It seems that the new ICOM M93D handheld VHF radio does just about everything but drive the boat for you. It has an integrated GPS to tell you where you are and where you’re heading, built-in DSC so you can check in with other boats (or sound a distress), a special feature that sounds a buzz while it drains water away from the speaker, and a red LED light that turns on automatically (even if the radio is off) if you drop it in the water. And if floats. By the way, it’s also a state-of-the-art VHF.
Slender and easy to use, the new ICOM has a two-tone body with a flat screen that’s both high resolution and high contrast. The font is large and easy to read with identifiable icons. Power is 5W and the lithium battery can last up to nine hours. And it’s fast. It can fix a position within 8-12 seconds of when you turn it on. The GPS provides location, bearing and speed, and you can store 50 waypoints.
The new ICOM M93D is $349.99 at West Marine. Icomamerica.com/marine
