Pocket AM/FM/WX Radio

[00ChevyScott]

I just picked up a C. Crane Pocket AM/FM/WX radio at REI today after spending a few days looking at a few online. I was looking at the Sangean DT-400W and the C. Crane Pocket radio, which are both priced similarly (although the Sangean can be found discounted a little more online). I found that a local electronics store had the Sangean in stock, so I went there after work to pick it up, but the only one they had was an open box unit that was in pitiful condition, so I passed on it. I wanted to have one by this weekend for a camping trip, so I found the C. Crane was a stocking item at REI. The C. Crane has a few features that the Sangean did not, but I had read that the audio quality from the speaker is slightly worse on the C. Crane. The C. Crane won by default honestly because it was the only one locally available in the time frame I had, but I'm happy with the purchase. It's a pretty sweet little radio.

Stock photos from google;

Here are some photos of the Sangean. It's an attractive radio if you dig the yellow color scheme. I would've been pretty happy with it if it were available, but I may pick one up later on just to see how I like it.

I like to have a portable AM/FM radio with me because not all the stations I listen to are available streaming online and it doesn't consume data or battery from my smart phone. I listen to a lot of talk radio, and it's nice to have for sporting events as well. The WX band is for NOAA weather reports which can be helpful when you have no other sources for weather information, but it can be rather bland and basic. Luckily there is a local AM radio station that is awesome for weather coverage when things get severe.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I just picked up a C. Crane Pocket AM/FM/WX radio at REI today after spending a few days looking at a few online. I was looking at the Sangean DT-400W and the C. Crane Pocket radio, which are both priced similarly (although the Sangean can be found discounted a little more online). I found that a local electronics store had the Sangean in stock, so I went there after work to pick it up, but the only one they had was an open box unit that was in pitiful condition, so I passed on it. I wanted to have one by this weekend for a camping trip, so I found the C. Crane was a stocking item at REI. The C. Crane has a few features that the Sangean did not, but I had read that the audio quality from the speaker is slightly worse on the C. Crane. The C. Crane won by default honestly because it was the only one locally available in the time frame I had, but I'm happy with the purchase. It's a pretty sweet little radio.

Stock photos from google;

Here are some photos of the Sangean. It's an attractive radio if you dig the yellow color scheme. I would've been pretty happy with it if it were available, but I may pick one up later on just to see how I like it.

I like to have a portable AM/FM radio with me because not all the stations I listen to are available streaming online and it doesn't consume data or battery from my smart phone. I listen to a lot of talk radio, and it's nice to have for sporting events as well. The WX band is for NOAA weather reports which can be helpful when you have no other sources for weather information, but it can be rather bland and basic. Luckily there is a local AM radio station that is awesome for weather coverage when things get severe.

That color reminds me of my original Sony sport Walkman.

 

[The Zieg]

Nice score. I like the yellow color, personally, but if it wasn't available then you were right to move along. Only other thing I would require would be shortwave.

Zieg

 

[Piso Mojado]

If you can live with analog tuning, no speaker and no NOAA, Sony SRF-S84 is surprisingly good for half the price of above.

Bought it for wife and was impressed, Sony has really improved their tiny radios. One peculiarity: when the AAA battery is very low, you'll get an analog hiss but it won't bring in any station.

The ear buds are junk. If you don't need or want sound isolation, the best cheap headphones I've found are MEE HT-21 and Koss KSC75.

 

[Roamad]

Piso: What sort of battery does that Sony use?

 

[00ChevyScott]

Having a speaker was a big requirement for my radio choice.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Piso: What sort of battery does that Sony use?

It uses one AAA. The radio is a little larger than Bic lighter.

Having a speaker was a big requirement for my radio choice.

That was the impression I got and it looks like you found a good one. Some of us buy little radios for listening to music at the gym, and my post was a footnote to yours, not a "superior" alternative.

Back in the 1990s, my wife went through a bunch of tiny music boxes — radios, cassette tape players, CD players — mostly Sonys or Aiwas and a few Panasonics. Anything that ran on one or two AAA batteries was just no good, and little Sony radios were the worst. I ordered SRF-S84 because I didn't have time for research and it was cheap online. Build quality and design were just what I expected: black plastic/silver plastic, flimsy battery hatch, tiny black-on-black controls. Performance as a radio was a surprise. The cheap analog tuner is much better at finding and holding stations, even low power college stations. Good reception in the steel frame gym if you have line of sight to a window. And the sound is as good as your headphones.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Did you check out the one or ones on County Comm? I think they have one that matches your criteria and they sell belt pouches for them.

Please don't get me wrong here...I LOVE CCrane products!

 

[jonnyt16]

A few years ago I bought the KA-210 AM/FM/NOAA to keep in my get-home-bag and I've used it a couple times outside of that. Works great. It's simple, has a good speaker, and I like how I can fine-tune the clarity with the analog adjustment. Can't remember what I paid for it but I know it was less than the C.Crane and Sangean.