Showing posts with label eton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eton. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ETON G5 AM/FM/Shortwave Portable Radio with SSB (Single Side Band) Review

ETON G5 AM/FM/Shortwave Portable Radio with SSB (Single Side Band)
Average Reviews:

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I have had this radio for about a week now..
the instruction booklet is a little skimpy and setup can be confusing, however this is a fine radio.
FM selectivity is good, and quality through earphones is excellent, on SW the SSB feature is necessary to listen to HAM radio..its just a shame its not synchronous sideband detection..you must fine tune to select USB or LSB...Other than that the sensitivity is good, my only conclusion is that its not as good as my Satellit 800, but its also 1/20 the size and < 1/2 price.
There is a nifty "time zone" feature that allows the traveller to easily select which time zone he is in..the glaring omission however is that while GMT can be set (=UTC or world time and the basis for SW radio) all time zones are simply linked directly to GMT..or put it another way, there is zero capability to deal with any summer time...you need to muck about faking a time zone for BST, EDT or whatever.. this is a silly error.
The feel of the slightly rubberized surface is excellent, as is the display lighting and three methods of tune .. a rotary know (thankfully), seek, and direct frequency input.
If you are looking for a decent portable radio with SW, packed with the necessary features for enjoyable listening and without unnecessary frills, i cannot think of a better buy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ETON G5 AM/FM/Shortwave Portable Radio with SSB (Single Side Band)

AM/FM/Shortwave Portable Radio with SSB (Single Side Band). If you love listening to AM, FM, and Shortwave radio, owning the G5 means you'll never have to be without the sound you love. This is the world's leading portable, multi-band and single-side band radio. We've packed all these features into one compact unit, without compromising sound quality. Go ahead, take a listen.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Eton E10 AM/FM Shortwave Radio Review

Eton E10 AM/FM Shortwave Radio
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was looking for a high quality portable that I could use at work and that was light enough that I could carry around with me while walking.
I have had the E10 for about two weeks and am very pleased with it thus far. FM reception is very good -- it matches my Sangean ATS 818 easily. AM reception is also good (altough reception is compromised at work- but this is true of any radio). Shortwave is not quite to the same level as my Sangean but it still very good especially for the price and size. Sound is surprisingly good for the size of the speaker.
My biggest complaint with the radio is the small size of the buttons and controls. Even as small as the radio is, it is clear that they could have designed it with larger and more well spaced buttons.
The E10 comes with rechargeable NIMH batteries, the only drawback is that they only charge when the radio is OFF. The radio will work with standard AA batteries as well. An AC adaptor/charger is included. It also comes with ear buds (For FM Stereo) and a windup shortwave antenna. A carrying case is included (I use mine everyday).
If you like memory presets, you will love this radio. It has 500! (so far I have used only about 25 of them!).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eton E10 AM/FM Shortwave Radio

Imagine a radio that combines strong performance for fantastic reception and all of today's digital wizardry, bringing the world to your fingertips. The E10 is where intelligence meets performance.

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock, Black Review

Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock, Black
Average Reviews:

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The Sound 100 iPod Dock comes in black and white. The radio only version adds other colors including silver, blue and red. I've had the white one for a while and I've been pretty happy with it. This Black Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock is very similar, but loses points for the non-black speaker face. As a stand-alone radio this device is average. But the stellar iPod dock integration makes this unit a cut above and one you must consider.
Without the iPod dock the unit ranges from being $30 to $50 less than this model. I don't believe it's worth getting this unit without the iPod dock. Still, they have been having periodic sales for the stand-alone model in the $30 range, which is very hard to pass up.
Eton Sound 100 AM/FM Radio, Silver
There are many iPod radios and alarm clocks on the market which may be able to compete against the Sound 100 iPod on price. The competition does not come close on engineering.
The remote allows you to completely control your iPod! That means menu control and navigation in addition to the standard FF, RW, PLAY, STOP, and PAUSE functions. This is so simple, yet few devices have this ability. The Line-in and auxiliary jacks can connect other MP3 players (Creative, Zune) sans the menu control.
The speaker is monaural, but optimized to prevent distortion. At the highest volume the sound won't hiss. If you like modern design, the Eton is one of the best looking. It is sleek, COMPACT and light. Wish this guy was all-black, but I can live with the silver toned speaker.
Most of the shortcomings are from the radio aspect of this device. The internal AM antenna is below average. You can use an external one, and most users will need to.
The features could be better. There are only 10 programmable station presets. The RDS broadcast data is only 8 characters at a time. The screen is hard to read; you have to be right in front of it. There are no external RCA, speaker or subwoofer jacks, only line out. There is no EQ, treble or bass control and no way to adjust the backlight.
This radio came out in January 2007, well into the HD radio era. Only 10 presets? Why no speaker or subwoofer jacks? Why didn't they add Short Wave or HD capability?
If you only need an alarm clock radio, there are better options. This unit is above average on FM but below average on AM. Competing products by Sangean, BA and Sony have higher ratings at this price.
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Black
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, White
Boston Acoustics Receptor Clock Radio (Platinum)
Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio
At the present time, there is also a larger 2 speaker version which will be widely released within a month. Some may opt to get that one, but on sale this is still a great unit to own.Pros
+ Remote control functions are very well integrated with the iPod!
+ Very nice iPod serial interface for digital sound quality
+ Line-in and auxiliary jacks for MP3 players and other devices
+ Good speaker sound with surprising bass
+ Shielding protects the radio from interference
+ Battery backup possible for power outages
+ Nice alarm clock function
+ Nice looking design in a small and LIGHT form factor
Cons
- Standard pricing means you should only be looking to get this on sale
- Many newer alternatives coming to market for those seeking the alarm clock feature
- Display light may be too bright for some when used as a bedroom alarm clock radio
- No equalizer; no treble or bass control
- Requires external antennae for good radio reception
- No RCA jacks or stereo connections for external speakers
- No Subwoofer connector - only standard stereo line out
- RDS only displays 8 characters at a time
- Backlight is not adjustable; you must be close to it to read it
If you are VERY picky about sound and want a nice compact iPod radio alarm clock, this unit is worth a look. Enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Etón Sound 100 iPod Dock, Black

Do most iPod speaker systems look a little too modern (read: stale) for your decor? Turn to the Eton Sound 100 system, which pays tribute to the retro glamour of radios past with swooping, curved lines and a stylish front control panel. The radio is designed expressly for iPods, with an external docking station that holds and charges all iPods with 30-pin dock connectors, including the iPod 3G, iPod 4G, iPod photo, iPod video, iPod nano 1G and 2G, and iPod mini. Simply plop your iPod into the dock and you can enjoy all your favorite tunes and playlists within seconds--no additional connections required.
Eton is recognized internationally for the quality of its radios, which is why the company added a high-sensitivity digital Phased-Locked-Loop (PLL) AM/FM tuner to the Sound 100. The advanced circuitry not only searches instinctively for the strongest station, but also locks in the frequency once it finds the signal to guarantee superior clarity. As a result, the radio's reception is crystal clear whether you're listening to the ballgame, catching up on the news, or kicking back to some classic jazz. To make tuning quicker and easier, the radio also includes five AM and five FM station presets.
Audio-wise, the Sound 100 is equipped with a 3-inch, full-range, front-firing speaker that produces distortion-free, room-filling sound with a wide range of frequencies (80 Hz to 20 kHz). The 16-character, two-line LCD display, meanwhile, offers a viewing area of 2.4 by 0.98 inches (W x H), with a gentle blue backlight that won't keep you awake during the midnight hours. And despite the display's relatively small size, it still shows quite a bit of data, including the time, selected station, alarm status, sleep status, band, and preset information.
Unlike many iPod speaker systems, the Sound 100 also handily replaces your bedside clock radio, with alarm, sleep, and snooze controls. Among the options are 12- and 24-hour formats, an alarm that wakes to either the radio or a buzzer, a programmable sleep timer (between 15 and 90 minutes), and a 5-minute snooze duration. And even though the Sound 100 is designed for iPods, it also includes a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for connecting a separate MP3 player or personal CD player, along with a 3.5 mm auxiliary line out.
Additional features include an encoder volume control, a headphone jack for private listening, a battery backup function (requires two AA batteries), a remote control, a 360-degree pigtail FM antenna, a built-in external loop AM antenna, and rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching and movement. The Eton Sound 100 measures 8.27 by 4.53 by 5.1 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.82 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Eton Sound 100 iPod system, external iPod docking station, pigtail FM antenna, infrared remote control, pigtail FM antenna, AC adapter, user's manual.

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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Walnut Review

Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Walnut
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a very appealing clock radio with digital readout that gives you name of song, artist, and other information as you listen. The mono aural speaker is warm and full. The radio is attractive, solid and well-built, evincing nothing cheap or plastic-laden. The AM is very good. Most FM stations come in strong. But hard-to-get FM stations like 89.3 from Pasadena (I live 40 miles away in Torrance) requires that I move the FM antenna, but this is not a big deal, just a nitpick.
Most listeners will love the WR-2. But if you're a radio buff like I am and enjoy the outstanding FM reception of the Grundig S350, the Kaito 1101 and 1103 models (called Degen in China), then I'm afraid the WR-2 will disappoint. To be fair to the WR-2, the more expensive Bose radio suffers the same problem of mediocre FM reception.
Another important point: Because this radio has a remote control, it works great in your computer office. You can keep the WR-2 six feet or so away from your computer and avoid interference as you toggle stations and volume with your remote.
Post Script: Make sure to turn on the external antenna switch in the back of the Sangean. It improves reception by tenfold.
Update: I bought a second WR-2 (in black) three years after the first and get excellent FM reception so apparently the radio has improved in newer models. New rating: 5 stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Walnut

Boasting an acoustically balanced wooden enclosure and an enhanced front-firing 3-inch speaker, the Sangean WR-2 tabletop radio offers the sound and features of a living room system in a cabinet that fits conveniently in a bedroom, kitchen, or garage. Any discussion of the WR-2 begins with its walnut-finished wooden housing, which is rich in both appearance and tone. The cabinet's front surface features the speaker on the left side, a series of intuitively placed control buttons toward the bottom, and a generously sized LCD display in the middle with three brightness levels. More importantly, the cabinet teams with the 7-watt amplifier and the acoustic bass compensation system to add warmth and depth to the audio. Complementing the housing is Sangean's advanced RF/IF electronic circuitry, which picks up distant AM and FM stations and reproduces them with unmatched clarity, making music and even talk programs come alive.
Even though the WR-2 is advertised as an AM/FM radio, it offers much more than a standard digital tuner, including a Radio Data System (RDS) that displays short text messages on applicable FM stations, along with support for the Enhanced Other Network (EON) and its traffic information (available in certain regions). And unlike most tabletop radios, the WR-2 lets listeners adjust the treble and bass levels via the variable volume control. In its default mode, the rotary volume knob displays the volume level from 1 to 60. Tap it once, however, and it turns into a full-range treble control, and two taps creates a full-range bass control. Additional features include a clock with an alarm (radio or buzzer), an auxiliary input jack for connecting such devices as an iPod or MP3 player (both of which sound great through the speaker), a recording output jack, 10 memory presets that help you quickly find your favorite stations, and a full-featured infrared remote control.
A final bonus stems from the power backup function, which plays the radio for six minutes during a power failure (ideal for emergencies) and retains the memory preset and clock values for about an hour. The WR-2 measures roughly 9.5 by 4.5 by 6 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.5 pounds.
What's in the Box WR-2 tabletop radio, detachable power cord, infrared remote control, user's manual.

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Friday, October 19, 2012

Eton S350DL AM/FM Shortwave Deluxe Radio Receiver (Black) Review

Eton S350DL AM/FM Shortwave Deluxe Radio Receiver (Black)
Average Reviews:

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This is an improved version, for fifty dollars more, than the Grundig S350. It comes with nice headphones; it has stereo sound for the headphones; the 99-dollar Grundig has only mono through the headphone input; the speaker on the Deluxe is slightly bigger; but most significantly, the Deluxe version has been changed so that it does not drift away from the selected channel the way the old version did. Only a fastidious radio lover will want to spend the extra money since the drifting problem (I own both models) is quite minimal and doesn't in my case affect reception adversely.
This is a fun radio, easy to use, has a big stereo sound and has strong FM reception, the best you can find with a good speaker. The only better FM reception you'll find is in the Kaito 1103 but the Kaito has a tiny speaker.
For those who are disgruntled and disappointed with this radio, may I suggest that environmental limitations or areas that are "hostile to radio reception" can sometimes be so insurmountable that no radio can overcome them.
Post Script: The Kaito 1103 now has a cousin, the Kaito 1107 (currently available as the Degen 1107) that has equal reception as the 1103 but is, like the Grundig S350 DL, an analog radio. It's fifty bucks and has a bigger speaker than the 1103. So for a hundred dollars less, you can get similar performance as the Grundig in the Degen/Kaito DE1107.
Update: I've noticed that two AM stations, 1150 and 980, get overloaded with two stations blaring at the same time. Lack of filter, lack of SSB, AM reception that is "too good." I'm not sure. My Kaito 1103 and Grundig G4000, both compact radios with SSB feature, have excellent separation and do not overload. Of the two, the Grundig G4000 has superior AM and a bigger, warmer speaker.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eton S350DL AM/FM Shortwave Deluxe Radio Receiver (Black)

The S350 DELUXE blends the best of yesterday and today. With the look of a retro field radio sporting a rugged body and military-style controls--the S350 DELUXE also features today's innovation for excellent AM, FM, and Shortwave reception and a large, full-range speaker for clear sound.

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Saturday, July 21, 2012

GRUNDIG eTraveller VII eTraveller VII Portable Radio Review

GRUNDIG eTraveller VII eTraveller VII Portable Radio
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Initially was a fine small worldband, light, accurate, strong in pulling in stations. After a fairly short time, the volume control knob started to stray, sound faded in & out. The printing on the buttons,especially the hours/minutes, have disappeared - worn off. Battery life is quite good. Now consider this product as unreliable since audio reception is chancy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: GRUNDIG eTraveller VII eTraveller VII Portable Radio

Innovations change communication. Digital processing techniques enable the transmission of information and entertainment in completely new ways. Grundig is helping to shape this development and is pursuing a new, clear, timeless and elegant way in design of its products.

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Friday, June 22, 2012

ETON G6 Aviator Buzz Aldrin Edition AM/FM, Aircraft band and Shortwave Radio, Black Review

ETON G6 Aviator Buzz Aldrin Edition AM/FM, Aircraft band and Shortwave Radio, Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)

When the G6 arrived I must say I was a little shocked as I was expecting a larger package, but as the old expression goes "Size Makes no Difference",and that applies to the G6!
The build quality was extremely good, the rubberized coating and the "just right" weight make for a very good, solid feel.
After a brief scan of the operating manual I placed 2 AA Alkaline batteries in the G6 (you can also use NI-MH batteries and charge them in the G6) but I was very excited and did not want to wait one minute longer, I wanted to play now!
I powered the G6 up and selected the MW AM Broadcast Band, my favorite
for chasing weak, distant signals. I then thought to myself, I need a "Standard" in which to compare the G6. Being an avid radio collector I selected a Tough Act to Follow" radio from my collection for the AM MW Blue Ribbon. I chose my Panasonic RF2900.
Both radios had brand new alkaline batteries installed, as I did not want to deal with AC power line noise, induced into the units by operating from the AC Mains.
It was in middle of the day so I selected a station on 1360 KHz, KWDJ, 1000 watts day, in Ridgecrest, CA, about 100 miles from my location in Lancaster, Ca. At that distance the measured signal strength of KWDJ was less than 100 Micro volts/Meter (Measured on Potomac FIM 22 AM field strength meter)
I placed both radios on the same table ,and rotated the units so their loopsticks were optimized for reception from the direction of Ridgecrest, Ca.
Also note, that in Lancaster, there is a 1000-watt AM station on 1380 KHZ
Its transmitter, less than 3 miles from my location, and in the same heading as
Ridgecrest!
As I tuned the RF2900 to 1360 I heard Dr. Laura, pretty clear along with a fair amount of background noise.
I listened for about 2 minutes to make sure that the signal was steady, which it was.
Now it was "ShowTime" I powered the G6 up, and using the Jog Wheel, I tuned the G6 to 1360...and with the volume set about halfway....I heard Dr. Laura, with about the same amount of noise as the RF2900!
Needless to say, I was impressed.
OK I said, lets take a listen to the low side of the band.
How about a lowly 100 watt AM station XSURF on 540 KHZ in Mexico, over 100 miles away.
I rotated the radios toward Mexico, tuned the RF2900 to 540 ,and there in the noise was XSURF on 540.
I should call the G6, the "Little Engine that Could" because when I tuned it to 540 KHZ, there was XSURF with just slightly more noise than the RF2900, WOW!
The G6 had no trouble in pulling in most all of the Los Angeles radio AM signals which ranged from 75 to 100 miles away with only one 50,000 Watt signal.
Ok, I was convinced that the G6 had great performance on MW AM, but how about FM?
I went back to my radio collection looking for a portable radio to make the comparison, a unit with better than average FM reception, my Eton E5.
On FM a good test would be pulling in KGZO, 90.9 in Shafter, CA
Operating with only 1.9 KW of power, over 100 miles away.
This is a good test of sensitivity and selectivity as my location in Lancaster, Ca, is within the 1MV contour of Superpower 110,000 Watt KPFK at 90.7.
In the past the Eton E5 had no problem in pulling in the KGZO signal in full stereo, with only a slight intrusion from KPFK.
The Eton E5 repeated this task as expected.
After tuning the G6 to 90.9 and with a little playing with the rod antenna, there was KGZO in stereo with just a slightly more amount of intrusion by KPFK, but still listenable!
The G6 had no trouble in pulling in signals from all the Los Angeles FM signals from Mount Wilson, the location of 99% of Los Angeles FM Signals.
On more thing.... do not let the small speaker size fool you, this little baby can fill a small room with pretty good volume.
On Shortwave the G6 is comparable in selectivity and sensitivity to several of my Shortwave rigs including my Eton E5, my Sony 6500 ,and my Sangean 909. The BFO makes copy of SSB a breeze as well.
On VHF I can hear signals from Aircraft and from LAX and Lancaster's Fox Airfield.
On a scale of 1 through 10 the Buzz Aldrin Edition Grundig G6 gets a
BIG 10!
Chris Compton
Professional Broadcast Engineer, and Avid Radio Collector for over 35 Years
Lancaster, CA


Click Here to see more reviews about: ETON G6 Aviator Buzz Aldrin Edition AM/FM, Aircraft band and Shortwave Radio, Black

With the Aviator at your side, you�ll always have great listening options. Tune in to AM, FM, aircraft band or Shortwave frequencies easily with direct keypad entry. Or, use the STOP tuning feature to browse stations and stop on the next available frequency. You can also use D5 tuning to get a taste of what�s playing�stop on the next available frequency for five seconds at a time. Use the international clock and wake-up alarms to keep you on schedule, wherever your travels take you.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

ETON G1100 Digital World Receiver Radio Review

ETON G1100 Digital World Receiver Radio
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this radio a couple weeks and so far I am quite pleased with it.
This is an ultra lightweight radio, only a little larger than a deck of cards. I wanted it to serve a specific purpose: provide stable radio reception to keep me entertained when I run. Every two days, I go for a one-hour jog, and despite having two iPods (Shuffle and Video), I appreciate listening to live radio when I run. Ipods are great, but unless you upload content on a daily basis, they get boring. Even if you have ten thousand songs on your iPod, they will all be old songs tomorrow!
Earlier, I purchased and tried a Sony SRF-M37, based on the glowing reviews online. I returned it the next day: terrible sound, poor reception of even the strongest stations in my city, Winnipeg (Canada).
I decided to try the Eton Grundig g1100 after trying it out at the local Source (formerly "Radio Shack"). I haven't found many reviews on this radio online, so I thought I would share my views.
Here's what I like about it:
1) It uses two AA batteries, rather than AAA batteries. This provides plenty of power for headphones, even full sized headphones like the Grado sr80's or Sennheiser HD 485. Both of these headphones, by the way, improve the sound quality immensely.
2) Reception so far has been excellent. I listen to both AM and FM, and all the stations I listen to come in crystal clear when I am running outside.
3) The rubberized coating of the radio makes it easy to grip with one hand. This is great for when you're on the go, which I think is the intended purpose of a radio of this size.
4) Large, easy to read LCD screen automatically lights up whenever any buttons are pressed, or when the tuning dial is turned.
5) Simple, easy operation: Similar to my Boston Recepter tabletop radio, the Grundig g1100 has a simple logic to it: push the power button, turn the tuning knob, turn the volume dial, and you're all set! No knowledge of attenuators, local/DX settings, or the difference between mono/stereo FM is needed to use this radio. If these features appeal to you, consider a different model. If you like lots of features, try the Eton e100: Nice radio, but pricey ($90 dollars in my town).
6) Small speaker gets the job done when you don't want to use headphones. The sound is expectedly bright and tinny, given the size of it. But it works in a pinch: Not great for music, but fine for talk radio. The internal speaker is also handy, because sometimes headphones induce more static and interference in a radio (which I have found not only on this radio but others like my Sony 7600gr). Unplugging the headphones and using the internal speaker often alleviates the interference caused by headphones. I have an Eton e100, which has a better sounding speaker, with a tone switch to reduce the treble. The e100 sounds better, but is more expensive.
7) Headphones sound is clear on FM. With good headphones, it is able to produce decent bass and clear highs, with good stereo separation. The sound is bright, lots of treble, but pleasant. It really depends on the headphones you use. Quiet static is audible but not overbearing like the Sony M37. Sound is better on my Sony 7600gr, but I paid six times the price for that radio, so I expect it to sound better. The Eton e100 also sounds better through headphones, but again, is also more expensive than the g1100.
8) Built in telescopic FM antennae: I think this is why this radio is so much better at picking up FM stations when compared to the Sony M37. Other pocket radios I tried only use the headphone cord to receive FM.
9) This thing just plain LOOKS COOL. The charcoal, almost black exterior, simple uncluttered interface, and manual tuning knob makes it look retro and modern at the same time.
Here are some down sides to consider:
1) No presets: I really wanted preset stations for jogging, but after considering the alternatives, I decided I could live with manual analog tuning. The lack of presets has a bonus of having an uncluttered user interface, lacking the multitude of buttons found on other radios like the Eton e100.
2) You have to press the TIME SET button to view the time. It displays for four seconds. It would be nice to see both the frequency and the time concurrently (the Eton e100 does this).
3) Hold button (which suppresses all button functions) only works when the radio is turned off. It would be nice to use the Hold function while running. The Eton e100 has a hold switch that is functional when the radio is turned on.
4) Analog tuner sometimes "drifts". What I mean is, when I listen to a station like 94.3, the tuner will drift to 94.2 or 94.4. Not a big deal to me, as I know it's an analog tuner with no PLL/digital lock on frequencies. Surprisingly, this doesn't happen too often when I jog; the tuner seems to stay in place well.
5) automatic sleep timer: When you turn it on, it automatically sets it to turn off after a given time. You can vary the sleep timer between 5 and 120 minutes, but you cannot turn it off completely. A little annoying when you just want it to play non-stop. It's probably a good thing, though, to prevent accidental battery drainage.
I've used this radio for a little shortwave listening, and it works fine though not as sensitive as more expensive units. I have a Sony 7600gr for "serious" shortwave radio surfing. I really only use shortwave when I am out at a cabin or camping in the middle of nowhere, where local AM/FM reception is unattainable.
Overall, I am pleased with this simple, easy to use radio that serves a specific role. No, it doesn't do everything perfectly (no radio will accomplish this). I have other radios to use at home (Boston Recepter) or more serious shortwave (Sony 7600gr). And, yes, there are more expensive radios with more features that will probably meet the needs for more demanding users. I like the Eton e100 better, but is costs much more.
If you want a simple, inexpensive, easy to use pocket radio for listening while outdoors, this radio should meet your needs. Drop by a local Source/Radio Shack, bring some headphones, and try it out. One tip: Try out the radio close to an outside facing window or even outside at the parking lot. The inside of an electronics shop, especially in a shopping mall, is probably the worst place to test out radios: interference everywhere!
I hope this review helps you with your shopping. I don't pretend to be an expert on shortwave radio or the intricacies of the innards of the radio. I just know this radio works for my purpose (running outdoors) and my budget of $50.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ETON G1100 Digital World Receiver Radio

Small enough to fit into your coat pocket, yet powerful enough to capture 10 Shortwave bands, the Grundig Eton G1100 Digital World Receiver Radio makes the perfect portable companion. The perfect all-purpose radio for home or travel, the G1100 features a digital clock readout, and an analog tuning with a digital frequency. This unit includes an alarm with a snooze function, a sleep option, and a backlight-illuminated multi-function LCD screen display. Providing both AM and FM radio, as well as Shortwave reception, this little marvel is sure to keep you connected to both local and international news and music wherever you are.

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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

ETON Mini GM400 Super Compact AM/FM Shortwave Radio with Digital Display Review

ETON Mini GM400 Super Compact AM/FM Shortwave Radio with Digital Display
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I just received my M400 and these are my first impressions. The radio is very slim and just a bit wider than previous Grundig models (100 and 300), which makes it a perfect pocket companion.
Pros:
- great SW reception (on par with Grundig G1000, for instance)
- good AM reception/selectivity (strong stations don't bleed too much into the adjacent frequencies)
- solid feel. non-slippery plastic body
Cons:
- some mirror images from powerful FM stations on SW (not a huge problem, though)
- FM is quirky - without the extended antenna only the most powerful stations are heard, but if you extend antenna for just one inch, they overload the receiver so I couldn't listen to some of the weaker stations in my area (like 90.3 or 91.1).
- touching the unit below the LCD panel changes the tuning by a couple of kHz, so I learned to hold it a little lower to prevent a station drift.
Overall, not a bad buy for $30.
UPDATE (after 1 week): I essentially gave up on the FM band in this radio - it's practically useless as it fares much worse that any other radio I have. There's no way for me to change the initial 4-star rating but I'd give it 3 stars based on this fact

Click Here to see more reviews about: ETON Mini GM400 Super Compact AM/FM Shortwave Radio with Digital Display

Super Compact AM/FM Shortwave Radio with Digital Display

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black) Review

Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We are pretty happy with our Solarlink and use it during power outages (our recent outage was 4 days in length), in the yard, and camping. I will break down the review by parts and attributes.
LED light: Quite bright
siren: Obnoxious, questionably useful
flashing LED: A single flashing red LED. Perhaps useful as a signal.
handcrank: Easy to use, has a green LED to indicate adequate cranking speed. Can crank in any direction.
reception: FM, AM, and NOAA station very good. SW is weak.
sound: Clear
weight: ~2 lbs., very light
LCD screen: Large easy to read numbers with backlighting option
clock: Easy to read and set (can read from across the room)
alarm: Clock radio, easy to set, has snooze button
power options: Very versatile. Solar, crank, 3 AA batteries, and AC. Does not come with DC power adapter, but can use a mini-USB charger (like the one on my cell phone) or a standard 5V DC connection. Many car cell phone chargers are also mini-USB
other connectors: Regular USB out for powering cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players. Two mini-HPJ's; one for earphones, one for audio-in (ie MP3 players).
Knobs: Inset knobs keep your settings steady when transporting.
owner manual: The Solarlink is fairly self explanatory which is good because the owners manual was not very useful. I would like a much more technical owners manual.
In short, we were looking for a radio that has many power options, NOAA stations, and is very portable. The Solarlink meets these requirements well. Probably not the radio of choice if you want SAME capability, good SW reception, or excellent stereo sound. Overall though we are very happy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black)

When your outdoor adventures take you off the grid, you need a device that can fill multiple needs. The American Red Cross FR500 is a compact unit that you can toss in your rucksack and take anywhere. It functions as an AM, FM, and shortwave radio with NOAA weatherband. It also has a flashlight, an emergency beacon, and an emergency siren. Plus, you can use it to charge your cell phone or MP3 player.

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Sunday, September 4, 2011

Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock, White Review

Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock, White
Average Reviews:

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The Sound 100 iPod Dock is the latest in Eton's product family. As a stand-alone radio this device is average. With the iPod dock this unit is a cut above and one you must consider.
They do sell this device without the iPod dock, and it ranges from being $30 to $50 less than this model. I don't believe it's worth getting this unit without the iPod dock.
Eton Sound 100 AM/FM Radio, Silver
There are many iPod radios and alarm clocks on the market which may be able to compete against the Sound 100 iPod on price. The iHome and iLive models come to mind.
iHome iH6 Clock Radio for iPod (White)
iHome iH5 Clock Radio for iPod (Black)
iLive ICR6307DT iPod Docking System with Digital Tune AM/FM Stereo Dual Alarm Clock Radio with Remote Control in White
The competition does not come close on engineering. The remote allows you to completely control your iPod! That means menu control and navigation in addition to the standard FF, RW, PLAY, STOP, and PAUSE funcitons. This is so simple, yet few devices have this ability. The Line-in and auxiliary jacks can connect other MP3 players (Creative, Zune) sans the menu control.
The speaker is monaural, but optimized to prevent distortion. At the highest volume the sound gets tinny but doesn't hiss. If you like modern design, the Eton is one of the best looking. It is sleek, COMPACT and light.
But there are shortcomings. The internal AM antenna is below average. The device lets you use an external one, and most users will need to.
The features could be better. There are only 10 programmable station presets. The RDS broadcast data is only 8 characters at a time. The screen is hard to read; you have to be right in front of it. There are no external RCA, speaker or subwoofer jacks, only line out. There is no EQ, treble or bass control and no way to adjust the backlight.
This radio came out in January 2007, well into the HD radio era. Only 10 presets? Why no speaker or subwoofer jacks? Why didn't they add Short Wave or HD capability?
If you only need an alarm clock radio, there are better options. This unit is above average on FM but below average on AM. Competing products by Sangean, BA and Sony have higher ratings at this price.
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, Black
Sangean WR-2 Digital AM/FM Tabletop Radio, White
Boston Acoustics Receptor Clock Radio (Platinum)
Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio
If you are VERY picky about sound and want a nice compact iPod radio alarm clock, this unit is worth a look. Enjoy!
Pros
+ Remote control functions are very well integrated with the iPod!
+ Very nice iPod serial interface for digital sound quality
+ Line-in and auxiliary jacks for MP3 players and other devices
+ Good speaker sound with surprising bass
+ Shielding protects the radio from interference
+ Battery backup possible for power outages
+ Nice alarm clock function
+ Nice looking design in a small and LIGHT form factor
Cons
- No equalizer; no treble or bass control
- Requires external antenae for good radio reception
- No RCA jacks or stereo connections for external speakers
- No Subwoofer connector - only standard stereo line out
- RDS only displays 8 characters at a time
- Backlight is not adjustable; you must be close to it to read it


Click Here to see more reviews about: Eton Sound 100 iPod Dock, White

Do most iPod speaker systems look a little too modern (read: stale) for your decor? Turn to the Eton Sound 100 system, which pays tribute to the retro glamour of radios past with swooping, curved lines and a stylish front control panel. The radio is designed expressly for iPods, with an external docking station that holds and charges all iPods with 30-pin dock connectors, including the iPod 3G, iPod 4G, iPod photo, iPod video, iPod nano 1G and 2G, and iPod mini. Simply plop your iPod into the dock and you can enjoy all your favorite tunes and playlists within seconds--no additional connections required.
Eton is recognized internationally for the quality of its radios, which is why the company added a high-sensitivity digital Phased-Locked-Loop (PLL) AM/FM tuner to the Sound 100. The advanced circuitry not only searches instinctively for the strongest station, but also locks in the frequency once it finds the signal to guarantee superior clarity. As a result, the radio's reception is crystal clear whether you're listening to the ballgame, catching up on the news, or kicking back to some classic jazz. To make tuning quicker and easier, the radio also includes five AM and five FM station presets.
Audio-wise, the Sound 100 is equipped with a 3-inch, full-range, front-firing speaker that produces distortion-free, room-filling sound with a wide range of frequencies (80 Hz to 20 kHz). The 16-character, two-line LCD display, meanwhile, offers a viewing area of 2.4 by 0.98 inches (W x H), with a gentle blue backlight that won't keep you awake during the midnight hours. And despite the display's relatively small size, it still shows quite a bit of data, including the time, selected station, alarm status, sleep status, band, and preset information.
Unlike many iPod speaker systems, the Sound 100 also handily replaces your bedside clock radio, with alarm, sleep, and snooze controls. Among the options are 12- and 24-hour formats, an alarm that wakes to either the radio or a buzzer, a programmable sleep timer (between 15 and 90 minutes), and a 5-minute snooze duration. And even though the Sound 100 is designed for iPods, it also includes a 3.5 mm auxiliary input for connecting a separate MP3 player or personal CD player, along with a 3.5 mm auxiliary line out.
Additional features include an encoder volume control, a headphone jack for private listening, a battery backup function (requires two AA batteries), a remote control, a 360-degree pigtail FM antenna, a built-in external loop AM antenna, and rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching and movement. The Eton Sound 100 measures 8.27 by 4.53 by 5.1 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.82 pounds, and carries a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Eton Sound 100 iPod system, external iPod docking station, pigtail FM antenna, infrared remote control, pigtail FM antenna, AC adapter, user's manual.

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

ETON Satellite 750 AM/FM-Stereo/Shortwave/Aircraft Band Radio with SSB (Single Side Band), Black Review

ETON Satellite 750 AM/FM-Stereo/Shortwave/Aircraft Band Radio with SSB (Single Side Band), Black
Average Reviews:

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I finally took the plunge and had to find out for myself about this nice looking radio. People complained about SSB reception and the Filters. I was glad I made the decision to purchase this radio as my radio has none of these issues with a serial number in the 1400's! A QSO was going on this morning on 3872.00. I turned on my Yaesu HF rig to verify the this was exactly 3872.00 LSB. To start the comparison against several other radios, I placed the ETON E-1 on 3872.00 and hit LSB and bingo, audio was fine as you would expect it to be. Time for the Sony ICF-2010. Same results, first I hit the USB and audio was weak but audible, hit the correct LSB setting and audio was loud and clear.
OK, now onto the Satellit 750. Placed the radio on 3872, hit USB, BFO set at 1 o'clock position, Normal, and audio was weak but audible, hit LSB and audio was strong and clear. The 750 acted exactly the same as the Sony did .....
This tells me that the 750 has absolutely no issues with SSB reception...
Naturally the operating instructions are not clear on the 1 o'clock position for SSB control. It came from the factory set at 1 o'clock. My Collins 75A-4 has a 1 o'clock position for LSB and a 11 o'clock position for USB, the 750 acts the same way... Since the 750 tunes in 1 KHz steps, you will need to tune the SSB knob at times, but the USB and LSB bandpass circuitry is fine. Yes they should have made the radio tune in 100Hz steps when SSB is on, but that is not the case. The E-1 does tune in 10 Hz steps so it does not need this. The Sony tunes in 100 Hz steps so you can get SSB Close but not exact.. For that reason the 750 is better than the ICF-2010... I used the narrow filter for these test.
OK, now to the issue of the wide filter... After playing with this for about 10 minutes on local AM stations and I mean STARING closely at the S-meter, I would say that the filter has a very slight kick up on the very edges, I mean out at 4 KHz offset. + or - 3 KHz the signal just rolls off, normal operation, as you hit 4 KHz on each end the S-meter might move up a tad, but at 4 KHz you are already loosing signal and reaching the end of the filter. But +- 2 khz the S-meter is flat.. If something is obvious, I do not see it. Tune in a station, S-meter is peaked , tune away either side and the s-meter will fall off as you hit 5 KHz in wide mode. I used the attenuator to keep the s-meter in its mid range.
I am not saying something is not present, but after close examination I see nothing that indicates a problem. I have the Scott and BR sports show on now, 1090, XX1090 San Diego, and have it in wide position for full audio... Sounds great!
OK, all this positive talk, must be something that concerns me, right?? I do have a concern about the battery cover. It does look very delicate, as does the entire radio. This is not a radio to drag off to the beach,,, This is not to say that the battery cover is not strong and one just needs to be careful. The E-1 battery cover has the same concern but so far after many battery changes, the Eton E-1 cover is still fine.
This radio is a fun to use. Keyboard entry is fast and flawless, can't say that about the E-1. E-1 needs to have the decimal pushed, 750 does not... I have not got into the memory or scan functions or timer mode yet.. That should be straightforward...The Monitoring Times review is way out of line... He made non qualified assumptions with many parts of the evaluation. He was concerned it was only a dual conversion and not a triple conversion and might have issues with strong local signals. Here in San Diego, NOT THE CASE.... Plus with an RF gain and 3 position attenuator, you would never have an issue. With Zero attenuation and full RF gain and tuning around a 75K watt AM station, 690, no issues, and I was able to NULL out with the top antenna 90% of this powerhouse station.. Larry Van Horn has done a great injustice to this radio in Monitoring Times. I was skeptical, but had to just prove to myself, I am glad I took the plunge, this radio is not being packed up for return to Amazon... Now I have to figure out where it is going to go in the house. I honestly think it may replace the Sony ICF-6800W now sitting next to my Sangean WFR-1 WiFi radio.. You just have to love radios that have a real S-meter to use...

Click Here to see more reviews about: ETON Satellite 750 AM/FM-Stereo/Shortwave/Aircraft Band Radio with SSB (Single Side Band), Black

AM/FM-Stereo/Shortwave/Aircraft Band Radio with SSB (Single Side Band). When you want full shortwave capabilities and a classic design, choose the Satellit 750. Advanced DSP technology and a 360-degree rotating AM antenna enhance the radio's tuning sensitivity to help you pull in weak signals. You can listen to AM, FM , Shortwave with SSB and aircraft band frequencies, and you can program in up to 100 of your favorites for each band. You can also connect your MP3 player for even more listening choices. Hear what you want to hear.

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