Don't get too upset. A friend just picked up an MXT275 and we were driving around seeing what kind of distance we could get with clear communication. I was in my Jeep with the 40w MXT400. Several times, I could hear him clearly when he couldn't hear me at all. His antenna placement was high in the center of his SUV with a Midland magnetic antenna mount and 6db antenna. Mine was on a fender mount, a bit lower than his, also with a Midland 6db antenna. I really don't feel like I had any advantage in trasmission range under the given conditions. So I'm not sure how much more the 40w really gives you in the real world. Also, of all the Midland GMRS radios, including the 90 series, MXT115, 275, and 400, the 275 easily has the most consistency in high quality transmission. I can tell when any of my friends are on a 275 as opposed to any of the others with the exception of the Midland handhelds. I think the 275 may still be the cream of the Midland crop. If I continue to feel that way, I'll yank the 400 and put a 275 in that Jeep. I have a 275 in my other Jeep and others tell me the transmissions are crystal clear, too. Maybe it is the mic? I don't know, but it is a great radio.