SonySRF59SILVER AM/FM Walkman Stereo Radio

I've been using these radios for the past 20 years or so, starting with the original model that had a black case but, I think, the same circuitry as this one. I use the plural because I've had to replace several. Most required replacement because the earphone jack quit after about a year's use. I tried to get inside to push the contacts back in place, but the one contact I needed (the middle one) was inaccessible. I think they've improved the jack in the last few years; my replacement frequency has decreased.I note that my radios receive VERY heavy use, as I am an NPR addict. Moreover, my local NPR station is AM and there is simply no pocket AM radio on the market that can hold a candle to this one. Good AM radios cannot be made smaller than this, because the antenna has to fit within the case, and the bigger the antenna, the better the reception.The circuit design is an old one with no presets and analog tuning and volume control; it uses a "potato masher" variable capacitor as a tuner, and a variable resistor as a volume control, which, in my opinion, are good things on balance, because you have actual round knobs you turn to perform both of those functions. Another advantage of the "old" circuitry is that when you switch the radio off, it is truly off and not running down your battery. I must admit that one of my radios had a defective volume control that emitted a scratchy sound when you turned it. One downside of the variable capacitor tuner is that it is difficult to tune to a weak FM station that is right next to a strong one (this often happens to me with NPR stations in other cities I visit). For this case, I think the newer lock-in circuitry might be preferable, but those radios typically use AAA batteries and draw power even when switched off.It almost appears that some radio manufacturers are taking bribes from the battery companies. You see these ridiculous radios and other portable electronic devices that take three AAA batteries. I hate that. I love the design of the Sony, which uses ONE AA battery. Simpler, cheaper, and lighter in weight. It makes it easier to carry a spare. And, by the way, the battery life is the best I've seen in a portable. I use a rechargeable NIMH in mine and it works fine. And, best of all, it doesn't quit when IT thinks the battery is low; it lets YOU decide (here again, an advantage of old technology). As the battery is depleted, and the amplifier section gets more stressed, the sound gets progressively more distorted. Finally when the voltage is insufficient to run the tuner section, it quits too, which causes the radio to emit a scratchy hiss. At that point you can turn it off, wait a while and turn it back on to get another 30 seconds or so of use. It's probably best always to carry a spare battery. But don't put it loose in your pocket with spare change and keys; it will short out and be useless, possibly even setting your pants on fire. I keep mine in a prescription drug vial and that works fine.One downside perhaps is the set of earphones that come with it. I throw them away (what a waste) and use a cheap set of earbuds (also Sony) that I get from Amazon. Pretty good sound for a pocket unit, much better than others. Certainly good enough for NPR news shows, which is all I listen to. Another downside is that compact fluorescent lights seem to interfere with AM reception, but they seem to do so with all AM radios except for the large ones that are probably well-shielded.All in all, I'd say this radio is TOO good a deal, which is to say that, because of what must be a low profit, it's hard to find at brick-and-mortar retail stores, who would just as soon you not know it exists, and who would much rather sell you a $50+ radio using the "latest technology." I had one of those once and it was a disaster, even though, it, too, was a Sony. It had the fancy presets (which I don't need because I usually only listen to one station), ate batteries like crazy and quit well before the batteries were completely depleted. Upon battery replacement, all the presets had to be reset.

I have two that I bought years ago. I had the first one and liked it so much that I bought another to keep in my vehicle in case I forget to pack it. I am an avid sports fan, and have season tickets to multiple sports at both the college and professional level. I enjoy play-by-play while watching, and this is the perfect radio. Yes, it's old school, but it is very very durable and has great sound for what I use it for. With analog tuning and the local/DX switch, I can hone in on many stations that a digital radio cannot even tune to, and that's even more the case at indoor stadiums where reception can be tricky. I like to always keep one headphone on while leaving the other ear open, getting the best of both worlds. I forget it's there, it's so small and light. Easily fits into any shirt pocket and durable enough to have in the rough environment of a jeans pocket when the shirt does not have one. They have gotten wet from rain, sweat, and being dropped into a sink, and never missed a beat. They have both been dropped countless times The only bad thing that has happened to both is that the plastic flap that holds the battery in broke off, but I use a piece of duct tape to hold it in with no problems at all. As others have stated, the battery lasts amazingly long. It is compatible with every type of earphone I have ever used with it. The headset that comes with it sounds great, I just rather small earphones for the purpose that I use this radio. It so small and concealable, it can be worn and not detected in many situations that would otherwise be inappropriate when there is a game on that I simply cannot miss! At this price, I went ahead and got another one when I ran across it on Amazon, as I haven't seen them in stores for years.

Like to listen to the radio, but aren't in an environment where you can use a portable unit? Want to have AM/FM on your hip without risking your pricier MP3 player? Want radio that goes everywhere you go and lasts nearly forever on a single AA battery? This portable radio just might be for you.This little radio is stashed in the glovebox of my work truck and I use it on the job site, when walking, or in the back yard when I am moving from place to place that makes having a stationary radio impractical. Based on my experience of this radio....Pros:* Reliability - This radio has proven to be utterly reliable over time, despite knocks, drops, bumps, and the occasional splash of water. It's nothing fancy, but it does AM/FM just great.* Features - This is a basic product, yes, but it has a couple of thoughtful features that really count. One is an on/off switch that is not tied to the volume control. Other typical transistor radios have the on/off tied to the volume control, where as you lower the volume the wheel will ultimately 'click' and turn off the radio; the great advantage of a dedicated on/off switch is that the volume setting remains exactly where you left it. If you are choosy about this sort of thing, as I am, you will really appreciate this little touch. The other thoughtful touch is the addition of a DX switch. For old-time transistor radio users, this will be familiar: it allows a boost to bring in distant radio stations with a weak signal with improved sound. (less background hiss) My favorite daily-listen news station is some sixty miles away, and this switch really comes in handy. These are minor things in an otherwise no-frills radio, but they combine to increase the radio's performance and usability.* Value - I think the value is good. Having said that, I would have preferred the price to be a couple bucks less if it came without the marginal headphones, which are terrible. (conversely, I would have paid a couple bucks more if it had come with the excellent Sony earbuds that I ended up getting anyway) Decent value for around fourteen bucks, then, but not the steal that is the excellent Sony transistor radio: Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Silver* Battery - Battery life is outstanding, and it gets there with a single AA. Grab a four-pack of quality AA batteries and you've got yourself months of daily use. Or, use Sanyo's outstanding Eneloop rechargeable ni-mh batteries, like I do: Sanyo Eneloop 8 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries These are the best AA batteries I have found for small electronics, bar none. I also like things that run on AA batteries, in general, because they are inexpensive and utterly ubiquitous.* Reception - This has proven to be good in my experience. The tuning is old-school analog dial and require finesse of the finger to tune in your stations. That's just fine by me, as it's super-reliable and keeps the cost down. The antenna comes in the form of the earbud/earphone cables and works well enough. Unlike a stationary radio, your Walkman 'antenna' will always be shifting and swishing around, giving you variable reception especially with some dimmer stations. All things considered, reception has been generally impressive.Cons:* Old school styling - Well, if you are yourself old school, as I am, you may well see this as a positive thing! Personally, I have no complaint about the styling as it is, after all, just a basic transistor AM/FM radio. (But remember when a Sony Walkman was hip and cutting edge? I do!) This reviewer thinks the styling is clean but basic. It's no Ipod, but then it doesn't aim to be, either.* Headphones - are awful. No, really, they are. Will they do the job? Yes, and they are perfectly adequate to transmit sound. BUT: they are utterly bargain basement and the sound isn't a match for even moderately priced earbud-style phones out there. I ditched these in favor of the very good Sony 'buds, at a very reasonable seven bucks: Sony MDRE828LP/SLV Lightweight Earbuds (Silver) While these are not top of the line, they pair well with this Walkman. I've become accustomed to earbuds and really prefer those to headphones that make my head hot. This is my preference creeping in, and your mileage may vary.* Size - The two cons above are, for me, quibbles. The size, however, could use to be smaller. True, the unit weighs little - under a few ounces with battery - and the size is about the dimension of a pack of cigarettes. (or a deck of cards, for us non-smokers) So, while it's not huge, it is also a lot bigger than some MP3 players that allow for zillions of songs as well as FM reception and come tiny enough to clip on your collar. Would I like it if this came smaller? Yes, I would. But I also have to allow that it is an unfair comparison to MP3 players and admit that when I wear this Walkman on my hip I really forget that it's there. So, smaller would be nicer, but it's not a deal breaker.Other thoughts:I like this player because I don't have to worry about it getting knocked about when I am on the job, in the garden, or anywhere else. It's a small investment and so I don't worry about breaking it or losing it like I would my Ipod. It has also proven to be robust, durable, and easy on the batteries. I would rate it at five stars rather than four if it came with quality earbuds (or came without any and was a few bucks cheaper) and had a slightly smaller profile. As it is, though, this is an excellent solution when you want a small, tough, reliable AM/FM radio to use on the go. Recommended!