VHF Radio

[FISH11]

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]

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

[alanw]

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]

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.

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]

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

[alanw]

Yea it's a good deal. They will also have the Elite-5 Gold HDI on sale for $100 off on the 21st. Should be around $470 with the transducer. I might have to grab one finally at that price.

[RookieYakker]

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]

New price won't show until day of sale. Sign up for west marine email list.

Originally Posted by RookieYakker

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!

[EDC]

Yes it's true that it's nice to have a radio and to listen to the NOAA channels and to be able to get in touch with other boats, and a one touch distress signal is pretty cool. I don't want to start an argument and believe that radios are important. I would get a Standard Horizon if I got a gift certificate or a bonus and didn't have to spend the money I would otherwise be spending on other fishing gear. But my phone does float, I get inclement weather alerts through running apps, I can listen to the NOAA channels through a phone call, I don't really want to talk to the boats (but talking to other kayakers would be nice), and if the conditions look nasty I just won't be going out. I just don't trust the West Marine brand and that may just be me. I don't have experience with this radio, but I have had other West Marine electronics that were absolute junk in the past and did not do close to what they were supposed to (faulty wiring, waterproof items not even being water resistant in reality, sloppy tolerance, cheap components,and other small compaints), so maybe I'm just biased. I like the store, and customer service is great, but I don't think their quality is there. If I were buying something important, I would want it to be from a company that specializes in that kind of product, not one who dabbles here and there in a bunch of different types of products. If this one turns out to be a good one and other people are having great results with it, then maybe I am just outdated and should maybe give them another shot (maybe I got the only lemons). But that won't be for a very long time and I would need a lot of convincing to buy that brand again.

With Mr. Sammons, he seemed pretty comfortable about these SoCal waters when I spoke with him. Remember that he has travelled the world in some pretty nasty stuff way way further from safety than the kelp beds or canyons and other normal SoCal spots. Maybe in his experience he has just been through so much crazy kayak fishing that nothing phases him anymore. On his shows though you will see him always wearing a PFD and his VHF even in a small freshwater pond.

[Dannowar]

So you're saying I should just use my cell phone?