Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio

by Icom

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 2 x 4.9 inches ; 2.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000GDVZQ4
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: M72-01
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,875 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With a 2000mAh battery and brilliant display, ergonomically friendly design, IPX8 waterproofing, access to all U.S. and Interneational channels, scanning and watch features, and plenty more, This 6-watt handheld VHF marine radio from Icom makes a great choice for your backup or main radio.

This radio has been tested to survive after being submersed in 4.9 feet of water for 30 minutes.

Includes drop-in battery charger/adapter.

A Radio With More

More Safety

Built tough to withstand the punishing marine environment, the Icom IC-M72 handheld VHF radio is a must for safety-minded boaters. The radio is outfitted with a host of valuable features, including an easy-to-read LCD display with an extra-wide viewing angle, a backlit six-button keypad, and a rugged waterproof housing that's submersible in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. More significantly, the radio works with all 57 U.S., 61 Canadian, and 57 international channels, along with 10 weather channels from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The VHF channels offer an ideal way to communicate with other boaters--whether exchanging information on a great fishing spot or sending out a distress signal--while the NOAA channels notify you when inclement weather is approaching.

More of Everything

The IC-M72 radio offers a bit more of everything than most marine handhelds, with more transmit power (6 watts) for carrying a conversation an extra-long way, more audio output (600 mW) for drowning out noisy engines and howling winds, more hours of use per charge (15 to 16 hours, as compared to the typical 8 to 10 hours), and more water resistance (the radio is certified to withstand an extra half meter of submersion). The one thing it offers less of, however, is antenna, with a 30-percent shorter antenna that still performs every bit as efficiently as other Icom models. Add in a compact, hourglass-body shape with cozy side grips and a high-intensity, backlit display and you have a comfortable, fun-to-use radio that excels at both daytime and nighttime operation.

More Scanning

The IC-M72 offers several scanning modes, including an auto scan function that starts scanning whenever no signal is detected, a traditional scan mode that searches through all the tag channels in sequence, a priority scan mode that does the same but also monitors the distress channel (number 16), and a weather alert option that immediately switches the radio to the appropriate weather channel when a storm warning comes through. Users will also dig the Dual Watch and Tri-Watch functions. The former lets you communicate on a channel of your choice while also keeping an eye on channel 16, while the latter monitors two channels--channel 16 and another channel--while receiving a third channel. The pair of "watch" modes guarantee that you won't miss an important emergency call from a distressed boater while your attention is otherwise engaged.

And More...

Other details include instant access to channels 16 and 9, an auto power save function, a four-step battery life indicator, and an AquaQuake draining function that clears water away from the speaker grill by emitting a vibrating sound. Bundled with such accessories as a belt clip, a hand strap, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a drop-in charger, the IC-M72 measures 2.06 by 4.91 by 1.19 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a three-year warranty.

What's in the Box

Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio, Battery Pack, Battery Charger, AC Adapter, Antenna, Belt Clip, Hand Strap

Product Description

Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for back-up or safety, December 30, 2008

By 

Ward Starring "Retired guy" (Bremerton, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio (Electronics)

This is a great little portable radio. I've seen reviews complaining there is no squelch knob; there isn't a knob, per se, but one push on a side button allows you to increase or decrease the squelch with the up/down "arrow" buttons... you can actually work the squelch with one hand. I bought this radio for safety and traffic alerts while on my small boat, plus the 6-watt output was a nice issue although my opinion of the higher wattage is to make up for a decrease in antenna size. The radio tucks nicely into my float-coat inner pocket and used with the waterproof speaker/mic clipped to the collar I've got good reception; for transmitting I hand-hold the radio on my knee and use the extension microphone that's clipped to my collar. The scanning is quick but not quite as sensitive as I'd like... sometimes an active channel is skipped but it may be due to my squelch setting. Since this is a portable unit with relatively low power I squelch out more distant traffic, which I get a lot of being close to Seattle. All told, this is a really nice unit and I recommend it to anyone looking for an additional radio. (I haven't float tested it yet--hope not to-- but it's been in heavy enough rains that I really appreciate the water-tight integrity.)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful, July 26, 2008

By 

L. Smith (Sandy Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio (Electronics)

We now have 2 of these marine radios. They work very well and are easy to use and set up. We had to buy a separate "float" bag, however, because we were afraid the radio might fall out of our sailboat and sink. It does not float by itself--something you need to consider when using it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little Radio, June 18, 2010

By 

L. Olson "Larry Olson" (St. Pete, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Icom IC-M72 Waterproof VHF Marine Radio (Electronics)

I've owned this M72 for a bit over a ear and out of the three VHF waterproof radios I have, it's the best. It's used for windsurfing, kayaking and boating and is IN the saltwater at least three times a week, so it gets a LOT of use.

I religiously wash it off after use, and occasionally spray it with Corrosion X, like I do a lot of electronics I have. However, it is going back for service for the second time, for the same thing. The little springy contactors that line up with the battery occasionally stick. However, considering the use, I don't feel this is too bad. My others have had more service.

The Icom tech guy recommended a product called DeoxIT to spray on occasionally to prevent corrosion and keep things lubed, which I'll try.

As for performance, I'll get 5 miles line of sight to another VHF handheld, and over a mile to a base station through buildings and trees, and over 10 miles to the Marine Patrol's big antennae.

I also have the M32, which is ok, but fair for range, and the M1V, which was tops in it's day, but is on its last legs. I'm planning on a second M72, only considering the Standard Horizons HX751S also, but don't have enough reviews on it, yet.