Cobra 25 29 or 148

Only reason a 148 would be better than a 29 is if you wanted SSB...Think if it were me, I'd throw in a few more nickels for a General Lee...More bang for the buck! Several Web Shops sell the General Lee for around $165, which is not that much more than what a 148 would cost you...

 

AGREE the 148 is one good SSB radio. If you don't want or need SSB the lee is a very good choice.

 

3 Rd. Vote for the General Lee
There is nothing wrong with a Cobra 29 either

 

Not to hijack this to far, but whats the difference between the 25 and the 29?

 

Extras on the 29's like, SWR check knob, Delta Tune, Bright/Dim switch and a larger case...Thats about it... Both have the exact same output...

 

I like my 148, but from the CB shop rumor mill there was lots of quality differences between the different locations that they were made. I have an older one that was supposedly from the Phillipines.

 

from what I have learned the cobra's ( all of them) that were made in the Philippines were the best. I have a 29 that is stock and it gets out just fine with a properly tuned antenna and even after I tuned it with the swr/rf on the radio

 

The 25 I think is the best all around starter radio.

The 29 is for if you want a few useless features not found on the 25...such as the inaccurate swr meter, the delta tune (really? on a non sideband radio?) and the larger "feel good" case. The dimmer is the only real useful option IMO.

The 148, as posted, is good for if you use sideband, which I have learned many truckers don't even know what that is....long story short it's a different mode of operation that is more efficient that allows you to talk further legally, however your other party has to have a sideband radio to be able to use the sideband option plus you have to dial them in and they have to dial you in....IMO sideband is better suited for radio hobbyists and such, not someone trying to dial someone in while driving.

The General Lee, while not a true CB (it's an export) is great for having a little bit more bark on the air...I heard one once a few years back...the trucker was 7 miles away from me and sounded clear as day on the radio.