More observations:
12 or 16 character alpha-tags with scrolling -
You can use up to 16 characters for your tags, but if you are using the large fonts, and if your channel name is longer than 12 characters, it will scroll.
This might be useful for some long-winded transmissions, but since I use the large fonts, I find it distracting to look at the display on short transmissions and see only the last few characters scrolling by before the scan resumes. Therefore even with large fonts, I try to use no more than 12 characters.
Still this is a HUGE improvement over other radios in Icom's lineup that only have 6 characters.
Memory management - the 3-tiered setup of Category, Group, and Name is working great, and has great flexibility for scanning. Add the direct-key type toggles for system categories, groups, and channels, and I'm really happy. Add to that the ability to scan even more selectively from the menu system of just categories or groups. Wow.
PL / DCS operations - unlike some other scanners that merely decode a set pl / dcs frequency, the additional options of being able to lock-out a single pl/dcs freq along with the reverse polarity settings make it a real pleasure for those of us that need extensive pl/dcs setups.
Yes, this isn't a scanner / receiver that you'll master in a few minutes out of the box. But, by using the menu system extensively, the learning curve really shortens. For example, on the R20 it may not be so intuitive that you have to use the "dual watch" button to stop an operation, aside from using the button for it's stated purpose. On the RX7 it becomes apparent how to do things in a very short time.
In other words, if you use the RX7 for any length of time, it is likely you'll remember the operational steps since the buttons and menus make a lot of sense once you go through it once or twice. With the R20, and some others, you have to keep a cheat-sheet handy if you don't use it for a few days.
Wishlist - because it has such good audio fidelity, I found myself just wishing it had SSB, even at only the minimum of 5khz steps, since the things I listen to are pretty much channelized these days. I find this kind of shocking especially since Icom produces a lot of gear that emits SSB. Yes, you could use an R20 to do this, but the RX7 is an evolutionary leap over it, and once you've tasted real memory management and useful tag-lengths, the R20 just doesn't cut it anymore.
In my mind, the R20 is overdue for a refresh anyway, now that the RX7 points the way.
Add today's version of NFM, P25 digital (which is seen on some of their other receivers, along with their own digital scheme) and you'd have a rockin' handheld scanner. Of course trunking would be nice.
I've seen some of their promotional material touting the digital DSP and yes, I'm in love with it, but newcomers may confuse this with being able to receive digital transmissions, which it DOESN'T.
VSC - voice activated squelch
Works very well on the systems I monitor that for one reason or another have a dead carrier or other noise on it - although it does take a small amount of time for it to figure it out and will slow down your scan if you put them in your scan lists. Thus I only dial a vsc assigned system for manual monitoring or in very short scan lists. Of course when the squelch opens you will hear the carrier or noise underneath, but it keeps the radio quiet in the meantime. Someday I'll track down that carrier on 135.0 mhz - most likely from my dsl router or something else common in the neighborhoods.
Beef up the audio for the internal speaker or change the element to something more efficient. Even though the lithium batteries can go 8 hours or more, you don't want to do full charge / discharge cycles on these all the time or you'll definitely get the rated duty-cycle of say 300-500 charges. Top lithiums off for the most part rather than doing a full charge/discharge cycle. Maybe do a full/charge discharge just to calibrate the battery gas gauge once every blue moon. The point here I guess is that battery life is already sufficient for more audio power, so even a 100 to 200 mw audio amp wouldn't be a problem if you are a person that tops off the battery. However, don't leave the battery in a fully discharged or fully charged state too long - if you top it off, use the radio for awhile if you don't plan to use it again right away. Some say the best way to leave it is with a 50% charge, but I can't determine that too accurately from the battery display - so just use it for awhile if you top it off. Perhaps a numerical percentage rather than a battery icon would be more useful for lithium maintenance.
The optional BP262 AA battery shell and belt-clip add weight and depth much like a Uniden 396XT handheld or similar, taking it out of the "put it in your pocket" category if you do this - and especially if you use a mono-to-stereo headphone adapter. However with the bp262 battery holder you've just doubled the capacity for the most part - again I see no reason not to beef up the internal speaker audio. I also think that the bp262 batttery pack should come with a cover or cap for the terminals of the lithium battery you are replacing it with so you don't accidentally short it. Be careful when storing the lithium battery (preferably with 50% charge) when replacing it with the BP262.
Even though no radio is perfect, this is an outstanding receiver that REALLY blurs the line between scanner and receiver. Yes, the internal speaker is a bit weak if you are used to other scanners, but the fidelity when you use headphones or small comm speakers, the memory management, scanning options, respectable RF deck, and shortened learning curve are what make me want to use this thing for more than a toy. Way to go Icom! Looking forward to a freshened R20 or perhaps an even more advanced RX7!