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JK CB & HAM Radios Bulletin board forum regarding all topics concerning CB and HAM radios, the installation of them in your Jeep JK Wrangler. This would include antenna mounts, wiring, tuning and usage.

Torn between two handheld type units Cobra 75 and Midland 75-822

Old Jun 21, 2009 | 06:34 PM
  #1  
Basic13's Avatar
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From: Surprise, Arizona, United States
Default Torn between two handheld type units Cobra 75 and Midland 75-822

Need some help choosing between these two radios.

Here is my dilemma:

I have two vehicles: 09 Jeep wrangler and an 08 VW Jetta

My wife drives the Jeep as she only works about a mile from home while I drive nearly 40 miles round trip if not a little more. It makes sense with the cost of gasoline.

We use the Jetta for long road trips and the Jeep for our weekend adventures. I would like to purchase a CB radio to use on the trails with others but also have the flexibility to use the CB for our jetta on long road trips.

In approx 2 weeks we will be driving from AZ to Ohio and I wanted to have a CB radio installed for the trip, the wifey is fine with hard-mounting a CB on the Jeep but isnt too thrilled about doing it on the Jetta.

This is where my dilemma starts.

I want the flexibility to move from one vehicle to the other without doing any permanent mods to the jetta(drilling, etc.)

I have been looking at the Midland 75-822 and consider it superior for versatility, I can attach a magnetic antenna and plug the unit into the ac adapter. The only concern is that I have heard that the unit is lacking as far as sound quality and distance.

The other choice would be the Cobra 75, I have read multiple threads on how well this unit works but then again I will need to set it up like a traditional cb, running wires and attaching a ground wire.

Is there perhaps something I am missing? Can I wire the cobra 75 just like the midland and use a magnetic antenna? I honestly admit a cb radio is a new concept to me and I know very little.
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Old Jun 21, 2009 | 08:20 PM
  #2  
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From: Lacey, WA
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I have the Midland, and I think it works fine for my needs. I use mine on the trail only with a magnetic antenna on the rear bumper. It has a decent range with an external antenna, and the volume is ok, not really loud. I can still hear it pretty well if it's mounted up higher, I put it at ear level hanging by a velcro strap from the soundbar. Plus you can throw it in the glovebox when you are parked and use it as a handheld from a campsite with a battery pack.
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Old Jun 21, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #3  
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From: Northwest Corner
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I've used both the Midland 75-822 and the Cobra 75. They both work. The nice thing about the Midland is that you can still use it as a portable handheld. Neither one has great audio, their speakers are just too small. Either one will work car-to-car if you have an external mag mount antenna--they both put out the same 4 watts RF power.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 06:25 AM
  #4  
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From: Indiana
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Go with the Midland, you wont be dissapointed.
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 10:22 AM
  #5  
scotlandjk's Avatar
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From: Aberdeen/Edinburgh/Devon, UK
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i have the EU version of the midland but havent got an external antenna. just wondering if the small antenna it comes with would work or will the jeep block the signals? like a faraday cage
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Old Jun 22, 2009 | 02:28 PM
  #6  
treadmark's Avatar
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From: Greensboro
Default Ditto the Midland

I have the Midland and it works very well. In the Jeep I have it hooked up to an external antenna and the reception has been excellent. I did also buy it for use as a handheld if needed. That option really helped out when a tornado was hitting the area and we were seeking shelter in our bathroom. We were able to listen to the NOAA reports even though we had no power to the house.
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 05:57 PM
  #7  
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From: Indianapolis
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I have the cobra and it works great. I added a external wilson Antenna,with the teraflex mount..The shorty antenna is crap..

J33PIN
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 07:07 PM
  #8  
RedneckJeep's Avatar
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From: Georgia
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I have the Midland 75-822 and it works great.
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