N8KDV wrote in message .

Why do people rave so highly about this portable radio? While I
think it's a good one overall, it is definitely overpriced...it's
about a $30 radio to my mind, considering the *lousy* user interface.

JB

I'm always amazed at the level of sophistication that is expected out of a
radio in this price range.

It 'is' a portable after all.


It *is* a bloody AM/FM radio! As in a walkman without
the ability to play tapes or CDs. Sixty bucks is even more
than what one would pay for a halfway decent walkman these
days. I have a Sony sports walkman, Model WM-FS555, that
gets just as good reception as the Sangean DT-200V. The
walkman is clunkier to carry around, no doubt about that.
I have no need for a walkman now that mp3 players have hit the
scene, but my iriver only offers FM radio....not good enough.

So, given how *little* I ask out of the Sangean, to provide me
with something which so many other electronic devices offer at
almost the same quality, I was expecting a halfway decently thought
out user interface. The other day my batteries ran dry, and no
battery warning indicated imminent battery death. This much I had
to infer from the spotty reception coming through. Truly, truly lame.

I'm just surprised that the reviews of this radio have been so uniformly
glowing, considering the price. Maybe my perception is skewed because
I live in New York City -- perhaps there's something about the nature of
radiowave reception around here with the busy airwaves that makes it
tough on portables -- but I'm telling you that the many walkmans with
AM/FM receivers that I've had in the past have gotten nearly as good
reception, with far superior user interfaces. I'm essentially paying
$60 for the convenience of fitting the radio in my pocket (but hey, the
Sangean ain't *that* small!).