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Post by robmac on Sept 6, 2013 20:49:43 GMT
I am after a DAB radio for general use at home and probably take with us in the van as well. Roberts and Sony seem to get good reviews. Missus suggested Bose, but are the prices justified?
Any recommendations gratefully received.
Incidentally, would it be worth setting up a Which? board, so that we can request info on any piece of equipment and members can give their reviews. It may make items easier to look up rather than trawling through 'General' boards?
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Post by X on Sept 6, 2013 20:52:46 GMT
I have got the Makita site radio that uses the 18v cordless batteries . Surely the firm can buy that ? Still crap reception at times though which is why DAB has not really taken off ?
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Post by robmac on Sept 6, 2013 20:58:35 GMT
I have got the Makita site radio that uses the 18v cordless batteries . Surely the firm can buy that ? Still crap reception at times though which is why DAB has not really taken off ? I suggested a site radio and got a stern look! Surprises me about the crap reception though, I thought DAB was supposed to cure all that.
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Post by X on Sept 6, 2013 21:01:36 GMT
I have got the Makita site radio that uses the 18v cordless batteries . Surely the firm can buy that ? Still crap reception at times though which is why DAB has not really taken off ? I suggested a site radio and got a stern look! Surprises me about the crap reception though, I thought DAB was supposed to cure all that. Tell her if the firm buys it then it free and tax deductable ! Get the vat back too ? Will look it up but yes reception can be rubbish !
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Post by X on Sept 6, 2013 21:05:41 GMT
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Sept 6, 2013 21:48:35 GMT
I use a pure at work,works really well.On battery power its quite poor,they don't last long so rechargeable is best.i always plug into the customers mains power where possible.
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Post by Pollik on Sept 7, 2013 17:35:31 GMT
Broadcast coverage is very patchy, especially if you spend time in the wilds. If you are city hugger, it is probably great.
The other thing is that, when a digital signal loses strength, your reception drops out completely. With analog, when the signal loses strength, your reception goes hissy and crackly, but you might not miss anything.
Basically, they heavily oversold it on the marketing front and couldn't deliver on promises. And word got around and people stopped buying.
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Post by goldfish on Sept 7, 2013 21:49:54 GMT
I bought a dab radio specially for use in my camper, found it used up batteries really quickly and every time I move to new location , I lost all the stations and had to retune again , Went back to my old Sony radio, much happier set of aa batteries lasted at least a month. Just my experience.
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Post by Firefox on Sept 7, 2013 22:04:45 GMT
I've got a MagicBox DAB. It's all touch and coloured lights - no buttons. Nice rich and balanced sound. Signal can break up quite quickly like most digital. Analogue works much better in patchy areas with fading signals. Other than that I am happy with it. It does retune every time you move, but it does so automatically in a few seconds and mine keeps all my preset stations. You can have 12 presets so plenty for most people The ones I listen to are 5 Live/5 Live Sports Extra/Radio 4/6 Music Info here: www.magicboxes.com/Touch_Kitchen_dab_radio.htmwww.magicboxes.com/cust_touchkitchen_1.htmCould have a board for reviews if you want.
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Post by goldfish on Sept 7, 2013 22:16:20 GMT
Hi vern, how long a set of batteries last on your dab lasts regards
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Post by Firefox on Sept 7, 2013 22:18:31 GMT
I don't know about drycell battery life cos I always use it in the van and run it off the inverter Usually battery life depends on how loud the volume is set. If it is low they should last for ages.
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Post by robmac on Nov 12, 2013 10:29:48 GMT
By way of an update, Julie ordered a Roberts Stream 83I and now we have had it for a while I can report back that it is excellent. The sound quality is great and we have had no problems with reception. I also bought a Sony XDR-S40DBP Mains/Battery for the van which has been very good trying it out at home, we'll see how I get on in different areas of the country.
Roberts Stream 83I - 10/10
Sony XDR - 8/10
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Nov 12, 2013 11:58:42 GMT
I've got one like this in blue digital radio and dockingstation Bought at the local Argos discount store for £20! Works fine at home, never taken it in the van. Life: unfinished threads in a never-ending tapestry
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Post by robmac on Nov 12, 2013 12:07:28 GMT
Bargain Marie!
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Post by kangooroo on Nov 14, 2013 21:22:33 GMT
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Post by Rubbertramp on Nov 14, 2013 21:53:08 GMT
Veering slightly off the subject - have you ever had a digital and an FM radio on at the same time, tuned to the same station? There is a four to five second delay on the DAB radio.....to five second delay on the DAB radio. What's all that about then?
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Post by francophile1947 on Nov 14, 2013 22:36:53 GMT
Digital TV was the same Mark - quite a delay when viewing digital, as opposed to analogue. I have no idea why
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