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| FM in a VHF |
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Shout It Out: Lowrance LVR-880 VHF Radio
Boaters with limited dash space will be interested in Lowrance’s new LVR-880 VHF Radio—this little box is packed with so many features and functions, it’ll eliminate the need for several other items at the helm.
The first thing it eliminates is your radio, because this is the first VHF around that comes with an FM receiver inside. You could listen to the music through the 2.5” integrated speaker, but why do that when you could jam your tunes by wiring external stereo speakers to the two-channel output? Another item your boat can now do without is a loud hailer. The LVR-880 has one of these built-in, too, and with 22 watts of power you’ll be heard from the inlet to the back bay. Leave your air horn at home—the hailer has an automatic foghorn sound-signal function, as well. Thanks to DSC selective calling, you can also do away with that cell phone or FRS radio. Like other DSC units this one will broadcast your exact latitude and longitude to the Coast Guard, if you press the panic button.
When I tested this unit a couple of design features also proved very useful. The controls are on both the unit and the microphone, so I could switch channels and raise the volume without so much as leaning forward. And when I took a rough ride across an open bay and thoroughly doused the unit, I didn’t have to worry because it’s submersible to JIS-7 standards.
All the other features I’d expect from a top-end modern VHF unit were also present and accounted for: dual-watch and scanning modes, weather at the press of a button and NOAA weather alert warnings, NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compatibility, 25/1 watt transmit power, and a 3.4” diagonal LCD display. Plus, the unit can be either binnacle or flush mounted.
Price: About $200
The Highs: FM in your DSC VHF!
The Lows: Only two channels for the stereo output?
Who Wants It: boaters who have limited space at the helm and need a VHF. And a hailer. And a sound signal. And an FM radio.
Contact: www.lowrance.com
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