VHF RADIO PRICES

G

GIBSON

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Hello All.
I am new to sailing so I have many mnay questions so I'll keep this short.
VHF radio's; why is there such a price dfference on the different makes and what should I be looking for when I buy one. Same question for lifejackets.

My sailing will be in and around Poole harbour and along the coast.

Regards

DG
 
It's like most other things in life, generally your get what you pay for. If you spend some time looking through the forum, you will notice that the fact anything "marine" comes at a premium, it's a built in rip-off. However some of the magazines often do tests on things such as life jackets and vhf radios, so you will need to do some homework. You could buy a basic marine vhf for around £100 and it may be just fine for your needs but someone else may find it not up to their needs. With regards to life jackets, you wont go far wrong if you buy a good make such as "crewsaver". If you are going sailing, you might want to consider a 'built in' harrness attachmnent.
 
Hello, what you are asking opens up many more questions than answers.

VHF radios, very much like HiFi, all HiFi will play CD's, pick up Radio 2 and output sounds in stereo. Where the costs come in is how well they achieve this in practice.

(Personally) I would suggest you should expect to pay between £150 and £250 for a good radio set. You can pay more or less, but in the HiFi analogy less is amstrad and more is Bang & Olufsen.

Respected brands are

ICOM (you can't go wrong!)
Raymarine
Navman
Simrad

Remember when budgeting for the VHF you will need to get a user licence, set back around £75 for the course and cert.

With lifejackets crewsaver is an excellent brand but also quite an expensive brand. People will come on here with questions like how much is your life worth, I suspect many of these people use cheaper jackets on their own boats. As not all of us have bottomless pockets we have to choose what we think is best for the boating we do. I am quite happy with my XM jackets, to which I added thigh straps, lights and mini flares. Still no sprayhoods (latest fashion must have). For jackets have a look at allgadgets

What ever you do, ensure your jackets comply with British Standard 3595 and carry the BSI Kite Mark. You should probably be looking for 150N jackets if you are normal size (not obese or Bruno type).

Which yot have you got? Do you have jackstays fitted?


***usual disclaimers blah blah***
 
You can't go wrong with ICOM Marine VHF (eg: 421). And yes it is worth paying that little extra for the quality. Their software is simply the best, and IMHO, their implementation of Dual, Tri Watch and priority scanning puts the others in the shade. I've had the other main brands on various boats, in the end ripped them out and replaced with ICOM.
 
I've just got the new ICom M505, and am very pleased with it, great for the money especially if you go for the extra remote station bundle.
 
You may find a cheap non-DSC VHF. Spend a bit more to get a DSC one with built-in GPS. Being able to get unskilled crew to press the red button to send a Mayday with ID and position while you're busy trying not to sink is a Good Thing. There are other benefits, but that's the one that interests me.

Life jackets, well, I have fairly basic ones with buckles. They aren't the easiest to put on, but we do it anyway. If you think you won't bother because they're a bit awkward to put on, get something that's easier. You'd be spending a good bit more, but you'll really wish you did if you ever need it and it's in the locker because getting it on was too much faff. Look after them, and they'll last you 10 years or more, so the cost isn't so bad spread over that period.
 
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