We have decided to go with Furuno electronics on the new boat. As Furuno doesn't produce a VHF radio, this leaves us with the task of selecting one. Of course we will need a second microphone for the Flybridge too but it seems every radio manufacturer has this option today.
The theme for the electronics on this boat will be based upon a sort of "glass cockpit" approach. Two 14" displays in the console with the pilot controller in the lower panel alongside the engine controls. This leaves us with the overhead console for various little used electrical panels and we could certainly mount a VHF radio up there but...my wife is 5' tall and thus it would be a stretch for her. Doable but hardly necessary...
This brings me to my actual question. Who has used, seen or knows anything about the new "black-box" radios being made by Icom, Garmin and Simrad?
We have used Icom radios exclusively for 25 years or so now and they have given us zero problems. I know nothing about the Simrad or Garmin offerings but for some reason I am attracted to the Simrad offering especially.
Icom has chosen to introduce their relatively new radio with a NMEA 0183 protocol where both Simrad and Garmin utilize the simpler to install NMEA 2000 protocol.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience?
Thanks,
Bruce
The theme for the electronics on this boat will be based upon a sort of "glass cockpit" approach. Two 14" displays in the console with the pilot controller in the lower panel alongside the engine controls. This leaves us with the overhead console for various little used electrical panels and we could certainly mount a VHF radio up there but...my wife is 5' tall and thus it would be a stretch for her. Doable but hardly necessary...
This brings me to my actual question. Who has used, seen or knows anything about the new "black-box" radios being made by Icom, Garmin and Simrad?
We have used Icom radios exclusively for 25 years or so now and they have given us zero problems. I know nothing about the Simrad or Garmin offerings but for some reason I am attracted to the Simrad offering especially.
Icom has chosen to introduce their relatively new radio with a NMEA 0183 protocol where both Simrad and Garmin utilize the simpler to install NMEA 2000 protocol.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience?
Thanks,
Bruce