I just received the radio and unboxed it. I always try do an initial test on everything that I purchase, to make sure it is working, even if I don't have immediate plans for it.I bought this to replace a Radio Shack Optimus, which is pictured. Even with cardboard isolating the terminals the Energizers still leaked. A gentle swab of vinegar on Q-tips didn't help as some of the electrical connectors had battery corrosion on them, and the radio won't turn on. Oh well, this was my go to radio that I would always carry when traveling.I was surprised to see that the Sangean is pretty much the same radio. Although, the build quality of the Radio Shack Optimus seems to be better.I hadn't gone through the manual so this was a simple test of the Sangean.This radio on fast scan in FM picked up all of the local broadcasters, even those from NYC, about 60-90 miles away. Manual tuning picked up stations on just about every frequency.On AM band, without a select antenna it picked up all the NYC clear channels. Slow tuning picked up all of the local low power frequencies, without any interference.I don't know how it was able to as there is not much room for a decent size ferrite bar.The sound was clear through both the external speaker and the headphones.Many have complained about the price but this out performed my XHdata 8O8, 328, 108, Quodosen 286, and the Reketris v115. It even did better than my Super Radio 3 with a select antenna loop.I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a portable AM/FM radio. It is well worth the price.

This device is: easy-to-manage, easy-to-tune, incredibly tuning-sensitive, delivers 5-star sound with earbuds, is aesthetically pleasing, very light (about 5 ounces w/ batteries) and is especially well-designed for pocket & on-the-go usage.As example, the volume wheel is recessed, so it won't easily be accidently turned. (And there is a 'lock' switch so that you can prevent any changes once you have things set where you want them.)Plus they kept the features & functions & buttons and such to a very bare minimum. So you can figure out the whole device in under five minutes, likely without even consulting the manual.I first purchased (the legendary) Sony ICF-P26 AM/FM Pocket Radio … I liked the styling and I liked the $20 price. And that Sony was touted by many as the best AM/FM (only) pocket radio (at that price). But the tuning-sensitivity and sound THIS Sangean radio delivers has got to be 10-20 times better than the Sony. I live in a city of 2 million people, large enough to have loads of local stations … and the Sony just could NOT do the entire job. The Sony is now relegated to the storage box in the trunk of my car … in case I get caught without a portable radio on a picnic or whatever.(And note that both the analog-tuning Sony ICF-P26 and its digital-tuning successor ICF-P27 have exited the US market entirely, the latter just months after its introduction.)I only see three (sort-of) downsides in this Sangean product:ONE: The bottom is not entirely flat, meaning you cannot 'stand it up' on its own. I admit that, aesthetically, the slightly rounded bottom looks nice … and it probably snugs-up into a pocket much better the way it is. But not being able to stand it up vertically is a bit of a loss (for my planned use, at least). Maybe when they refresh it, they could tack-on four little tiny 'nub legs' for the rest of us.TWO: There's no fixed external FM antenna. So you may have to plug in the external dangly antenna wire to get enough FM sensitivity to suit you. If you plug in earbuds then THEY will serve as an external antenna. So if your planned use is, as example, during your morning run with the earbuds, then it won't even be an issue for you. And, again, they designed this unit for pocket & on-the-go use and, in that case, a fixed external FM antenna would, more often, be more of a burden than an asset. And the dangly un-fragile external wire will suit you better. Actually I am really OK with the lack of fixed antenna, but I mention it since you might not be.THREE: The default mode is for the radio to power itself down after 90 minutes. I do know how to turn it off all by my big-boy self. And the worst that could happen if I forget to do so is that I have to replace a couple of AA batteries. You can defeat the function by LONG-pressing the Power button when you power-up. But you have to do so every time you power-up the device.I believe I saw a couple of reviewers say they could not locate a PDF User's Manual for this item. I did. Just Google up the URL for the model number listing at the Sangean website, follow it, then click on the "Support" tab. There you will find an English version of the Manual … as well as an English version of the Product Specification Sheet … available for download.But, really, you won't even need it.Happy motoring !!

A really good radio, although it must firstly be changed to the Australian 9 step AM network as explained by a previous reviewer- a very simple task. Flat batteries don't seem to change this initial setting.I am very deaf & use the radio in bed at night with good quality wired earbud headphones, so as not to disturb my husband's sleep. This radio has far better speech quality than any other radios I have owned - I can't comment on music as I prefer talk programs. I can now actually hear reasonably well while my hearing aids are recharging elsewhere. The low-light time & settings display is great & the memory pre-set stations are easy to use at night by feel, whether AM or FM.

This is a good basic AM FM personal radio, with most of the features that you would want. I listen to both bands. Reception is better than average for most stations on AM or FM. However, I find that when I'm listening to FM, the stereo fades in and out depending on my location, and in those cases I switch to mono. This is occasionally true, even for some local stations. I especially like the digital tuning capability, and station memory. No need to fiddle around trying to see if you have tuned the station in correctly as is the case with analog tuners. The tuning display is backlit which is very convenient. The sound quality of the built-in speaker is adequate and what you might expect from a speaker of its size. It will not fill a room with sound, but it certainly provides acceptable listening volume. If you pop open the battery door you can use it as a stand for the radio while listening through the built-in speaker. The sound through the headphones is of course dependant on their quality, but I find listening through the headphones supplied by the manufacturer to be good. Other devices may, of course, provide higher quality sound, but in this case the sound is adequate and volume is good. One improvement could be some mechanism or depression built into the housing to facilitate storing earbud headphones when attached. This could be as simple as a clip or strap loop, or perhaps a slot of some sort. The supplied belt clip is functional and I use it often. It is easily removable for those people who do not wish to use it, which is convenient. The unit takes two AA batteries and battery life is very good. I have owned this model for years and have replaced it with the same model once it has worn out. It is relatively durable and I have dropped it in the past without fatal damage, but you should take care to avoid drops due to the plastic housing. It is not waterproof and it should be kept dry. The manufacturer is very experienced in producing radios and this one is a good value for the money.

es un excelente compañero en las caminatas diarias

This is good product from sangean I have ordered it on 24 February, 2015 and exelent delivery on 04 march from USA to Delhi. Very Good delivery and packing was also amazing. But it is not compatiable synchonize with Indian frequency. Espacially AM frquiency is not for India because indian frequency is avaible on 09 Khz step up or down but this unit is design to search AM frequiecny 10Khz step up or down. For example India station vividh bharati medium wave is 1368 Khz i Delhi or nearbly areas. But this unit will not stop on 1368 it will stop on 1370 Khz. But FM frequency is OK. So I want to return it if possible and trying to take regund as this is not suitable for me living in India becuse I bought it for digital reception for AM.Updated :I e-mail to SAngean Technical head, USA. They send me e-mail to set Indian frequency. I follow the steps. Now it is OK and my set is working fine with 09 Khz frequency. Thanks to Sangean to giving solution.

I chose this for my gost hunting,,,re to make it a voice box,But have found that it is not made for that,, re the modificationsthat are required to make it such do NOT WORK. there for it is a prefect radio,,,,and not for paranormal workas is recomeneded out there in the internet world.

This beautiful, solid, well made radio is at the top of it's class! So why four stars and not five? Actually I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could, but that does not seem to be an option at this point in time. In my opinion five stars = perfect, if there is something that I feel like a product should have, but does not, I can't give it the full five stars. If the one shortcoming I see on this radio does not bother you, than you can see it as a five star radio!Pros: Great build quality, Nice color combinations, Small size, Great sound for it's small footprint, digital tuning, digital clock, 19 presets that can be a combination of AM AND FM stations, great stereo sound with quality headphones, great reception, innovative FM antenna, durable, and easy to use. It also has a 90 minute sleep timer!Cons: Actually there are two, as I'd forgotten about one. OK, first thing, with it's small size and digital sleep timer, this thing NEEDS an alarm clock on it! If it had that, it would be the PERFECT travel companion. Now for the other shortcoming that I almost forgot about...maybe because I've just gotten used to keeping it on it's back. I don't know, maybe even with a flat bottom, instead of the rounded bottom, this thing might not have been able to stand upright, that might have defied the rules of physics, thus requiring a thicker radio, so yeah, I guess this is where give and take come in and personally the thinner size is worth that trade off for me. But as for the alarm clock...this little radio begs for it! Maybe Sangean will add that in the future, until than, I guess we all have alarms on our phones anyways, if not there's always the hotels wake up call!