Icom R15 vs R20

[theoldcop]

I realize the Icom R20 is a bit long in the tooth now, but I have macular degeneration and had a bit of trouble seeing the display even from a short distance (the reason I sold my R30). I had a R30 and sold it for that reason. I used to own the R20 and remember the display being easy to see, so I'm considering purchasing a used one again.
That said, does anyone have both and are able to let me know if there is a real-life difference in sensitivity? Logic would say yes, but I would really appreciate hearing from an owner.

 

[eagle2046]

Hello you old cop, I have the Icom R-20, about10 years old now and still works great. I ordered it directly from Japan, no restrictions, for me it is easy to read the front panel for me. Never got the R-30 though so have no comments on that radio.

 

[theoldcop]

Thank you for your response eagle2046. I love the R15 and it does have a great display, but the R20 display is bigger and I'm preparing for down the road if my vision continues to get worse. I really loved the R20 and I would pull the plug if the receive sensitivity was close to the R15. There has been a lot of new technology put into newer scanners and I'm trying to get input on the differences.

 

[xms3200]

I have uploaded the specs on the IC-R15 vs the IC-R20 for you to see. It seems the R-15 is more sensitive.

 

[theoldcop]

Seems substantial. Just what I was looking for, thank you very much.

 

[xms3200]

Sure!!! Great thing we have these forums.

 

[theoldcop]

Yes Sir!

 

[commscanaus]

Upon doing a side by side comparison with an R-20 and an R-15 through a Stridsberg MCA-204M multicoupler to a home made airband dipole, I can report that the R-15 definitely has better sensitivity and tighter filtering.
The audio sounds less hissy on the R-15 and can dig weak aircraft out of the noise better than the R-20.
To be expected really as the R-15 is much newer.
And I suspect the color display will work better with your eyesight.
Still like my R-20 all the same!

 

[xms3200]

Great comparison, that is what I was thinking about the IC-R15

 

[theoldcop]

Thank you Commscanaus. That is exactly what I was looking for.
FWIW I'll be keeping the R15 and using it for airband with Syslabs Radio Control software. Cements me to the desk but best way
to mitigate the vision issue. I have a Icom ID-52 for traveling.
I appreciate the time you took to respond.