Misting display on iCom 323

gordir999 · 12 January 2014, 11:07

Anybody else suffering from the screen misting up on the inside of their VHF? Specifically, I bought a new iCom 323 in May last year and now I'm out in the colder weather, after a few minutes of the set being on the screen is unreadable. Radio's working ok, you just can' see what your doing! Makes DSC calls particularly challenging :-)

Trimix · 12 January 2014, 15:07

My brand new Standard Horizon did the same, I sent it back and got a new one a week later. They also sent me a cover for it.

I thought it was just me with a 'Friday special'.

nugent · 12 January 2014, 15:38

Ad I was very close to buying one of these last night,,,,,

gordir999 · 12 January 2014, 17:05

It was fine through the summer and is a good no frills DSC radio but not much good if it's going to this. Before I take it out of the console, does anybody know if you can get the front cover off to clean and dry it out?

JCW · 12 January 2014, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordir999

Anybody else suffering from the screen misting up on the inside of their VHF? Specifically, I bought a new iCom 323 in May last year and now I'm out in the colder weather, after a few minutes of the set being on the screen is unreadable. Radio's working ok, you just can' see what your doing! Makes DSC calls particularly challenging :-)

I have the Icom M423 since April last year. It has started to mist up too. The same was reported in this months Sportsboat & Rib magazine.
I phoned Icom about it and they said that depending on the humidity in the air during manufacture the screen will have some moisture in it. So I assume it is this moisture that condensates which causes the misting. They did offer to have a look if I sent it to them but my screen does clear after 30 mins or so. I have not experienced this with my 10 year old Icom handheld. It is disappointing as the radio performs brilliantly.
Icom did not offer to replace my radio for this issue.

PeterM · 12 January 2014, 18:13

Both my sh hand held have what I assume to be a breathable membrane 'hole' as does my Dr fusion. The fusion was so misted yesterday I couldn't read it....this morning it's clear again....

desertrat · 12 January 2014, 20:14

I've just ordered one of these as it was the only radio I looked at where I couldn't find someone that had fogging display issues!

Now I don't know what to do maybe they can all mist up. They should surely use optically bonded displays which would solve this issue.

willk · 12 January 2014, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertrat

Now I don't know what to do maybe they can all mist up. They should surely use optically bonded displays which would solve this issue.

You'd certainly have thought that something could be done that didn't cost the Earth. I dunno - a small heater wire or a clip-in silica gel capsule...

Trimix · 12 January 2014, 21:35

The reason they mist up is just physics and the fact that all manufactures use the same materials and techniques. They will also build to a similar standard as their costs and margins will be similar.

Perhaps putting them together in a low humidity environment would be better. Then you would not have moisture inside in the first place.

gordir999 · 13 January 2014, 10:17

I contacted iCom yesterday via the web and have just received a request to return the unit to them.

No further details, but perhaps the issue is occurring enough for them to at least look at a possible manufacturing fault.

OSPREY RIBS · 13 January 2014, 12:15

Ive had the same issue with a Garmin. Called them this morning, no questions asked they're sending a new one

Looks like its an issue with a number of manufacturers.

Trimix · 13 January 2014, 12:28

They must all be made the same way to the same standards.

But that means they send us a replacement, but from the same factory. I wonder how long till the replacement fogs up ?

JCW · 13 January 2014, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trimix

They must all be made the same way to the same standards.

But that means they send us a replacement, but from the same factory. I wonder how long till the replacement fogs up ?

You are right, unless the manufacturing process changes or you get one built on a low humidy day then the replacement will probably do the same. It is certainly something that should be designed out. If this happened to my Garmin 750 chartplotter and I got the same response from the manufactuer I would be requesting a refund as it would be unuseable.

willk · 13 January 2014, 14:20

I had five LCD displays on the old RIB over her time with me. Only one unit, a Raymarine plotter fogged up. I "cured" it by opening the plotter and inserting a small bag of silica gel beads in the casing. I'm not sure this is a workable solution for a VHF, even if one COULD be @rsed. With the heat being generated within the casing, air MUST move in and out each time you use it, so some system for managing moisture seems like the only solution...

rib1948 · 24 January 2014, 16:17

You can open ICOM and the HF is shielded against radiation into the front.
There is space to put a small bag of silica gel beads between the front printed circuit and the HF shielding.
I recomend to put the silica bag in a plastic cover to avoid the contamination of the printed circuit withe the humidity when the silicagel is getting saturated.
For that you might want to make some holes in the upper parts of the plastic cover,
but to let the plastic cover intact at the lower part.
Wilhelm