Although this radio may not have the best RF specs out there in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and power output, it approaches ideal in many other aspects. First of all, it combines the three most popular VHF FM bands in one handy radio. Other manufafturers make radios like this at much higher prices, and as a result, they are not common. Western Nevada, and especially the Reno area where I live, has more repeaters per capita than just about anywhere else in the US, the result of the very mountanious surrounding terrain. This makes a radio like this especially handy, as it can work just about any repeater it can 'see'.In other respects, it is fairly easy to operate. All the important features a radio needs are there. They just might be a little more hidden than on the more expensive radios. The somewhat lackluster RF performance disadvantage can be mostly overcome by using a quality aftermarket antenna, and there are many choices out there. I use a triband antenna, also offered by Btech, and it helps tremendously.These radios are indestructible, but they are well-built, and easily withstand day-to-day abuse, like their dual band brethern. All batteries, accessories, etc. are interchangeable between the dual and tri band models, meaning if you already have an acessorized, UV-5R, this radio is an inexpensive and logical step up. And at the price, it behooves one to invest in several radios and keep them where you need them, as well as in emergency prepardness kits.Lastly, there is the programming issue. Some folks say these radios are hard to program. They really aren't. They just program very differently than most of the other handheld transceivers out there. Once you get used to the way programming works, you will come to like its simplicity. Of course, they are easily programmed with a computer and an inexpensive programming cable. The programming doftware is even open source. In the meantime, these radios work like virtually any other radio in VFO ('frequency') mode.I think SDR=based radios are the future for many things. The immense popularity of these radios (both dual and tri band) attests to their general usefulness. If you really need high performance, use one of the expensive, 'name brand' radios out there (and I haven't gotten rid of my 'expensive' radios). But for routine day-to-day use, it is very hard to beat these little radios. I already have two of these radios (plus 2 dual band UV-5R's), and plan to get a couple more.