Review - Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF Radio.
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
Although you may be using your phone/txt for on the water communications more and more, a good fixed mount VHF is still a vital part of your standard onboard kit. Even in highly populated regions, your boat can get you into areas of sketchy or non-existent cell coverage very quickly. And today’s VHF radios provide a suite of safety features that far exceed just the ability to chat to others.
The first and most useful example of that for me is the AIS capability of the Standard Horizon GX2150. In fact, while I can’t remember the last time I actually hailed someone on this particular VHF, its still the first thing I turn on each time I get on the boat for the AIS function alone.
My GX2150 is mounted in the dash and connected to my Lowrance HDS Live MFD, and as you can see in the video, all the AIS equipped vessels show on the chart as boat outlines from the signals received by the GX2150. This is an incredibly useful navigational aid which I use pretty much every minute of every day I am on my boat. If you are not familiar with AIS (Automatic Identification System), see my article here.
The GX2150, like all fixed mount VHF’s today, is DSC (Digital Selective Calling) equipped, which in conjunction with MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) and your GPS enables a range of important digital and location information to be broadcast from your VHF.
MMSI is a nine digit number specific to your vessel. All DSC VHF radios require an MMSI to enable all DSC and AIS functions. If you are not familiar with MMSI, in Canada, you can get one free of charge from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). In the US, you can apply through US Power Squadrons.
Of these capabilities, perhaps the most important is the DSC Distress Call, which is used in Mayday situations of imminent, life-threatening emergencies. On the GX2150, it is activated by lifting the transparent red cover in the bottom left corner (right next to where the mic cord comes out), and pushing the button underneath for 3 seconds. Once activated, the GX2150 will broadcast your position and switch to Channel 16 (which of course is the designated distress and safety channel). All boats in your VHF range will also automatically switch over to 16 as well, facilitating immediate emergency voice communications.
Thankfully, I have not yet had to push the panic button on my unit, but I have received many such distress calls received by the GX2150, which set off loud alarms over the VHF and also displays the pertinent information on my Lowrance screen. During such times, I have been able to clearly monitor and join the unfolding emergency communications with the Coast Guard and other boaters.
As a fully featured VHF, the GX2150 of course also supports all the DSC call types such as: Individual calls, All Ships Calls, Position Reports, Position Requests etc. The screen is clear and easy to read, and all function buttons and knobs are obvious and easy to use. In addition to AIS and DSC, it also of course receives all marine VHF channels as well as dedicated weather channels.
My GX2150 has been in this boat for about 6 years now and has worked flawlessly. Of my two boats, this one is based in Vancouver BC, so it operates mostly in areas with good cell coverage. But again, due to the AIS and DSC capabilities, while the emphasis on the type of VHF usage has changed here over time, it’s still one of the most used and vital pieces of equipment on the boat. Standard Horizon is a trusted and well reviewed brand of marine electronics, so f you’re looking for a fixed mount, AIS VHF the GX2150 is a solid choice.
Note: The GX2150 has now been replaced by the Standard Horizon GX2410GPS. The main difference is that the former uses NMEA 0183 interface and the GX2410 uses NMEA 2000 (which is a more updated data standard) to connect to your MFD. If you can get a GX2150 for use with an existing NMEA 2000 tree, you will need a NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 converter.
The following link is to the newer, GX2140 GPS unit.
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Standard Horizon GX 2410 GPS - VHF. https://amzn.to/3ZjhYl9
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