Retevis RA79 vs Retevis RT85

The RT85 offers better listed specifications for the money, scoring 64 to the RA79's 60. The key difference is that we have the RT85's transmit power specification at 5W, while the RA79's TX power remains unknown in our data. Both radios weigh essentially the same, support CHIRP programming, and lack DMR, APRS, and GPS features. Both earn identical 4.5-star owner ratings from comparable sample sizes, suggesting buyers report similar satisfaction with each model.

The single most important differentiator is the RT85's known 5W output versus the RA79's undocumented power level. If transmit power matters for your use case, the RT85 gives you certainty. The fifteen-dollar price gap is modest enough that it shouldn't override the specification advantage.

The RA79 makes sense if budget is tight and you're comfortable with incomplete specifications. The RT85 suits anyone who wants clearly defined performance specs and doesn't mind spending a bit more for that transparency.

Buy the RT85. Its documented 5W output and slightly better composite score make it the more informed choice, especially given the small price difference and equivalent owner satisfaction.