Cobra has a new CB radio that was just recently launched a few weeks ago that not only comes tucked away into a small profile unit but can be literally installed anywhere in the vehicle. Along with some additional interesting features, this one made for a fun product to test and it is the new Cobra 75 All Road Wireless CB Radio.
Like most CB units, it comes with the body and the handset. Most everything beyond that always includes optional accessories outside of the antenna and cable which is always an added purchase. Everything is tucked away into a small box along with some typical hardware. Including a cable to get you from your battery to the unit, as well as a small clip/dock for the handset to slide onto when it isn’t in use, and an extra fuse. It also includes a 12V lighter adapter to USB (in case your vehicle doesn’t have any USB ports, which we will get to in a moment).
The radio body is something that you’d normally want to install close to the driver so that the handset can reach. There are some alternative styles out there that allow you to extend cables throughout the vehicle to adjust for this, but who wants to do that if you can go wireless?
Something that this model is capable of doing between the unit and the handset.
It features a port on the front so you can plug the handset directly into it if you want. You simply turn the small rubber seal and pull it out to review a USB port with threads to the cable can lock in tight to it. However, this isn’t a requirement.
Since the headset and unit can communicate wirelessly with one another via Bluetooth, you can install the unit anywhere you want in the vehicle. As long as it doesn’t block Bluetooth transmission between the two, of course. Which pretty much opens most of the vehicle to you. Heck, maybe even inside the hood if you can maintain connection to the headset (imagine not having to run anything through the firewall of the vehicle to the cabin).
Although keeping it in the hood may or may not work, so you may want to choose the back of the vehicle, close to your antenna.
The handset, itself, can be plugged into any USB port to acquire power and then uses Bluetooth to communicate with the unit. Allowing for a cleaner installation up front and a much easier installation overall.
It also supports certain Bluetooth accessories, such as select BlueParrott headsets, or Cobra’s steering wheel PTT button that allows you to speak without having to remove your hands away from the steering wheel.
The company does provide a decent length for the power cable, although you may find yourself extending it depending on where you position the unit within your vehicle. In many cases, when it is installed in the front, you should be perfectly fine (under the dash, under the seat, within the dash somewhere, etc.
The screen on the handset is backlit and easy to read with all of your controls located on the front, outside of the PTT on the side and the power button at the top. Everything is spread around the screen in a user-friendly manner, allowing you to clearly see what modes or channel you are in.
You are able to switch between AM and FM for all channels, scan, save to memory, adjust volume and squelch, and also have the option for auto-squelch. The scan button also lets you trigger channel 9 (emergency) and 19 (information) by simply pressing the button (long-press to trigger scan).
It features digital noise cancellation through built-in DSP to minimize background noise while transmitting. Allowing for other drivers to hear you much more clearly. Something I’m sure they will be quite thankful for.
The handset even sports an IP66 water-resistance rating, allowing you to use it in the rain if you need to. This way you will still have solid communication no matter the conditions (unless you took your vehicle for an unsupported swim).
Our Conclusion
During our testing of this one, we used it to communicate with various trucks that stopped by for drop-offs and other needs both here and via the neighboring businesses/offices. We actually installed it inside using a proper power supply solution and installing the antenna outside a back rollup door. The result was successful and we were able to easily talk with some of these other vehicles as they came through.
It is user-friendly, offers easy install scenarios, clear communication, freedom of Bluetooth compatibility, and even water-resistance to protect the handset from the elements. A lot of features in a small/clean package and a decent MSRP of $199.95 to top it off.
Obviously, scenarios may differ depending on what antenna you use or how well you install the unit in your vehicle, but our experience was quite successful.
Additional Images:
Specifications:
- Unit Dimensions: 5.16” H x 4.65” W x 1.06” D
- Individual Box Dimensions: 8.35″ H x 6.54″ W x 3.46″ D
- Individual Box Weight: 2.2 lbs
- RF Output Power: 4 Watts
- CB Channels: 40 Channels
- Dual-Mode: AM/FM
- Auto Squelch Control
- Instant Channel 9 and 19: emergency channel 9 and info channel 19
- Water-resistance: IP66
Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.
1 Comment
Great images, thanks. I like how easy it is to stash it somewhere. I don’t want to drill holes to mount anything in my SUV. Too new. This may be better.