Our Opinion:

   This successor to the Midland 48-plus takes the best features from it's predecessor and rectifies some of it's shortcomings to make what we are sure is going to be a best seller.
   This set features a traditional signal meter, which is usually much preferred over the now normal LCD bargraph meter. The LCD display is very large, giving one of the largest and clearest channel displays we have seen. There is also the option to switch between standard channel display or frequency display.
   The set has a full compliment of controls, including RF-gain and Mic-gain. Unfortunately because of limited space this has meant the use of "double-gang" controls for both volume/squelch and mic/rf gain. Although this goes not cause any real problem it does make the controls a little more fiddly.
   There are 5 programmable memories. Unfortunately the memories are lost if the set is disconected from the power for a while.
   The scan facility allows you to scan either of the 40 channel bands.
   The problem of the set returning to ch.9 (and losing it's memories) every time you change bands that was seen on the 48-plus has been rectified in this new model, making it much more user friendly.
   We always found the 48-plus to be rather harsh on receive, I believe due to it being over tightly filtered. This has also been overcome on the Excel, we found the receive to be much clearer and pleasant on the ear.
   The "ESP Noise-killer" has now grown on me and I find it to work well under most conditions. This function cuts out most of the background noise between transmissions and makes the set sound more like an AM one without the normal white noise found on FM. Since this feature is switchable you can easily decide for yourself how well it works and under which circumstances to use it.
   Overall we found this to be a good all round set and certainly a big improvement over the old Midland 48-plus - and for only £15 more !!

   The new model now in stock also has the additional features:

1.  Dual Voltage - automatic switching for 12 Volt or 24 Volt.