where to get the best deal on a vhf and chartplotter ???

[emcm0025]

Hi all,

Got my next boat on the way pending survey but doesn’t have VHF fitted or a chartplotter.

So as the title says I am looking for best places to get a fixed vhf from either on its own or in a package with an aerial and chartplotter with charts, also any makes or models that can be recommended would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any help

Ewan

 

[whisper]

Have a look at MES - advertise in the mags or do a Google.

 

[Pinnacle]

Having looked around quite a lot, these guys seem to be consistently offering good prices.

MagnaCarter has just bought a new Lowrance plotter model 5150C ( I think ) and is raving about it. I am sure if you pm him he will be happy to give you the full sp. I intend to get one for my boat in the course of the next couple of weeks. AFAICR he used jgtech.

 

[Sinbad2222]

Agree but JG tells me he has given up selling Garmin as he says Standard Horizon are better in every way (??). I would avoid Lowrance, with Navionics charts (which most agree are better that Nauticpath) the tidal data displayed is all wrong.

 

[gimmesunshine]

i've used mes and have very very good service from the poole shop, you can discuss prices with them too
i would be most tempted by standard horizon fixed vhf, hand held and their latest chartplotters, all good kit and the cmap max for whole uk is only £100

 

[Kawasaki]

Talk to Martin.
www.malthouse-marine.co.uk
No connection, just had good service and prices.
Plus He posts on ere!

 

[Alistairr]

Personally I'd PM Malthouse on here, ask his advice, i did last year when planning on moving the Sealine to the Clyde, and i also got a very VERY good deal on a new Garmin Chartplotter, also it was very handy speaking to Martin over the phone. Thanks again, Martin.
His site is here: http://www.malthouse-marine.com/

Good luck with the survey, i take it you're going with the boat we were talking about? If so, fantastic, lovely boat, i'm sure you will have great times with her.

Looking forward to the 'New Boat with Pics' thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

Al.

 

[Alistairr]

Is this what you call Lakesailoring?? If so its my first!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am a slow typists you know.

Cheers

Al.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Lakaesailoring rules.

'fraid not, as the original poster didn't thank you for the answer, ignoring Kawasaki who was the first poster of the answer.

 

[Kawasaki]

Ignored again.
Ho Hum

 

[emcm0025]

Thanks all for the advice looks like malthouse has the best of both of everyone’s advice selling Standard Horizon and doing a package.

That boat we were talking about Al got sold before I could get to it, but had a fall back plan haven’t posted about it yet due to "just in case" but if you want to know then let me know can send you a pm

Please feel free all to keep the advice coming


Ewan

 

[Alistairr]

So its not the Searay then, I didn't want too say Searay, 'just in case'.
If you want to PM me, i would be interested to know what you've decided on.

Good luck with it whatever it is.

Cheers

Al.

 

[Alistairr]

Bugger!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[stevieee]

http://www.yachtbits.com/ were the cheapest by some margin for the Fixed VHF and Handheld VHF I am buying. Saved ~£20 on the fixed and ~£2 on the handheld over the nearest lowest prices that could find elsewhere. P&P is reasonable at £5.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this what you call Lakesailoring?? If so its my first!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

According to the Lakeregs it was a Lakesailor, so perhaps congratulations are in order. If the OP had thanked you, rather than Kawasaki, then it would have been a Lakesailor with a Crash.

 

[gjgm]

got the garmin 298 (with sounder) from Malthouse. Very helpful. Re the garmin.. certainly the menu system is much more intuitive than the Lowrance I had. On the other hand the style of map on the Lowrance is more like Admiralty. The Garmin is a bit cartoon-like. All the detail is there, nothing wrong at all, but havent quite got used to the different syle yet.

 

[pks1702]

I had good service and reasonable prices from these guys when I bought mine recently.

http://www.cactusnav.com/

 

[oceanfroggie]

That's easy to answer, buy from USA via internet - it's a no brainer and savings over 50% available even after paying vat and duty to the courier. If you do decide to buy in Europe than MES and Cactus generally have keen prices for the UK. With the $/£ exchange rate so good for sterling it makes sense to buy in US. All the main makes have world wide warranties so the old out dated local service issue is dead! My recommendations are ICOM for VHF and Garmin for GPS Plotter/Sounders and now also radar.

Buying marine electronics retail over the counter is insanely expensive but an enjoyable experience for those in favour of subsidising the golf rounds of owners of retail outlets. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[John_d_Smith]

Didn't know they had a Poole shop, looked on their site too. Where are they?

 

[emcm0025]

Thank you all for the replies, as to buying state side plotters seem to be the same. But are the vhf feqs the same or best to buy that part here?

thanks all again