Icom M-601 VHF

[MartinGPerry]

Just had an outrageous quote (£224) from Simrad for a repair to my 3 year old Axis 1400 VHF, I will not be going ahead with this or taking up their offer of 20% off a new model from their range.

I can buy a new radio of the same type from Yachtbits for £244 - Simrad must take me for a mug - now they have lost a customer for good through this ridiculous quote.


I really like the look of the new IcomM601 with remote command mike.

Does anyone have one - I am sure it does the job, but whats it like to use - how is the user interface? Where is the cheapest place to buy one?

thanks

Martin



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[kdf]

The 601 is a great radio - the menu interface is simple and clear and it has a large screen which makes things easier. The remote mic is really useful and can also be used as an intercom to the unit down below. Also with the dsc and the radio combined you now need only a single antenna rather than two with the previous models.

The downside- PRICE. Its about the most expensive unit on the market and hard to justify the price. I got mine as a gift so I can't complain but if it was my money I'd find it difficult to justify the cost, especially when the US version is half the price.

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[Oldhand]

I did a DSC test with a yacht recently fitted with an Icom M601 only to find the Icom was incapable of acknowledging receipt of an individual DSC call. You would think Icom have been in the business long enough to get it right. Apparently a software revision is awaited.... My Simrad DSC system appears to operate correctly. So conclude what you may from that!

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[davidwf]

I was going to buy one but the M601 is on hold until the software has been revised. They could not give an accurate date as to when it would be available.

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[Robin]

We apparently have to pay more than they do in the USA in order to have proper EC type approval. What does this really involve I wonder, obviously not checking that the set actually functions? We have had the NASA problem with GPS signals if the set is mounted too close to the GPS aerial, the GPS signal is wiped out even on standby, yet the sets are supposed to be connected to GPS to transmit the position (what happens if that were a portable GPS?). Now we have one of the most expensive sets that also doesn't work as described, this time until the software is corrected. I was thinking of upgrading last year to a NASA DSC but delayed because of the GPS problem (happened on a clubmembers Nauticat, aerial on wheelhouse, cured by aluminium foil under headlining!). I was thinking maybe this year at Southampton boatshow, but now hear of this defect. On reflection I think I'll wait until I HAVE to make the change, maybe by then all the beta testing will have been completed and it will be possible to select by specification & price, not by which one actually does what it says on the box!

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[Gunfleet]

What's the problem with your 1400? Mine has been misbehaving lately.

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[ccscott49]

I had a look at one, nicely built etc. But the price was just too much.

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[ccscott49]

I had a look at one, nicely built etc. But the price was just too much, for me anyway.

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[Chris_Stannard]

Type approval for the 601 has been temporarily withdrawn as the DSC signalling did not work with the Sailor radios used by the coastguard, Two interpretations of the same standard I gues and having worked in the industry I knnow it happens. The software has been revised and the set is going through type approval, which should take until about the end of august but of course the summer holidays may prolong this.

I understand once this is completed Icom will upgrade sets, but remember guys, under the sale of goods act it is your suppliers responsibility to provide goods which are fir for the purpose for which they intended, so if they try to charge for the upgrade they are failing in their duty.

The cheapest price I can find is £555, if anyone can do better, I would like to know where, as it is the only set which fits in the existing slot in my boat and I do not want to have to buy a new panel.



<hr width=100% size=1>Chris Stannard

 

[Piers]

There is new sofware coming for the 601. It's to do with the Squelch control not being effective enough - hysterisis - I am told by ICOM it won't be long, now - the fix has been made.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk

 

[Twister_Ken]

Used one on a boat I was sailing last week. Seems to work, and I do like being able to make a big channel change by using the keypad and 'enter' rather than rotating a knob a long way. No idea whether the DSC side worked, didn't use it. Big LCD display was nice too, especially if you've eyesight like mine which is on the verge of needing correction with reading glasses, but which I don't often bother about.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[oldgit]

If it is of any interest.Icom have a workshop in which they actually REPAIR equipment.Food for though when your cheap budget stuff goes wrong and the importer tells you they do not fix old equipment but are happy to sell you another new one.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med