Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5 vs Midland MXTA51 MicroMobile 2.1dB NMO Replacement Antenna Kit
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right kit component for your needs.
Earth Pak
$28
Midland
$55
Spec Winner
Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5
Wins on 1 of 1 spec categories
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Earth Pak Original Waterproof Dry Bag 20L, Roll-Top Closure, 500D PVC, IPX5 | Midland MXTA51 MicroMobile 2.1dB NMO Replacement Antenna Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Role | waterproof dry bag | Magnetic-mount NMO antenna upgrade for MXT575 — improves range by eliminating interior-mount losses |
| Category | case | antenna |
| 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 | N/A |
| Channels | N/A | N/A |
| Clear LOS Range | N/A | N/A |
| Coverage | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Life | N/A | N/A |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| SOS Button | No | No |
| Weather Alerts | No | No |
| License Required | No | Yes |
| Subscription Required | No | No |
| Subscription/mo | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Price | $28 | $55 |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 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 MXTA51 MicroMobile 2.1dB NMO Replacement Antenna Kit
Pros
- Official Midland replacement kit — designed specifically for MXT500 and MXT575
- Strong 3.5-inch magnetic base with rubber boot stays put on roof or hood
- 6-meter RG-58A/U coax cable gives plenty of routing flexibility in a van or RV
- 2.1dB unity gain antenna restores factory-spec range after trail damage
- Includes metallic plate (MXTA38) for non-ferrous roof surfaces
Cons
- 2.1dB gain is modest — serious operators may want the MXAT01VP (7.5dB, $195) for max range
- Magnetic mount is not a permanent install; may shift at highway speeds without MXATMT1 bracket
- ASIN unverifiable via Amazon (bot-walled) — sold primarily through Midland direct and specialty radio retailers
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 MXTA51 MicroMobile 2.1dB NMO Replacement Antenna Kit
The MXTA51 is the clean, hassle-free antenna upgrade for any MXT575 install — the factory magnetic-mount NMO kit means no drilling, no adapters, and guaranteed radio compatibility. For serious range in flat terrain, upgrade to the MXAT01VP fiberglass antenna ($195); the MXTA51 is the right call for most RV users who want plug-and-play performance.
Midland MXTA51 MicroMobile 2.1dB NMO Replacement Antenna Kit
$55