Portable vhf help

I know this topic had been addressed a million times. Im in the market for a radio cant decide, it seems its either cobra or standard horizons. Uniden seems to have poor reviews concerning limited transmit distance. So, i like flosting submersible, strobe light serms kool but some say it drains battery by triggering, gps seems kool esp. Distress call transmit coords but seems like thery could be too expensive. Someone twll me what to but please:

Get the Standard Horizon and buy it at West Marine and buy the 2 year extended warranty. That will give you 5 years of warranty. You don't need a GPS or strobe. If you are fishing remote areas or far offshore, an EPIRB or SPOT is a better SHTF device. I carry an EPIRB which my wife bought me to fish sur many years ago.

I use the standard horizion HX150. Floating, submersible and under $100. Make sure you get one with at least 5 watts of transmit power.

The majority of us have a simple hand held VHF radio w/o all the bells and whistles.
Floating is good, although I'm not sure how well they actually float.
Having an all in one device can be both advantageous and detrimental.
The advantage lies in the convenience of having everything right there at your fingertips and a clutter free kayak.
The detrimental part is that if you lose that one device you've lost everything all in one shot.
Having a locator is cool, but how many of us carry an EPIRB? Even SPOT tracking device for that matter?
If all you want is to be able to talk on the radio for whatever reason, get a simple hand held VHF and save yourself come cash.

Get the Standard Horizon and buy it at West Marine and buy the 2 year extended warranty. That will give you 5 years of warranty. You don't need a GPS or strobe. If you are fishing remote areas or far offshore, an EPIRB or SPOT is a better SHTF device. I carry an EPIRB which my wife bought me to fish sur many years ago.

+1
@ Tote, the VHF that I have floats good, I accidently tried it at Albion last year

Floating sounds good...  but teathered is MUCH better.  Clip it to your PFD!

I recently went through this to replace my Uniden.  I did not read much good on the Cobra brand.  Uniden has been getting some poor reviews, but is still rated better than Cobra.  It seems like ICON or Standard Horizon are the better brands and are water proven.  I got the Standard Horizon HX150, great radio.  I like it much better than my Uniden.  It floats, but I added a camera leash and tether it to my PFD.  It has the NOAA weather and 5 watts xmit power and remembers your last channel.  My Uniden was frustrating as it went back to 16 every time it was turned on  .

I recently ordered a Standard Horizon HX280 and they were out so they upgraded me to the HX290 at no charge  .  I don't have a lot to compare it to but I've been happy with it.  The attached clip is very secure.  I'm confident it won't come off if/when I go for a swim.