Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels

Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels
by Midland

List Price: ~~$49.99~~
Category: CE
See more product details

Buy Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels at Amazon.com

(Click here)

Customers in the UK, Buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Midland
Model: 74105XL
Product features:

7-channel weather and all-hazard radio with AM/FM
Automatic alert with 90 dB siren
Instant weather reports with the push of a button
Battery backup for operation during power outages
Supplied with telescopic antenna and power supply

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels

Customer Review: Does the job
Summary: 4 Stars

I purchased a Midland 74105XL as a gift, but gave it a quick test to make sure all was well before wrapping it up, and it performed exactly as could be expected.

I compared it to an Oregon Scientific WR-8000 'All Hazards' portable and an Icom IC-M3A marine VHF handheld radio. Reception quality was good on the active weather channels in this area, however there weren't any alert warnings broadcast at the time, so I can't comment on that feature. The Midland was a bit better than the Oregon Scientific, probably due to it's telescoping antenna vs. the short 'rubber ducky' type on the WR-8000. The Icom being a transceiver, and having a more sensitive receiver was better than both. The AM/FM section of the 74105XL works as well as any inexpensive portable radio.

The build quality of the 74105XL is also typical of an inexpensive radio (and typical for Midland) - sort of cheap feeling, but perfectly adequate for tabletop use. I had posted a negative review here on Amazon.com on the similarly featured Midland WR10 All Hazards radio based on it's less than user-friendly design. Fortunately, the layout of the 74105XL is much more straightforward.

Something that's probably applicable to just about every All Hazards radio currently in use in the U.S. is the quality (or, lack of) artificial speech used for NOAA's weather radio broadcasts. Up until a couple years ago, the broadcasts were recorded by a real, live human. They have since been replaced by a computer synthesized voice, and it sounds just like what you might expect - very artificial. According to the NOAA weather radio site [...], they are currently in the process of upgrading all of their stations with a newer technology, more natural sounding speech system. They even have sample audio files available for audition.

The 74105XL does not feature the SAME specific area warning system, so it's probably best suited to milder climes or environments where a highly localized warning may not be as essential. As a good, basic weather radio, the 74510XL does the job. By the way, the recipients I gave the radio to are happy with it!

Write your own review about Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels

Description of Midland 74105XL All Hazard Radio with 10 NOAA Weather Channels

receives 7 NOAA or 3 Canadian Weathers Channels. AM/FM Radio, switches from AM/FM to weather when Alert Tone broadcase. Alerts w/90db siren, flashing LED or voice. Supplied w/129 volt battery (not included) External antenna jack, external earphone jack, telescope folding antenna

The Midland digital weather radio (model 74-105XL) is a seven-channel all-hazard radio with automatic alert. It's a safety device that no home should be without, especially in locales prone to tornadoes, flash flooding, severe weather, earthquakes, or hurricanes.

The compact alarm clock/monitor provides you with up-to-date local weather information at the touch of a button, and you can program it to automatically switch on the National Weather Service when there is an emergency report.

Crucial to the safety of mobile-home dwellers and lovers of wilderness activities, a Midland Weathermax should be hanging alongside the fire extinguisher in every home and camp. If a weather emergency arises your area, Weathermax will automatically sound a siren or give a voice or LED warning and switch to the local weather broadcast.

The telescopic antenna provides reception from up to 50 miles away and brings in clear, crisp sound. There's also an antenna jack for the use of an optional extended-range antenna. We especially liked how there was one big button for immediate weather reports, one button for testing the system, and a third for keeping the unit in emergency notification mode. Time, date, and alert appear (with up to 56 messages) in the digital display to describe the type of emergency.

A wall adapter (included) or a 9-volt emergency battery backup (not included) powers model 74-200. Expect six to eight hours of operation from a fresh battery. Also included are an easy-to-read owner's guide, a National Weather Service list containing the transmitter frequencies for all 50 U.S. states, a list of tornado safety tips, and some handy tips for improving reception. --David Greenberger

Pros: