Icom F1000/F2000 S/T Two Way Radio

I manage radio communications for the Pan-Mass Challenge (pmc.org) and for quite a few years, we've been renting radios for our site communications. This involves fixed sites that we start or stop our event over a 2 day period. Some sites are fairly small and just about any radio would probably suffice, but one site is an entire town and we have used a repeater to cover the area. This year we decided to look into replacing the rentals we've been using with our own radios that could be used for other events as well as reduce our annual costs. Our purchase will pay off in under 3 years. I spent considerable time researching and even purchasing several radios for evaluation. I selected the Icom F2000 for a number of reasons. The size, the weight, and the waterproof nature all were at the top of the list. As a final test, I bought two of the radios for my kids and let them be kids with them. (8 and 10 yo boys) The radios were left in the rain, dropped in mud, dropped down a stone staircase, and even the dog had a good chew on one of them. They still work fine. In fact, you can hardly see any scratches or dings on the case. Set next to a brand new unit, the nearly year old abused units were not obvious. Programming isn't difficult with the software and cable, but the documentation isn't great. You kind of need to know what you are doing. As I've programmed quite a few radios over the years, I was ready for that. Even so, the software Icom has isn't bad at all. We had our first major event this past weekend and the radios did fantastic. With the exception of a bit of muting on the audio (most likely due to the waterproof nature of the unit) nobody had anything critical to say. In fact, I got many glowing reports on how light and easy to carry the devices were. I've been using Icom equipment for nearly 25 years as a Ham Radio operator. The quality and longevity I've seen in my own use gives me high hopes for the lifespan of these.

I was wondering if anyone else was as totally disappointed with the F1000 radio as I am. With the deletion of the F3031 radio, the 'recommended' replacement is the F1000. This radio has the wimpiest receiver audio, that I have heard in a radio since the CB generation talkie talkies in the 60's. (Yes I'm old) But, it sounds like 'distortion', even with an external speaker, so it is the audio output that sucks. I was told it could sound bad (By ICOM) due to it having the waterproof rating. The F50 is waterproof and sound great. I think ICOM has really put them selves in a corner with inexpensive VHF Portable radios. The F1000 even looks like a cheap Chinese $75 radio.