Top 5 Editorial Picks
Five current fishfinders chosen for distinct buyer needs—from compact value to a premium expandable system. These are editorial selections, not Amazon or reader ratings.
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Best Compact Value
A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.
Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder
A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.
Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade
The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.
Best Side-Imaging Upgrade
A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.
Best Premium Expandable System
A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.
The new release Icom M412 marine VHF radio fits right smack in the middle of the Icom marine VHF fixed mount radio lineup. This boat radio is features all the basics plus built-in Class D DSC capabilities all in a compact package. The M412 ships with the radio and attached
The Icom M304 is this manufacturers entry level fixed mount marine VHF radio. It is compact in size and performs basic transmit, receive, and DSC operations without the fuss and expense of unwanted features. One-button operational features are limited to: making a DSC distress call, selecting the call channel or
The Icom M302 is an entry level fixed mount VHF radio with basic features and good overall performance. This fixed mount VHF needs little panel space. The front panel footprint measures just 6-inches wide and 2.5-inches high. Microphone control capability provides for changing radio channels, quick selecting 16 or 9,
The Garmin VHF 200 is the middle unit in a group of three marine VHF radios available from this marine electronics maker’s lineup. This boat radio is marketed as a sophisticated top level integrated unit. The VHF 200 ships with the radio, detachable microphone, plastic tilt bracket, fused power cable,
The Garmin VHF 100 is one of three marine vhf radios in the marine electronics giants communications stable. This one is marketed as a sophisticated entry level unit and is priced accordingly. The VHF 100 ships with the radio, front panel bezels that match the current Garmin chartplotter line, plastic
The Furuno FM4000 marine VHF radio is the only recreational grade unit in Furuno marine electronics lineup. They do offer a full GMDSS compliant commercial radio as well but it costs about four times as much the radio featured here. The FM4000 ships with the radio, detachable microphone, plastic tilt
The Furuno FM3000 has a rather large front panel that measures 6.5 inches wide by 4.3 inches high. We rated the display on this Furuno VHF good, though it is not as big as some we’ve seen recently. It is quite functional with 7 levels of backlighting adjustment, the ability
The Cobra F75 has some unique features not found in other marine VHF radios we’ve tested. It couples a display sized for a more expensive radio with a speaker in the microphone handset instead of in the main radio case where it would normally be located. The F75 has two
The Cobra F80 is a mid-priced marine VHF radio sitting at the top of the Cobra line offering some never before seen features. It couples a Cobra Marine exclusive, Rewind-Say-Again, with a powerful audio system and a large well utilized display screen. With a dozen pushbuttons on the radio front
The Cobra F55 is a compact no-frills entry level marine VHF radio that handles communication tasks without breaking the bank. This radio is officially designated the Cobra MR F55-D in white and the MR F55B-D in black. The F55 provides for one-button operation of a number of key features including:
The Cobra F45-D is the no-frills entry level marine VHF radio, officially designated the MR F45-D, that can handle all your VHF communication needs for under $100. This Cobra marine radio set ships with the radio, a front panel mounted detachable microphone, GPS interface cable, microphone mount, owner’s manual, plastic
Choosing the best marine radio for your situation depends largely on how you intend to use your boat, how much you are able and willing to pay for this important piece of marine electronics, and whether or not you will permanently install the radio. The marine VHF radio is the