Radioddity GD-168 vs Retevis RT85

The Radioddity GD-168 is the clear winner for users who need advanced features, while the Retevis RT85 makes sense only for the most budget-conscious buyers.

The decisive difference is feature set. The GD-168 includes DMR digital mode and APRS capability, making it substantially more versatile for modern amateur radio operations. The RT85 strips these down entirely, leaving you with a basic analog-only radio. Yes, the RT85 costs $90 less and includes CHIRP programming support, but those advantages don't offset missing an entire digital ecosystem that many amateur communities now rely on.

The GD-168 should appeal to anyone planning to operate on digital networks or use APRS tracking features. The RT85 is only worth considering if you're strictly limited to analog simplex operations on a shoestring budget and have no plans to expand capabilities later.

We recommend the Radioddity GD-168 unless your budget absolutely cannot stretch beyond $50. The eight-point score difference accurately reflects real-world capability gaps. Spending an extra $90 gets you access to digital modes that will likely matter within your first year of serious operating.