West Marine VHF warranty= WTG

I've gone thru two of the compact Uniden submersibles, probably due to neglect more than design flaws.  Very interested in what you are using, Sharky, as I have about given up on any hope of saltwater and electronics working out in the long run.

Standard Horizon

What makes of radio are you guys returning? 

Is it really a good deal when a piece of critical life saving safety gear keeps failing?

How about getting one that doesn't fail repeatedly.

Uniden and WM handhelds waterproofing sux!

mine is a WM.....it has held up for three years now......i dont go out alone in the ocean, so if it dies on me, i'll just have to survive on a buddies. I'd rather have a place to take it to and get a new replacement, as opposed to spending shipping / repair cost and down time. The xtra $20? is worth it to me.

What makes of radio are you guys returning? 

Is it really a good deal when a piece of critical life saving safety gear keeps failing?

How about getting one that doesn't fail repeatedly.

Uniden and WM handhelds waterproofing sux!

mine is a WM.....it has held up for three years now......i dont go out alone in the ocean, so if it dies on me, i'll just have to survive on a buddies. I'd rather have a place to take it to and get a new replacement, as opposed to spending shipping / repair cost and down time. The xtra $20? is worth it to me.

+1 If i can have another radio up and running the next day thats all i really care about

I've had two SH's die on me.  On one it was the battery terminals corroded and the battery stopped working.  Another one now only shows the LED on the front when it turns on.  I think these things happened when I loaned out the VHF to others to use, because for me it's always in my PFD Pocket, and I never get it wet. 

My SH stopped working until I shot the battery terminals with electronic cleaner spray. Good stuff for regular maintenance.

Saltwater kills everything. If you spend a lot of time in the ocean, in a kayak, then your radio will fail eventually. I have accepted this as truth. And my record of killing 3 different types of VHF's is a testament (Cobra, Uniden, and Standard Horizon). Funny thing is the cheapest POC cobra vhf still works after like 5yrs of abuse...bought a 2-pack @ WM for $60 and one is still ticking. Although I used to keep it inside a plastic sleeve tha it came with...

I've had two SH's die on me.  On one it was the battery terminals corroded and the battery stopped working.   

slather some dielectric grease on those terminal/connectors at least once a year and that should never happen

slather some dielectric grease on those terminal/connectors at least once a year and that should never happen

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-22058-Dielectric-Tune-Up-Grease/dp/B000AL8VD2
Forgive me if my question is stupid: "dielectric" means an electrical insulator, so would this grease itself block the connection?

There will be a physical connection and the grease or gel just helps insulate, and protect that connection from corrosion. 

I am not familiar with that brand but any dielectric gel should work.

slather some dielectric grease on those terminal/connectors at least once a year and that should never happen

Something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-22058-Dielectric-Tune-Up-Grease/dp/B000AL8VD2
Forgive me if my question is stupid: "dielectric" means an electrical insulator, so would this grease itself block the connection?

yes, same stuff......you sometimes find them at the auto parts stores, at the counter in small tubes ....Spark Plug Boot Grease.
use it on all of your connectors, a must on your FishFinder plugs.

FYI:SH offering $20.00 rebate on HX280, HX290 radios. I bought the HX280 at WM for $119.99 with mail in rebate takes it to $99.99. Rebate is good until 10/31/12

I got my Standard Horizon HX290 at West Marine early this year & maybe I've been lucky, but it's been flawless, and it floats, which saved me getting a new radio already.  I always freshwater flush my radio after any time on the ocean, even when it doesn't get "wet".  The amount of salt in the ocean air, fog, spray, etc. can make for corrosion.  I got the $20 rebate too & I think its a great radio for 100 bucks.

Wanted to add that even though Standard Horizon products are pretty bomb proof, they may not be idiot proof as in my case    Aparently a fall from 3-4 feet can damage the battery beyond repair.    Guess i'll have to pickup a new 'backup' vhf, this time with WM warranty.