I've had an Icom M88 radio (JPX-7) for over a year; I have it attached to my PDF strap and have rolled with it and crashed through surf with it --- it has worked flawlessly and show no sign of any water damage. I've had a Garmin GPS 72 (IPX-7) since June. The first one started showing condensation after one trip (no immersion, just drips from the paddle shaft) and failed after 3 days of paddling in coastal NC where I always tucked it away in the day hatch for surf entries/exits & rolling practice. After getting a new (or refurbed) unit from Garmin, the second unit failed on the first trip when it was on deck during an unexpected roll (Dismal River, NE). This time, there is water visible under the display. So, it is now going back to Garmin again (the customer support rep said that "he had never heard of this happen to one of their marine portable units, really"). Have I just gotten a lemon, or are Garmin's IPX-7 gps units really not on par with Icom's JPX-7 radios?
