Use the software
I haven't met any of the Chinese radios yet (Puxing, Wouxun or Baofeng) that programmed well from the panel, mostly due to the Chinglish manuals. The Baofeng has a manual that might have had a native English speaker involved, as it is the least tortuous of the lot. That did not give me any confidence to try it as I was in a hurry.
All of that said, the Baofeng is a great radio for those of us who have dual hats (Amateur and public safety) and want to leave something in the glove box or console for use in a pinch. It's a $55 radio. Proceed accordingly.
Tom KA9QPN