Congrats Amper! Welcome to Amateur Radio! My callsign is W5ALN and I've got the ICOM V-8000 2 meter in my truck and have the ICOM T-90 (2M, 70cm, 6m) for a handheld. I love my V-8000 - simple, rugged, and powerful. I wish I had bought the ICOM V-8 HT instead of the T-90. It's great having the ability to scan all frequencies (except cellular) but it's tiny and the antenna connector (SMA not BNC) is too fragile. Definitely get a mobile radio first. Lots of new hams get an HT for their first radio but get discouraged quickly by the lack of range.

Regarding GMRS vs. Amateur - I believe that you're more likely to have someone hear you on Amateur frequencies than on GMRS. Not to bash GMRS, I know that there are some serious users out there, but 99% of GMRS radios purchased get used once and then sit in the drawer for the rest of eternity. Nobody monitors the GMRS frequencies like amateurs tend to monitor the amateur freqs. Also, it's easier to cobble up a better antenna for a ham HT than a GMRS. Google "roll up j pole" to find plans for a cheap, very effective, and easily-packed auxiliary antenna. Wad it up and throw it in a pocket. Toss it up into a tree for better range than a rubber duckie!

73s