Good marine radio

I have two of the West Marine VHF85 radios... One has failed completely (transmits but doesn't receive) and the other cuts in and out if you lightly touch the antenna.

After a little poking around, I discovered that both of their antennas have quite a bit of corrosion underneath the outer rubber layer. Both are less than 2 years old and are ALWAYS rinsed with fresh water after use.

I think at least one of these is still under warrantee, but I sure don't want another replacement that's just gonna crap out on me...

I believe west marine will exchange any electronics that's defective as long as you purchase their warranty. I had a radio more than 2 years and its totally dead and they changed it to a new one and of course buy another store warranty. West Marine is awesome!

randy

I got the cheap rechargeable midland from amazon after seeing it at bass pro shops.  Lasts all day on a charge and seems to work great so far.

I didn't buy any extended warrantee from West Marine. Now I know their products suck, so I'll plan accordingly.

I've had a radio on my wish list for a while now but wasn't sure about which one...
I told my Honey I'd like to get the Standard Horizon HX 150 in my stocking this Xmas.
Thanks for the advice!

I didn't buy any extended warrantee from West Marine. Now I know their products suck, so I'll plan accordingly.

Their private label vhf's carry a 3-year warranty.  I've had my West Marine VHF250 for something like 10 years now ... original battery too!  If they made the same model, I would buy another one in a HEARTBEAT.  I believe Uniden makes their low-end private label radios for them.

Go with a Standard Horizon or an Icom & you'll be happy!

I've pretty much killed all of them over the years, but I think the standard Horizons are the most bomber and work the best.  Get a radio that accepts a speaker mic and it gets even better.  Leave your radio in your pocket and jabber at will.

I've pretty much killed all of them over the years, but I think the standard Horizons are the most bomber and work the best.  Get a radio that accepts a speaker mic and it gets even better.  Leave your radio in your pocket and jabber at will.

+1  Got one for my WM250.  Uniden Mic  Works great.

Good stuff. Thanks for the tips.

I really try to take care of my stuff, and ALWAYS rinse my gear as soon as I get home from the salt no matter how exhausted I am. I was really surprised to see so much corrosion on those things, and so quickly. Seems like the rubber antenna cover on these cheap models doesn't seal very well...