best budget vhf

I know it's been covered before but as the electronics market changes so quickly was just wondering people's views on the best DSC VHF under say £200.

Obviously will be used on an open RIB so toughness/waterproofing qualities most important!

There is one make that will stand up to Rib abuse and water etc... and it saves you loads of money , throught years of reliable service... it just cant be beaten for value for money ...... ICOM .... nothing else comes close. :D

What about the Raymarine Ray54E any views on this one

to be honest I don't think any of them are waterproof ( weather or not they have been produced to IP67 or whatever the submersible standard is. so make sure that whatever unit you buy comes with a weather cover or you stick inside a watertight box (Hendersen make one)

Whos Hendersen??

Little firm just outside Belfast who are rather big over here, making water tight hatches.
Most of the chandlers stock them, 6" round ABS plastic with o ring to seal to make water proof.

Pete

The Icom 421 I have just bought to replace the Silva S10, S12 and S15 I have had seems to be much better. Ask me again in a few months, none of the Silvas lasted past 4 of them.