Retevis RA79 vs Retevis RT95

The Retevis RA79 is the clear winner in this matchup. Despite both radios lacking advanced features like DMR, APRS, and GPS connectivity, the RA79 delivers superior value and a notably higher overall score of 60 versus the RT95's 53.

The single most important differentiator is price. The RA79 costs just $30 while the RT95 demands $126—a fourfold premium that cannot be justified by the performance metrics available. Both radios support CHIRP programming and share identical feature limitations, yet the RA79 outperforms on the overall rating despite costing significantly less.

The RA79 suits budget-conscious operators who need basic handheld functionality without unnecessary expense. The RT95 might appeal only to users with specific operational requirements not captured in these specs, though that justification seems weak given the scoring disparity.

For most amateur radio users evaluating these two options, the RA79 represents the smarter purchase. You're getting better performance at a fraction of the cost with no meaningful functional trade-offs. Unless you have undocumented reasons to prefer the RT95, the choice is straightforward.