"Value" brand instruments or should I keep saving

[Nick2]

\"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

Looking to buy a new VHF and echo sounder and notice quite a price differance between makes such as Silva, Nasa etc and the Raymarines/Simrads/Funuros etc of this world. My boat has been fitted with the latter type branded stuff some of which is getting a bit dated now (VHF and depth).

Am I wise to consider the cheaper brands or are there sound reasons to suggest going for pricier stuff?

Thanks

Nick



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[sailorman]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

i have Icom radio v.h.f.
the rest of instruments Raytheon, inc a/h 6000
all work exceedingly well.
& so far trouble free


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[derekh]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

By the sound of things you are upgrading by choice not necessity. In a few years you may find yoursely upgrading by necessity not choice should you buy lesser quailty brands. Three years ago I bought a cheap radar, having used a friends better quailty one I now know what I am missing. Quality = reliability = safety.

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[sailorman]

Re: "Value" brand instruments or should I keep saving

buy cheap buy twice
but i do have a NASA navtex pro plus
its good for the money but the display srinks in hot weather.
the sooner it srinks again the better!

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[hlb]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

Tother thing is. Looks a bit naff with mixture of makes.

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Haydn

 

[Wiggo]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

Icom only for VHF, IMHO. Never had a moment's trouble with one, and they feel like they'll last, too.

Heard the one about spoiling the ship for a ha'peth o' tar?

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>

 

[Nick2]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

Ok Ok I'm tight......

Nick

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[steverow]

Re: \"Value\" brand instruments or should I keep saving

If it helps, I have a NASA SX35 Fixed DSC which works extremely well. I also have the NASA target SSB RX for WFAX and Navtex which is also a gem.
The NASA clipper range of instruments seem pretty endemic within the industry and so far I havent heard any negative comments. I am considering a NASA NMEA repeater unit for the flybridge.
One of the problems these days with so much "badge engineering" is that you dont really know who actually makes the electronics for these things anyway.
I was suprised to learn last year, when I tried to track down a part for my old R10, that the Raytheon "R" range of radars was actually made by JRC (Japan Radio Company).
I take the point about ICOM radios, they are indeed superb quality, however for a fixed installation I'm not that sure that it matters all that much. In any installation, the antenna system is by far the most important component, and often overlooked.
Low VSWR is important not only to TX and RX effiency but also to ensure that you dont overheat your PA stage. Most marine radios operate to a similar Spec, ie 25W TX Power, Phase modulated, with an RX sensitivity of better than .5uV for 20db Quieting. Obviously they all have differences with the knobs bells and whistles, but in terms of pure RF performance they are really similar. They are mostly derivatives of PMR/commercial designs anyway.

The one area where I wouldnt compromise is with a really good handheld, and for this I would choose Icom every time, becuase of it's waterproof properties, and ruggedness.
Lets be honest, when you've abandoned to the liferaft or tender this little baby is gonna save your life. Keep it charged properly, replace the ni-cads regularly....respect it.

Steve.


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