VHF radios are among the most important accessories to be installed on any boat due to the fact that they allow the crew to contact the outside world at any given moment. The same applies to the product you're about to see as follows, namely the LVR-880 DSC VHF+FM Fixed Mount Marine Radio from Lowrance Electronics, a device that can be used both for communicating with other boats, authorities, etc. and for tuning into the broadcast of one's favorite FM station.



Basically, the LVR-880 is a VHF radio with stereo FM radio receiver, which provides dual NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 DSC integration, thus enabling the exclusive "Track-Your-Buddy" feature. This special function connects DSC position polling to Lowrance LCX, LMS and GlobalMap units via NMEA 2000 to show the location of up to three boating friends on the GPS chart display.



The device also provides full Class-D or SC-101 automatic distress operation with high-res position polling and group calling via NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000 output to chartplotters, channel naming possibilites, as well as S.A.M.E. weather alert for country-to-country monitoring with NOAA Wx 1050Hz tone alert.



Additionally, the LVR-880 includes a simplified intercom with talkback plus built-in 22 w hailer-horn, as well as a large, 2.24-inch (57 mm) speaker for improved audio output when going at high speeds. It also sports 6 tactile microphone keys with WX key Rotary Channel control with press-to-enter, as well a 3 favorite channel mode with scan.



It's also interesting to note that, for easier use, the device has been equipped with a 3-inch FSTN full-matrix LCD display, which delivers an 128 x 64 pixels resolution and works quite OK during nigthtime as well, since the device has also been equipped with a backlighting system.



The LVR-880 DSC VHF+FM Fixed Mount Marine Radio retails for around 170 – 190 US dollars, which is a surprisingly low price to pay for this device, given the numerous features and specs it has to offer.