Icom iM604A Review Manual page 3

VA LU E g U i d E
Maker
Model
Price
warranty
nMea coMPatibility
Mic controls*
reMote Mic caPable
footPrint (H x w x d)
disPlay size (H x w)
scraMbler
Hailer
auto fog
waterProof
audio outPut (@ 3 feet)
transMit Power
(high/low at 13.8 volts)
transMit Power
(high/low at 11.8 volts)
Power draw
(high/low transmit at 13.8 volts)
Power draw
(high/low transmit at 11.8 volts)
transMitter frequency
stability
receive sensitivity
disPlay rating
audio quality
transMit Power stability
coMMents
$
Best Choice Budget Buy
* Mic controls: 1= Push to talk, 2= Channel change, 3= Quick 16/9, 4= Distress key, 5= Volume adjust, 6+ High/Low power, 7=Other
8 july 2012
e l e c t r o n i c s
high-End fixEd Vhf rAdios
garmin
VHF 300 w/GHS
VHF 200
remote handset
$310 $546
2 years limited 2 years limited
(Americas, (Americas,
Caribbean) Caribbean)
NMEA 0183 & 2000 NMEA 0183 & 2000
1,2,3 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Yes (3 total)
4.65 x 7.56 7.09 x 9.75
x 6.42 inches x 2.5 inches
1.63 x 1
2.75 x 1.6 inch
inch (mic)
No
25 watts 30 watts
Yes
IPX7
TEsT rEsULTs
97 decibels 83 decibels
24.8 / 1.0 watts 21.8 / .85 watts
24.2 / 1.0 watts 21.7 / .85 watts
4.5 / 1.2 amps 4.3 / 1.1 amps
4.7 / .5 amps 4.6 / .5 amps
Very good Very good
Very good Excellent
Good Good
Very good Good
Very good Excellent
Uses Garmin
Position tracking;
GHS handset
detachable mic;
for display and
intercom (when
control; lowest
coupled with
power output
GHS 10 mic);
and lowest
highest power
audio output;
output and highest
best receiver
amp draw.
sensitivity.
Recommended
IC-M424
$330
3 years
NMEA 0183
1,2,6
Yes Yes
3.23 x 6.46
x 4.72 inches
2.75 x 1.38 inch
No No
10 watts
Yes No
IPX7 IPX7
88 decibels
22.2 / .81 watts
21.5 / .76 watts
3.0 / .4 amps
3.0 / .3 amps
Good
Very good
Good
Good
Excellent
Lowest power
draw, but worst
frequency error
of group (still
within specs).
icom
IC-M504A IC-M604A
$331 $512
3 years 3 years
NMEA 0183 NMEA 0183
1,2,6 1,2,6
Yes Yes (2 total)
4.33 x 6.5 4.34 x 8.65
x 4.27 inches x 4.31 inches
2.75 x 1.38
2.75 x 1.38 inch
inch
Yes Yes
25 watts 30 watts
Yes Yes
IPX8 IPX7
84 decibels 97 decibels
22.5 / .81
22 / .80 watts
watts
21.7 / .80 watts 21 / .80 watts
3.9 / 1.4
3.7 / 1.1 amps
amps
3.7 / .5 amps 3.5 / .7 amps
Very good Excellent
Very good Very good
Good Good
Good Excellent
Excellent Good
AquaQuake
AquaQuake;
speaker draining
intercom
feature, intercom
(when coupled
(when coupled
with Command
with optional
Mic); mic
Command Mic); rear
detachable;
mic connection;
only one with
front panel mic
keypad.
not detachable.
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