Cobra 18 WX ST II 40-Channel CB Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels

I installed this unit in a 2007 Subaru WRX STi using a Subaru OEM gauge pack housing. That housing is single DIN and since the Cobra is too, the fit and finish was perfect. Also, the three required wires (battery, accessory and ground) are right there when the clock pod is removed to install the gauge housing.

I used the Cobra on my first long highway trip last week and was impressed with its range on receive and transmit. My first radio check call got me a callback from 35 miles away. (My antenna is a Larsen NMO27B so that has a lot to do with the radio's performance.)

Positives: front mount speaker (no external required), nice knobs with a quality feel, channel scan, weather band, quick button for 9/19, sensitive squelch, great range, resonable price

Negatives: needs a clock display, won't operate with the mic unplugged (don't really want to talk to truckers, just listen to their police reports), display is hard to read in the sunshine, mic is big and clunky looking, no PA system

We were impressed with the speedy delivery and no damage to any of it! It seems to be a great product!

I ordered this radio, after my midland 1001z broke, and I really wish I didn't. This radio is junk! I had a good antenna hooked up to it, and the radio signals were weak and came in and out constantly. The mic is cheap and bulky! The soundtracker feature is useless. Fellow CBer's could not hear me when I talked to them. The only good feature is the weather band, other than that, don't even waste your money on it!

The radio is very useful. I mounted the radio in my car with a magnet mount antenna. The installation and wiring is not difficult at all. I was able to have clear conversations with a friend a few miles away. The weather channels are great too. That is why I say it is the best bang for your buck. Very few inexpensive units have the weather channels. Overall, it is a great product and I would buy it again. Although, when it is bright out the display does wash out making it hard to read.

I like the radio. I just wish it had a weather alert feature for bad weather while monitoring CB. Also, the weather channels are weak, but that's just due to location for the most part.
All in all, it's a dependable unit.