D. H.—March 31, 2021✓ Verified purchase
Hey, it's cheap (price wise), it works and it's dependable in the woods. It keeps me from getting run over up in the forest roads that I roam in several days a week, wind, rain or shine. I can monitor the trucks hauling out wood and they can monitor me when I'm bumping around. I'll switch to the particular haul road's cb channel that's painted on a tree at the entrance to the road and will let whoever's listening know what forest road I'm on, what direction I'm heading, what I'm driving and what marker I'm at. Those who are running that road will usually get back to me and I'll call out the markers as I head their direction. I can hear them calling their markers out as they head towards me if we're on the same road. Either way, it's safe, sane and the C.B. does the trick. I had no problem mounting it but matching it is a bit fussy for me. The SWR readings are good, but the antenna ground needs some work. Not the c.b. Would I buy it again? Yeah. But there's one more that's a bit pricier that has the scan option for $20-$30 more. I'd have bought if I didn't buy this one. This one's cheap in price but so far it's doing the job. The speaker's a bit challenging for me (hearing impaired, go figure) but I can still figure out what's being said. It's just a bit of a challenge sometimes. Bottom line? If you need a cheap, easy to install, usable C.B. this is the one. When they say "compact", they mean it. I run it in my 2015 Ford F150 4X4 (short box) but keep in mind you will have to ground the antenna mount. Too many folks forget that part. I run it with a 4 ft. FireStick most of the time. I had my last FireStick "borrowed" when I parked my truck in a store's parking lot. When I came back outside my FireStick antenna was gone. So, right now I'm running around with a little magnetic mount on the roof. It works but it's no FireStick. I gave it 5 stars because it's better than my old one that I paid double this price for when I bought it. That one was borrowed and never returned. Read more
HotRods4Ever—February 19, 2010✓ Verified purchase
Some off-roading friends of mine recommended, as a first time CB user, for me to buy this Uniden along with a good antenna. They were right, it is a spectacular radio and it appears the price on Amazon was the best around. They use 510 XLs for off-roading with ± a mile or so between them on the trails. Fresh out of the box, the quality of this Uniden is clear - clean, solid metal construction with robust knobs and cable connections. Bright LEDs on-screen, good squelch control, and clear led level indications as well. On the back, there is a connector for the antenna, red/black for power (with in-line fuseholder and fuse) and then an extra port for a Uniden external speaker. I would recommend the speaker for folks who mount the CB down low. I have mine mounted overhead so the 510 XL's built-in speaker fires down at us passengers... it is plenty loud enough for me in my diesel pickup and I don't even have to turn it up half way. But if you have yours mounted down low, the carpet may absorb the sound which makes the external speaker worthwhile - and they are not expensive at all. I plugged in the Uniden Pro 510XL unit in with a Wilson 1000 Mag mount base loaded antenna. The antenna is on my crew cab pickup roof, which makes for an excellent ground plane. Out of the box, I was up and running the first day I hooked it up. I could hear some conversations quite clearly, seemingly better than a clear telephone conversation. Of course, there is always chatter and conversations in-between folks talking if you are monitoring busy channels. Like any CB unit, the antenna (or antennas) makes all the difference. Most cars and pickups with an available flat mounting surface (trunk lid or roof) would do well with a Wilson brand antenna, other cars requiring side mount might accept a full whip well. Either way, get a good quality antenna and have a friend with an SWR meter help you tune it to maximize performance and avoid burning up your radio. I did not burn up my radio the first time without tuning, but with tuning I was able to bring the antenna right into the perfect safe SWR range. This is a highly recommended unit if you are just getting into CB, especially if you do not need all of the features of more expensive or complex units. The Pro 510 XL just gets the job done and does it well. Its a Rock Solid CB radio. Read more
Conrad—August 22, 2014✓ Verified purchase
I have purchased dozens of these radios for employees and for personal use. It is the single best value in CB radios I have found after having tried every brand on the market. In the niche market of compact CB radios it is without equal. It is far more durable and long lasting then the similar sized Cobra, Midland or off brand radios. What is amazing is that Amazon sells it at an amazingly competitive price. Expect to pay $55 at a truck stop for one of these. Avoid the cheaper Uniden radio which was a marketing tactic to compete with lesser radios. Also the 520XL in only an upgrade in that you have RF gain control; which isn't a necessary feature. If you want to spend more money to get weather stations or mic gains there are many other products to choose from. But if you want a reliable 40 channel CB radio that broadcasts well and receives well this is the radio for you. It is is rated at the same output power as any full size radios, but is small enough to be mounted in tighter locations. I have used these for years and can not overstate that they are the best price point in the market. Pair it with a Little Wil antenna for the best possible results and buy a road pro 12v adapter plug to be able to plug it into your 12v power adapter. Avoid cheaper plugs that handle less power and fail to indicate which lead is positive and negative. Read more
Recovering Jeep Owner—May 20, 2012✓ Verified purchase
This radio is a classic choice for off-roaders because it's simple and works great! Don't expect a tuckload of features with this unit - you get automatic noise limiter, squelch control, volume, and channel-changing knobs (that's it!). Unless you're driving a big-rig, you're not going to need a more expensive radio (CB effectiveness is based more on your antenna setup and proper tuning than the radio itself). NOTE: If you want a public address (PA) option, go for the PRO520. It's the same unit as this, except with PA. Read more