If you're looking for a handheld VHF with a difference, Icom's IC-M33 really has one: if you drop it into the water, it floats!
Nearly all marine handhelds are waterproof these days, but that is small consolation if when their submersibility is put to the test, they rapidly disappear beneath the waves, never to be seen again.
Of course, you can prevent them from going overboard by the simple precaution of adding a lanyard and hanging them round your neck, but if you are going out to buy a new one because you have donated your last to Neptune, the ability to float will seem much more than a gimmick.
And in the kind of drama where you are forced out of your boat and into your liferaft, there is a possibility that a floating handheld could actually save your life. This one is waterproof to IPX7 - one metre for 30 minutes. But of course as it floats it will not stay that deep for that long, so waterproofing should not be an issue, although the makers point out that it is not designed to be used under the water!
To be able to float, the radio obviously has to have room for some buoyancy, and so it is not as neat and compact as some handhelds. But it's by no means a monster. The LCD screen is not very big, but it is nice and clear and gives all the information you want - unless you are struggling with wet glasses!
Nine large buttons on the front provide straight forward operation, and there is all the programmability now expected of handhelds. You can tag “favourite” channels for speedy recall.
The lithium-ion battery pack provides nine hours of operating time - not as long as many competitors: presumably the battery has been kept small to aid floatation. Icom's AquaQuake draining function clears water away from the speaker grille after its floating capability is put to the test. A new optional speaker-microphone will still allow the IC-M33 to float when attached.
The M33 has a recommended price of £200, but is available for less from some online chandlers.
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This clever handheld demands a premium price for its “unique selling point”: the fact that it floats when dropped. Is it worth paying the extra for that? Perhaps it depends on how accident prone you are, and how many handhelds you have drowned over the course of your sailing career!
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For more information visit www.icomuk.co.uk
