Icom IC-M34 VHF Waterproof Marine Two-Way Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this radio for a recent vacation boating on Lake Powell. I wanted the radio for emergency communications and weather monitoring.
The weather monitoring came in crystal clear and was necessary since we were in the middle of the Arizona monsoon season. Fortunately I never needed the radio for emergency reasons, but it gave me peace of mind having it.
The unit is solid and well built. I chose Icom due to my experience as a Radioman in the US Navy. If it's good enough for the Navy, it's good enough for me.

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The Icom IC-M34 VHF Marine Transceiver is the industry's first floating marine VHF hand-held radio. Compact and lightweight, this unit is incredibly powerful, with plenty of smart features that make it the perfect companion for any marine outing, whether it is just a few hours of fishing, or a week-long expedition.
The IC-M34 utilizes an easy-to-read LCD screen with a large 2-digit channel indicator that also displays the volume and SQL levels, and features both screen and key backlighting for easy night time use. This marine transceiver is also easy to use, with nine large buttons on the front panel that provide simple intuitive operation, and an easy-to-hold rounded body that fits securely and comfortably in your hand. The IC-M34 offers quick access to your favorite channels with a favorite channel function that lets you tag your most-used frequencies, as well as providing instant access to channel 16 and channel 9 in case of emergencies. What's more, this unit offers dual- and tri-watch functions, so it can constantly scan channel 16 as well as one or two user-selected channels so you never miss anything important. As an added convenience, the IC-M34 features an auto scan function, a two-step power saver, and weather channel reception with alerts for approaching dangerous weather.
Built tough, the Icom IC-M34 is constructed to not only IPX7 waterproofing standards, which means it can be fully submersed in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, but has been designed to float in both fresh and salt water, so if you drop it you can quickly and easily retrieve it again. This unit also features an AquaQuake draining function which emits a vibrating sound that clears water away from the speaker grill. The IC-M34 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to nine hours of operating time, while a four-step battery indicator lets you know how long you have to go. This unit is completely portable, weighing only 10.8 ounces with the battery in, and measuring 2.44 x 5.56 x 1.69 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box Icom IC-M34 marine radio, hand strap, antenna, battery pack, battery charger, AC adapter, belt clip, user's manual and warranty information.

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Standard Horizon STD-HX471S Handheld Marine VHF Radio (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)Very good VHF. The sound is great, simple operation, but doesn't have a basic battery charge indicator. I didn't use yet up to the total discharge of the battery, and don't know if it has any notice about charging need.

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Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio stations with the Standard Horizon STD-HX471SS handheld two-way VHF radio. Specifically designed for marine use, the HX471SS is factory programmed with all U.S., Canadian, and international marine channels, letting you communicate easily with other ocean-going vessels. At the same time, the radio receives a host of weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), so you can learn about approaching storms or hurricanes well before they hit. And should you want to call your friends or family on shore or sing along to your favorite station, the HX471SS can handle that, too. The radio's Family Radio Service (FRS) band accommodates your ship-to-shore communications, while the AM, FM, and aeronautical bands give you a ton of listening options. Simply put, the HX471SS lets you monitor a range of frequencies previously unavailable in any portable marine VHF radio.
As with any well-built marine radio, the HX471SS is rugged and fully waterproof, with a high-impact, non-corrosive, silver die-cast chassis that can withstand a high degree of physical abuse while also standing up to submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Want a submersible radio to take hiking, skiing, hunting, or caravanning? Look no further. It's also a breeze to browse through the channels using the scan function either without priority (starting from lowest to highest) or while monitoring emergency channels. And should you want to scan between a VHF marine channel and a FRS channel, simply activate the Dual Watch function. Other operational details include an NOAA weather alert function that notifies you of impending severe weather, a Preset key that lets you store up to 10 channels for each band, and a high-intensity strobe light that emits the internally recognized S.O.S. signal during emergencies--a must for any boater. The S.O.S. beacon can be seen from up to 1 mile away.
Another nice feature is the NMEA charging cradle that lets you connect the radio to a GPS. Once connected, the radio stores your GPS location in its memory, and then notifies the Coast Guard or other emergency service should an accident occur. In the event of a distress, simply grab the HX471SS, lift the Distress cover, and depress the Distress key for three seconds. The radio will then transmit a distress call with your position while simultaneously activating the strobe light.
Packaged with a 1,300 mAh lithium-ion battery, HX471SS delivers 10 to 12 hours of operation on a single charge. Plus, the battery is guaranteed never to develop a "memory" that inhibits its ability to work for a full day. To charge, simply attach either the AC or 12-volt DC cable to the charging cradle and you're set (charging time is roughly three hours).
The radio, which also comes with a quick-draw belt clip, measures 2.36 by 3.78 by 1.12 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box Handheld marine VHF radio, rechargeable battery, AC charger, 12-volt DC charger with cigarette lighter plug, charging cradle, user's manual.

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ICOM M504-01 25-Watt VHF Fixed-Mount Radio (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have two on my boat....one did go out after a year and I bought another one to replace it. It arrived quick and in great shape. Over all they are great radios with great features. I like the RX and loud hailer they come in handy in my line of work. Im sure the one that went out was a fluke (Icom makes great radios) but if I have any trouble with the other ones I will update this review.

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Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB Handheld VHF Marine Radio (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)These radios were over $350.00...Now that newer models have arrived you can purchase for approx $100 less. Radio has several bands (Air, FMS, AM/FM etc.) in addition to marine radio.
Reception is very clear and the compact unit is solid quality. We have used for approx 3 years with no problems. Sound is very good at all volume levels except at full volume you get some distortion. However, you do not need full volume to clearly hear.
You won't go wrong with this feature packed radio.

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Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio stations with the Standard Horizon STD-HX471SB handheld two-way VHF radio.
Keep on top of emergencies, stay in touch with other boaters, and even listen to your favorite AM and FM radio station.

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Icom IC-M88 Handheld VHF Marine Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have used two of these radios extensively for sea kayaking (in various countries). I have also used them as two way radios (using the land radio channels) for skiing, climbing and hiking. The quality of the units is excellent: they can withstand shocks, bumps and being dropped. And they are definitely waterproof as per the specification. Sound quality and range are both excellent, certainly much better than the license free units I have used.

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Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environment, the Icom IC-M88 handheld VHF radio is a must for safety-minded boaters. The radio is outfitted with a host of valuable features, including an easy-to-read backlit LCD display, an intuitive six-button keypad, and a rugged waterproof housing that's submersible in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. More significantly, the radio works with all 57 U.S., 61 Canadian, and 57 international channels, along with 10 weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The VHF channels offer an ideal way to communicate with other boaters--whether exchanging information on a great fishing spot or sending out a distress signal--while the NOAA channels notify you when inclement weather is approaching. As a bonus, the radio also offers 22 free channels (from 146 to 174 MHz) reserved for land mobile (commercial) use, making this an ideal unit for marine professionals who also work on the shore (requires FCC license).
The radio's layout is straightforward and easy to use, with a half dozen clearly labeled buttons on the front panel and a volume/power knob along the top. The radio's rugged body, meanwhile, meets military specifications for durability, so you can rough it up at sea or on land without fearing a breakdown. Other design details include 5 watts of output power for reliable communication over long distances, a surprisingly compact chassis that fits easily in the palm of your hand, and a two-step power saver that preserves battery life.
The IC-M88 also offers several scanning modes, including an auto scan function that starts scanning whenever no signal is detected, a traditional scan mode that searches through all the tag channels in sequence, a priority scan mode that does the same but also monitors the distress channel (number 16), and a weather alert option that immediately switches the radio to the appropriate weather channel when a storm warning comes through. Users will also dig the Dual Watch and Tri-Watch functions. The former lets you communicate on a channel of your choice while also keeping an eye on channel 16, while the latter monitors two channels--channel 16 and another channel--while receiving a third channel. The pair of "watch"modes guarantee that you won't miss an important emergency call from a distressed boater while your attention is otherwise engaged.
Additional features include a lithium-ion battery pack that delivers up to 15 hours of talk time per charge, instant access to channels 16 and 9, a key lock function, a four-level battery life indicator, a programmable beep sound, and a self-check function that monitors the internal temperature, connected battery voltage, and water intrusion. Bundled with such accessories as a drop-in charger, swivel belt clip, and hand strap, the IC-M88 radio measures 2.44 by 3.81 by 1.53 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.
What's in the Box IC-M88 radio, lithium-ion battery pack, drop-in charger, AC adapter, swivel belt clip, hand strap, antenna, user's manual.

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