am-fm

I've had the DT-200V (or its predecessor) for years and have been happy with its excellent FM reception and useful interface (lock switch, auto power off, easily accessible volume control). It has survived many drops.

The DT-300-VW has the same ergonomic features, is smaller (but not much lighter), and adds a clock and weather radio reception. The shutoff timer is 90 minutes instead of an hour, which I like, and the presets are much more convenient than the 200V. My only quibble: no belt clip. I like that it uses AAA instead of AA batteries, since I always have spares for my palm pilot and noise cancelling headphones.

I haven't tested the earbuds that came with it--I'll probably throw them away.

I bought a Sangean DT-300-VW pocket radio in March of last year. I chose this model because it offered both TV (2-13) and WX (national weather services in US and Canada) with an integral speaker. (I insist on a speaker because I find it awkward sitting around the campfire trying to share one set of earbuds between two-plus people.)

I use this radio when camping, hiking, commuting, and during power-outages. I listen to all four bands it picks up--sports on AM, NPR news FM, NOAA WX, and PBS TV. I've been impressed by the sound it cranks out of its tiny little speaker. I'm sure that an audiophile would call the sound 'flat' or 'shallow' or some such word, and quite rightly, but if you want four bands four people can listen to for four ounces, this is the radio for you.

Reception varies, of course. This design relies on its headphone jack for antenna. With the included headphones plugged in, this little radio receives FM clearly, AM well, NOAA erratically (often lots of static, but you can always get something), and TV quite astonishingly well. I have always used the headphone cord as the antenna; the purpose-built antenna cord is much shorter and less effective.

Battery life has been good, and the radio uses AAAs, which are easy to find. I use rechargeables exclusively, and most chargers which will do AA also charge AAA. The earbuds aren't particularly comfortable, but they're not particularly uncomfortable, either. Their cord tangles if you so much as look at it, but is still working one year later, and showing no signs of giving up.

And now, durability--this radio's downfall, in my opinion. It's a featherlight, take-it-anywhere size, with weather band built in, but it just didn't take kindly to ordinary camping bruises and bumps. I know, I asked a lot of this little gadget. It's been dropped on park-service concrete tables. It's jumbled around in purse and pocket. It's operated bravely through thunderstorms and dewy-damp mornings. It has, in fact, died on me. It comes with a flimsy, leatherette slipcover suitable for decoration, not protection. Skip it. Find a generic neoprene or otherwise cushy, protective, rugged, shock-absorbing, case for this radio.

That's what I'm going to do. Yes, I'm buying a new one--because one year later (2003), I still can't find any other model with a speaker, AM, FM, TV, and WX under four ounces.

I love radios and have owned over thirty. I am constantly looking for the holy grail - a radio with great reception and plenty of features. I haven't found that yet but I can do comparisons. Here are the pros and cons of this one:Pros:1) This is truly a pocket radio and very light. It feels lighter than a deck of cards.2) Digital tuning - a rarity in pocket radios. You can quickly scan from station to station and from AM to FM to TV.3) Has a speaker built in. You don't need headphones. The sound quality is adequate for talk radio and AM music. The volume is adequate for quiet environments.4) It has TV audio and the reception was ok on the four major stations in my area.Cons:1) There is no built in FM telescoping antenna. You need to insert headphones or the included wire and switch it to speaker in order to get most FM stations. A small telescoping antenna would have been an improvement. I find the hanging wire annoying and I think it is just a matter of time before I lose the wire.2) The reception is not as great as the Amazon review suggests. I found that there was a good deal of static on several AM stations and AM is very dirctional. FM was great on headphones, though.3) The cary case is a joke. It looks like an afterthought. It is a membrane thin piece of vinyl that will not protect the radio.4) The ear buds are also a joke.5) Weather reception was the worst I have ever heard on a modern radio.6) The tuning light is bright and, no doubt, draining the batteries like crazy.If you are looking for a pocket radio that is digital and has a built in speaker, this will do. I see lots of room for improvement, though. I also think it is overpriced. I think it should be 39.99. It would be about right at that price.