RE: [Paddlewise] Waterproof radios

The following statements are quoted verbatim from the Icom Web site at   http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/handhelds/m1.html:

>IC-M1
>
>HANDHELD VHF MARINE TRANSCEIVER
>
>Waterproof protection you can count on!
>
>
>Waterproof construction
>
>The IC-M1 is waterproof! Designed for reliable operation under severe
>marine conditions. Torrential downpours, heavy seas - no problem for
>this transceiver.

And on another page:

>Submersible JIS-7 rating (withstands submersion for 30 minutes at depth   of 1 meter)

Chuck Holst


 -----Original Message-----
From: Mattson, Timothy G [mailto:timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 1998 12:43 PM
To: 'paddlewise'
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Waterproof radios


Patrick,

Someone needs to stand up for Icom on this waterproof
radio discussion.

I just recently purchased the M15 instead of the M1.  Based on
past discussions on this list, I too thought the M1 was
waterproof and was planning to buy it. Before making the
purchase, however,  I carefully read over the Icom brochures
and web site, and found they both stated very clearly that the
M1 was  only water resistant.  Based on this fact, I bought the
much more  expensive but truely waterproof M15.

I found the Icom literature very clear on this point.  I was
disappointed that the less expensive M1 didn't provide the
water proof qualities a kayaker needs, but I can't understand
blaming Icom for this.  Their literature was quite clear that
the M1 is water resistent ---  not water proof.

If you purchased your radio based on old literature, that's a
different problem, but not one you can blame on Icom.
If the distributor you purchased the radio from didn't have
up to date literature of if you didn't take the effort to get the
up to date information, that's not Icom's fault.

I feel sorry for you having spent money on a radio that
doesn't meet your needs.  But we live in a "let the buyer beware"
society so you can't blame the manufacturer because you
didn't do your homework.

In fact, you should be singing praises for Icom.  You used
the product incorrectly and they still honored the warantee.
That's quite decent of them.

 --Tim

 -----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Maun [mailto:patrick.maun_at_duffy.com]
Sent: Friday, August 14, 1998 2:55 PM
To: PaddleWise
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Icom Revises Rating

Dan Hagen wrote:
>Sure they can--particularly if they are willing to provide a warranty
>against failure due to water penetration.  I'm sure that Icom will
>repair or replace your unit under warranty.
They did repair it under warranty. It's not the warranty that I'm
complaining
about, it's the fact that they present the M1 and M15 as having the same
level
of waterproofing. I did my research in the way that most of us do: I     asked
fellow paddlers, posted to the list, looked at various Internet specs and
brochures, and finally, talked with the guys at US Marine. It just ticks
me
off that Icom is now claiming that the radio is "resistant" (the flyer is       
actually dated 1995) and not waterproof.  I still know several people who
have
their M1's strapped to their PFD's and are rolling happily away with     them.
How
long until these fail in the field, especially now that we (in the
Midwest)
are getting closer to the more dangerous fall season on Lake Superior.

>If you want to avoid the use of a baggie, I recommend that you consider
>an M15 or a Navico Axis.
After I spent $250 getting the M1 just a few months ago? Anyone have an
idea of how long after purchase US Marine will exchange a radio? And what
is the price of the M15? And is the M15 *really* more waterproof than the       
M1? Too many questions, why can't the damn thing just work like it's
supposed to. Hrumpf.

 -Patrick

**************************************************************************  
*

While paddling in the Nipigon Bay area of Lake Superior last week, I
noticed that my Icom IC-M1 had some condensation on the inside of the
LCD display. For convenience, ever since I bought it last spring I had
been carrying it on trips unprotected in a pocket of my PFD. During these       
trips I had frequently rolled and/or laid in the water, using a sculling
brace, to cool off. This was the first sign of leakage. For the rest of
the trip I carried it inside the day compartment of my Romany. When I got       
home, I put the radio in a sunny window to drive out the moisture. It
still works, but I have decided to order a waterproof bag for it.

On thinking it over, I wonder if it wasn't water vapor rather than liquid       
water that penetrated the seal, in the same way that water vapor passes
through Goretex but not water in the liquid form. If so, it would be
possible for the radio to pass the JIS-7 immersion test even though it
admitted water vapor.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Chuck Holst


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From: "Mattson, Timothy G" <timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com>
To: "'paddlewise'" <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Waterproof radios
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