Icom recently introduced what is the future of VHF Radios
The brand new Icom M510 is as much at home on a pleasure yacht as it is on a commercial fishing boat. Boasting a large, bright and clear 3.5 inch color LCD color display, this VHF can be seen from wide angles day or night and even has a low light mode for night voyages. Its slim, modern design allows it to be flush or gimble mounted. But its looks are not all that are new and fresh, it’s what this radio is capable of that makes it a standout. With ports in the front and rear of the radio there is the capability of adding a second wired station by adding a COMMANDMIC, but with the addition of a CT-M500 interface the VHF now has NMEA 2000 connectivity and can add up to three smart devices (phones and tablets) through Icom’s RS-M500 app. Working with Android and iOS you now have the capability of running the M510 through your smart device as a full functioning remote from anywhere on the boat. This radio also has traditional NMEA 0183 connectivity to interface with onboard systems.
Image courtesy of Icom America
Another new version of the M0510 is a model with integrated AIS features. The MA-510TR is the latest addition to Icom’s line of Class A & B AIS transponders. This VHF can detect and display the AIS signals from other vessels that identifies information such as vessel traffic and allows for individual DSC radio calls to specific AIS targets. The MA-510Tr even ships with its own external GPS antenna.
Image courtesy of Icom America
To learn more about these innovative new VHF radios visit icomamerica.com and look for an overview and how to video at Aqualifestyle's Channel on YouTube.