Replace Icom M602 VHF?

[yobub]

I have an Icom M602 VHF, and the screen is burnt and unreadable. I'm trying to decide whether to replace it with another used M602 (abut $250) or replace it with a new model.

The advantages i see if replacing it with a direct model replacement are that the GPS interface cable will just plug in (from Raymarine E120 MFD), and the remote microphone HM-127 (which is in a convenient location) can connect easily and won't hang into the throttles. It also would like me install in the same spot in the dash, although the dash panel is cracked so I might replace with a new one anyway and could cut any opening I need.

Assuming I don't really plan to use DSC (except possibly for a distress call), what are the considerations with buying and interfacing new vs. a replacement 602?

 

[RollerCoastr]

We're assuming you have an MMSI now and plan to program that into the new unit, no matter what it is, correct?

The 602 was a higher-end unit, but yours failed... That would make me hesitate about getting another.

I hear you about the remote Mic. The cable running past the throttles is a design flaw in the 400DA dash IMO. I live with it, but not having to would be nice.

E120's are long in the tooth these days. I assume the 602 is 0183-only? If you have any plans to update the MFD, it might be nice to have a VHF that's capable of NMEA2000. Is your current 0183 connection bi-directional? (0183 isn't likely to go away soon, but if you'd ever battled with an 0183 network, you'd wish it would!)

Then there's the AIS discussion. I really don't see the need, even in the busy Western Erie basin, but that might be something you want to plan for?

 

[yobub]

We're assuming you have an MMSI now and plan to program that into the new unit, no matter what it is, correct?

The 602 was a higher-end unit, but yours failed... That would make me hesitate about getting another.

I hear you about the remote Mic. The cable running past the throttles is a design flaw in the 400DA dash IMO. I live with it, but not having to would be nice.

E120's are long in the tooth these days. I assume the 602 is 0183-only? If you have any plans to update the MFD, it might be nice to have a VHF that's capable of NMEA2000. Is your current 0183 connection bi-directional? (0183 isn't likely to go away soon, but if you'd ever battled with an 0183 network, you'd wish it would!)

Then there's the AIS discussion. I really don't see the need, even in the busy Western Erie basin, but that might be something you want to plan for?

Thanks for your thoughts. The M602 probably has a MMSI, but I haven't registered it under my information yet, so let's assume that still has to happen. The M602 is NMEA0183 only. i passed on an ebay auction on a working M602 last night, but it ended at about $150.

I would love to replace the E120, but between the MFD, Radar, and Transducer, that gets to be big $$, so that's probably not in the immediate future (unless I can't get my radar issue fixed). The problem with replacing the MFD is that it seems like I have to replace the MFD, radar, transducer, and autopilot all at once.

I spent a few hours researching the current VHF's last night, and the Standard Horizon GX2200 has attracted my attention as a potential replacement. it looks like I can get it for about $300 less a $40 rebate, so $260 net cost with a West Marine price match. It has built in GPS so I don't have to worry about connection to the Chartplotter/MFD if I don't want to, still has NMEA0183 if I want to connect, and has an AIS receiver with configurable collision alarm which might be helpful on Lake Michigan crossings. It also has a hailer and automatic fog horn which I may or may not use. The built in GPS has rudimentary GPS waypoint functionality and can display position for DSM as well as AIS.

I might end up replacing the dash panel anyway, so I think I could switch the positions of the VHF and the trim tab indicators, to get the mic cable out of the way. I would have to measure to be sure.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Seems like a lot of bang for the buck. I would still recommend connecting it to the E120. All the capability is already there to see exactly where a distressed vessel is. That could save someone's life, and I'm a believer in karma. (disclosure: yes, I have an "agenda" involved with increasing DSC usage)

I'm on my 3rd and 4th plotter, but OEM AP and sounder. Are you sure you'd have to change everything out? I even switched brands. (Raytheon to Garmin)

 

[yobub]

Seems like a lot of bang for the buck. I would still recommend connecting it to the E120. All the capability is already there to see exactly where a distressed vessel is. That could save someone's life, and I'm a believer in karma. (disclosure: yes, I have an "agenda" involved with increasing DSC usage)

I'm on my 3rd and 4th plotter, but OEM AP and sounder. Are you sure you'd have to change everything out? I even switched brands. (Raytheon to Garmin)

I'm right with you there on Karma. I've needed help once or twice over the years, and also helped people out of some bad situations. We all need to look out for each other out there.

Regarding replacing the transducer and auto pilot - no, I'm not positive I need to replace them. I figured since they were brand specific they all needed to be compatible, and I've read alot of posts here about lack of compatibility across brands. I've got a Raymarine E120 with 4kW 4' array, Raymarine DSM300 connected to some type of sounder (haven't gotten down there to check) and the ST8001 auto pilot. From what I've read, it seems like the brands don't talk to each other, and the Raymarine gear has proprietary connections.

Not to hijack my own thread, but I'd be open to suggestions that would let me upgrade the E120 and array, and leave the rest intact for now. I've used Garmin for years and would be interested in switching the MFD and array, especially if I didn't have to have the boat hauled to replace the transducer. I'm comfortable with the installation and wiring on my own.

 

[RollerCoastr]

That DSM300 will be a show stopper with Garmin, AFAIK. I didn't have that hurdle because I have an old Autohelm Tridata display that still works fine.

Better news on the AP front though. I swapped my old RayXX display for a Garmin MFD 10 years ago, keeping all of my Ray AP gear intact: fluxgate, computer, display, pump etc. It communicated with the Garmin via 0183.

Recently I upgraded to two newer Garmins (a 7" fits perfectly ahead of the wheel, so now i can stand at the helm and still have a perfect line-of-sight to a screen). The AP however, went haywire. The always-flakey fluxgate became useless. Just last weekend I was instructed to disable the outbound HDM sentence. Not only did the fluxgate come back to life, but it's more accurate than it's ever been, including from the factory! I haven't taken a sea trial yet, but I'm encouraged. More to the point, it has worked all along, just not perfectly.

While on the subject of Garmin... I went with a Garmin VHF because of my substantial Garmin installation base. I regret that. It's not fully-integrated. It does a few things in co-ordination with the MFD's, but I'm underwhelmed. It lacks many features of the GX2200, yet cost more.

 

[yobub]

That DSM300 will be a show stopper with Garmin, AFAIK. I didn't have that hurdle because I have an old Autohelm Tridata display that still works fine.

Better news on the AP front though. I swapped my old RayXX display for a Garmin MFD 10 years ago, keeping all of my Ray AP gear intact: fluxgate, computer, display, pump etc. It communicated with the Garmin via 0183.

Recently I upgraded to two newer Garmins (a 7" fits perfectly ahead of the wheel, so now i can stand at the helm and still have a perfect line-of-sight to a screen). The AP however, went haywire. The always-flakey fluxgate became useless. Just last weekend I was instructed to disable the outbound HDM sentence. Not only did the fluxgate come back to life, but it's more accurate than it's ever been, including from the factory! I haven't taken a sea trial yet, but I'm encouraged. More to the point, it has worked all along, just not perfectly.

While on the subject of Garmin... I went with a Garmin VHF because of my substantial Garmin installation base. I regret that. It's not fully-integrated. It does a few things in co-ordination with the MFD's, but I'm underwhelmed. It lacks many features of the GX2200, yet cost more.

I have a Garmin 3006C Chartplotter on the boat as well. I could probably try connecting that to the autopilot to see whether it functions. I know there is a NMEA connection out, but I think it's integrated into the power cord. I'll have to follow it to see where it goes.

I will probably move forward with the Standard Horizon GX2200, because the cost different between a used M602 and the new GX2200 is only about $100, and VHF is such a critical safety feature I'd like to have the confidence of new equipment. Thanks for your thoughts!