Midland MXT275 MicroMobile Radio Review - The Best GMRS Radio for Overlanding

Photo from Midland USA

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As someone who loves to spend time in the outdoors and off-roading, I heavily rely on reliable communication equipment to keep in touch with my friends and family, especially when exploring remote places with no cell service. Recently purchased the Midland MXT275 GMRS radio and have had time to try out all of the features and just how well it works.

Technical Specs

The Midland MXT275 is a 15-watt GMRS radio that operates on 22 channels and has 142 privacy codes. It also features NOAA weather alerts and has a range of up to 50 miles, making it an excellent choice for off-road adventures, camping trips, and any other outdoor activity where reliable communication is critical.

One of the things I love about this radio is its compact size. It measures only 4.5 x 2.75 x 1 inches, making it easy to mount in a variety of vehicles. The unit comes with a detachable antenna and hand held microphone as well a mounting bracket, which makes installation a breeze. I actually ran the antenna from my roof rack through the firewall and into my glovebox on my Tacoma and love that it doesn’t take up any space and keeps all of the wires hidden.

Another great feature of the MXT275 is its clear audio quality. The radio produces crisp, clear audio, even at high volumes, which is essential when you're in noisy environments like your off-road vehicle. It also has a large, easy-to-read display that shows the current channel and other important information.

Another thing I love about the MXT275 is its versatility. It has 142 privacy codes, which means you can use it in crowded areas without interfering with other GMRS radios. It also has an NOAA weather alert function, which automatically broadcasts weather alerts for your area. This is an important feature for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, as it can help you stay safe in case of severe weather.

The MXT275 is very easy to use. It has a straightforward interface with a push-to-talk button and a menu button. The menu button allows you to access various settings, such as channel selection, privacy codes, and weather alerts. The radio also has a roger beep function, which beeps to indicate the end of a transmission.

MXT275VP4 Bundle

Midland offers the MXT275 in a bundle with their upgraded stubby Ghost Antenna and everything you need to get up and running. The MXT275VP4 bundle is what I have had for my overlanding communications setup for 3 years now and I couldn’t be happier, especially for the price, quality, and ease of use.

How I Installed on my Toyota Tacoma

First of all, the installation was extremely easy even for someone like me that hates wiring.

I simply attached the antenna using the included antenna bracket and hardware to my roof rack. I then ran the cord under the weather stripping on the sides of the windshield and into the engine bay.

The most difficult part of the installation was getting the antenna cord through the firewall. This may be easier with two people but I was able to manage it by myself. Once you get the cord through the firewall, it will come out in the drivers side footwell.

I simply took the cord and ran it through a hole in the back of the center console and then up through the passenger footwell and into the back of the glove box. You may need to remove the panel to the cabin air filter to get the cord through.

Finally, just place the Midland MXT275 box in the glove box, connect the antenna wire to the back, then plug in the handheld and close the glove box. You may notice that the glove box has some trouble closing but you might just have to give it a hard push but it shouldn’t interfere with it locking.

Overview

Overall, I am extremely impressed with the Midland MXT275 GMRS radio. Its compact size, clear audio quality, and great range, make it a versatile and reliable communication tool for any outdoor enthusiast. It's also easy to use, with a straightforward interface and a range of useful features, such as privacy codes and weather alerts. Whether you're off-roading, camping, or just need a reliable way to stay in touch with your friends and family, I highly recommend the Midland MXT275 GMRS radio.