Alternatives to Raymarine 260 VHF

[Magnum]

Princess fit the Raymarine 260 VHF to all their vessels these days but I'm not a fan. The handset is quite slippery and there appears to be no way of stopping annoyingly loud DSC alerts, specifically those used for routine weather forecasts in the Med.

The only viable alternatives I can find are the Simrad RS90 and Icom IC-M400BB. The Simrad has a wireless handset option which could be useful.

Any experience with these or any others I should consider?

 

[[2068]]

Princess fit the Raymarine 260 VHF to all their vessels these days but I'm not a fan. The handset is quite slippery and there appears to be no way of stopping annoyingly loud DSC alerts, specifically those used for routine weather forecasts in the Med.
The only viable alternatives I can find are the Simrad RS90 and Icom IC-M400BB. The Simrad has a wireless handset option which could be useful.
Any experience with these or any others I should consider?

The Raymarine 260 is interesting if you go for the unit with the built-in AIS receiver. I can see the benefit of less boxes and wires.

With regard to the Icom, whereas the Raymarine plugs straight into Seatalk, the Icom does NMEA0183, so will need a converter if hooked to up other Raymarine kit (GPS, MFD).
Simrad RS90 also has AIS built in, which is good.
Garmin also have the VHF300i and VHF300 AIS - might be worth a look.

.

 

[Pinnacle]

I have always found Standard Horizon to be reliable. They make a variety of models. See here http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/index.php?cPath=173

Perhaps a model with built in AIS transponder plus loudhailer capability might be suitable? Different 2nd station remotes are also available (click the active link on the page above).

 

[Magnum]

At present this discussion is pretty pointless as much to my surprise Princess will not fit anything other than the Raymarine 260 to my 75. Not a great start to the specification process!

 

[Boat2016]

At present this discussion is pretty pointless as much to my surprise Princess will not fit anything other than the Raymarine 260 to my 75. Not a great start to the specification process!

I would ask them to fit wiring, aerial etc and leave ready for you to fit your own if they are not prepared to fit the unit of your choice, shame you can’t specify all what you want at time of order and not complete unless this is met

 

[[2068]]

At present this discussion is pretty pointless as much to my surprise Princess will not fit anything other than the Raymarine 260 to my 75. Not a great start to the specification process!

It's not the end of the world, it's a good radio in many ways.

 

[Magnum]

It's not the end of the world, it's a good radio in many ways.

It is apart from the incredibly annoying DSC alerts for routine weather forecasts. In any case, that isn't the point. I will have the VHF of my choice!

 

[[2068]]

It is apart from the incredibly annoying DSC alerts for routine weather forecasts. In any case, that isn't the point. I will have the VHF of my choice!

It does rather sound as if initially, "No", you will not have the VHF of your choice.
But eventually, yes, you will have the VHF of your choice, if you throw some money and integration effort in to it.
Personally I would see how I got on with the 260, and if it was not too annoying, I would look to spend the money elsewhere. Linking the underwater lights to the sound system? Better Speakers? ...

 

[Magnum]

It does rather sound as if initially, "No", you will not have the VHF of your choice.
But eventually, yes, you will have the VHF of your choice, if you throw some money and integration effort in to it.
Personally I would see how I got on with the 260, and if it was not too annoying, I would look to spend the money elsewhere. Linking the underwater lights to the sound system? Better Speakers? ...

Princess will fit any of the major brands of Nav kit upon request so their VHF position is odd. I have the Ray 260 now which is why I'm looking elsewhere.

 

[[2068]]

Princess will fit any of the major brands of Nav kit upon request so their VHF position is odd. I have the Ray 260 now which is why I'm looking elsewhere.

Maybe Raymarine could issue a patch to optionally turn down the volume of “Securites”.
I get some French ones on the Isle of Wight.

.

 

[Greg2]

Seems odd that Princess would insist on a particular VHF. I would have thought that it would be for the customer to choose - don’t think I would be accepting that on such an expensive purchase.

 

[[2068]]

Seems odd that Princess would insist on a particular VHF. I would have thought that it would be for the customer to choose - don’t think I would be accepting that on such an expensive purchase.

On the other hand, sticking to a set of Electronic options that are “known to work” and are supportable by the warranty team does make sense for the manufacturer, as well as giving a bit more certainty to the buyer that things might actually work properly.

 

[prv]

Princess will fit any of the major brands of Nav kit upon request so their VHF position is odd.

Do you mean that if you specify a Garmin or Navico nav system they will still insist on a Raymarine VHF? Weirder and weirder.

Pete

 

[benchmark]

As a raymarine fan, every instrument on my last 3 boats is of the brand...all but the vhf radio i jave not seen a radio better than the lowrance Link 8.

 

[Hurricane]

As a raymarine fan, every instrument on my last 3 boats is of the brand...all but the vhf radio i jave not seen a radio better than the lowrance Link 8.

Yep - does look a nice bit of kit.
Personally, I'm with Pinnacle - I'm a great fan of Standard Horizon.

However, for Magnum's case, none of these really "look the part" on a great boat like the P75 - and that includes the Raymarine offering.
Although I don't rate the Simrad as a performance set, it does look great on the FB and lower helm.

@Magnum
I think I would try and get them to install a Simrad VHF - if only for the looks.
For me, all the others look a bit "utilitarian".
But, as I say, IMO the Simrad isn't as good a radio when it comes to range and facilities etc.
Best set for range and facilities, IMO, is the Standard Horizon kit.
Indeed - I fitted the cheapest one in my tender.

 

[Magnum]

There isn't space to include some of the models suggested so I am restricted in using a "black-box" solution. As far as I am aware this means the Ray 260, Simrad RS90 or Icom IC-M400BB.

Hurricane, interesting that you feel the Simrad has an inferior range. Surely that is mostly a function of the antenna?

 

[[2068]]

Garmin VHF300i / VHF300 AIS are also "black box" radios.

 

[Hurricane]

Hurricane, interesting that you feel the Simrad has an inferior range. Surely that is mostly a function of the antenna?

Might be the antenna but it is a standard fit.
Just don't seem to get the coverage and as a result I don't rely on the Simrad.
Always have a Standard Horizon handheld available.
Most of the time, we only use the VHF when calling marinas - and a handheld seems to work well in those circumstances.

 

[Magnum]

Garmin VHF300i / VHF300 AIS are also "black box" radios.

Sorry, yes those too.

 

[cruisingsam]

So you are buying a boat for north of £2m quid and they won't let you specify the radio?
I'd be going elsewhere.