I'm thinking about getting a Radioddity DB25-G GMRS Mobile Radio 25 watt.

[WSBX980]

I'm thinking about getting a Radioddity DB25-G GMRS Mobile Radio. Just asking if anyone has any experience with this radio before I take the plunge?

Thanks

WSBX980 Pikeville TN

[Northcutt114]

I have one in my Jeep and love it. It's a pretty loud radio, which is nice in a Jeep. It gets out just fine using a Midland MTX25 Ghost antenna. If I had two complaints, and they are minor, one is that I don't like the metal hanger tab on the mic. There's no puck on the back of it like there is with most mics. It's not a big deal because I just stow it in the console where my power window switches would be if I had them. The other thing I don't like is the PTT button is a little easy to trigger and doesn't have a lot of travel. It doesn't have the big tactile clunk that I like for a mic to have. But like I said, minor things. The big thing is has going for it, for me, is how small it is. In a Jeep, space is a premium and when you're already running a CB, it needs to be a small unit.

Two more things, actually. I should also say that before I got the BTech GNRS 50v2 as a base, I used the Radioddity DB25 in the house as my base. It was totally sufficient. Lastly, I was not able to get the radio to work with CHIRP so I downloaded the Radioddity software. It works, but it's clunky and full of Chinglish. So just be prepared for a bit of learning curve if you're used to CHIRP.

 

[WRYS709]

I recommend you look instead at the DB-20G, which is now supported by Chirp; as well as by RT Software 

With a separate cup-holder mount, a mag-mount antenna and its cigarette lighter plug; I can easily install and remove it as needed. 

Alternatively, it easily permanently mounts as well. 

I use another one in my shack with a power supply and external rooftop Comet CX-333 tri-band antenna and it outperforms my Yaesu FT-857d on 2 meter and 70cm FM. 

[WRUU653]

I think it’s probably a decent radio but the DB-20G also has 500 memories while the DB-25 has 200 if that’s important to you. 

[WSBX980]

Does the 5 watt less really make a difference between the 20G Vs the 25G?

[SteveShannon]

Almost never. 

[Northcutt114]

10 hours ago, WSBX980 said:

Does the 5 watt less really make a difference between the 20G Vs the 25G?

No, it doesn't. I also looked at the DB-20G. I ultimately went with the 25, not because of the additional power but because of the ability to quickly cycle through four channels instead of only the two available on screen with the 20. We have a dedicated channel for family communication that is always at the top of all of our radios. And then a local repeater under that, a NOAA channel, and then the last one is for simplex channels. If that doesn't matter to you, I'd go with 20, too. But the 25 does look cool and you can have a custom welcome screen.