Cobra RX680 vs Midland GXT3000VP4
The Cobra RX680 and Midland GXT3000VP4 both come as two-packs with NOAA alerts. The Cobra RX680 is license-free FRS with IP54 protection. The Midland GXT3000VP4 is GMRS with repeater channels and USB-C.
Updated October 2, 2026
Cobra RX680
License-free FRS pair with 60 preset channels and NOAA alerts plus a two-port charging dock.
Full specs, pros and cons
Midland GXT3000VP4
Repeater-capable GMRS pair with NOAA alerts that also runs on three AA cells.
Full specs, pros and consThe short answer
It depends on the license. The Cobra RX680 works out of the box with 60 preset channels and an IP54 rating. The Midland GXT3000VP4 reaches further through repeaters and claims up to 27 hours of battery. It needs a GMRS license. Unlicensed buyers take the Cobra RX680 and licensed users the Midland GXT3000VP4.
Choose the Cobra RX680 if
- you want to skip the license
- you want an IP54 rating against dust and splashes
- you want a radio Outdoor Life has reviewed
Choose the Midland GXT3000VP4 if
- you hold a GMRS license and want repeater channels
- you want USB-C charging and a stated 1800 mAh battery
- you want a three-year warranty
Specs side by side
Prices in the makers' own US stores, checked October 2, 2026. Amazon links carry no price.
Cobra RX680
Pros
- No license needed since it runs on the FRS service.
- Ten NOAA weather channels with alerts warn you before a storm.
- The two-port dock charges both radios at once.
Cons
- Cobra does not state the battery type or its capacity.
- Charging runs over micro-USB rather than USB-C.
Midland GXT3000VP4
Pros
- Eight repeater channels extend the reach when a local repeater is nearby.
- NOAA weather radio with scan and alert covers 10 weather channels.
- The pack takes three AA cells as a backup when the Li-ion runs flat.
Cons
- Water resistance is rated JIS4 rather than an IP rating like many radios here.
- Midland states no transmit wattage and gives no range claim in miles.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 60-channel count on the Cobra RX680 mean?
Cobra counts 22 standard FRS channels plus 38 preset channel and privacy-code combinations. The radio does not transmit on more frequencies than other FRS sets. The Midland GXT3000VP4 lists 50 GMRS channels of which 8 work with repeaters. Both offer well over 100 privacy codes.
How do the two radios charge?
The Cobra RX680 charges in a two-port dock over micro-USB. The Midland GXT3000VP4 charges over USB-C and Midland states a four-hour recharge for the 1800 mAh pack. It also accepts three AA batteries as a backup. Cobra does not state the battery type of the Cobra RX680.
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