[Yaesu] FT 897 and 857 questions

[Clark Savage Turner]

I am looking to buy either the 897 or the 857 in the coming month.  I 
can't resist (and I am quite satisfied with my 817 at this point.)

Anyone on the list have both or experience with both?  I am looking to 
buy a semi-portable rig that will also serve as a backup and mobile 
rig.  Both seem to fit the general bill, but the 857 is $100 less.

I know there are Yahoo groups and I do sometimes read what is posted 
there.  I am not a member and choose not to join.

A few questions if anyone knows the answers -

Do the 897 and 857 have similar current drain characteristics?  (I am 
especially interested in current drain at the 20 or 10 watt output 
level, typical park bench operation :-)  I know the 897 has internal 
batteries, but I might consider running the 857 with an external gel 
cell at the 10 amp hour level (just as easy for me), so the current 
drain is of interest.

Does the 897 and the 857 have equally (bad) QSK?  I have the 817, the 
QSK is not so good, but semi QSK is fine with me.  IF one has fair/good 
QSK, that would be of interest to me.

I have a friend with the 897 who will meet me in a local (Morro Bay, CA 
for anyone who would care to come!) park this Sunday so I can actually 
use one.  I haven't found a local with the 857 and there is no local ham 
store where I can look at it.

Thanks for any input!

Clark
WA3JPG