New-In-Box Icom IC-R8500s on eBay

26 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John (KC8RZM), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

Don’t know if this is relevant to SWLing but maybe there’s others out there that might be interested in the following.

I always kicked myself not picking up one of Icom’s IC-R8500 receivers before Icom discontiued it. I know this wideband receiver has excellent reviews regarding its performance and this model was about the last of the old analog/superhet design before everything started to go SDR.

Previously, I’d thought about buying a second-hand unit, but have always been wary not knowing its past usage and prefer to buy new gear.

So was surprised to see sellers on ebay the other day listing new and unopened IC-R8500s.

One unit was listed at $2,000.00 but the seller reduced it to $1,800.00 so I snapped it up for my collection.

I think $1,800.00 is about the original price when Icom was still producing this model.

I noticed another seller offering new IC-R8500s for $2,000.00 and apparently has more than 10 available as I type this:

https://ebay.us/iUZGn5

Maybe some other SWLing readers might still wish to own a new IC-R8500 before they disappear for good. As I said, it’s the last in a long line of distinguished Icom superhet-based radios before the SDRs took over.

Best wishes,
John
KC8RZM

Many thanks for sharing this, John. I have never owned an IC-R8500, but I’ve heard it’s an excellent wideband receiver. The seller seems to offer a 30 day warranty and does indeed have a number of these in inventory. Looking through the seller reviews, they have a 97.6% rating with 1310 reviews; only one negative review in the past year. It seems they are based in Israel, but shipping is free (with normal custom delays, etc.). 

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26 thoughts on “New-In-Box Icom IC-R8500s on eBay”

  1. Michelle

    I came across this forum searching for IC-R8500’s for sale just wondering what the market was like. The ones on Ebay are gone. I bought one new in the fall of 2017 from gpscentral.ca but never used it (comes with box, and original accessories). I moved in 2021 and it has sat the basement in its box ever since, if anyone is interested. I am located in Canada (Alberta). I’d prefer someone who could view it in person if possible.

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  2. Jon

    Thanks for this posting. I had been considering buying a used IC-R8500, not realizing that there are still new units floating about out there. So now I’m looking forward to getting a new ‘8500. It should be interesting running it alongside the ‘8600 and comparing the performance of these two generations of ICOM wideband receivers!

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  3. Noel

    I hope I’m not treading on any toes here. If so, apologies.
    I am selling my R8500 which I’ve had since new – 2001. Original box and matching speaker. Excellent condition and working order. Not blocked. Not yet advertised. Any interest from UK colleagues?

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  4. Mark

    10. June 2022

    Howdy John,

    I was thinking about you and your IC-R8500 receiver. I just replaced the backup batteries in my R71A and R7000A this week and what a pain, especially with the R71A. You will never ever have to worry about backup batteries with your R8500.

    Not to mention the weight. My two receivers alone total 35 lbs. and they both feel just as heavy as my 85 lbs. clunker R390A! No strain for you at 15 lbs. for the R8500.

    Additionally, coming from overseas your receiver might be unblocked just as my R7000A.

    For those who are wondering, the R71A went 12 years from the last battery replacement. Measured value in circuit around 3.2 volts; some claim 22 years but why chance it. The original 32 year old Icom battery out of circuit measures 3.4 volts.

    The original R7000A battery was essentially dead after 32 years. However, the receiver was still fully operational, frequencies had to be entered manually or press AM mode to default to 25.000 MHz. I am happy to say that both receivers operate as new.

    Sincerely,
    Mark

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    1. john

      Hi Mark,

      Actually, my IC-R8500 was shipped from CA (presumably where the seller is located) so I assumed it was the blocked US version.

      However I just checked for Giuseppe and it’s the unblocked European version, so that’s kinda cool!

      It’s great your older Icom radios are still operating as new.
      I’m a believer in taking good care of my radios, they’re not just cool pieces of tech, they’re objects of great beauty for me.

      I was checking ebay and IC-R7000 prices, working units seem to be in the $350-$400 range.

      Long may those older Icoms be healthy!

      John, 73s
      KC8RZM

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  5. Mario Filippi

    Amazing that there are new units still available. Good “bucket list” material hihi. Thanks for the interesting post.

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    1. John

      Hi Mario,’

      Thanks!

      Yeah I was surprised too, had to do a double take for a second or two.

      The other surprise is that it’s the unblocked version, not the blocked US one.

      John, 73s
      KC8RZM

      Reply ↓
  6. GERARD NICHOLSON

    I bought an ICOM IC R-8500 about 5.5–6.5 years ago second hand and I paid €950s including p+p and insurance and it was a wise buy .I wouldn’t sell it for less than €1000s now , if ever . Then last year I bought an ICOM IC R-8600 and I intend to keep both of the ICOMs . The ICOM IC R-8500 will be my back-up radio if I ever need it . It would need a king’s ransom to prize the ICOM IC R-8500 from my hands .

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    1. Giuseppe

      let me know how it is, if it really came to you new and working well! I’ve always wanted this radio. Seems steep at $2K but I guess they are hard to find new now!

      Reply ↓
      1. John

        Hi Giuseppe,

        Sure, I’ll let you know the condition it came in.

        I asked the seller if it was really new and unused.
        He responded saying he just checked the Icom box the receiver is packed in to check the contents but it had never been plugged in and powered up (there were several pics of the box and contents on his ebay page.

        The seller had originally listed it for $2,000.00 but I put it on my watch list and the next day he sent me an offer of $1,800.00 and I snapped it up (I think this Icom receiver originally sold for around $1,800.00).

        If you’re interested I would put a “watch” on the receiver at that other seller’s page (I’ve found if you decided to watch an item on ebay you’ll often get a better offer from the seller).

        I’m kinda psyched about it arriving tomorrow, kicked my self often for not purchasing an IC-R8500 before Icom discontinued this model.

        I understand why people like black box SDR’s, but for me there’s nothing like an actual radio in front of me and this model is about the last of the superhets and the end of an era before the reign of the SDRs started.

        John,
        73s

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      2. John

        Hi Giuseppe,

        It’s just arrived and I’ve unpacked it.

        It has all the appearances of a brand new, unopened unit.
        The screen protector is still on the display and the little bags containing the accesories were still sealed.

        After a brief panic when it wouldn’t power up I realized the little supplied jumper connector has to be plugged in at the receiver’s back when using the supplied power supply. After doing that it powered up and everything seems fine.

        Going to start putting it through its paces now.

        It’s a beautiful looking receiver.
        I love Icom gear,

        John
        73s

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        1. Giuseppe

          Great to hear! I am very tempted…. but like most of us, I don’t need another receiver! In fact I bought the ICOM IC-705 to be my main receiver, but like you I have particular attraction to the superhets and physical buttons, no – touch screens, etc. I will put it on my watch list and see what happens….

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          1. John

            I love this radio, all the parameters are directly accessible via the front panel, no deep menus to navigate through.

            We’re already bonding…

        2. Giuseppe

          what is the frequency range of the unite you received? I’m seeing there are different versions (8500-02, 8500-04) that have different coverages.

          also, curious if you wouldn’t mind sharing about how much you had to pay for customs import?

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          2. john

            Hi Giuseppe,

            I assumed my IC-R8500 was the US version (blocked for certain frequencies).
            However, I just checked and it’s the unblocked European version so 0.1 to 1999.99999 MHz, which surprises me since it was shipped from CA.

            The seller is located in the US (presumably CA) so there was no custom import charge. The price (including postage) was $1,859.00, for a total of $1,980.54 with tax.

            The supplied AC adaptor is for US voltage so 120 V.

            John, 73s
            KC8RZM

        3. Giuseppe Fisoni

          well, I went ahead and bought one too! got the shipping notification on Friday but it isn’t showing anything yet. thanks for sharing this initial info as well as answering all my questions. I am so looking forward to having a solid superhet and not dealing with touchscreens. I think I will never be able to love touchscreen SDRs more than radios with physical buttons.

          Giuseppe

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          1. john

            Hey Giuseppe ,

            Cool, glad you snagged one and no problem!
            I noticed that seller is now listing two sold, I wonder who the other buyer was?

            Having lots of fun with my IC-R8500, been programming USAF frequencies into it for scanning, probably going to get the RTSystems software for it.

            It’s great having almost all the radio’s parameters directly accessible via the front panel, no multi-layered menus to go through.

            It really is a beautiful looking receiver, quite stunning!

            I hope you get the unblocked version too.

            Have fun…

            John, 73s
            KC8RZM

          3. Giuseppe

            Thanks John, I will probably also pick up a cover!

            Still waiting for my radio to arrive first though. Unlike yours, mine appears to be shipping from Israel… a little strange that yours was from CA and mine from Israel. Not much info on the tracking yet.

            Giuseppe

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