Fixed VHF

[Nasher]

Talk to me about Fixed VHFs.

They’ve obviously moved on a bit since I fitted the Navman 7100 to my RIB 14yrs ago, and now it needs replacing I’m deciding what to buy.

Nothing fancy, @£200.

My main decision looks like it revolves around internal GPS or not.

I don’t need internal GPS as I can NMEA it to my chartplotter, but it would seem like a really good idea to have it as if I’m in enough trouble to hit that DSC button my chartplotter may be down.
I suppose not having to NMEA it to my Chartplotter is also one less cable in the console.
Or do you do it anyway and have both?

Although the boat lives under a cover it would be nice for it to be as weather and water proof as possible.

I’ve no brand loyalty, I can obviously use NMEA or even Seatalk to get it to talk to my C120.

I’ll probably also need another antenna, but will go for another Rib raider unless something else has taken over recently as the RIB go to Antenna.

Who’s got the best deals on at the moment?

Thanks

Nasher.

[TimB]

I put a Standard Horizon GX1700 on my RIB, think it is now called the GX1800. Waterproof,DSC, in built GPS, has a compass screen, so can be used for a back up navigation system. Also it is small for a fixed VHF so does not take up too much console space. Very pleased with mine.
https://www.standardhorizon.com/inde...3&isArchived=1

[TimB]

https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/Sta..._E.html#SID=80

£209 at Seamark nunn

[Nasher]

Thanks TimB

Strangely enough, since my post earlier I had found the GX1800 and GX1850GPS at my local place, The Marine Superstore:

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/mar...0-vhf-with-gps

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/mar...-gps-nmea-2000

I'm thinking that maybe the extra £30 would be worth it for the 1850 so it's a bit future proofed being able to talk NMEA 2000 as well as 0183.

Nasher.

[GuyC]

I think all fixed VHF's sold now must have a GPS receiver.

I'd certainly recommend getting one with NMEA 2000. It makes life a lot easier if you are trying to link it with a chartplotter, AIS etc.

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I think all fixed VHF's sold now must have a GPS receiver.

I'd certainly recommend getting one with NMEA 2000. It makes life a lot easier if you are trying to link it with a chartplotter, AIS etc.

Yes, it's now a requirement for all class D DSC sets to have built in GPS. Any still for sale without will be old models.

Nasher, something else to consider is AIS. For a few more quid you could get one with a built in AIS receiver that will then feed the AIS info back to your (compatible) chart plotter and show other vessels on your chart. If you buy a Standard Horizon set and need the flush mount kit I've got a brand new one surplus to requirements sat here - yours FOC if you want it.

[Chanchan168]

I’ve got the Simrad Rs20 linked to my Go7 via n2k. My fusion and fuel meter is all linked via nmea2000, so I agree it pays to future proof.

Got all mine from Cactus Nav

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Nothing fancy, @£200.

Originally Posted by Nasher

I'm thinking that maybe the extra £30 would be worth it...

Nasher.

Originally Posted by Tim M

For a few more quid you could get one with

Ahhh the world of man maths and boats!

[Nasher]

Thanks Guys.

Yes it appears that all sets have GPS, but the lesser price ones need to have an external antenna attached, whereas the more expensive ones don't because it's built in.

Everything else on the boat is NMEA 0183, which works well for me, and I'm used to working with it and connecting it up, but yes I agree MNEA 2000 would be a good to have in case I change my Chartplotter soon.

I'll be adding my new to me Opti 225 Smartcraft system into the NMEA network as well, and that's certainly 0183 only.

Thanks for the offer Tim, I'll see how it goes.

Nasher.

[ShinyShoe]

External GPS... Not needed on a RIb normally.. useful in a steel hulled boat...

[Chris Caton]

i've fitted two of these icom m330ge sets, neat and easy to fit and setup, smallest icom set👍

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Icom/I...pact-Model/9YC