I need to get a weather radio, especially since I am pretty new at this and could easily miss the little signs of changing weather that someone more experienced could pick up. I need something to tell me "hey dummy, get out of the water."

I also want to get a marine handheld gps. Would be nice to have all the info that they offer.

I did a search on the forum here but get any hits on the garmin rino 530 HCx, a gps/2-way radio/noaa weather radio in one.

has anyone tried it?

Do you think it's a good idea to have both radios in one?

On the one hand its more compact, less stuff to take out on the boat.

On the other, if it breaks or it gets lost in the drink you're down a gps and a radio...

thoughts?