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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

standard horizon c180 and icom 422

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carmelocataudella
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/13/2009 : 12:40:48

i am setting up my new boat (used 1984 - new to me) with a gps and vhf.
i spoke to the gpsstore.com and they recommended these as solid models:

standard horizon c180 gps with 1 card for northeast coastal @ ~ 550.00
icomm icm422 vhf @~ 180.00

i want to mount the gps on a swing arm from near the galley out into the doorway when i am using it because the boat is on a mooring and i want to keep it out of sight when not in use. this will be a winter project as part of rewiring everything.

thoughts? ideas? there are so many options out there and i am new to all of them.

carmelo
84 catalina 25 fk/sr
"cyndy sue 2"
smithtown, ny

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 15:05:29

Icom makes excellent vhf radios. I have two of their handhelds. Defender.com has the Icom 422 for $169.00, but they also have an Icom M304 for $143.00. The 422 probably has some features that the 304 doesn't have, but you'll mostly be using the radio to listen to marine weather forecasts, communicate with other boats and marinas over short distances, and to call for taxi boats, and the 304 will do all those things very satisfactorily. My fixed vhf radio is a Standard Horizon that I bought for a really good sale price. I think the Icoms are excellent radios, and I wouldn't buy an off-brand cheapie, but personally, I'd look for the best price on any of the good brand-name radios.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2009 : 17:36:00

If you don't subscribe to Practical Sailor, check them on line for a reprint of (or borrow )their inexpensive (around $100 - $150) fixed VHF review. You might be suprised at how the brands stack up, including major brands that have more recently joined the marine VHF circus. There are many solid radios available for less than $150. I'm on an assignment away from home, so I can't help you with the article.

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 05:33:18

Our West Marine has a library with past issues of Practical Sailor in it. Check for one in your area; they may have that article that Dave was referring to

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carmelocataudella
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 06:26:49

i will look into the vhf deals. thanks.
any word on the gps? for my situation? so far the standard horizon seems plausible and in my price range. cheaper is better, of course, but looking for opinions as this will be my first marine gps chartplotter purchase.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 08:30:46

We have the Garmin GPSMAP 392 with the US coastal maps. We like it a lot. It is intuitive to use and has nice clear color graphics. I suggest you actually try to get hands-on demos of different units so you can see which one is most intuitive for you to use. Since they all pretty much do the same thing I look at ease-of-use and a larger screen as key factors.

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carmelocataudella
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 10:11:46

thanks. i will go look at a few in person and then decide. i guess i was just looking for direction like "dont get this one because...".
sounds like i cant really go wrong with a name brand.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 11:12:32

I'm sold on Stand Horizon for their reliability and customer service.

First I've been using their radio and remote mike (which I highly recommend)since mine was fried when my boat was struck by lightning about 7 years ago. A very good radio although it's an older model without DSC.

I had to replace my speed and depth instruments, also the result of the same lightning strike. They no longer made the models I needed to replace so they sold me the upgraded versions at manufacturer cost.

Two years ago my depth sounder, because of an error on my part, got locked into the demo mode. My manual wasn't any help but their web site, which is very user friendly, had the manual with appropriate change to get my instrument back into regular working mode.

Although Icom and Garmin are both solid companies making excellent products, I have no experience customer service-wise. So, from that perspective, I'm sold on Satndard Horizon. My next purchase, if my Magellan breaks, will be one of their mid-priced chart plotters.

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 11:42:13

I have an Icomm handheld radio (model m72?) and love it. Recommended by the PO who is a very experienced HAMM radio operator. I swear I could drive nails with this thing if I had to and it would still work just fine. Battery life is incredible.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2009 : 19:44:02

I own three Garmin GPS's and have had to use their customer service twice in seven or eight years. They were great to work with. I was about to go on vacation the first time I had a problom and they were nice enough to overnight a replacement unit before I shipped the problem unit back. The second time they talked me through a problem solving process and got me up and running over the phone.

I'd highly recommend Garmin. I can't speak on the VHF issue.

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2009 : 19:23:50

I don't own any Garmin products, but if you find yourself in Chicago as I did 2 weeks ago, visit the Garmin store on Michigan Ave. 2 floors of of electronics fun and the staff seemed helpful.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2009 : 07:27:08

One other consideration with a gps should be to get one with the widest map coverage as possible. I'm sure I've seen some with coverage of all US coastal waters. If you have to buy separate chart chips whenever you go cruising in different areas, it can get terribly expensive.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.