Icom M71

[ashbypower]

Looking at buying the Icom M71, any one have experience of these?
Our other radios (Fixed and HH) are Icom and have no problems. Is the M71 as good?

Tnx in advance

Brian

[whiteminiman]

Yes. It's better.

Having used pretty much the whole iCom handheld range (all the way back to those huge brick ones that are about as long as your arm) in some pretty atrocious conditions (Lifeguards... do I need to say more?) I can confidently say that the M71 is the best of the lot, but far.

WMM

[Jon Brooks]

Without a doubt the best spec radio on the market at this time.
It is IMHO a world beater.

All the best

[Top banana]

slightly devieating any comments on the icom ic m87 looks a small radio and easy to stow in pocket of dry suit.

[Jon Brooks]

Hi Top,

How is that boat of yours?
Have had some great nights out in her with Dan.

The M87e is designed as a semi commercial unit.
As well as marine it can be programmed with licenced PMR channels.
This is so boat yards, docks etc don't need to carry two radio's.

Battery pack is a bit smaller than the M71.
It is squat and chanky in the hand.
Ok if you have big hands not so good if you have small hands.
The display is not all that good, is very small compared to everything else on the market.

If you are going the Icom route the M71 is bar far a better radio and don't go for the M31, it has a few quirks....enough said.

Best regards

[tomcat]

I have one, spent a while in the shop choosing between the varoius models,

Sailing Today did a very good review of handheld s and the ICOM was highly rated, the raymarine came top but when you got them both side by side the ICOM just felt right in the hand.

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by tomcat

I have one, spent a while in the shop choosing between the varoius models,

Sailing Today did a very good review of handheld s and the ICOM was highly rated, the raymarine came top but when you got them both side by side the ICOM just felt right in the hand.

The down side of that review was that it was one mans thoughts on the range and Tim has is own views, some good some not so good!!!

The Raymarine should never have come top, that is my veiw and the view of a huge number of people in the industry dealers, end users etc.

I know Codders in in love with Raymarine but it is by far not the best radio on the market at this time.

I am aware of a good number of people that have had it and it has failed in one way or another.

It is big, over chunky, display is not that hot and def over priced.

You can do a lot better with a lot less money IMHO

All the best.

[tomcat]

[QUOTE=Jon Brooks;177750] The down side of that review was that it was one mans thoughts on the range and Tim has is own views, some good some not so good!!!

The Raymarine should never have come top, that is my veiw and the view of a huge number of people in the industry dealers, end users etc.

I know Codders in in love with Raymarine but it is by far not the best radio on the market at this time.

I am aware of a good number of people that have had it and it has failed in one way or another.

It is big, over chunky, display is not that hot and def over priced.

You can do a lot better with a lot less money IMHO

All the best. [/QUOTE

I agree with you Jon, however i was more intrested in the techincal specs of the devices and not really the opnions of the testers. the IP rating, power output, channels etc

regards

[Jon Brooks]

Tom,

That's good to know.
Some many people don't look at that when they buy.
They just go for the "star rating".

Well have to say if your looking at the M71 you won't go far wrong.
It's spec is way ahead of the others...not matter what the others might tell you

All the best

[Top banana]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Hi Top,

How is that boat of yours?
Have had some great nights out in her with Dan.

The M87e is designed as a semi commercial unit.
As well as marine it can be programmed with licenced PMR channels.
This is so boat yards, docks etc don't need to carry two radio's.

Battery pack is a bit smaller than the M71.
It is squat and chanky in the hand.
Ok if you have big hands not so good if you have small hands.
The display is not all that good, is very small compared to everything else on the market.

If you are going the Icom route the M71 is bar far a better radio and don't go for the M31, it has a few quirks....enough said.

Best regards

Hi john boats great, virtually rebuit her apart from console,all part of the pleasure i guess not that her indoors would agree, thanks for icom info,just bought the icm87 mainly due to fact of pmr channels and small build.regards

[Jon Brooks]

Nice one Top,

Am sure you know but just checking, the PMR channels are licenced VHF PMR channels not the licence free UHF channels.

You will need a Licence from Ofcom to have these programmed in.
The entry level licence is the UK General PBR Licence.

Best regards