I have a then top of the line Icom IC-M127 VHF that is probably 15 years old. It works fine but does not have any of today's improvements. It does not even have a DSC "distress" button. The reason I have never purchased a new VHF is because all radios since then have been smaller. Since the radio is in a cutout in the teak panel above the helm it was not convenient to install a smaller radio.
At the Seattle boat show I learned that Icom is coming out with a new model IC-M605 that is actually a good bit bigger than my older radio (10.8 inch x 4.5 inch but not near as deep). It appears to have more bells and whistles than anything on the market including a 4.3 inch color screen to display the AIS targets. It also offers a separate control head that can show AIS targets at a second location on the boat. Details are on the Icom website.
If anybody has heard anything about potential pricing I would like to hear about it. Thanks in advance.
<<<Gary Ritzman>>> M/V Dharma Albin 40 Mercer Island WA
I have a then top of the line Icom IC-M127 VHF that is probably 15 years old. It works fine but does not have any of today's improvements. It does not even have a DSC "distress" button. The reason I have never purchased a new VHF is because all radios since then have been smaller. Since the radio is in a cutout in the teak panel above the helm it was not convenient to install a smaller radio.
At the Seattle boat show I learned that Icom is coming out with a new model IC-M605 that is actually a good bit bigger than my older radio (10.8 inch x 4.5 inch but not near as deep). It appears to have more bells and whistles than anything on the market including a 4.3 inch color screen to display the AIS targets. It also offers a separate control head that can show AIS targets at a second location on the boat. Details are on the Icom website.
If anybody has heard anything about potential pricing I would like to hear about it. Thanks in advance.
<<<Gary Ritzman>>> M/V Dharma Albin 40 Mercer Island WA
