VHS DSC ... and Hello

Firstly hello too all. I must say this site is a wealth of information and very interesting to browse.

Suppose you have heard the VHF question numerous time, so sorry if its repetitive drool.

I have a Shetland Alaska 500 used purely for sea fishing, the present VHF radio on the boat is many years old, still functions fine, but it's time I invested in a new radio.

I have a Garmin chartplotter 232 ... basically I would like to link this chartplotter to a DSC radio and use the functions available with this set up. I'm on a budget "argh" and understand that I'm going to be limited to what is available to me.

I have been looking around at what's on offer and if possible would greatly appreciate some advise as too what would be best for me, DSC VHF radio wise ... I stumbled across this website and noticed some budget radio's ... http://www.redcar-fish.co.uk/subcat.asp?parentcategory=63&category=Fixed

I was considering one of these radio's ....

Standard Horizon 1500E DSC Fixed VHF
£114.99 IN STOCK
Price: £114.99


Icom IC-M411 DSC/VHF Transceiver
£119.99
Price: £119.99


M-TECH MT500 Class D DSC Marine VHF
£105.99
Price: £105.99


Nexus NX 2000 Marine DSC VHF
£129.99


I would like the benefit of text messaging to other boats and the safety aspects by linking it into the Garmin 232 chartplotter, any help much appreciated indeed .... cheers

Welcome Hoggy

Icom or Standard Horizon would be my choices. Both are good products from well respected brands. I'm getting the SH to go on my next RIB and already have a handheld from them. Nice kit :thumbs:

My Raymarine is out in all weathers and yet works fine - nice bit of kit!!!

Icom or Standard but clealy Standard should be the first choice!:D

I would discount all the others as they only have a one year warranty, both the Icom and the Standard have three.

The Standard has a bigger and clearer display also bigger chunky controls.
Both of these are very important, IMHO, in an open, small boat.

Also the Standard will come with a dust cover and the flush mount kit already in the box, Icom does not have a dust cover and the flush kit is about £20.

The Standard has NMEA in and out, I think the Icom is only in. With most Garmin units they have DSC in them. This means is you recieve a DSC Distress call or the answer to a DSC Position request the Garmin will automatically show this on the screen. The larger Icom units, M505 and M603 have this function. The M421 did not as was sure the M411 does not either.

With DSC you can not text message other vessels. Only alert them with out the need to set the call up using voice.

Hope that helps a bit.

Well the consensus appears to be the Standard Horizon 1500E DSC Fixed VHF .... I asked for information and I've got it, and I'm going to heed you're advise guys ... so its a Standard Horizon 1500E DSC Fixed VHF.

Cheers for the help, I'll probably order one from Redcar Electronics, I've heard some good reports from them, apparently friendly and helpful, that's good enough for me.

After I've sorted out the VHF Radio, I'm going to get hold of a new Fishfinder, hopefully a colour model with a larger screen ... the one on the boat is getting old, much like me .... cheers for the info guys, much appreciated.

why not order from jono brooks as he deals in them and he has given a lot of advice on this site free to everyone , and always very polite, not smart comments to people who just log on for advice

why not order from jono brooks as he deals in them and he has given a lot of advice on this site free to everyone , and always very polite, not smart comments to people who just log on for advice Jon can't sell 'em direct - otherwise he'd put all his dealers out of business!

Mike is spot on.

I dont sell direct, only to dealers like his good self.
In the interest of fairness you could also try Jimbo or Malthouse on here.
Both are dealers for us.

I am just here for advice, help oh and the Craic!!!!:D

All the best

Spoke to Mike on the phone .... 48hours later a brand new set arrived .... extremely pleased with the service I got from Mike ... highly recommended, will certainly use him again (Fishfinder)