VHF Radio - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

army guy · 06-18-2014, 07:39 AM

Any recommendations for a reliable waterproof VHF radio at a decent price? Make Model Cost?

alfsteur · 06-18-2014, 08:09 AM

I found good deals on Amazon for Uniden MHS75, bought 2. Solid build, small enough to fit in pockets, battery lasts forever. Only drawback is it doesn't float, so I clip it to my pfd.

army guy · 06-18-2014, 08:51 AM

Got it alfsteur. thanks for the tip. I'll look right now.

FISH11 · 06-18-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfsteur

I found good deals on Amazon for Uniden MHS75, bought 2. Solid build, small enough to fit in pockets, battery lasts forever. Only drawback is it doesn't float, so I clip it to my pfd.

I have this model and they work great. It doesn't float but if it's clipped to you PDF what does it matter. I found mine on E-Bay last year brand new for $76 but there are no such deals right now on Amazon the best was $89 and free shipping. That is still a good low price because of the power it has and other features like being able to monitor up to 3 channels.

army guy · 06-18-2014, 02:59 PM

Thanks Fish 11, you guys have convinced me Uniden MHS-75 is the way to go.

alanw · 06-18-2014, 05:24 PM

If you can wait till the 22nd this one will be on sale $60 off http://www.westmarine.com/handheld-v...adio--14078562

momo fish · 06-18-2014, 05:56 PM

Floating, glow in dark, 6W, and a few other neat features. Been waiting for this to go on sale and will be picking it up to replace a lost one. Warranty also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

If you can wait till the 22nd this one will be on sale $60 off http://www.westmarine.com/handheld-v...adio--14078562

IN2DEEP · 06-18-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

If you can wait till the 22nd this one will be on sale $60 off http://www.westmarine.com/handheld-v...adio--14078562

Thats's a good deal for $99!
I like mine
Paid $139 and got the warranty

RookieYakker · 06-20-2014, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanw

If you can wait till the 22nd this one will be on sale $60 off

I followed the link, but don't see the deal. I'm thinking that you found out through the mailing list, but if not, how can I find out about these types of deals? Thanks!

momo fish · 06-18-2014, 08:39 PM

I'm a bit torn about the elite deal. Its on sale cause the CHIRP units are out and the price difference is $100. Yeah the one on sale has navionics card but when I had it on prior unit I didn't find it useful. Decisions decisions

EDC · 06-19-2014, 07:14 PM

I'm just going to put in my 2 cents, and start off by saying that I don't have experience with either model mentioned so far. The first thing I would like to mention is that when I got serious about getting a VHF, I looked at a lot of reviews. The West Marine reviews I saw AT THE TIME were not so good. Mainly the range was pretty short. One guy said he could literally see the coast guard, but couldn't get ahold of them with the West Marine. Had to resort to using his cell phone and didn't get contact with anyone on his radio even line of sight until about one mile away (set on 5 watts). Like I said, I don't have personal experience with the unit, but that didn't settle well with me.

Secondly, when I was at the Fred Hall show, I came across Jim Sammons. I just moved back to California and was waiting for my kayak to get here. I told him I couldn't wait to get out in the SoCal waters but I need to A. get my kayak shipped, and B. get a good VHF radio before going more than a couple miles out. On his show he has always promoted the HX851 by Standard Horizon, so I thought he would try to sell me on that. Nope, he said, "well do you have a cell phone and a GPS? You don't really need a VHF in these waters unless you are going really far out." That blew my mind. Not even one bit of sales pitch. But, as it stands, I felt much better about going anywhere within 3 or 4 miles offshore without a radio. I take my phone (waterproofed and fully charged), an extra paddle and will always watch the weather, and one day when I have a couple hundred to spend on whatever, I might get the HX851, but as of now, I'm not worried. Those words might come and bite me in the butt one day, but I also believe that if it's your time to go...well, you know the rest.

I will end with saying that you should not skimp on your personal safety. A cheap radio is not something I would want to have my life depending on. I am an active Marine and I can attest to how important a good working radio can be. If you are serious about getting a VHF radio, I would not look for what the best priced radio is, I would find the absolute best radio on the market, and do what had to be done to get that one. Just don't go to the local loan sharks. They are worse than the whites and makos.

momo fish · 06-20-2014, 09:01 AM

Radio on sale is rated high by many users on different company sites. I have read other forums and many kayakers also recommended this model.

Yes for the most part you should be able to get service but there are other neg/pos. For me I would worry to much about dropping my phone especially without a floating case which runs from $40 and up. Losing a $650 phone verses losing a $100 radio. Having a one button emergency contact to coast guard verses finding the phone, calling 911 all while I assume the conditions are bad is not ideal or safe. Having the ability to contact other nearby boats is also a plus you would not be able to do with a phone in an emergency. For $100 for my safety it's worth it for me. Coast guard and others all recommend having a VHF radio. Pretty interesting that a guy like Jim would say otherwise regardless if your only a mile out.

06-18-2014, 07:39 AM	#1
army guy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	VHF Radio Any recommendations for a reliable waterproof VHF radio at a decent price? Make Model Cost?

06-18-2014, 05:24 PM	#6
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	If you can wait till the 22nd this one will be on sale $60 off http://www.westmarine.com/handheld-v...adio--14078562 __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

06-18-2014, 08:39 PM	#10
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	VHF Radio I'm a bit torn about the elite deal. Its on sale cause the CHIRP units are out and the price difference is $100. Yeah the one on sale has navionics card but when I had it on prior unit I didn't find it useful. Decisions decisions Last edited by momo fish; 06-19-2014 at 08:39 AM.

06-18-2014, 08:09 AM	#2
alfsteur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 128	I found good deals on Amazon for Uniden MHS75, bought 2. Solid build, small enough to fit in pockets, battery lasts forever. Only drawback is it doesn't float, so I clip it to my pfd.

06-18-2014, 08:51 AM	#3
army guy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	Got it alfsteur. thanks for the tip. I'll look right now.

06-18-2014, 02:59 PM	#5
army guy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 14	Thanks Fish 11, you guys have convinced me Uniden MHS-75 is the way to go.

06-19-2014, 07:14 PM	#11
EDC Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Oceanside Posts: 44	I'm just going to put in my 2 cents, and start off by saying that I don't have experience with either model mentioned so far. The first thing I would like to mention is that when I got serious about getting a VHF, I looked at a lot of reviews. The West Marine reviews I saw AT THE TIME were not so good. Mainly the range was pretty short. One guy said he could literally see the coast guard, but couldn't get ahold of them with the West Marine. Had to resort to using his cell phone and didn't get contact with anyone on his radio even line of sight until about one mile away (set on 5 watts). Like I said, I don't have personal experience with the unit, but that didn't settle well with me. Secondly, when I was at the Fred Hall show, I came across Jim Sammons. I just moved back to California and was waiting for my kayak to get here. I told him I couldn't wait to get out in the SoCal waters but I need to A. get my kayak shipped, and B. get a good VHF radio before going more than a couple miles out. On his show he has always promoted the HX851 by Standard Horizon, so I thought he would try to sell me on that. Nope, he said, "well do you have a cell phone and a GPS? You don't really need a VHF in these waters unless you are going really far out." That blew my mind. Not even one bit of sales pitch. But, as it stands, I felt much better about going anywhere within 3 or 4 miles offshore without a radio. I take my phone (waterproofed and fully charged), an extra paddle and will always watch the weather, and one day when I have a couple hundred to spend on whatever, I might get the HX851, but as of now, I'm not worried. Those words might come and bite me in the butt one day, but I also believe that if it's your time to go...well, you know the rest. I will end with saying that you should not skimp on your personal safety. A cheap radio is not something I would want to have my life depending on. I am an active Marine and I can attest to how important a good working radio can be. If you are serious about getting a VHF radio, I would not look for what the best priced radio is, I would find the absolute best radio on the market, and do what had to be done to get that one. Just don't go to the local loan sharks. They are worse than the whites and makos.

06-20-2014, 09:01 AM	#12
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Radio on sale is rated high by many users on different company sites. I have read other forums and many kayakers also recommended this model. Yes for the most part you should be able to get service but there are other neg/pos. For me I would worry to much about dropping my phone especially without a floating case which runs from $40 and up. Losing a $650 phone verses losing a $100 radio. Having a one button emergency contact to coast guard verses finding the phone, calling 911 all while I assume the conditions are bad is not ideal or safe. Having the ability to contact other nearby boats is also a plus you would not be able to do with a phone in an emergency. For $100 for my safety it's worth it for me. Coast guard and others all recommend having a VHF radio. Pretty interesting that a guy like Jim would say otherwise regardless if your only a mile out.