New fixed VHF.. Standard Horizon GX1850 /2400 or something else..

Fire99

Fire99

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Evening folks,

My old modular Raymarine VHF (Ray 230) has seen better days with one handset now without display nor decent signal (Main unit and lower helm handset all good after a DIY new cable thank goodness).

Anyway, I'm looking at replacement fixed VHF radios that won't break the bank. I've noticed the Standard Horizon GX 1850 and 2400 which both operate remote 2nd hand mics and look good value (the GX1850 notable on price). It looks like I can flush mount the units and I have a space in an overhead panel that should work.. So any thoughts on these two GX's and any other possibilities?
I've considered a more premium B&G V60 but I'm not too keen on wireless 2nd stations. I think I'd prefer to stick to a wired connection..

Anyway, as always any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed..

Cheers,

Nick
 
I recently fitted a GX1850 +RAM mike, quality build, great connector on the RAM mike, very intuitive to set up and operate and surprisingly good audio. Looks really nice flush mounted.
 
I fitted a the GX1850 just under a month ago in the lower helm and have only been out once since so it hasn’t had a lot of use. It seems well made kit with ‘nice button responses etc’ and looks good flush-mounted. I can’t tell you any more than that though. I was in a hurry when I bought mine and I would have bought the ICOM M510 if I’d had more time.
 
GX2150 installed by previous owner. Wise choice - good kit, easy to operate. I have added the 30W external loudspeaker which can be used either as a loudhailer, a microphone (for picking up distant engine noises or signals), or as an automated fog signal with a number of useful signals - much much better than the little compressed air tins. A really useful add-on.
 
mil1194 said:
I fitted a the GX1850 just under a month ago in the lower helm and have only been out once since so it hasn’t had a lot of use. It seems well made kit with ‘nice button responses etc’ and looks good flush-mounted. I can’t tell you any more than that though. I was in a hurry when I bought mine and I would have bought the ICOM M510 if I’d had more time.
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Thanks for that.. Why would you have gone for the ICOM M510 over the SH as a matter of interest?
 
Thanks folks.. They look pretty decent for the money. I have a SH handheld which other than the charging cradle looking like it was made as budget as possible, seems to work well.
Does anyone know the differences between the GX2400 and GX1850? Is it just wireless capability and AIS receiving?
The AIS part I'm curious about whether it's functional enough of on a small screen a bit of a gimmick..
 
Fire99 said:
Thanks for that.. Why would you have gone for the ICOM M510 over the SH as a matter of interest?
Click to expand...

I love ICOM support - they have been superb on a number of communications with them (although I have never had to contact SH tbh). I have the ICOM M94 h/held which has been great as well. ICOM do an AIS transceiver that ties in nicely with the 510 as well which is on my shopping wish list. One feature on the M510 is that you can ‘link’ iPhones to the unit to use them as h/held radios which means that I don’t need to buy another couple of h/helds for my ‘crew’.
 
mil1194 said:
I love ICOM support - they have been superb on a number of communications with them (although I have never had to contact SH tbh). I have the ICOM M94 h/held which has been great as well. ICOM do an AIS transceiver that ties in nicely with the 510 as well which is on my shopping wish list. One feature on the M510 is that you can ‘link’ iPhones to the unit to use them as h/held radios which means that I don’t need to buy another couple of h/helds for my ‘crew’.
Click to expand...
That's really interesting. Thanks. I had a quick look on the ICOM page and it looks a very impressive radio. Especially the mobile phone support..
 
Fire99 said:
That's really interesting. Thanks. I had a quick look on the ICOM page and it looks a very impressive radio. Especially the mobile phone support..
Click to expand...

Its a bit more money but it should last a while and in the grand scheme of boating then it's nothing. Their support is what sells me on their kit - they have never been anything short of 100%.
 
mil1194 said:
Its a bit more money but it should last a while and in the grand scheme of boating then it's nothing. Their support is what sells me on their kit - they have never been anything short of 100%.
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It's funny because in about 25 years of owning boats I've never owned an Icom product. I've always gone with Simrad, SH etc. But I have to say the sailing club I used to be involved with solely used Icom for handhelds and I don't remember ever having anything less than 100% service. I think looking back you used to get a few less features and pay a bit more money. That was probably the leaning towards the likes of SH for me back then.
 
Fire99 said:
Thanks folks.. They look pretty decent for the money. I have a SH handheld which other than the charging cradle looking like it was made as budget as possible, seems to work well.
Does anyone know the differences between the GX2400 and GX1850? Is it just wireless capability and AIS receiving?
The AIS part I'm curious about whether it's functional enough of on a small screen a bit of a gimmick..
Click to expand...
mines connected by NMEA 0183 to the plotter and overlays AIS targets on the plotter charts. Great for seeing what's round the bends on Europe waterways.
 
fred247 said:
mines connected by NMEA 0183 to the plotter and overlays AIS targets on the plotter charts. Great for seeing what's round the bends on Europe waterways.
Click to expand...
Now that's a handy little tool....

I think the only stumbling block I need to overcome is that mounting the VHF overhead, my current command mic os on the right vertical of the helm and the fixed VHF outlet is on the left front so I need to solve the cable dangling in front of the the unit.
 
Fire99 said:
Now that's a handy little tool....

I think the only stumbling block I need to overcome is that mounting the VHF overhead, my current command mic os on the right vertical of the helm and the fixed VHF outlet is on the left front so I need to solve the cable dangling in front of the the unit.
Click to expand...

With the ICOM you can attach the mic from behind keeping it all even tidier.
 
A little thread wake-up but I've just stumbled on the Simrad RS40 Fixed VHF that supports wireless command mics and AIS receive. Has anyone any experience of this radio or even recent Simrad/B&G VHF radios in general?
Probably comparing with the Icom IC-M510 (and possibly the SH GX2400).

cheers,

Nick
 
Fire99 said:
A little thread wake-up but I've just stumbled on the Simrad RS40 Fixed VHF that supports wireless command mics and AIS receive. Has anyone any experience of this radio or even recent Simrad/B&G VHF radios in general?
Probably comparing with the Icom IC-M510 (and possibly the SH GX2400).

cheers,

Nick
Click to expand...
I’ve got the ‘B’ version with AIS transmit/receive. This will be the third season and all works as it should. The wireless mike is great for controlling the vhf as my set is tucked away out of sight of the helm, however when I transmit using it my voice booms out over the extension speaker which is disconcerting so I transmit using the hand mike plugged into the back of the radio and use the wireless mike solely to control the radio. The wireless charging on the wireless handset is a nice feature
 
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