new CB or reinstall cobra 19

So I bought a cobra 19 but yanked it and looking to either reinstall it or upgrade. The plan is to chop up the center console so I'm debating putting it back in or upgrading before I hack up my console for a pos cb radio.

So I guess my real question is for those who know about cbs is how much better is an 100ish dollar unit, name the model, vs my 40 dollar cobra 19.

Appreciate the assistance

 

Come on someone has an opinion on this... If I stick w/ the 19 I'd be installing it now before work at 430

 

Probably only minimal differences between the units (added features, Wx, Bluetooth, backlighting, changable colors). Don't cut until you know what you want out of it.

 

I really just want good reception, weather would be nice

 

Reception is all based on your antenna. A $10 radio is not gonna get any better reception than a $100 radio. Max power is 4watt (legal) so unless you go out of your way you can't get "better signal" that way. Top of roof Wilson. Go the route Jandrews and SlimWood did, pop that cherry roof.

If you want to cut now just make sure your new radio is the same size as the current or you have room to cut the hole larger for a larger radio later.

 

I had it tuned up real nice with my 4ft firestik but then I lost the reception, idk

 

The radio is tuned(peaked) or you antenna?

 

Tuneable tip firestik... think I'll find someone with an swr meter and just reinstall the 19

 

Cobra 75wxst is all in one and only $92 from Amazon. You vould put it anywhere and not hack up the truck

 

No reason the reception should magically change if the tip stayed the same. Unless you're cable got cut through?

 

For around $100 the new Cobra LX is decent radio. And you will hear a difference in recieve and transmit quality. Larger more expensive radios have much better internals than the cheapos.

 

Hacking is not a problem for me

As far as I know cable is still fine, need an swr meter to check to see if I can retune

Yea a guy on here bought a uniden bearcat that was tuned and peaked by a cb shop, might go for either the bearcat or the 25lx if I spend the money. But I would have to think that between 20 or so and 100 there is a difference in signal quality, speaker, mic, etc

 

dont know a thing about cb's but im planning on running a cobra 19 with wilson 1000

 

Better internals will help the longevity of the radio but will not improve signal strength, though you may have a clearer voice as you suggest.

 

Clearer for sure. I had a crap radio shack radio and it sounded like I was talking through a wet pillow. Then a Cobra 18 which was slightly better. Now a Connex. I get a lot of compliments on the quality of the signal.