Please recommend good VHF radio!

[tofisherman]

I purchased a SI-TEX Mariner VHF Radio 1 1/2 years ago. Due to problems with reception and transmission, I had to seek repair work.

The people at Si-Tex confirmed there was a two year warrantee on the product. The unfortunate problem was that they informed me there was no Canadian service facility for the item.

I sent the item to the Florida for repair as per their instruction. The cost of shipping it was $25CAD.

They repaired the item without contact me, stating there was a loose connection internally where the antenna screws in. The item was repaired by soddering the connection again. On the phone they informed me the warrantee was for parts only. They wanted to bill me $30 USD for the repair. They subsequently billed me $55 USD which translated into $71 CAD.

They told me to ship the item to them with a $0 value due to warrantee service and duty. They then in return sent me the item with a $55 USD fee which subsequently translated into a $41 CAD duty, tax and brokerage handling fee on top of the repair bringing the total cost to $96, never mind the close to $300 I paid for it.

Moral of the story, if you live in Canada do not buy any products that can't be serviced under warrantee here at home.

Can anyone recommend a good VHF radio reasonably price that can be serviced in Canada?

[M.T. Livewell]

BigSmoke_F,

That is very insightful, and expensive.

I'm dabbling in the notion of a VHF and am curious to hear other's suggestions.

Sorry it turned out so poorly. Did you end up paying the bill or tell them to keep the radio?

M.T. Livewell

[fishforfun]

I've had a uniden VHF for 15 yrs, I believe the first one, which was stolen, was labelled radio shack. Anyway neither ever failed me and if it did at the replacement price I'd pitch it and buy another!

[tofisherman]

The company decided that a single CANADIAN customer was of no concern. They informed me that it was not their problem how Canadian customs handles packages when they are returned.

I did not accept the unit on principle, even though I am out even more money with the loss of the unit.

I was looking at the Lowrance radio on the web. Does anyone out their own one and can you provide info on it. Their Mississauga service location has handled my sonar well in the past.

Looking for advice.