VHF Radio
 

What is a good waterproof VHF radio that will last along time for kayak fishing?

standard horizon 851x

WD get the one I was going to loan you the other day i-com the float, but as you know if you get in the water you still need it leashed less they float away, I have two both work great and it has been in the water
a few times....b

Icoms are great, get a floater...


Jim

i also have the i-com and it works great. i'd recommend it, although i'm starting to have a problem with corrosion on the battery connectors... i rinse and dry them every time, but it will be a problem in the near future for sure...

get one that floats for sure. I took my brand new one that I got for Christmas, and did not tether it to myself or my boat and it bumped into the bay while I was at the bait barge. I've replaced it, but make sure you get one that floats.

I found the icom at amazon for 166.00 is this a good price?

http://www.amazon.com/Icom-IC-M34-Wa...5937346&sr=8-1

I've only had mine a month and love it. The only cons so far is the waypoint entry needs some usability refinements and the vhf as a whole is a bit bulky. The dual channel watch is awesome.

yeah amazon price is probably as low as you will find that radio...b

Have you tried putting a layer of grease on the connectors? I think there is a certain kind to use. When I got my used one, the previous owner had put grease on it to prevent corrosion.

Yup: http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/1777--...rease-8oz.html

I was looking at the Icom, but it doesn't really have something to tie it too..? Like myself except for the belt clip

The radio seems to bulky to just have the belt clip on my PFD. I would perfer a radio that i could tie to my PFD or kayak without having to worry about my radio floating away because a boater decided to create huge wakes and have them spash down on my yak.



http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-GMR3689.../dp/B0045EK5TI

Features:

• 22 Channels
• 142 Privacy Codes
• 143 Group Codes
• Group Call – call only the persons in a specified group
• Direct Call – call only one person in your group without the others hearing
• Headset Jack – lets you use an optional headset for handsfree operation (Unit is not submersible when using a headset accessory)
• Radio Name Assignment
• NOAA Weather Alert
• Maximum allowed power gives you the best range performance. Trying to contact someone directly without disturbing others in your group? Use the direct call with caller ID on this radio and you can. The automatic channel change lets you change your group to another channel to get away from interference. The roger beep lets you know when others finish their transmission.
• The FCC requires GMRS operators to have a license. Application information is included in the owner's manual. No license is required for operation of FRS channels 8-14 or any channel in Canada.

These radios look great to use if i bring a fishing buddy along, but it doesn't have any emergency channels, but just wanted to bring the model out because it has a huge loop where you can tie it to the pfd or kayak.

you began by asking about a good marine vhf ,you got all kinds of good advise and now your wanting to buy walkie-talkies? What gives?:rolleyes:

did you go to the store and actually look at it, or just look at the picture online? google is good for some things, but not all... the radio has a lanyard that you can tie to or wrap around or whatever you want... its just like any other lanyard found on point and shoot cameras and such electronic devices... either get a VHF or don't waste your money... walkie talkies are a JOKE. Icom is the best brand and is very reliable. West marine will hook you up... its a cheap very worth while investment and I wouldn't feel safe on the water with out it...

NO

and if it "breaks" you can't walk in and exchange it no questions asked... buy the warranty at west marine.... oh ya, the west marine sale price is the same price, if not cheaper.... even if its not on sale you can still get the sale price. Just tell the sales associate that you had seen it on sale recently and you were interested in the sale price... don't be scared :biggrinjester:

Sweet, i didn't see the lanyard on any of the images. I need to go check them out.

Sorry Dorado, I wanted to make a comparison to the plastic loop on the walkie talkie. This model would of been good if it was a VHF, but the other member pointed out that the Icom actually has a lanyard.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/16885-...vhf-radio.html

the sale price is cheaper... and yes buy the warranty... it makes it idiot proof.

I own this radio and like it. Although Icom does make a better unit... the m72

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...cid=RR_7834856

The 72 is smaller and also transmits with more power. It transmits on a 6 watts setting which is the most powerful VHF on the market. It also has a higher water proof rating. Although it doesn't float. The floating part is a gimmic though. I do not expect to find my M34 if I lose it overboard. If it goes overboard it will probably be when Im not paying attention, and I will never know where i lost it... finding a floating object that small in even 2 foot wind swell would be like winning the loterey... buy the m72 is my recomendation. More power equals more range... but understand this is "line of sight".

The floating might be a gimmick, but i will be indeed looking for my radio in case it goes overboard and that is the very reason i want to tie it to something.

Hey Wd...I have both the m34 and m72 the 72 is not all that much smaller but it is THE radio to have, now, in the event of a water landing, I have installed on my radio a leash, drilled a small hole in the outer portion of the factory clip and used the 99Cent store phone charger or headphone cord, someone has posted the directions in Innovations on the discussion
forum, if you need help with this let me know...b

This is Brilliant!!!!

the leash itself not my idea but making and installing it on the radio, well
it was from "flipped by a whale" post earlier, his radio floated away rendering him pretty much helpless except to swim for it, I decided I would make up the leash for precaution...b
BTW sewer butts on saturday the 5th if you are available...b

I use the Icom M88 coupled with a HM138 speaker mic. The radio is even smaller then your 72 about the size of a cigarette pack, small enough to fit in my PFD pocket and the mic clips on to my vest at collar level so when I turn it on it's always right there ready to use.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpghttp://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp/1363...0c5cb83cc6de7f

Lots of harbor patrol guys and marine professionals use that setup and it's pretty bullet proof.

It's funny but I just a minute ago bought a backup set. I went on ebay to look at prices for the m88 and bought a used working model with mic that was just closing for 72 bucks... :D

You can't go wrong with ICOM, most popular marine radios in So. Cal. almost all the skiff guys use them.

Jim

killer deal

Yeah.... I just lucked out. The mic alone cost more then that.

It was right there closing in a few minutes when I ran the ebay search. I got a feeling he doesn't have the charger (not mentioned or in the picture) but since I already have one it's no big deal on my end.

Jim

I found a better price at defender i hope west marine price matche at the Marina Del Rey store.

Here are the three radios...

I am leaning towards the m34 for $154.00 IPX7 float & waterproof, my co worker who has a boat said icom you are paying for the brand name and to get the standard horizon one hx 751IPX7 float & water proof. The m72 is IPX8.

Looks like all the yakers seem to like the ICOM, so ill buy one on Friday.



Thank you all for your comments and suggestions!








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</TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left><INPUT type=hidden value=2155187 name=ItemId1> http://www.defender.com/images/caution2.gif M34 Handheld VHF Marine Radio </TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left><INPUT type=hidden value=2155187 name=ItemId1> M34-01 </TD><TD class=text>



</TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=middle><INPUT maxLength=5 size=3 value=1 name=Qty1> </TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=middle>http://www.defender.com/images/layout/trash.gif </TD><TD class=sellprice align=right>$153.99 </TD><TD class=sellprice align=right>$153.99 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=sellprice align=left colSpan=7>MAP price: $169.00 - Our Price: $153.99 - You are saving: $15.01 </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=8><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left rowSpan=2><INPUT type=hidden value=2155190 name=ItemId2> 252748
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</TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left><INPUT type=hidden value=2155190 name=ItemId2> http://www.defender.com/images/caution2.gif HX751 Floating HandHeld VHF </TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left><INPUT type=hidden value=2155190 name=ItemId2> HX751 </TD><TD class=text>



</TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=middle><INPUT maxLength=5 size=3 value=1 name=Qty2> </TD><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=middle>http://www.defender.com/images/layout/trash.gif </TD><TD class=sellprice align=right>$134.99 </TD><TD class=sellprice align=right>$134.99 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=sellprice align=left colSpan=7>MAP price: $149.99 - Our Price: $134.99 - You are saving: $15.00 </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=8><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD class=whiteLargeFont align=left rowSpan=2><INPUT type=hidden value=2155195 name=ItemId3> 255868
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You can do lot better then that price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...90527637394&ru

" A BRAND NEW ICOM VHF MARINE RADIO MODEL IC-M72 WITH SPEAKER MICROPHONE MODEL HM-167, NEW IN BOX NEVER OPENED."

$125.00 Buy it now+ $5.00 shipping

You can't go wrong with that.

Jim

Jim,

I saw the auction and i was seriously going to consider it until i read that it doesn't float, i went to westmarine and got the float waterproof radio with their warranty. Now my radio will be protected for 4 years.

I would rather have a warranty on electronics especially if i'm spending 100 dollars or more on it and 4 years is peace of mind.

Now when i am out fishing , i could call out Jim day lead me to some clean waters. Lol