When I finally decided to replace my old CB with a new one, my pick was the 40 channel Midland 75-785 CB radio. I only wanted a handheld unit that didn’t cost more. Turns out that I made a good choice since, after about 2 years, this cb still works great. I use it almost each day while out in my poultry and cattle farm. This Midland 75-785 cb radio review details what I like and don’t like about this unit.
Features of Midland 75-785
Compact and highly portable design
If you’re looking for a cb radio that you can carry around or use in your vehicle, the 75-785 is a good option. Its body is made of lightweight plastic and measures 7 by 2.25 by 2 inches. This will easily fit inside your hand. It’s also lightweight weighing 0.55 pounds. It will easily fasten onto your belt through the built-in belt clip.
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Several ways to power the unit
I like the fact that the 75-785 handheld radio can be powered using 9 disposable AA batteries as well as a rechargeable Ni-Cd battery. The Ni-Cd battery can be charged using the provided DC adapter which you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter socket. The design also features a HI/LOW switch. Set it to HI to maximize on range or LOW to save on battery power. I usually use Ni-Cd batteries since I won’t incur extra costs involved in buying disposable AA batteries.
Use as handheld or for your vehicle
Although I plan on buying a new cb for my truck, I still use my Midland 75-785 as my primary car cb. I simply connect it to my truck’s external antenna and use the DC adapter to power the unit. Even without connecting it to the external antenna, this little cb radio still achieves a range of 2 miles on open land.
The design also includes jacks for an external speaker and mic. These can come in handy when you use it in your car.
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Easy to operate
For its small size, this handheld CB has well placed and easy to operate controls. On the top is the antenna connector, on/off volume control and squelch control knob. On the left is the Push To Talk button and the channel selector buttons. The ports to connect external jacks, the Hi/LOW switch and DC adapter port are placed on the right side of this CB. This placement makes it easy for single-handed operation.
Disadvantages of the Midland handheld CB 75-785
The range covered is on the lower side especially if you’re operating it in areas with tall obstacles. Also, the batteries aren’t provided. When buying batteries, I suggest you go for the rechargeable Ni-Cd type to save on future purchases.
Special Tips
- While 75-785 has been designed for many years of reliable, trouble-free performance, it is a precision piece of electronic equipment that should not be exposed to water or to extreme temperatures.
- Do not leave batteries installed over a long period of time as leakage may occur and cause damage to the radio.
- Never use different batteries from the ones suggested.
- Clean the unit with a damp cloth only, never use harsh chemicals.
Recommended for
Use on hunting camps, job sites or carpools where short-range communication (under one mile or less) is acceptable.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an affordable and easy to operate handheld transceiver, the Midland 75-785 radio is worth considering. It’s a well designed unit which will easily fit in your hand. It’s also quite versatile and can be used in your vehicle when connected with the provided DC adapter and external speaker. I wish the batteries could be provided. However, since this CB can operate on rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries, that additional cost isn’t too much. Overall, it’s a good CB for outdoors use.
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