Thanks for the input. I am thinking that the VHF and separate GPS is
the way to go.

Cheers

On Nov 25, 6:37 pm, "tlindly" wrote:
Q1, dunno
Q2, no
Q3;
i'm not sure about the mystic, havent seen it yet.
but with the Garmin, while it's "5 mile range" on the GMRS channels is
sometimes as little as 1/2 mile if thereis any kind of terrain, I
noticed that while on the bay it was always quite full of traffic and I
got comms established beyond the 5 Mile range [this was SDiego
bay...][also, you need to stand as high above the waterline as
possible, sometimes].
There is no public safety channel or monitoring so you will have to
talk some stranger into calling 911 with instructions to relay to the
coastguard your gps co-ordinates, iffy at best.

I would advise a marine VHF handheld, just slightly more expensive and
no GPS but CG is pretty good about finding people, carry a compass too,
that'll help them find you. While there are a couple of spots in the
bay where your handheld VHF will not get to the coastguard, you will at
least get another Mariner who will better understand your distress than
the landlubbers you will find on GMRS [Garmin Rino]
Rino's also are NOT water proof. Lots of VHF Marine handhelds are.
GMRS also requires an additional License $75

YOu can get a simple seperate GPS for real cheap for your training,
should do speed-readouts you mentioned.

wrote:
I have a small sailboat (V15) on SF bay. I am looking for a VHF/GPS for
training when I am not with other boats. The water is very cold and so
I need a radio, and then I found out some have GPS with them. I want to
be able to have speed read-outs and be able call for help if needed. I
found two so far. The Uniden Mystic, and the Garmin Rino.

I like the Rino better because of Barometer and it saves Speed records,
but I can't figure out if it does Marine VHF, or if there is a Hack to
make it do Marine VHF.

So 3 Questions:

Can the Uniden Mystic save speed data and moved to the computer?

Can the Rino be hacked to provide Marine Radio VHF?

Is there any other options available?

Thanks in advance,

Alex