CB comparison

[Chorky]

Cobra 75
Midland 75-822
Uniden CMX760


The first two seem to be tride and true (old) with all the typical features but somewhat analogue
Uniden seems to be the 'newest' option, however it does not have the WX option.

Opinions? Any particular one better than the rest based on experiences?

Thanks.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Did you do a search? OTR truckers still primarily use cobra or midland.
Must be good reason.

 

[Bill Ruttan]

The Cobra 75 combined radio/speaker/mic can get heavy and uncomfortably warm during an extended transmission. Also, if the speaker volume must be increased to be heard from the dash board of a noisy vehicle, it may prove to be too loud when held near your head as the microphone is used.

 

[Red90]

Have a look at President radios.

 

[Chorky]

Have a look at President radios.

I have one for my truck (not mounted yet) but looking for a compact for the jeep so it can be mounted under the dash or hidden away somewhere.

 

[mep1811]

I have the Uniden CMX760 . I like the compactness and with a tuned antenna works great. Trucker have a lot of room in their cabs so they can run a larger chassis radios . The larger radios are more adept to performance modifications.

Be sure to get an external speaker so you can hear the radio clearly.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Cobra 75
Midland 75-822
Uniden CMX760


The first two seem to be tride and true (old) with all the typical features but somewhat analogue
Uniden seems to be the 'newest' option, however it does not have the WX option.

Opinions? Any particular one better than the rest based on experiences?

Thanks.

The CMX760 says it has NOAA weather alert.

https://uniden.com/products/cmx760-off-road-compact-cb-radio-with-mic-display

Product Overview​

• 40-Channel Operation
• Channel Monitor
• Channel Scan
• Ultra-Compact for easy mounting just 4 x 4 x 1 inches
• NOAA Weather with Alert
• Weather Channel Scan
• Easy-access Speaker/Mic controls
• Large Display on Speaker/Mic
• Backlight Color
• Contrast Color
• S/RF Meter
• Roger Beep
• Battery Check
• Frequency Indicator
• Key Lock
• High Cut

FWIW, my $0.02 on CBs is shop mainly on features that you want and form factor that works. Performance across the major brands (Uniden, Cobra, Midland, etc) is going to be a function of your antenna more than anything.

The offerings seem to me to come down to two options.

On one hand you're getting a long existing design. That just means the strengths and weakness are well known and any major things have long since been corrected. The Cobra 75 WX ST and 75-822 have been around a long time, a decade and maybe more. Lots of people use them and AFAIK no show stoppers.

The other case is you're buying a newer design that is coming from one of the factories in China. For example that Uniden CMX760 sure looks a lot like a Midland MXT275, which is a GMRS radio. It would take some digging but I would not be surprised if they both are made by the same OEM made under contract.

 

[deserteagle56]

I had 3 of the Cobra 75 radios...because I'm a slow learner. When the first one quit I bought another, when it quit I bought the third. The tiny form factor kept me trying them. Junk.

 

[craig333]

Mine still works.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I used a Midland 75-822 for several years. Last time I used it was in 2014 I think. Seemed to work fine for what it was. Haven't been on a trail run where I needed a CB since 2014.

I bought mine new in 2007 (I think) when I had my Tacoma. So they've been around for quite a while.

 

[vtsoundman]

Legit question - given the low power, is there any real difference from one CB to another? I had a Cobra 75 and some Midland unit years ago... and unless I saw the person, it was basically noise. I'm a ham and GMRS for years - a buddy wants me to get one, so thought I'd look into it.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[dbhost]

One major caveat. It has been probably 20 years since I paid any attention whatsoever to those units that have the controls in the microphone. HOWEVER I personally wouldn't own one. Typically speaking there are too many things going on in too small of a space. I prefer a main unit with the controls on the radio and the microphone separate. Seriously when you are driving typically you stay on one channel and are merely keying the TX on and off... Maybe adjusting volume...

As far as low power and the differences in transmission / reception between radios, there really is more of a difference in antenna systems than radios, but noise blocking / filtering is one area where you will find differences in radios. Honestly all the big radio brands these days are pretty good. Cobra, Uniden, Midland, President etc...

 

[mep1811]

I have a Uniden and with a properly tuned antenna works great. The Cobra's handset is not comfortable to use .

 

[Chorky]

One major caveat. It has been probably 20 years since I paid any attention whatsoever to those units that have the controls in the microphone. HOWEVER I personally wouldn't own one. Typically speaking there are too many things going on in too small of a space. I prefer a main unit with the controls on the radio and the microphone separate.

I am looking at the compact 'hidden' units due to space.

 

[mep1811]

One important thing to keep in mind is the antenna must be tuned for the radio. Not tuning the radio makes the radio worthless.