VHF Radio GPS/DSC or not?

I'm shopping for one of my Christmas presents and want to know if it is worth the extra money to get a radio with GPS/DSC or not.  I like the idea of the one button distress call and GPS coordinates, but read somewhere that it's not worth it on a kayak.  Didn't make sense to me.  What do you all think?  Thanks.

 
   "Not worth it on a kayak?" as opposed to being where? on a boat? paddle board? I would think having the GPS available anytime when on the water in or on any vessel would be a good thing!
  Now, weather the DSC is active or working in our area, ( I have no idea) might be a factor in cost savings. 
Others will definitely be chiming in on this, to help you out.
 

I say it's worth it. I have the Standard Horizon  He 850 and I have been happy with it.

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I have GPS and DSC on my Standard Horizon HX850S, and I like being able to transmit my position via DSC to the Coast Guard if I ever need to be rescued.

I also like the DSC calling feature which can be used to privately call another DSC radio, and AUTOMATICALLY change to a predetermined channel for your conversation. Sure beats trying to hail someone when everyone else is asking about the size limit for rockfish on channel 69, e.g. Shelter Cove.

Thanks for your input. I ordered the HX851 for the reasons posted above. It should be here on Monday. One more item to keep me safe otw...and put my wife more at ease when I'm out there.

I think that was a good choice. Standard Horizon are pretty well made and my #1 VHF. If you fish remote areas, nobody may be in VHF range is the limitation. I carry an EPIRB which my wife bought me but the smaller and less expensive PLB's give you worldwide coverage and are not restricted to marine use. ACR makes one for about $200 which floats and has a built in GPS and strobe. If you are rolling solo on big blue in remote areas, PLB's are the way to go. They are small enough to carry for backpacking and skiing.

I got a HX 851 as well. If you fish where fog can make navigation difficult, then GPS is mandatory. I have been using different GPS devices since 2005, and I must say that GPS in the HX 851 seems poorly implimated. I tried to save a waypoint for my location and as best as I could tell, I needed to memorize or write down my coordinates and then enter them into the device without making a mistake. I also have GPS in my fish finder. One is none, and two is one and three is a guarantee. Third is GPS in my phone. If you are fishing outside of cell service, a Spot device can be handy as well. It requires a yearly subscription, but it allows you to communicate with your friends and family or send a 911 to be rescued. I like the idea of being able to send an "OK" message if I am simply running late, or to let them know I am off the water and safe. I also like being able to send a non-emergency request for help to friends or family. You can get help if your car broke down without bringing a helicopter out to rescue you. The messages go out via sattalites and then through text or email. The message also includes a link to your location that will show where you are on google maps. If the worst happens, press the 911 button and the appropriate authorities for your location are notified of your emergency.

Does anyone know if this is a good product?  Uniden MHS235 Marine Handheld Radio with Speaker Mic.

Kayak fishing is really hard on VHF's and I have owned Uniden's, West Marines, Standard Horizon's and Icom's. Standard Horizon and Icom have been the most reliable for me. Standard Horizon has the best warranty. Whatever VHF you buy, a dry bag will prolong the life.

I would recommend that you buy your VHF at West Marine and buy the extended warranty. Their customer service is really good and they have good sales also. I had an Icom stop transmitting. It was off warranty but they shipped it to Icom for me and it was repaired for free. Pretty amazing service, IMO.

As far as GPS, the GPS in inexpensive combo devices like VHF or fish finders are really more backup devices and not marine navigation devices. For navigation, a dedicated GPS where you can install marine cartography is optimal. Maps like Garmin Blue Chart have the SMR boundaries drawn which is really helpful and you can download and backup your waypoints.

As far as PLB vs SPOT, here is a nice review:
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews/buying-advice

As far as GPS, the GPS in inexpensive combo devices like VHF or fish finders are really more backup devices and not marine navigation devices.

Can you expand more on why you think a combo fishfinder is more of a backup device and not a marine navigation device?

-Allen

As far as GPS, the GPS in inexpensive combo devices like VHF or fish finders are really more backup devices and not marine navigation devices.

Can you expand more on why you think a combo fishfinder is more of a backup device and not a marine navigation device?

-Allen

The base maps often lack the marine navigational aides and hazards and have poor accuracy with regard to the shoreline. The routing functionality is often limited. Inability to download or upload routes or waypoints. They are fine for finding your way back to your launch in fog, but if you want to launch at ML and fish the Soquel Hole, you will be better served with a better GPS with detailed marine cartography. The more expensive sonar/GPS combos are fine for navigation, I am talking about the $200 FF/GPS combos. I use an Eagle 250 and 350 and love the units because of their durability and reliability, but the GPS is pretty rudimentary as far as navigation. I use a Garmin 60 CSX with Blue Chart for navigation.

Thanks for the post and follow up comments guys...

I missed out on the STD Hor hx 851 sale many guys jumped on.. The newest ones being offered are  $100 now are  more than the model is was looking to replace so I am trying to gauge the usefulness of this feature.

I bought mine STd Hoz thru WEst Marine online and purchased their ext war..knowing that our kayak application is hard on these units...the ext warr was a no brainier and paid off..we'll sort of..
My initial call for my failed unit was on Feb9...
7 weeks later, I am still dealing with the replacement authorization from the 3rd party insurer, AMT trust..

Over 9 calls, only 1 returned call from them later, I finally got a manager to approve a reimbursement check for a replacement radio...
This was a verbal approval and still hasn't been fulfilled yet so we'll see.
 This runaround is partly bc I failed to register my WM purchase immediately after buying it online so if you do buy an ext warr..., save yourself some grief and get it registered..

So my question is this....many of us have GPS on our FF units, the primary application of these radio GPS units will be in scenarios of distress, say when you get separated from your kayak right??
Aside from that scenario, are the GPS Features user firendly...ie easy to apply?

Thx,

GPS on a radio is never going to be user friendly in my opinion. It'll pretty much just give you your raw coordinates. You want a bigger display to really make use of GPS.

I personally don't have GPS in my VHF, but always have this stuff with me when I venture offshore:

-Lowrance's chart plotter
-Garmin eTrex in a dry bag, (powered off, plus spare batteries)
-My cell phone with Navionics (in a Lifeproof case)
-My VFH radio on (or attached to) me
- Compass

I'm in the market for a new PFD with more storage. The one I've got doesn't have enough pocket to keep both a GPS and a VHF on me.

For offshore fishing in remote areas and all salwater  I use:
1. FF with GPS: the GPS is a backup
2. GPS or Chartplotter: with detailed maps and download capability
3. PLB: worst case scenario
4. VHF: Standard Horizon with ICOM backup

Update to Scotts post of 2013 ...

   A lot of the combo FF/Chartplotter units have much better basemaps now & the availability for "upgraded" map options with contours down to 1' increments and MLPA zones is a fine addition!  The ability to upload/download waypoints has become far easier yet still has a ways to go IMHO.  Advanced features such as range lines/rings can be a helpful tool to help with drift patterns.  Basic GPS functions seem to have become better and generally easier to use ... and I think will continue to do so!