 (submersible) which can't be a bad thing in a centre console that's in the weather 24/7.

Now does anyone know of any Australian retailers who sell this model at a reasonable price?

Cheers

[thelump]

Marto I bought mine from trymax at a good price but I think it was a superceeded model.