Baofeng UV-28 vs Baofeng UV-5RM Plus

# Verdict: Baofeng UV-5RM Plus

The UV-5RM Plus is the clear winner here. While the UV-28 costs $13 less, it's undercut by missing critical specifications—we don't know its TX power or weight, which are essential for any radio purchase. More importantly, the UV-5RM Plus scores 17 points higher overall and brings documented features that matter: CHIRP compatibility for easy programming and a confirmed 10W of transmit power.

The single most important differentiator is CHIRP support. The UV-5RM Plus's ability to program frequencies via computer is a massive practical advantage for active operators, while the UV-28's GPS feature alone doesn't compensate for the missing data and inferior score.

Buy the UV-28 only if you specifically need GPS and are willing to accept an unproven radio with undisclosed specifications. Buy the UV-5RM Plus if you want a reliable, well-documented starter radio with standard amateur radio features.

For most operators, the UV-5RM Plus is the smarter $60 investment. The missing specs on the UV-28 raise red flags, and the CHIRP advantage makes the UV-5RM Plus significantly more practical to use and modify over time.