Sandspur Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 I want to install a mobile GMRS radio in my Jeep JL. I saw a complete kit offered for my model, The GMR45 Jeep radio kit from Rugged Radios. I don't have any experience in installing radios in vehicles, so this is why this model caught my attention. I'm having a little trouble finding actual user feedback on this radio, so I'm asking if anyone here can give honest feedback on this product. Quote
WRUY934 Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 I've used their V3 HT's for awhile and really like them. however, they are costly and are just rebadged Baofeng UV-5Rs. Rugged is big in the offroad racing world and they work well, especially in dusty, water resistant needs. The install kits are good for specific applications like a Jeep. That said, I think there are a lot of other good options out there. I ordered the GMR45 kit from Rugged the other day only to get an email the next day that they don't have them for a few weeks. On back order. I cancelled the order, did some more research and went another direction. Sandspur 1 Quote
BoxCar Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 My thought as well, it's overpriced for what's there. The one point in their favor appears to be the installation instructions. IMO you can probably do with a 20 to 25W radio on the trails and for most travel needs. the extra power from a 45W UHF radio buys you maybe an additional mile of coverage. Sandspur and wayoverthere 2 Quote
wayoverthere Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 Not sure about that 45 watt mobile radio offhand...with the lack of feedback and delays, I wonder if it's fairly new hardware. The one in the 25 watt kit looks very similar to the retevis rb86 (which is also water resistant and on sale for $111). The handheld looks like a radioddity gm30 (which run around $40). The cable with nmo is usually $30ish for name brand, and rugged actually has a laird 1/2 wave on sale for $24, which is a good price. On the mount, it looks nicely made...the mounting location in some of the pics (and proximity to adjacent metal parts gives me pause, but I'll let those with experience speak to if that's actually an issue (as I don't have a jeep and haven't used their mount). Overall, probably not bad gear, but they're charging a premium for name and the convenience of a kit. Whether it's justified is up to the buyer. Sandspur 1 Quote
MichaelLAX Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 Check out the Radioddity DB20-G mobile ($109, 20 watts, cigarette lighter plug, optional cup mount) and GM-30 HT ($39): Sandspur 1 Quote
MichaelLAX Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 Radioddity DB20-G as easy to use as: 1-2-3: 1) Plug into cigarette lighter; and plug in antenna; 2) Select appropriate Repeater Channel 23-30; and 3) Push FUN button, select appropriate Tone from 01:T-CTC Menu using Up and Down arrow buttons; then push FUN button to exit Menu Mode Start using your Repeater! Tons of user feedback on this Forum alone! TOM47 and Sandspur 1 1 Quote
Borage257 Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 58 minutes ago, MichaelLAX said: Radioddity DB20-G as easy to use as: 1-2-3: 1) Plug into cigarette lighter; and plug in antenna; 2) Select appropriate Repeater Channel 23-30; and 3) Push FUN button, select appropriate Tone from 01:T-CTC Menu using Up and Down arrow buttons; then push FUN button to exit Menu Mode Start using your Repeater! Tons of user feedback on this Forum alone! LOVE that radio. Small and compact, great for go box builds! wayoverthere and Sandspur 2 Quote
MichaelLAX Posted October 22, 2022 Report Posted October 22, 2022 Yes, a local GMRS user in Malibu told me that the City of Malibu funds his group to build out DB20-G GoBoxes for distribution to its citizens. Sandspur and wayoverthere 2 Quote
WRFP399 Posted October 23, 2022 Report Posted October 23, 2022 The Rugged GMR-25 is a TYT TH-8600 radio which can be had for $104 from letsgetready.com They are a good seller and stand by their work. I found one of my TH-8600s would not decode PL tones. TYT wanted me to send the unit back to Chinda. LetsGetReady took the unit back and gave me another one. The only difference between this and the Rugged Radio is the 5 pin mini XLR connector they add to the back so you can plug in a Rugged intercom kit. In a week or two I am going to add this exact same pigtail to my TH-8600. You can get 5 conductor wire and a mini XLR connector for about 10 bucks. Very minor solder skills and you have the exact radio for $114 instead of Rugged $250. I have a post started somewhere on these forms and will update it soon. If you are looking for a handheld to round out the setup, a matching TYT UV-88 is a good dual band radio. wayoverthere 1 Quote
MichaelLAX Posted October 24, 2022 Report Posted October 24, 2022 10 minutes ago, WRFP399 said: ...which can be had for $104 from letsgetready.com... If you are looking for a handheld to round out the setup, a matching TYT UV-88 is a good dual band radio. I purchased my original Anytone AT-779UV (the exact clone of the Radioddity DB20-G) from letsgetready.com as well as the GM-30 clone, the ham radio TYT-UV-88, which can be easily opened to transmit on GMRS. John gives fast service and free shipping! Quote
WRFP399 Posted October 24, 2022 Report Posted October 24, 2022 Yeah. Super happy with LetsGetReady. Here is the link to the other post https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/4693-tyt-th-8600-vs-rugged-abm-25gmr-25/#comment-45840 wayoverthere 1 Quote
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