Good luck on your tech. I got mine 10 days ago and I am having a blast. I would just order it from HRO & be done with it. The only used I will buy is from a local club member.
I went to my first Hamfest and HRO was there. I was going to buy the XR. The HRO manager and several hams were happy to show me what their HT's would do. I ended up with an FT-60R and saved a ton. I bought a Diamond upgrade rubber duck & that made very little difference in the foothills of NC. I bought a Comet Jumper, then hooked it up to my Comet 790A mobile antenna, and WOW. 5 watts will hit most every repeater within 40 miles. I was so impressed I just order a 38" Comet 2M/440 and a Larson single magnet mount. I can mount it on my 4 high file cabinet in the office, take it on my deck and mount it on my huge grill, or stick it on my other vehicles and take the HT with me without removing my 8800R mobile.
If 2M/440 is enough for you, the 60R has the same scanning set up, tons of memory and great battery life. It also has NOAA programmed in, plus the severe weather alert feature.
IF you don't have the GPS feature on your Marine rig, then I would definitely for with the higher dollar rigs. Not sure if they have the tracking device options, but that would be a must for me offshore. I know the 8R is submersible, but you could probably get buy with storing it in a couple of zip locks if it's a back up only. Even as a back up, your going to need the best antenna you can afford for it to be of use. Spare battery packs are a must, and you can get a cig. lighter adapter also.
I did see on ebay you can order Yaesu batteries, not generic direct from China that are tons cheaper. Just look at the MFG. date before you buy. the ones I saw were the same run as the one that came with my HT and the spare I got from HRO.
Keep us posted and I'll report back Thursday how the new antenna does with my HT.
