At this point, unless one is going to use a separate radio for transmit and receive, the only new HT i can recommend is the Kenwood TH-D7A[G]. Right now, it's the only rig which can still operate in full-duplex. Full-duplex operation is essential in mode J-FM or you are likely to either cause QRM or waste valuable satellite transponder time.
To test a radio for full duplex operation, make sure you bring headphones when you test a radio. Listen to a weather service station on one band (with headphones) and transmit briefly on 446.0 MHz (or other suitable UHF channel). If the weather service broadcast is uninterrupted while you transmit, then you have a radio suitable for mode J-FM. This should be helpful in evaluating a used HT.
If you're going to use two radios, then the TH-F6A is a decent choice. I found it to be adequately sensitive if i gave it a good antenna, and with an unmodified downconverter, i used it as the receive side to work AO-40. With an antenna similar in gain to an Arrow satellite antenna, i've also heard FO-29, AO-7 and VO-52 well enough to work people given a suitable up-link radio. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)