[Paddlewise] Re[2]: "Waterproof" . . . VHFs

     Just as a clarification, the Apelco 501 is <not> water-resistant or 
     waterproof or submersible; it is under $200 (Defender lists it for 
     $174.95 US) and it has the "weather alert" feature, definitely an 
     important feature, but it isn't water-<anything>!  
     
     The Apelco 510 is "waterproof" to the Coast Guard spec (CFR-76, or 
     whatever it is --- the one with the hose spraying it) and mine 
     performs to and beyond that spec; I have rolled with it on my PFD (the 
     roll was on purpose but leaving the radio on the PFD was not 
     deliberate) and it has seen a lot of salt water across it and 
     survives.  It does not have the "weather alert" feature, and the best 
     price I've seen is about $225 --- Defender now lists it for $234.95 
     US.
     
     The new Apelco 520 is "waterproof" but is also "submersible" --- a 
     more demanding spec (JIS-7).  This is definitely a more robust 
     kayaker's VHF, and should perform well.  (Hopefully, George Bergeron 
     saw the humor in my response when I talked about "over-specing" 
     equipment --- but I think, in this case, the added qualification is a 
     good thing.)  And the 520 also has the "weather alert" feature.  For 
     $264.95 (Defender's price), the $30 difference is worth it over the 
     510, in my opinion.
     
     Re the ICOM question, the ICOM M15 is "waterproof" and "submersible", 
     according to the Defender catalog.  Looks like the M1 is "waterproof", 
     probably to the CFR spec.  Does not appear to have the "weather alert" 
     feature.  But the M15 is a little pricier than Apelco --- Defender has 
     it at $329.95 US.
     
     (I am not connected in any way, shape or form to Defender, by the way 
     --- other than having grown up in a town next to where Defender grew 
     up!  They just usually seem to have the best prices, and, armed with 
     their catalog, I've been generally successful in getting other 
     retailers to match the Defender price.  So it's a good benchmark.)
     
     Joq
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