plastimo vhf

[Steve Care]

Has anyone tried out the new plastimo 7100 dsc vhf radio or heard of any good or bad reviews on it.
Seems very good value.But is it?

If Jon Brooks answers I'm sure it will be bad

[marknj]

Hi, I had a look at them at LBS they 'look' very good 'for the money'. I should have them in stock around 15th March, I'll let you know what I think after i've had a closer look. Shame Icom UK don't sell the 402 as would be great.

Mark

[simmons0]

I had a look at the NEC boat show and ive only heard good reports about them.

ps. Im sticking with the silva s10.

[Jon Brooks]

Firstly I am a huge Icom fan, not just cause they pay my wages.
Have always worked with, repaired or sold Icom kit.
Long before I came here.

I use Icom radio's all the time away from here, not just in a boat.

But...

This unit does look good, feels nice easy to use.
Bigish display
My 3 big tests for any radio is :- can I fly it without a manual, can I read the disply without my glasses, could I use it with gloves on.
This one I can, there is a lot I can't.

The proof in the pudding is feedback from people who have it on their boat.

I get a lot of feedback about everyones radio's, I always test everyones radio's, easy to sort the chaff from the wheat then.

Icom to have a hole in the line up at the moment, and we know it.
We do not have an entry level all in one.

If you have the money and the space I would always fit our M601.
But I would say that!!

Regards

[Paul Glatzel]

Jon

Out of interest why aren't the M402* and the M502* sold here. The M601 is certainly excellent but it is very much at the upper end of the scale and is very big, the need to bolt on the DSC unit to the 401 & 501 makes this often an impractical option for many consoles. The result being Icom must be losing out to the Simrad RD68 & other units. I appreciate you may state it will be about type approval but if Icom UK are minded to achieve this then i cannot believe its that difficult or expensive to achieve and would fill an undoubted gap in the product range - it may also stop loads of people selling the US versions on Ebay!

Paul


*These are DSC equipped versions of the M401 & M501

[Jon Brooks]

Hi Paul,

The DSC standard in the above units is either class F or SC101 and not class D.
Both are only for use in the USA.

It is not a high enough standard for Europe.

Is is only ok for US that never leave US waters. If the boat comes this way it must carry a class D DSC.
They have 2 types of VHF ship licence, one is for boats that never leave and I understand this is free.
For boats leaving the US it is about $200 per year.

Yes we do loose out at that end of the market but I don't think it will be forever!!

Regards

[Phil Davies]

Originally posted by Jon Brooks

My 3 big tests for any radio is :- can I fly it without a manual, can I read the disply without my glasses, could I use it with gloves on.

My number one big test for any radio is - does the ba****d let water in, and in the case of some of your handhelds, Jon, I'm afraid they do - all too readily.

[Jon Brooks]

Phil

Which radio?

M31 M21 M1V M87 and the old M15 are all fully waterproof.
Anything else is only splashproof.
If they let water in whilst under warranty (3 years) and its not neglect it is replaced FOC.

This also goes for the M401, M503 and M601.

Would be very interested in which radio you are having or had problem with.


Regards

[Headhunter]

For sale ICOM 401 !!!! Nearly New.
Don't tell me it's nearly obsolete already.

Should I wait for a cheaper ICOM DSC or upgrade to DSC with the ICOM 100 (or whatever it is) now?

John

[Jon Brooks]

There is nothing new in the pipeline at this time.
Hand on heart but hell that could change tomorrow.

When you looking at buying a DSC unit? (DS100)

Regads

[Headhunter]

Jon
As soon as they become obsolete
Then they will be cheap

Unless you can point me in the right direction for a good deal

John

[Jon Brooks]

Do you want or need DSC now?
If yes then buy, if you can wait I would wait.

Regards

[Steve Care]

I have been quoted £170.00 inc vat for this vhf which seems like good value for money with dsc, as long as it works well

[Rene]

Hi Jon

Can you tell me if there is any difference between the Icom 601 and the 602, besides the number.

I know the 602 is for the US market, but is there any differens inside the radio ?

Is there any difference on the DCS bit of the radio ?

Hope you know this. There is a big price difference on the two.

Regards
Rene

[Jon Brooks]

Rene

its all down to type approval and CE marking on those products.

The programming of the units is different to.
They use some channels in a strange way comared to the rest of us.

The US product is not CE marked.
It is not approved for Europe under R&TTE.

In the UK if you vessel is inspected by OFCOM (was Radio Agency)
And you have a US set fitted, you are liable for a fine of £5000, confiscation of the radio and its power supply (thats is the whole boat!)
It is classed as a "absolute offence) that means you only have to be in possesion of the kit not actually using it.

I know some will say this in scare mongering but these are the facts from OFCOM, not me making it up.

The big diff in ther UK market is warranty, we do not cover any US set under warranty, they will give you about 3 months warranty Icom UK will give you 3 years.

Out of interested what is the latest price you have seen in the US?

Regards

[Rene]

Hi Jon

The latest quote is 489 us.

And I have a mate who is going over there in a few weeks so I was thinking about it. The rules are not that strict here in Denmark. But I need the radio to work incl. the dcs unit. I don't want to buy anything that's not working.

Regards
Rene

[Jon Brooks]

Well have to say with all the pitfalls in mind, that is a cracking price. (don't quot me on that!)

I know we will not effect repairs on these, you may want to check with you Icom distributor if they will.

Regards