I prefer American engineering for ham radio.
If you haven't transmitted, and used the radio, you haven't got a characterization history of battery usage, etc...
Gear you haven't broken is gear you haven't tested.
Good to carry any kind of xmit radio in the mountains though. Saved my life, once.
/johnny
I do agree with your philosophy on heavy real world testing when practical.
I also carry a GMRS on the mountain trips (PNW), and a spare alkaline battery pack for the Wouxun besides the li pack it comes with, and many spare loose batteries that fit the two GPSs and GMRS also.