Mid-Priced VHF Radios: Icom and Uniden Lead the Way

Volume 18
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Number 11
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November 2005

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Mid-Priced VHF Radios: Icom and Uniden Lead the Way

The Icom M422 wins by a nose, with the newly designed feature-rich radios from Uniden, Navman, and West Marine not far behind. Uniden captures Best Buy honors with the UM525.

The Uniden UM525 boasts an easy-to-read screen, a slew of features, and a reasonable price.

We’ve covered both ends of the fixed-mount VHF radio spectrum: inexpensive (June 2005) and pricey (August 2005). This installment encompasses the broad middle ground. You get the basic functions—and more—with these radios, but at a price that won’t leave a lump in your throat. The best of these moderately priced VHFs feature excellent overall transceiver performance, remote microphone capability, a basic hailer, and significant DSC features—all in a compact design.

What We Tested

We rounded up a total of 11 VHF radios ranging from $179 to $250. Icom sent three: the M402S, M402, and M422. Navman supplied two radios: the 7100 and 7200. Raymarine shipped its 54 model. Also included were…

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