Moving the Garmin VHF 200

[South lake]

I've searched the forums but haven't seen this discussed anywhere.

I don't like the location of the Garmin VHF 200 radio in my 2010 R-25. It's mounted low at the helm and I can't see the display well. I want to get the bracket and mount it on top of the dash. The problem is the compass is also located there and I'm not sure if the deviation the radio would create with the magnetic compass is constant or random and if the compass can be adjusted to compensate for it. The distance between the radio and compass as currently configured is about 18 inches which is less than the 1 meter I've read is the optimum. But the relocated radio would now be within 4 or 5 inches which is MUCH less.

Has anyone made this move with a R25, R25SC, or R27 and if so, did you have issues with the compass? Was there a deviation that couldn't be corrected with adjustments to the compass?

Any comments are welcome.

 

[walldog]

I've searched the forums but haven't seen this discussed anywhere.

I don't like the location of the Garmin VHF 200 radio in my 2010 R-25. It's mounted low at the helm and I can't see the display well. I want to get the bracket and mount it on top of the dash. The problem is the compass is also located there and I'm not sure if the deviation the radio would create with the magnetic compass is constant or random and if the compass can be adjusted to compensate for it. The distance between the radio and compass as currently configured is about 18 inches which is less than the 1 meter I've read is the optimum. But the relocated radio would now be within 4 or 5 inches which is MUCH less.

Has anyone made this move with a R25, R25SC, or R27 and if so, did you have issues with the compass? Was there a deviation that couldn't be corrected with adjustments to the compass?

Any comments are welcome.

This is a good place for us

 

[South lake]

The upper shelf is my second choice but for me just on top of the dash would be perfect. If necessary I may move the compass. What's interesting is that the current location of the compass has it surrounded by the electronics, windshield wiper motors, the speaker on the starboard side of the sleeping berth, my handheld VHF when it's laying on the dash, etc. and none of that seems to affect the compass so far.

 

[knotflying]

I think you will definitely have compass issues and I suspect that the compass will change between transmit and receive, so making adjustments will be almost impossible. I have not done it yet, but I thought a simple fix may be to loosen the unit and put a wedge piece at the bottom with the back of the unit pushed down. This would tilt the face up thereby making visibility better. Garmin makes a mic with all the controls and display in the handle, but it is just as expensive as a new radio. Ranger has put a lot of thought into their design, but they missed the boat (no pun intended) on the VHF and the Yanmar display. The ya mar is also much better read when tilted.

 

[South lake]

I've looked at the mic with the controls and display but it too must be a minimum of 20 inches from the compass and like you say, it's awfully pricey. Right now I'm thinking of moving the compass to the passenger side dash.

 

[baz]

I think you will definitely have compass issues and I suspect that the compass will change between transmit and receive, so making adjustments will be almost impossible. I have not done it yet, but I thought a simple fix may be to loosen the unit and put a wedge piece at the bottom with the back of the unit pushed down. This would tilt the face up thereby making visibility better. Garmin makes a mic with all the controls and display in the handle, but it is just as expensive as a new radio. Ranger has put a lot of thought into their design, but they missed the boat (no pun intended) on the VHF and the Yanmar display. The ya mar is also much better read when tilted.

I agree with all about the VHF 200 radio location. I've already moved the Mic to be higher and attached it to outboard side of the grab handle, but haven't figured out what's best for the radio relocation.

Mike have you in fact tilted the Yanmar engine display yet ? I have to use a small LED flashlight at times to read that darn Yanmar display.... 🙁

 

[knotflying]

Have not moved the yanmar display yet, but have seen a couple that have been tilted and it does make an improvenment,

 

[Nudge]

We have a R29 and also experience the same frustration with the location of the VHF 200. Thought through many of the same options you and other tugnuts expressed and finally decided to leave it where it is and purchase a GHS 20 wireless remote handset. This fix is expensive but the install of the GWH 20 wireless hub was as easy as two screws and one plug to the back of the radio. The charger for the handset can go anywhere. Better still, the handset itself can go anywhere, too. We are not limited by a handset wire and both of us have ready access to the handset and radio controls. Best of all, no new holes, no old holes to cover, and no deviation to the compass.

 

[RProffer]

I don't know about you, but I like my compass in front of me in case I need to navigate using the compass. I like to sight through the compass to make sure I am on heading. If the compass if off to the side and you have rough seas, then it is hard to sight through the compass and properly man the helm.

 

[SUWANNEE]

i moved the radio over a year ago. I have an R-27 so I cannot comment on the moving on an R-25.
I am not a professional like many on this forum but just a casual boater but when something does not work for me, I seek corrective actions. In this case, the radio display for a person of my height was "hidden" and the controls were almost impossible to operate, so in my ignorance i moved the radio to the compartment over the helm station. The microphone , i mounted to the left oft the opening of the compartment.

I now have a marvelous working installation of my radio. I can see the display, play with the controls and reach the mic handily.

My compass was not affected, during the summer I had issues with my autopilot electronic compass and we had many runs to sea before we were satisfied with our readings. Part of our tests involved the many times we lined up with St. Marks range markers at the lighthouse and all of the appropriate magnetic variations.

I have a pretty brass plate, waiting to be engraved, where the radio was. 😎

 

[baz]

I've searched the forums but haven't seen this discussed anywhere.

I don't like the location of the Garmin VHF 200 radio in my 2010 R-25. It's mounted low at the helm and I can't see the display well. I want to get the bracket and mount it on top of the dash. The problem is the compass is also located there and I'm not sure if the deviation the radio would create with the magnetic compass is constant or random and if the compass can be adjusted to compensate for it. The distance between the radio and compass as currently configured is about 18 inches which is less than the 1 meter I've read is the optimum. But the relocated radio would now be within 4 or 5 inches which is MUCH less.

Has anyone made this move with a R25, R25SC, or R27 and if so, did you have issues with the compass? Was there a deviation that couldn't be corrected with adjustments to the compass?

Any comments are welcome.

This is a good place for us

The one possible issue with this location is if one isn't that tall and standing on the cabin floor then reaching up to grab the mic might present a problem.... Herb: does it under these conditions ?

 

[walldog]

The one possible issue with this location is if one isn't that tall and standing on the cabin floor then reaching up to grab the mic might present a problem.... Herb: does it under these conditions ?

I have never had the need to operate the radio from standing on the cabin floor. I operate the radio fine from sitting at the helm or standing at the helm. I am 64" tall. We use our handheld vhf for other locations.

 

[South lake]

After much thought I had our VHF radio and the Yanmar engine display moved. The radio now hangs from the shelf over the helm and the Yanmar display now sits on the top right corner of the dash. Gary Wirkner at South Shore Marine moved these for me. He used black starboard to make blanks to cover the holes where the units were removed. Here's a couple of photos. Click them for a larger view.

This is the old location with blanks covering the holes.



This is a closeup of the new location. To the left of the Yanmar display is a holder for my iPhone that suction cups to the windshield. The cord is a 12 volt connector for the iPhone.



Here's a full view of the new setup.



I'm really happy with the new location. Now I can see the displays on both the radio and the Yanmar Engine Monitor without taking my attention away from what's in front of the boat. Of course I immediately started to wonder about what other goodies I could put in the freed up helm station real estate :lol: