Looking at/comparing the ICOM IC-A23, and the Vertex Standard
VXA-210.

I've got the ICOM. I've owned ICOMs since the early '90s. They are simple,
bullet-proof devices -- which is what I want in a back-up radio.

Jim Weir will tell you that the Vertex radios do some astoundingly cool
things, though.

Short of "holding out" for a Colour 196 we are asking for
advice here as well..

Any owner/user comparisons/recommendations?

I spent DAYS testing all of the GPS's at OSH '03. (Well, the Lowrance
Airmap 1000 was just "vaporware" at that stage -- but I ruled Lowrance out
for other reasons.) It was hell, but someone had to do it... ;-)

The best GPS on the market, hand's down, is the AvMap. It's a few more
bucks, but it's TWICE the GPS of any competitor. We've been very happy
with ours, and can honestly say it has changed the way we fly the plane.

See an on-line demo at http://www.avmap.it/index.php?sec=1&sub=45&lang=en
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"