8
july 2012
www.practical-sailor.com
VALUE gUidE
high-End fixEd Vhf rAdios
Maker
garmin
icom
raymarine
standard horizon
Model
VHF 200
VHF 300 w/GHS
remote handset
IC-M424
IC-M504A
IC-M604A
Ray 218
Matrix AIS +
GX2150
$
Price
$310
$546
$330
$331
$512
$456
$340
warranty
2 years limited
(Americas,
Caribbean)
2 years limited
(Americas,
Caribbean)
3 years
3 years
3 years
3 years limited
3 years
nMea coMPatibility
NMEA 0183 & 2000 NMEA 0183 & 2000
NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183
Mic controls*
1,2,3
1,2,3,4,5,6,7
1,2,6
1,2,6
1,2,6
1,2,3,6,7
1,2,3
reMote Mic caPable
Yes (3 total)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (2 total)
Yes
Yes
footPrint (H x w x d)
4.65 x 7.56
x 6.42 inches
7.09 x 9.75
x 2.5 inches
3.23 x 6.46
x 4.72 inches
4.33 x 6.5
x 4.27 inches
4.34 x 8.65
x 4.31 inches
3.84 x 7.79
x 7.06 inches
3.1 x 7.1
x 4.8 inches
disPlay size (H x w)
2.75 x 1.6 inch
1.63 x 1
inch (mic)
2.75 x 1.38 inch
2.75 x 1.38 inch
2.75 x 1.38
inch
2 5/8 x 1 3/8 inch
2 7/8 x 1 3/8 inch
scraMbler
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Hailer
25 watts
30 watts
10 watts
25 watts
30 watts
30 watts
30 watts
auto fog
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
waterProof
IPX7
IPX7
IPX7
IPX8
IPX7
IPX7
IPX7
TEsT rEsULTs
TEsT rEsULTs
audio outPut (@ 3 feet)
97 decibels
83 decibels
88 decibels
84 decibels
97 decibels
89 decibels
88 decibels
transMit Power
(
high/low at 13.8 volts
)
24.8 / 1.0 watts
21.8 / .85 watts
22.2 / .81 watts
22 / .80 watts
22.5 / .81
watts
22.8 / .90 watts
23.5 / .81 watts
transMit Power
(
high/low at 11.8 volts
)
24.2 / 1.0 watts
21.7 / .85 watts
21.5 / .76 watts
21.7 / .80 watts
21 / .80 watts
22.8 / .90 watts
23.2 / .80 watts
Power draw
(
high/low transmit at 13.8 volts
)
4.5 / 1.2 amps
4.3 / 1.1 amps
3.0 / .4 amps
3.7 / 1.1 amps
3.9 / 1.4
amps
3.4 / .6 amps
3.8 / 1.2 amps
Power draw
(
high/low transmit at 11.8 volts
)
4.7 / .5 amps
4.6 / .5 amps
3.0 / .3 amps
3.7 / .5 amps
3.5 / .7 amps
3.4 / .6 amps
3.6 / .6 amps
transMitter frequency
stability
Very good
Very good
Good
Very good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
receive sensitivity
Very good
Excellent
Very good
Very good
Very good
Good
Very good
disPlay rating
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
audio quality
Very good
Good
Good
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Good
transMit Power stability
Very good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Very good
Very good
coMMents
Position tracking;
detachable mic;
intercom (when
coupled with
GHS 10 mic);
highest power
output and highest
amp draw.
Uses Garmin
GHS handset
for display and
control; lowest
power output
and lowest
audio output;
best receiver
sensitivity.
Lowest power
draw, but worst
frequency error
of group (still
within specs).
AquaQuake
speaker draining
feature, intercom
(when coupled
with optional
Command Mic); rear
mic connection;
front panel mic
not detachable.
AquaQuake;
intercom
(when coupled
with Command
Mic); mic
detachable;
only one with
keypad.
Receiver
sensitivity was
lowest of group
but was good and
within specs.
Only unit with
built-in AIS; least
frequency error.
Best Choice
$
Budget Buy Recommended
* Mic controls: 1= Push to talk, 2= Channel change, 3= Quick 16/9, 4= Distress key, 5= Volume adjust, 6+ High/Low power, 7=Other
e l e c t r o n i c s
