Icom IC-M25: The marine VHF radio of choice
by Mark Jardine 22 Jan 2019 12:00 UTC
Icom sponsor 'The One' Bassenthwaite Lake Sailing Week Safety Team © ICOM UK
The Icom IC-M25 is the ubiquitous marine VHF radio. When it comes to a handheld device for inshore and support boat use, it's difficult to think what more you'd want from it.
There are of course other 'budget' marine VHF radios on the market, but whatever the boats I've sailed on it seems to be the M25 which I see on board. My thinking behind this is the quality and dependability that the M25 provides. The 11 hour battery life mean you get all-day usage from it and the quality Icom is renowned for means this is a marine VHF which lasts.
Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom UK, said, "Buoyant, stylish, elegant, slim, USB recharging and weighing in at just 220g, you get a lot for your money when you buy this radio."
The LCD screen is clear and simple, as is the key layout both the screen and keys are auto-backlit. The thought and experience which have gone into the ergonomics of the M25 mean everything is exactly where you'd expect it to be. The keylock keeps you on the right channel, even within a busy yacht cockpit.
USB charging on devices takes the hassle away from marine VHFs. Supplied with an AC adapter, the M25 may also be charged with third-party charges which are used for many other devices such as smart phones. This means you're never far from a top-up, and it only takes 3 hours to get itself to full charge.
The IPX7 waterproof construction means the M25 can be submerged to 1 metre depth for 30 minutes. Since it's buoyant this is highly unlikely to happen, but it does mean in everyday use, this marine VHF is fully waterproof. When the M25 does get wet, a flashing red LED helps you locate and retrieve it. The sea is an unforgiving place for electronics, but the rugged M25 is up to the task. No wonder it's a best seller.
Ian said, "Icom has a great reputation for making reliable radios which are both straightforward to use and meet the demands of the environment they are designed for... that's the Icom hallmark for quality and reliability."
Find out more at www.icomuk.co.uk/IC-M25Euro/Handheld-VHF-Marine-Radio