Dear "FireStarter5,"
I have not been impressed with any Sangean product regarding their
longevity or construction quality. I have owned three Sangean radios
including the '808A and the '606AP, both of which were made in TAIWAN
(that was supposed to be better). The '808A gradually lost its
performance (sensitivity) over three years; I just threw it out. The
'606AP, which was my "travel" radio for a few years started to show
some internal "computer" (memory) problems two years back and, though
it still works, I have "retired" it. Spending a lot of money "fixing"
those things is just not worth it, in my opinion. (I currently have a
Sangean CCRadio, which is very disappointing. My wife uses it to hear
TV sound when she's in the shower. It's good for that, but not much
else.)
If you want another portable, I would recommend the Sony ICF-SW7600GR
which is constructed extremely well. It is also a good-performing radio
(on MW it outperforms the CCRadio) and has the synchronous
selectable-sideband detection circuitry which makes it stand out from
all other small portables (except the other Sony's which have the
feature; the '7600 is the least costly Sony one to have it). If you
also buy a Sony AN-LP1 antenna, you have a great travel combination
which can also be used to very good advantage around the home.
I have five of these - two '7600G's (the predecessor to the 'GR) and
three 'GR's. The oldest 'G is now seven years old and still works as
new. All of them (the "youngest" was bought in 2002) have held up very
well; all get used and none have ever exhibited any problem whatsoever.
I use NiMH rechargeable batteries in them which makes operation
extremely economical (an AC-adapter is not necessary or even
desirable).
Why do I have so many? Because I want to make sure I always have a
portable SW radio. I thought that if one went bad, at least I'd have
others. Naturally, the Sony's have NEVER gone bad, at least so far! (I
suppose that if I had bought just one, it would have "died" the day
after the warranty expired!)
Give the Sony ICF-SW7600GR a try. I think you'll like it.
Best,
Joe
P.S. Note that you can GREATLY improve SW reception on the '7600 if you
buy an AOR WL500 Window Loop antenna; however, the price for it is
$200; I don't know if that would be cost-effective for you. The WL500
is not as convenient for travel as the AN-LP1, it has a
"pain-in-the-neck" battery replacement procedure, and you have to buy
an AC-adapter separately for it (at Radio Shack or some other
electronics store). But its performance makes all those inconveniences
pale into insignificance. It is one heck of an antenna!
P.P.S. The Satellit 800 is a very well-designed radio; its
construction-quality is another matter, however. If you do choose to
buy one - note that it greatly outperforms ANY portable, including the
Sony I recommend, when used with an appropriate external antenna - buy
it NEW from Universal and ask them to bench-test the particular unit
they are going to send you. That way, at least you'll have no
"surprises." I would NOT be the "first kid on my block" to buy ANY
newly introduced Eton/Grundig radio, such as the E-1. Let someone else
be the guinea pig! Frankly the E-1 doesn't look to me as though it's
going to be a winner. I personally have absolutely NO interest in "pay"
(XM or Sirius) radio, and its SW/MW reception and, especially,
construction quality are a big question mark. Eton's track record, at
least as observed with the Satellit 800, has been mediocre at best.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
That's just it. I bought the 909 quite a few years back and never
dropped
it or anything. It just happened that one morning I got up and there
was
this little black blob taking over the bottom right side of the LCD
display.
By then the warranty was long gone, but I took it back to the store,
and
they basically didn't want anything to do with it. The 909 still works
fine
but the "blob" takes out a portion of the screen.
Unfortunately I avoid Ebay like the black plague, and the best Radio
Shack
by me either sells the YB400, the Sat 800 or the wind up FR200's, plus
the
Eton line (but not the E1...yet). The YB is nice but even smaller than
the
909 and I'd like to move up in size rather than down. The Sat 800 is
huge
and comes with two opinions from people, they either love it or it
didn't
meet their expectations.
I'm not looking for Drake performance. The 909 is good, but I imagine
the
800 is a bit better overall for pulling in stations.
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