RE: [Paddlewise] Waterproof radios

Nope, I cut and pasted that info from Icom's Web page today. The radio
was indeed rated water-resistant by Icom last year, but that was changed
to waterproof after one of the sailing magazines gave it the immersion
test, though I doubt that the design changed any. E&B Marine/West Marine
gives it the same highly waterproof rating as the M15 in their catalogs,
and they have to deal with the returns. It is still a good radio. When I
removed the battery pack I found no water in the battery contacts.

Chuck Holst

 -----Original Message-----
From: Patrick Maun [mailto:patrick.maun_at_duffy.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 1998 2:04 PM
To: paddlewise
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Waterproof radios


Thanks for the backup there Chuck. I did do my homework. I checked the   website
carefully (which Chuck has quoted), read the literature, talked with the   store
(US Marine) and other paddlers. If the website now states water   resistant,
then
that is a recent change.
 -Patrick

CHUCK wrote:
>
>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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