Yaesu 710 or ICOM 7300: Which has the better display?

A field test in direct sunlight to see which display is better: the Yaesu FT-710 or the ICOM IC-7300.
Here's a playlist of my videos on the Yaesu FT-710
• Yaesu FT-710

[@VE9ASN]

The lack of averaging on the 710 waterfall is inexcusable imo. And the layout is far more intuitive in the icom.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I’m definitely more comfortable with the ICOM and I really appreciate the ability to display the meters I want/need.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

If people like to sweat in the sun, more power to them! I’ll stay in the shade. Nice work Mike! 73!

[@MikeN2MAK]

I worked up a sweat just doing this short video, LOL. I definitely try to stay in the shade when possible too.

[@ac1o]

Shade is the radio’s friend helps keep the radio cooler.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@ac1o Yup! It keeps the radio and everything else cooler, like the battery, computer/phone/tablet, and even me too.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I own both and they are great radios. They have decent displays but I would not use them in direct sunlight. Main reason, the radios will overheat. Find some shade and you'll have it made.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I agree completely. It was just a comparison someone asked me to do. But even after just a little time in direct sun, the radios were hot. I definitely prefer the shade-for me and my gear.

[@LB0FI]

A bit of shade might be smart when operating as you said, not only for the display, but also for heat issues. Great video as usual!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks! I don’t do well in the sun either, so it’s best stay cool and shaded. But I thought it was a worthy question and I really lucked out with the weather when I had both radios.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Both are great radios.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Totally. Especially now with the lower price on the 710.

[@JJ-el8li]

The 7300 looks a little better in direct sunlight and is easier to operate.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I agree. I'm certainly more comfortable with the 7300, having used it for a few years now. The Yaesu menu on the 710 is not has bad as I thought though. I'm looking forward to spending a little more time with it.

[@Billiemarie1000]

The 7300 was clearly better in the sun. A lot had to do with the font.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Under normal conditions, I do kinda like the Yaesu “Spider-Man” font. I just wish Yaesu could be as consistent with their menus/interfaces as they are the font.

[@KH07734]

The TFT display is not designed to be in direct sunlight. There are covers/filters that can be purchased to put over the display. I tested the 7300 and then decided on the DX 10. It helped that I already had the 991a and the Alinco DX9. Switching between them from time to time is fun.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks, that’s good to know about the TFT display. I hear fantastic things about the DX10 and hope to try one someday. I’ve used the 991a a few times but now I need to lookup the Alinco DX9, since I’m not familiar with it.

[@KH07734]

I love my Yaesu's so I am a bit a fanboy. I did however try the 7300 before buying the first radio and I didn't like it at all.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@KH07734 sometimes these things just come down to how the “feel.” I’m probably a closet ICOM fanboy, but I’m having fun trying out the 710.

[@KH07734]

@@MikeN2MAK that’s my point of course, we all have our favorites and some of the bickering I see out here over radios is pretty silly. Just enjoy the hobby/service….

[@ac1o]

I can’t remember but the 710 has a contrast you can set to get a better screen view as well.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks, I toyed with that a little before the video and didn’t not much difference in visibility. I’ll give it a shot when I’m out with the radio next though.

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

Did you have the contrast and brightness turned up on the FT-710? That would adjust the 710’s results. I can clearly see my screen in the sun no problem.😂

[@MikeN2MAK]

The brightness was turned up all the way on the 710. The contrast wasn’t all the way up though. I toyed with it quick before recording and it turned all the way up, it washed out a lot of the color and looked poor to me. In reality, I’m always going to try to be in the shade or at least put something over the rig to keep it out of the sun.

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

@@MikeN2MAK Fair enough with the shade, there are 3 or 4 settings to make it super bright.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I’ll be out with it tomorrow at a club event and will try some other adjustments.

[@KG6NLWMotoRadio]

@@MikeN2MAK I’ll send ya some things to look at if you want.

[@DK5ONV]

I use the IC-7200 as my Daylight Radio. All these colorful Scope Displays are not Eye friendly on bright shniny (sunny) Days

[@MikeN2MAK]

You bring up a good point. Waterfall displays are nice but aren’t as necessary for some portable ops, like POTA and SOTA.

[@johnsonstechworld]

I have physically seen only the display of my FT-710, though I have seen pictures of many IC 7300s. Of course, I do find the display of my FT-710 very much. I use an external DVI-D monitor in additon so that I can monitor my favourite 10m waterfall display as I work on my regular computer. As soon as I see a good signal on the waterfall, I jump into action and most often I am able to work that station! 73 de Jon, VU2JO

[@MikeN2MAK]

The 710 is a great radio and the external speaker and option for an external display make it a nice option for the shack.

[@johnsonstechworld]

@@MikeN2MAK Yes, I certainly find the external monitor as a great option in FT-710.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The 7300 seems a little easier to read but in the shack, that 710 display is hard to beat 👍

[@MikeN2MAK]

The Spider-Man font that Yaesu uses is killer. I always felt the 710 would be a great shack radio with the extra speaker and ability to easily hookup an external display.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@MikeN2MAK yeah, the font is sweet

[@Kody10538]

Nice choice of frequencies. Both radios are parked on the official tuning frequencies for each band 😂

[@MikeN2MAK]

🚨Winner🚨 Woohoo! I was hoping somebody would spot that 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@N1JUR]

The 7300 is def 20 yr old technology vs the 710. I believe the angle of display might have been a good thing to test as looking at the side by side the 730 looks more flat the the angle of the 710. Great “eyeball” review. Now get those radios out of the sun before they melt 😊

[@MikeN2MAK]

I'm hoping to hold on to the 710 a little bit more, so I plan to do some more testing. Thanks for checking it out!

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

I think the 710 has a bit better with the angle but hey I have seen the 710 in sunshine alot

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@ChrisKD9YSW I felt the same with the 7300. These are both great radios and I think a lot comes down to preferences and familiarity.

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

20 year old technology is what I keep hearing, and yet..... somehow it's just a better radio 🤷‍♂️

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@NovemberOneOscarGrouch I just checked and it’s more like 10 years, similar to the Yaesu 891. But when you make it right, it stands out.