Marine
Midland MXT575 50W GMRS Mobile Radio with Integrated Control Microphone
Review
What’s included: the MXT575 mobile transceiver, an integrated control microphone with coiled cord, a 6-inch whip antenna, a DC power cable with inline fuse, a mounting bracket and basic hardware.
Build and materials: the radio uses a metal chassis for heat dissipation and durability, while the microphone is constructed from rugged plastic with tactile buttons for channel, scan and repeater functions. The supplied antenna is a short whip (about 6"); many users upgrade to a higher-gain vehicle antenna for best performance.
Dimensions and use: the head unit is compact for dashboard or under-seat mounting; the mic cord is fairly short, so plan placement or add an extension if you want to locate the radio remotely. Designed for mobile GMRS operation, it supports 15 high-power channels, 8 repeater channels and NOAA weather scan with alert capability. Typical installation requires running the power lead to the vehicle battery or fuse box and fastening the radio with the supplied bracket or screws.
Pros
- High 50W output for extended range
- Mic-mounted controls and easy programming
- NOAA weather scan and multiple repeater channels
Cons
- Short microphone cord out of the box
- Mic mount adhesive can fail in high heat
- Some installs may pick up vehicle electrical noise
VerdictThe MXT575 is a robust 50W GMRS mobile radio that balances power and usability. It delivers long-range simplex and repeater performance, a mic with integrated controls for hands-on operation, and NOAA weather monitoring. Installation is straightforward but pay attention to mounting and wiring to avoid noise issues; consider a better antenna and a mic extension if you’ll hide the radio under seats.
Reviews
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Todd Baldwin 5/5
Watch out for the short mic cable
Great radio overall, but the microphone cord is short. If you plan to mount the unit under a seat or in a glove box, add a mic extension cable.
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Jeremy B 5/5
Works great, mic mount adhesive is weak
The unit performs well and met my needs, but the adhesive on the mic mount didn’t survive desert heat. A sturdier mounting method is recommended for hot climates.
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James W Connard 5/5
A clear step up from the MXT275
I owned the MXT275 and this model is on another level. Installation was quick and programming using the microphone made setup very easy.
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Wendell E Finney 5/5
Excellent performance compared to handhelds
Very pleased with the coverage and reliability; this mobile unit replaced my handhelds and solved range issues for group comms.
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bennwj 5/5
Best mobile GMRS rig I've owned
Installation was quick — running the power lead through the firewall and mounting the bracket only took minutes. Skip relying on the supplied 3M tape for the mount; screwing the base down is more reliable in changing temperatures. Programming repeater offsets and tones from the microphone was straightforward and I made a 35-mile contact via a local repeater. Remember you must hold a GMRS license to transmit. With the tiny 6" whip it still offered excellent reception; I later swapped to a low-profile stubby that suits my driving needs.
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J148 5/5
Clear audio and solid range
Audio is crisp, range is impressive and the unit feels well built. Ideal for off-roading, camping or coordinating a convoy. Setup is simple, though you do need a GMRS license to operate in the U.S.
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Nick 4/5
Good radio but plagued by vehicle noise
Build quality is solid and off-air reports are good, but while driving I get constant alternator/engine noise on transmit and receive that disappears when stopped. I tried ferrite chokes and an inline noise filter with no improvement.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? 5/5
Impressive power, minor interface quirks
With a higher-gain Midland antenna this thing really sings — about 25 miles simplex and 50+ to repeaters in my setup. The mic puts controls at your fingertips, but the stock mic and small two-digit display can be confusing. A better mic and a mic extension are worthwhile upgrades; the radio itself is a rugged performer.
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