<br>I was pretty much in the same boat as you, looking for a sub $100 radio, but found this one at $149, and couldnt pass it up.<br><br>The user interface is very nice on the 909/398. Try to play with the radio you choose first. A radio that you like, you will use. A radio with a strange volume and freq controls will be a pain to use, and it will collect dust.<br><br>