Radtel RT-860 vs Radtel RT-920

The RT-920 is the clear winner for most users, though it depends on your budget and software needs.

The single most important differentiator is programming flexibility. The RT-920 supports CHIRP, which lets you program frequencies on your computer instead of wrestling with the radio's interface. The RT-860 lacks this entirely. The RT-920 also adds Bluetooth connectivity, another convenience feature absent from the RT-860. We don't have TX power data for the RT-860, so we cannot compare output, but the RT-920 delivers 8W. Neither radio offers digital modes or GPS.

The RT-860 makes sense only if you need the absolute lowest price and plan minimal frequency changes. The RT-920 suits anyone who values programming ease, Bluetooth pairing, and better owner feedback, which Amazon reviewers rate at 4.3 out of 5 compared to the RT-860's 3.9 from a similar sample size.

Choose the RT-920 unless the eight dollar price gap is genuinely painful. The CHIRP support and Bluetooth justify the difference, and owners report noticeably higher satisfaction.