IcomM424G 21 Fixed Mount VHF Radio with Internal GPS

I have used Icom radios for years. They are the only radios I trust. I have owned other brands, but the Icoms are always the best in durability, reception, clarity, and ease of use. For example, unlike another major brand, when in dual watch, the Icom has an audible alert to indicate that a transmission is on channel 16 rather than 9. The other brand, you have to be watching the display to tell. I use Icom handhelds as well. This radio, the M242G, has its own GPS which is great, I also use the remote mic on the flybridge. Your VHF is one of the most important safety devices on board. Use the brand the professionals trust! ICOM

I've had nothing but good experiences with iCom products. When my Standard Horizon VHF died, I was happy to upgrade to the 424G because of its built in GPS and updated DSC messaging features. I didn't anticipate how much better the actual sound would be. I'm hearing transmissions from much farther away, with significantly more clarity and less background noise, through the exact same antenna. I hope to use the DSC output to display DSC alerts on my MFD one day. I mistakenly thought the "foghorn" feature would play pre-programmed fog signals at regular intervals, but it only blasts a horn sound through the PA or you can talk through the PA; I blame that on my own misreading of their advertising literature.Update: Since writing this, I have sold the sailboat it was installed in and my new boat came with a B&G branded radio with a wireless remote handset. Definitely not as good as the iCom. I had the iCom remote handset wired into the cockpit, and could always hear radio calls over the noise of the diesel or windy sailing. With the B&G wireless remote I struggle to hear if anything is coming in over the radio, much less what they're saying. I'm hoping to ditch the B&G altogether and get a new iCom and wired cockpit handset somewhere down the line.

I had a ICOM in my boat since 2008 and it went south May of 2021. Could not ask for better service life so I did not look at anything else as a replacement other then an ICOM. This VHF was priced right and delivery was great. The internal GPS is fantastic if you are going to use the Maritime Mobil Service Identity. Once you apply for and receive your MMSI number and enter it all you have to do is lift the distress button cover and press the distress button and the Coast Guard knows who you are, all the information about your boat and your location. A great feature. The sound is fantastic and clear and loud enough. Very satisfied with the ICOM M424G 21

Wow! Great features and GPS! Now I have to learn how to use all of them.

Unlike almost all other marine electronics this unit flush mounts with a bracket not supplied and is 35 dollars and is back ordered. I was able to use my old icom bracket after cutting of some parts of the bracket. The bracket is a stupid design. If you mount the radio near to the side of your panel, as most people would do so the mic cord is not lying across the panel it’s almost impossible to mount it. You can’t get even a stubby screwdriver between the radio and the inside of the console. They should at least provide holes in the radio so it can be through bolted like 90 % of all other marine electronics!!

Exceptional quality and timeless dependability, a faithfully dependable fisherman's friend

I needed to replace my Raymarine Ray 55 radio, which had lost its front-end amplifier. This Icom fit the slot in my panel with only a little widening, so installation was easy. Icom does not supply a rubber gasket for panel mounting, but fortunately the gasket from my Ray55 stretched enough that it fit and will keep any spray from seeping behind the radio. (Would be 5 stars if they supplied the gasket).

I LOVE THIS RADIO! Crystal clear. Sturdy. Solid. Very easy to view and read. Too many features to count. Highly customizable. Thick manual, think it could be written better.Five stars. I strongly recommend.