The UV-5R is what I have. Used it all day yesterday for situational awareness coms with BCARES at the Bolder Boulder yesterday. A steal for the price, and great for a first HT especially if you don't want to commit a lot of $$ (as I did) initially.
The accessories are pretty cheap, too. I recommend and upgraded antenna (Nagoya NA-771 is what I have) as the stock rubber duck is not good, the extended battery, and a waterproof speaker mic.Other accessories like the case are available. The UV-5R is a commercial radio and is very well supported with tons of users - join the Yahoo UV-5R user group. Although the stock manual is crap, there are revised manuals available that will work fine.