Icom IC-M94D Handheld VHF with AIS, GPS and Class-H DSC
- Brand:
- Icom
- Part no:
- M94D 21 USA
Image: Fisheries Supply
Where to buy
Specifications
- Mounting
- Handheld
- Transmit power
- 6 W
- Waterproof
- IPX7
- Floats
- Yes
- DSC
- Class H
- Battery life
- 10 h
- AIS receive
- Yes
- Battery
- 2400 mAh
Manuals
- Manual (HTML)www.manualslib.com
The Icom IC-M94D is a handheld marine VHF with a Class-H DSC radio, a built-in GPS and an AIS receiver. It puts out 6 W, with a 1 W low setting, and runs on a 2400 mAh Li-ion battery rated for up to 10 hours of typical use. It is rated IPX7 and floats, and if it goes in the water the screen flashes automatically, even when switched off. AquaQuake vibrates water out of the speaker grill. It weighs 12.6 oz and can store up to 50 waypoints, including man-overboard marks.
Our take
The Float'n Flash feature means a dropped M94D floats and flashes its screen even when off, which makes spotting it in the water much easier. The 10 hour battery figure assumes a 5:5:90 duty cycle, so expect less if you transmit a lot.
From our buying guide
Standard Horizon says range depends far more on the antenna than on transmit power, and that a handheld on its stock antenna at sea level may only reach a mile or two. It has its own battery and antenna, so it keeps working if the boat's power fails.
Check before you buy:
- It has DSC and GPS if you want a distress button that sends your position, since handhelds are not required to have DSC.
- The waterproof rating comes with the maker's depth and time, since IPX8 has no fixed depth or time.
- The maker says it floats on its own, since some float only in an optional case.