If you knew...

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

For my next radio, I'm pretty torn between the ICOM IC-706 MK IIG and the Yaesu FT-857D. I prefer the ICOM, but the Yaesu is a close second. Recently, while talking to a full time radio tech he mentioned that ICOM was going to discontinue the venerable IC-706 MK II G.

So here lies my conundrum, If you knew Icom was going to discontinue the IC-706MK IIG radio would you go ahead and buy it anyways, buy the Yaesu or wait and see what ICOM replaces the 706 with?

My source just ordered three of the Yaesu FTM-350's and was trying to get me to go that way, but I don't think I need/want all of those features. It's a good looking unit choked full of features. However, the dials are a little small for my preference.



One last point, this will be a dedicated mobile unit.

Thoughts and reasons please?

ICOM

Yaesu 857

Yaesu FTM-350

More 350

 

[DaveInDenver]

The 706 is a great radio and just because it's going to be discontinued doesn't make it stop being a great radio. If you like it, go for it. ICOM and aftermarket repair support will be available for a long time.

I'm personally a fan of Yaesu radios and the 350 looks really interesting to me as a way to get a GPS (pretty sure I'm the only person in the world that doesn't have one yet) and to eliminate the separate AM/FM commercial radio. I'm thinking it would be neat to put the 350 face in the current radio slot.

 

[xtatik]

Well, alot of people go for the Icoms because of the the impressive displays. I've never been the Magpie for that aspect of a radio having grown up on older Collins, Hallicrafters and Heathkit units. One thing has always troubled me with the smaller Icom units....heat! They generate alot of it, and anyone that has spent time in electronics will know that heat is the enemy. Knowing this, I couldn't expect the Icoms to outlast the others. There larger units don't seem to suffer this affliction. But, the 706 certainly did, and now I'm hearing similar remarks about the 7000.

 

[gary in ohio]

The ICOM 706 MKGii has officially been discontinued. Not that there isnt a bunch in the pipeline.. The 857 and 706 are very close in function. The icom is a little older design. For mobile use the Icom wins hands down with the larger screen.

The ft-350 is only a dual band radio so isnt the same class radio as the 706 or 857,897.

Overall between the 857 and 706 its just personal taste. In a mobile setup you will not see the difference in rf perforance. I have several 706's and love them. They are your good solid radio. If you want a little newer design the Icom 7000 is also a nice little raido. From you list I say go with the 706.