Help deciding on a VHF Radio

Need a little help deciding on a VHF radio, I found a Standard Horizon HX370S on sale for $100.00 its said the normal price was 299.00. I am not sure if this is a good radio and was hopping for some feedback, also West Marine has a couple on sale all so.  I was at BAM and was wondering witch radio Sean had he seem to pick up all calls no matter where on the lake he was. Thank for all your help.

Pat R

H Pat - I use the one in the link below which seems to work pretty well. The only con that I have found is that it does not float.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/242260/377%20710%201399/0/Handheld%20VHF%20Radios/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201399&Ne=0&Ntt=Handheld%20VHF%20Radios&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5003&subdeptNum=3&classNum=542

I've been using Uniden- very light and compact - never let me down (comes with a car charger).

I've been using Uniden- very light and compact - never let me down (comes with a car charger).

I'm interested in getting a radio also, so I'll be following this closely.  Mooch which model do you have?

I love icomm....Speaking of which...who was it at BAM I was talking to that had problems with their icom charging or something?  Bad memory but I may be able to follow up with the rep dude I know.

Allen

I have a Icom M72 no problems with it, great power and battery life. I think Otobepelagic and son had issues with the battery in theirs, not sure which model.

I've been using Uniden- very light and compact - never let me down (comes with a car charger).

I'm interested in getting a radio also, so I'll be following this closely.  Mooch which model do you have?

Colt...here ya go:
http://www.turtlemarine.com/unidenvoyager.html

Pat I have used Standard Horizons for years never let me down always crystal clear and you can't get a better warranty. I have a 460 so it's smaller than than the 270 which is nice as it fits in any pocket. 

I have a Icom M72 no problems with it, great power and battery life. I think Otobepelagic and son had issues with the battery in theirs, not sure which model.

It was the floating model.

I have only used the Uniden Voyager. It is very small, comes with a charger that works in a car or wall plug and it floats. I have no trouble talking to people on the bay. I don't talk on it a lot but I keep it on when I'm fishing. I used it at the coast for several days of fishing without recharging. I would recommend it. 

  Just a note on "Floating Models"  Don't add ANYTHING to the floating radios, like a small Caribbeaner, without a key float, Al (Alshobieoutback) lost a floating radio by doing that.  They may float, but with the slight added weight of anything they can stop floating!

I also use the Uniden Voyager and have no complaints at all. I attach it to my PFD pocket with an expandable leash. The whole setup fits in my PFD pocket. It holds a charge for a long time and works well. I also have the West Marine inexpensive radio, which I loan to friends when we go out on the ocean. It works well, but its keys are too sensitive. It will change channels with the slightest pressure.

I use the Icom M-34 and it seems to work well except I think I am missing some transmissions. I definitely notice that when I am around others I can hear their radio while mine is not receiving. Other times I can hear a transmission coming across another person's radio when suddenly mine kicks in halfway through the message. It isn't a constant issue, but it does concern me a bit.

I use the Icom M-34 and it seems to work well except I think I am missing some transmissions. I definitely notice that when I am around others I can hear their radio while mine is not receiving. Other times I can hear a transmission coming across another person's radio when suddenly mine kicks in halfway through the message. It isn't a constant issue, but it does concern me a bit.

I have this one as well and have noticed the same thing. Altho' often the person next to me who is receiving the transmission that I am not will be my wife who has the same radio, so who knows.

This is also the make/model that Otobepelagic and son (and others) had issues with. IIRC the problem was with the charging, which occurs thru three pins on the back of the radio; the middle pin "burnt out". I have not had this problem but I have noticed the middle pin getting very very hot when charging. As a result I only charge for a very short time.

Other than that I would still recommend this radio for the simple fact that it floats. Could save you a ton of money as well as your life if you get dunked.

The Uniden Voyager is pretty good, but I have had issues with the knobs freezing up.  So far I've been able to loosen them.  It was also switching off and back on internittently, but dialectric grease on the battery terminals seems to have resolved that issue.

Regarding missed transmissions, I don't get good reception when the radio is sitting on deck or near the fishfinder.  Carried up higher it gets crystal clear reception.