Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5 vs Midland MXT575 50W MicroMobile GMRS Two-Way Radio
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right kit component for your needs.
Earth Pak
$28
Midland
$449
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5 | Midland MXT575 50W MicroMobile GMRS Two-Way Radio |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Role | waterproof dry bag | Convoy GMRS command radio + NOAA weather alert monitor for RV/van builds |
| Category | case | gmrs-mobile |
| Renter Install | No installation — roll top and clip | vehicle mount |
| Building Fit | Flexible; fits in any bag or evacuation kit | vehicle / RV |
| Max Power | N/A | 50 W |
| Channels | N/A | 15 |
| Clear LOS Range | N/A | 40 mi |
| Coverage | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A | N/A |
| Water Resistant | Yes | No |
| SOS Button | No | No |
| Weather Alerts | No | Yes |
| License Required | No | Yes |
| Subscription Required | No | No |
| Subscription/mo | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Price | $28 | $449 |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5
Pros
- 500D PVC construction is genuinely rugged and flood-resistant
- Roll-top closure is foolproof and requires no zippers to fail
- IPX5 rated — handles high-pressure water spray from any angle
- Floats if submerged briefly (5–10 sec)
- Under $30 — low-cost insurance for expensive electronics
Cons
- Not rated for sustained submersion — not for diving or flooding scenario where kit is underwater for minutes
- 20L is adequate but not large enough for full kit in one bag
Midland MXT575 50W MicroMobile GMRS Two-Way Radio
Pros
- Maximum legal 50W output gives best possible GMRS range — 40+ miles line-of-sight
- Built-in NOAA Weather Scan + Alert monitors all 7 channels automatically
- 8 repeater channels with split-tone support for coordinating with repeater networks
- Fully integrated control mic saves dash space; hide-away radio unit keeps it stealthy
- USB-C QC 3.0 charging port (36W) charges phones from rig power
Cons
- Requires FCC GMRS license ($35, covers household for 10 years)
- Premium price — $450+ is a significant investment vs handheld alternatives
- Professional-level feature set may overwhelm casual users
- Not inherently waterproof (requires weatherproof antenna and cable routing)
Our Verdicts
Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5
At under $30, the Earth Pak 20L is the most cost-effective way to protect phones, documents, radios, and chargers from hurricane storm surge and driving rain. The 500D PVC and roll-top closure handle IPX5 conditions reliably; just don't expect it to survive full submersion for more than a few seconds. Buy two and seal the electronics separately.
Midland MXT575 50W MicroMobile GMRS Two-Way Radio
The MXT575 is the definitive GMRS mobile radio for RV and van-life convoy coordination — maximum legal power output, real NOAA weather alerting, and repeater capability make it the workhorse that turns a rig into a comms hub. Pairs perfectly with a magnetic-mount NMO antenna upgrade for roof-mounted range. FCC GMRS license required but trivially obtained.