Handheld- GPS and VHF

[Playbuoy]

Searched the forums, but most of the threads are dated.
Reason for wanting the VHF Radio is for weather alerts and emergency distress.
Looking at the Garmin GPS 76 and Atlantis 250 VHF. Anyone have these?

[Cheap Thrills]

How about 2 in 1 (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=70699) for less money than you would spend on the pair ?
Chances are the Alantis VHF has a Uniden board in it.
Im not a big fan of Uniden radios. Theres nothing wrong with them but being a ham radio nut I prefer to go with Yaesu or Kenwood. both make excellent radios IMO. Yaesu (http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=JFcrW0QkCRw%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0)
Kenwood doesnt offer marine radios though.
Good Luck
C.T. :wink:

[Panic Button]

The 76 is a good GPS, but if you want to upload maps the memory is small only 1mb. The GPSMap76 has 8mb, the best bang for the $ is the 276, bigger screen, color screen, a ton of memory 512mb for maps and routes.

[KACHINA KEN]

I have this, it rocks
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC

[Parker Dreamin]

I have this, it rocks
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC
looks bitchen... what do those go for ?

[Playbuoy]

just learned that VHF is line of sight only...
On the lakes, that can get complicated (mountains, etc). What do you use in case of a possible distress?

[Knucklehead]

Aflare gun?

[Playbuoy]

How about 2 in 1 (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=70699) for less money than you would spend on the pair ?
Chances are the Alantis VHF has a Uniden board in it.
Im not a big fan of Uniden radios. Theres nothing wrong with them but being a ham radio nut I prefer to go with Yaesu or Kenwood. both make excellent radios IMO. Yaesu (http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=JFcrW0QkCRw%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0)
Kenwood doesnt offer marine radios though.
Good Luck
C.T. :wink:
You know retail cost?

[Outnumbered]

I know VHF is supposed to be line of sight but I have used a 25W Uniden with a Digital brand antenna to call for a tow at Mead. We were at least 15 miles from the marina base station and it was no where near in sight. Cell was not working and the VHF saved the day. You can get the Digital 4' antenna here and the radio deals are killer too:
http://www.marine-electronics-unlimited.com/VHF%20Antennas.html

[Outnumbered]

looks bitchen... what do those go for ?
http://www.marine-electronics-unlimited.com/Uniden+Mystic.html

[boater012]

Just my .02 worth on this subject. I have lots of open ocean and rough water experience and have been around boats my whole life. I've worked on them since I was a kid. I have never been fond of two-in-one or combo units because of one simple reason. If one fails, you lose the other. I'd rather have two separate units, that way if my GPS fails I still have the vhf for backup and vice-versa.
I have made several trips up and down the so cal coast on customers boats. the only time I was in a bad situation was when the combo radar/gps/depth sounder failed on me at 3:00 A.M. I was trying to navigate into newport harbor in heavy fog. Luckily I always carry a spare but It wasn't any fun having the combo unit fail when I was less than 500 yards from the breakwater and then scrambling for my handheld. Talk about a heart attack when I was low on fuel on top of that!!!!! my .02 worth. :cool:

[Cheap Thrills]

You know retail cost?
Click the 2in1 (http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=70699) part of my post. thats the link to overtons advertisement I believe it was 299.
C.T. :wink:

[Sane Asylum]

I have this, it rocks
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC
I have this one also..........He's correct.....It does rock.......

[chub]

I have a YEASU dual bander 2meter 144 mHZ and am looking for a good GPS for the Rhino runs in the desert. What is the good handheld with loadable maps etc.

[Cheap Thrills]

Alot of people are misunderstanding the meaning of "Line of Sight" It generally means line of sight to the horizon in relation to altitude of radiated energy( your antenna). also VHF freq. doesnt normally bounce off of the ionosphere like HF freqs. do However tropospheric ducting, can occur during the advancement of a cold weather front. sometimes carrying the VHF signal over 150 Mi. or in another propagaition phenomina called sporatic E when the E layer of the Ionosphere is flooded with charged particals during high sunspot activity. but back to line of sight it's generally the line of sight to the horizon in relation to antenna height. if you need more range swim to shore and climb a tree :p
distance in miles = √1.5XAf whereAf=height of antenna in feet.
C.T. :wink:

[chub]

Alot of people are misunderstanding the meaning of "Line of Sight" It generally means line of sight to the horizon in relation to altitude of radiated energy( your antenna). also VHF freq. doesnt normally bounce off of the ionosphere like HF freqs. do However tropospheric ducting, can occur during the advancement of a cold weather front. sometimes carrying the VHF signal over 150 Mi. or in another propagaition phenomina called sporatic E when the E layer of the Ionosphere is flooded with charged particals during high sunspot activity. but back to line of sight it's generally the line of sight to the horizon in relation to antenna height. if you need more range swim to shore and climb a tree :p
distance in miles = √1.5XAf whereAf=height of antenna in feet.
C.T. :wink:
Great explanation. chub = KG6AEN

[KACHINA KEN]

I have this, it rocks
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC
$290?

[Outnumbered]

See my link above.....http://www.marine-electronics-unlimited.com/Uniden+Mystic.html