10
july 2012
www.practical-sailor.com
stated in micro-
volts—usually from
0.22 to 0.35 micro-
volts for marine
VHFs, with industry
groups recommend-
ing a minimum of
0.50. Each VHF was
tested for the minimum signal it could
receive at a specific industry standard
setting between background noise and
generated signal. All the radios proved
more than sensitive enough to pick up
weak signals within industry standards.
VHF displays were rated on size and
readability, the quality of information
displayed, and backlighting.
One very important function of the
marine VHF radio is its ability to re-
produce the sounds of incoming voice
communications via internal audio
amplifier and speaker. If you can’t hear
the audio, it doesn’t really matter how
well the transmitter or receiver works.
To rate audio systems, testers measured
the sound pressure levels at maximum
volume while inputting a 1-kHz tone.
The measurements were taken from 1
meter away. Testers also monitored a
weather channel at various volume levels
to evaluate overall sound quality.
garmin VhF 200
While very similar to the Garmin VHF
100 unit reviewed during our June
2012 evaluation of mid-level radios, the
VHF 200 brings addi-
tional features to the
table. These include
expanded NMEA
2000 capabilities,
re-locatable speaker
and mic, hailer and
foghorn functions,
and compatibility with Garmin’s GHS
10 or GHS 10i remote microphones.
Front panel controls include three
rotating knobs for channel selection,
volume, and squelch, and the channel
selector also serves as an “enter” key. The
power button does double-duty as the
quick-select key for channel 16/9, high/
low power selection, DSC, menu, and
clear. Three soft keys below the display
are linked to onscreen menus and pro-
vide access to functions such as screen
adjustments, navigation data configura-
tion, channel group selection, channel
name editing, etc. Testers found the
menu functions to be well-labeled and
easy to use.
The 200 uses a monochrome dot-
matrix screen to display channel num-
bers, transmitter power level, selected
channel group, and channel com-
ments. Information too
long to display in one
view scrolls across the
bottom of the screen.
The 200 has numer-
ous scanning op-
tions—normal,
saved channels,
dual watch, tri-
watch, etc.—and
also features NOAA weather alerts
and position tracking, which allows a
mariner to locate and keep tabs on up
to three other boats in the area.
The VHF 200, which features a unique
low-profile flush-mount, was rated Very
Good for transmit power stability, fre-
quency stability, and receiver sensitivity.
Audio output was one of the highest of
the group (97 decibels), earning a Very
Good for sound quality. At 24.8 watts
(13.8 vDC), it had the high-
est transmit power output
of our test group, but con-
versely, it also
had the highest
power draw.
Constructed
to IPX7 stan-
dards, the 200 comes with a two-year
limited warranty good in the Americas
and Caribbean.
Bottom line: The Garmin 200 is a
solid radio that covers all the basics, but
it also has the shortest and most limited
warranty.
garmin VhF 300
Unique in our test group, the 300 is es-
sentially a multi-station communica-
tions “black box” that supports up to
three Garmin GHS full-function remote
mics. Operation of the unit is via the pro-
vided GHS 10 mic, which allows full ra-
dio control from a remote location.
The GHS 10 mic features a 2-inch LCD
display. Testers noted that some sight-
challenged sailors might have problems
reading the small screen, which is the
VHF’s only display.
The mic also has a ro-
tary key for frequently
used tasks and three
soft buttons for dy-
namic controls. Audio
is provided by the GHS
10’s built-in speaker
and the 300’s four-inch
active speaker with a vol-
ume knob. A third-party
passive speaker could be added.
The VHF 300 provides full NOAA
weather alerts and DSC capabilities
when interfaced with a compatible GPS
chartplotter (NMEA 0183 or 2000). Its
position-tracking feature allows users
to locate and keep tabs on up to three
other DSC-equipped boats in the area.
The 300 also has a two-way, 30-watt
hailer system.
Two of its most unique features are a
voicemail function that allows users to
record a 15-second voicemail message
that can be delivered to any MMSI num-
ber, and the ability to record and replay
the last 90 seconds of any incoming voice
transmission with the touch of a button.
The 300’s remote-mic setup is a good
space-saving option, and testers liked
e l e c t r o n i c s
Garmin 200
F e a t u r e s 4 1 1
Garmin 300
Most all VHF mics provide remote control features. The GX2150 Matrix AIS+ (#1)
provides just the basics while the Garmin 300 remote mic (#2) can control all radio
functions and has a display. The Raymarine 218 mic (#3) controls a number of the
more common VHF functions, including channel scan.
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