Warning to Icom IC-M1 owners: Icom apparently no longer makes the Icom IC-M1 VHF radio. It has been replaced on their Web site by the Icom IC-M1V model, which is a total redesign that uses a lithium-ion battery pack instead of a Ni-Cad battery pack. See http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/handhelds/. The manufacturer claims 14 hours of operation on a single charge of the lithium-ion battery pack, but I have been unable to learn whether it is compatible with the old M1. A consequence of this change is that if you need any accessories for your old M1, including replacement battery packs, you should buy them now while they are still available. West Marine has already removed the M1 and accessories from its online catalog. Boat/US no longer stocks the M1, but still stocks some accessories, including Ni-Cad battery packs, at http://www.boatus-store.com/MC_Online/Browse.asp?ShowItem=17706. Unfortunately, this model has a proprietary, sealed battery pack, so if it dies and you don't have a replacement, you are out of luck. I just ordered two -- one for Linda and one for me. It's handy to have a spare, fully-charged, battery pack along, in any case. Another interesting thing about the Icom IC-M1V is that Icom rates it as waterproof but not submersible. This is a retreat from their claim of JIS-7 submersibility for the IC-M1, which I think was always more a marketing ploy than an engineering feat, though I have to say mine has held up well to repeated dunkings. The only model Icom now rates as submersible is the IC-M15, which is larger and more expensive. If I were to buy a VHF radio for kayaking today, I think I would buy the Standard HS-350S because of its submersibility rating and good reviews on Paddlewise. I noticed, however, that there is no information about it on the Standard web site. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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