VHF-GPS

I need to get a VHF radio and a GPS would be nice too; I noticed the Uniden Mystic combination mapping GPS-VHF. Anyone have any experience with these?

I don't have experience with that combo unit but my gut tells me combining 2 pieces of safety equipment in one box might no be a great idea. I have a Garmin Sportrac GPS that works well. Nothing really fancy but I can find my way home with it and it is water proof. It spent a few hours soaking in my cup holder during my last Moss trip and it was no worse for wear.

Granite,

I need a radio too. I have the Garmin GPS and it works great.  It too is water proof like Bills. I keep it in a floatball pouch for electronics.  I don't have a VHF and need to get one.  Let me know what you are looking at getting. I don't want to spend to much.

Jason

I love my VHF.

I have an Icom M72.

http://shop.sailnet.com/product_info.php/products_id/29730

It's kind of pricey - they retail at a little over $200, but I found one on the internet for $175, then brought the ad to West Marine and they price matched it.

The guy at West Marine said he went to a trade show and the Icom folks had this model in a display case underwater and would pull it out and use it whenever somebody asked about it.

I've been using the Mystic for a couple years now and I love it.  Yeah, it would be a safety bummer for that trip if I lost it, but I'm real careful and appreciate 'one less thing' on the yak.  I keep it buttoned into the pcket of my pfd when not in use.  Sometimes if I'm using the gps for extended periods, I'll place it in the cupholder with a safety line attached.  I always have a few extra safety lines with clips in my tackle box.

I had the 'blue nav' software installed on it because the maps it came with were pretty useless.  It's pricey, but for my pruposes, it's perfect.

Hope this helps your decision.

Allen

Thanks everyone. I decided to get separate VHF and GPS. At least half the time I'm out diving familiar terrain where I will just take the radio. I ordered the Uniden Voyager VHF off the net last night. Super compact=I will be more likely to bring it and stow it in my vest where it could be needed for the long swim.
 Thinking of getting the Garmin Map 60 for the GPS.

Rich - good choice on the Uniden VHF - I like mine a lot - small and never seems to get in the way. I clip mine on the left shoulder strap of my PFD - easy to use (just like how the cops set their radio mics) Just make sure you seal off the mic port with goop 

My next purchase will be the Garmin as well - here's some info on it:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=2532.0

Just make sure you seal off the mic port with goop 

Actually I'll probably seal off the speaker! When I'm out with my neighbor on his pb I find the VHF chatter to be positively annoying - one of the reasons I prefer kayaking. Mooch, I'll always turn it on if you call, though...

My next purchase will be the Garmin as well - here's some info on it:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=2532.0

Thanks for the info - That post is what put me onto the '60 in the first place. Are you going to go for the full color version?

Are you going to go for the full color version?

nah....

I also am looking for a good VHF radio, I looked at the garmin website, and their radios are all discontinued. I like Rock Hoppers choice, the Icom seems pretty cool. Where can I get one?

Vince - I think West Marine sell's 'em too.

If you get the garmin I can burn ya a copy of the bluecharts cd.  Cant upload them to the unit, but you can create waypoints based on the map and upload that.  Not to mention look at your field waypoints on a detailed topo map.