Just this last summer, I was on here asking about what dual band I wanted to buy. The V71a, 8800R, and D710 were on my list. I ended up with the D710, and after learning the things that work differently than with yaesu, it has worked great. Big, visible screen, can see name tags and frequencies of memory channels, the best xband repeating setup, and it was built to do aprs, packet and other digital modes. Buy the two cable bundle, get the right serial to usb adapter, and you can program the radio, use it for echolink, or use it for digital modes, with no need of a signalink, etc., that you would need with most other dual band radios. It probably works the best with APRS, and can be a digipeater as well. It is more user friendly to me, compared to icom or yaesu. Never one complaint on audio. I would say it has been the best buy I've made in ham radio thus far, with its versatility. It also comes with the remote mounting pieces, that are extra with the V71a. It's a win-win deal to me.
