All of the hand-held GMRS radios have virtually the exact same range. "easily programmable" is a subjective term, and really can't be quantified (easy for me might be much confusing for you), and most of the sub $100 radios are, in one way or another going to be considered 'junk' by someone..
Here is what I recommend: Pick & purchase a radio that does not cost too much, that has what you THINK you want, and see how it feels.. then, after a while, if you think it is lacking for your needs after using it, you can grow into something else..
What i am saying to you is, nobody here is going to be able to tel you which radio is best for you.. Best case scenario is they just regurgitate what is or is not best for THEM.. Worst case they, go off on a tangent about how "every one of brand-X radios i have ever had is junk and everybody i know returned theirs" or "if you link your GMRS repeaters the FCC will come after you because I have secret inside information that I dream up in my overly-active imagination" ..