Hand held UHF radio

I don't beleive the IC-40 has selcall, 3 scan modes, 21 extra receive channels, quiet mode or optional scrambler. Yes the IC-40 is simpler to use because it doesn't have all those extra features and yes the IC-40 is cheaper because it doesn't have all those features, and yes the IC-40 is the best in it's market segment, but the TX6000 is in a higher market segment (more features, higher price), hence the reference to upmarket.

The ic40 does however have the capacity for 20 send and recieve channels (or recieve only) as programmed by the dealer, assuming neccesary licenses. It does have CTCSS and silent mode, a huge range of accesories, (just look at an icom website for the depth of their range). And here's the ultimate test, take 1 IC40, now drop it. Take 1 tx6000, drop it also, you'll discover that only one of them can take the treatment. I admit that selcall would be really handy, but for my purposes durability and simplicity of use is the key, (and price). And if by three scan types you mean open, group and priority, then you will find that the IC40 does in fact have them.
Have a close look at the pit crews of a V8 race and see which radio they are using, admitedly on private channels.
I do like however that the tx6000 is an australian product, all of our car units are gme with gme aerials.
I tried to change to GME when two of our IC40s had a saltwater bath, i visited my communications specialist (who admitted that he would make more $$ out of the GME) and he strongly suggested that i stay with the icom, even pulling a broken gme off the shelf and demostrating to me the huge differences in consrtuction between the broken GME and my drowned Icom.

Sorry - I didn't realise that the IC-40 had so many features - perhaps they should mention it in their advertising. I have seen the damage that can be done to a TX6000 if dropped, and I hope I never drop mine.

I don't agree that CTCSS silent mode is a replacement for Selcall and Quiet mode, and as I have 3 radios with Selcall I can't see any point in buying one without. Nethertheless the IC-40 is a much better radios than the similarly priced Unidens handhelds.

Nigel, mate... We all agree on that, and yes ICOM has relied far too much on their excellent commercial reputation in their marketing of the IC40s and IC40jr. Too busy building a unit for every grunt in the us army ispose.

Alex, Why don't you put your fingers to either the keyboard or phone and find out for yourself around your location.

The IC-40 would be over $400, no idea if it comes with a charger or that is extra. If you don't need the range then there is a huge range of cheaper sets that only put out 1/10th of the power (so they also use less batteries).