I've got the BTECH UV-5X3. Triband, about $70.00, programmable with CHIRP. Small, light, easy to use and inexpensive. I haven't had it long, but it seems to work quite well so far. I have always preffered the UV-82 series over he UV-5 series until now, but I figured that for the price I would give this one a try. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. In a message dated 1/30/2018 11:08:47 AM Pacific Standard Time, kp4djt@gmail.com writes:
I see all of the issues with these radio, I want to get something that will do the job, I want at least 2m and 70cm. But would be even better to have something tri-band. So with all of what I have seen, which of these radios do you guys recommend. Chirp does a great job with my Icom, but I would like to get something that I can use and if something happens it is not my Icom handheld. Something that if it falls into the water, or gets whacked I am not out a lot. So what do you guys recommend?