re: “CHIRP is great. Makes programming them a snap.”
Have a ‘disposable’ 15 dollar no-display 16 channel Boefang here, CHIRP is the only way to fly!
We picked up a pair of the 8 watt models for $55. Came with the hi cap batteries and chargers. $80 IIRC.
Got the external mics and those snappy Secret Service type ear plugs to go with them. Keeps things nice and quiet and we can use them while we are shooting.
The Nagoya antennas are worth the dough. Got 3db of gain out of them.
L