Why I like my Midland MXT-500

[GMRSNetwork]

I read a past post about Kenwood, Motorola Etc being so much better than Midland. Probably so for a cement truck. People choose the FPP flexibility of the MXT-500 (or Wouxun) because you don't need proprietary software, wideband keys and problems with comports - the list of issues is LONG. I was in the two-way business and it's an expensive PITA, especially Motorola. Plus, if you travel you have to take a laptop everywhere. Same reason most hams don't use Motorola or Kenwood for 2 meters. Sure, the made in Malasia (M) or Japan (K) is a more durable, better-quality radio but my Midland is way more versatile. Build quality is decent/durable, great loud audio and I have had no issues. I prefer Midland to Wouxun but that's just my personal opinion. 

[nokones]

I agree, for a simple GMRS radio the MXT500 is a very good quality radio and probably will give you very good service for many years.

I own one, but it is not my everyday go-to  radio. I mainly use my MXT500 radio as a loaner for my radioless Jeep Creeps while on the trail.

[gortex2]

Many on this site talk bad about Midland but for the KISS method the radios are solid. I run them in all my vehicles for the simple fact of pick channel talk. But 99% of my traffic is simplex or on my own repeater. No need to be changing stuff pretty much ever. All my vehicles also have the APX8500 so if I need special stuff thats what I use. Last fall I ordered the MXT115 for the wifes Kubota UTV for the same. She uses it on the farm and just needs to talk.

And love them or hate them Midland has been building GMRS radio before many users on this site were born  

[nokones]

And Midland is an American owned Corporation.

[WRYZ926]

The only issue I had with the MXT-500 I had was its low power output. I could only get 38 watts max out on high power. I had one from a batch a couple of years ago that was bad and I should have sent it back for repair instead of selling it.

Yes it is hard to beat the MXT-500 for ease of use right out of the box. It is easy to program through the radio or using computer software. Most people can figure out how to use and program the MXT-500 quickly.

I ended up with the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus. Yes it has more bells and whistles but it too is very easy to program. Both radios are close to the same price so it boils down to features that the individual wants. For vehicle installs where space is at a minimum, the Wouxun wins as it has a removable face. But nothing wrong at all with the MXT-500.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, nokones said:

And Midland is an American owned Corporation.

Another American corporation that manufactures good high end GMRS handhelds is Garmin. GRMN on the New York Stock Exchange.

[MarkInTampa]

2 hours ago, nokones said:

And Midland is an American owned Corporation.

No it's not. Majority owned by CTE International, headquartered in Italy. US-based operations continue to be run out of Kansas City, Missouri, but they are part of a larger international company.

[RoadApple]

6 hours ago, nokones said:

And Midland is an American owned Corporation.

As @MarkInTampa points out there is a distinction between ownership and US-base of operation.  However, no matter where the company ownership may be, many companies still outsource manufacturing to "Pandaland". (Not that there is anything wrong with that! ) 

Here is a screen grab from Ebay.  Notice where this Motorola device is made...

[WRYZ926]

Yaesu has some of their mobile radios made in China too.

It really doesn't matter where the factories are located. Then manufacturers will make products to the customers specifications and quality control as long as the customers are willing to pay the price.

You can have the same product made in a factory for two customers and customer A will have a better quality product than customer B since A is willing to pay for the better quality control.

[RoadApple]

15 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

Yaesu has some of their mobile radios made in China too.

It really doesn't matter where the factories are located. Then manufacturers will make products to the customers specifications and quality control as long as the customers are willing to pay the price.

You can have the same product made in a factory for two customers and customer A will have a better quality product than customer B since A is willing to pay for the better quality control.

I totally agree!!  Products made in China often get a bad rap on this forum but that is far too simplistic of a view.  Many products made in China are quite good and you can't judge products as a whole based on where they are made.  It's all about the specifications.

[WRUE951]

I had a Midland 575 in my Jeep. When I sold the jeep the buyer demanded the radio goes with it..  That radio was probably the best GMRS radio I've owned, and might even top my  current Hytera HM782..  (well close anyway)  I love the zone option with the Hytera.    The Midland is a bit pricey but if you are after a GMRS only radio,  its worth every penny  

[WRYZ926]

The main thing that I do not care about with the Midland radios that have everything built into the mic is that there is no way for the end user to update the firmware or use a computer for programming. 

At least with the MXT-500, one can easily update the firmware and program the radio with a computer.

I know there is generally no need to update firmware but sometimes it is necessary to do so. I know I had to with my MXT-500 as it still had the old firmware with only 33 memory slots. The firmware update fixed that.

 

[OffRoaderX]

6 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

The main thing that I do not care about with the Midland radios that have everything built into the mic is that there is no way for the end user to update the firmware or use a computer for programming. 

Midland markets these radios to normal people that do not care about any of that that, and probably would not be able to figure out how to do it even if they did care.

[WRXB215]

4 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

Midland markets these radios to normal people

Who are these "normal" people you speak of?

[WRUE951]

10 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

Who are these "normal" people you speak of?

Me,, i'm a normal old fart

 

[OffRoaderX]

23 minutes ago, WRXB215 said:

Who are these "normal" people you speak of?

People that go outside and don't spend their lives here or seeking out anonymous men to chat with in far-away exotic places on their radio-toys.