Marine VHF DSC

Ok, I know I'm jumping the gun as it's not in my hand yet, but this DSC/GPS VHF replacement radio from Lowrance should be slicker than wet ice sliding on wet ice.

In a nutshell, DSC (married to GPS) is a digital dumbing down of the marine vhf so any idjut can use it to get found (assuming they are heard). Push a button and a digital distress signal alarm goes out to all DSC's that are on and in range and if the calling unit is a DSC/GPS it includes your coordinates (all without using channel 16). Currently the CG does not have complete coverage, but they are online in the Northwest and in Florida and they should have complete national coverage shortly.

Each unit gets a unique "phone number" so you can call your buddy (with a DSC) with a ringtone, or you can call a group of you buddies, or you can call everybody unlike VHF which calls everybody when you TX. It also allows caller ID so you can ignore your buddy too. 

Slicker yet is you can track your buddy (buddies) who have DSC/GPS as the gps will put a mark on a rudimentary map on the face of the unit and lead you right to them. Just imagine, being able to chase down Spot and wreck his fishing.
(was that the sound of everybody turning off and pulling the batteries from their DSC/GPS/VHF?  )

The only problem right now is that nobody has a handheld DSC/GPS. Although there are a number of handheld VHF DSC's available, there are only two VHF/DSC/GPS's on the market at the moment (Standards HX850S and the Lowrance LHR-80), but I'm sure they will fix that soon including a less rudimentary map screen. I guess I'll just be tracking myself for a while.   

 The price is a bit more than $200 so they are not out of range of the relatively cheap (me). With sales volume, the price should go down even further. The bottom line is if you are considering getting a handheld (a VERY good thing to have),  DSC is a feature your should consider including. DSC/GPS even better.  My only concern is that I hope this does not fool too many idjuts into thinking they are mariners.
(Where the hell did I put my sextant?)

Actually there are many dsc capable units on the market but those two are the only ones with a gps receiver built in...otherwise you have to plug in a gps which usually goes into the charger which doesn't much work for us.
I thought about getting that standard horizon unit but then i found the cheap and small 600...now that it has been stolen i have to do my research again...and decide again...
i did like my 600 with airband, fm, am, and marine vhf plus it fit perfectly in a pocket...and for 60 bucks how can u beat that

Your right Yessnoo, I stand (sit) corrected.
Even without the gps, you can still have "private" conversations (and/or ignore your friends)
I've been poking around on the internet and it seems kinda strange that the VHF/GPS handheld has not adnvanced further than it has. The Lowrance was introduced two years ago.

And one of those 2 units has a GPS implementation without mapping ...it just give you your coordinates.   

-Allen

And one of those 2 units has a GPS implementation without mapping ...it just give you your coordinates.   

-Allen

I take it you have the other one? 
Kool! I can keep track of you!

Gotta get a bigger antenna though.

Nope.  I have neither.

-Allen