Midland HH54VP Portable Emergency Weather Radio with SAME (Black)

• SAME Technology to receive alerts/warnings for designated area
• Weather Scan to find strongest NOAA broadcast
• Home/Travel mode
• 3 Alert Options, Tone, Voice, Visual
• Stores up to 9 County Codes

This portable NOAA weather radio is a gem. It is robust but fits well in my hand. Construction seems to be sturdy. The LCD display is large and easy to read. Best of all, the broadcasts come in strong and very clear. It is no more difficult to program than any other weather radio (that is to say, not hard but keep the directions handy). I programmed in the S.A.M.E. codes for three counties surrounding my area, but really handy is the feature that lets the radio search for the nearest broadcast when I am on the road traveling or on vacation. I use low-discharge rechargeable NIMH batteries that offer long battery life. I've been using the HH54 for about six months now and continue to be pleased.

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I have this unit because part of my job is monitoring weather conditions for my employer. This was a snap to program. It has the programming options that are really needed, with no extra options to confuse things. It's a convenient size and it's very ruggedly constructed. Battery life is appropriate to this kind of device. Highly recommended.

Updated: Well, I own 2 now. The first one, that prompted the above review, works great. The 2nd one has problems. It works on batteries, but not on the AC adapter. But, the problem isn't the adapter. Anytime you see a lot of 5-star reviews AND a lot of 1-star reviews, with not may in between, you got a product with a quality control problem.

ANOTHER Update: The AC unit no longer powers the 2nd unit. There's obviously a problem.

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This radio works quite well. I had it a week before I got the first warning. It will definitely get your attention. I recommend buying this radio with the optional rechargeable battery and charging cup (Alkaline batteries last about a week). Or do as I did and contact Midland and order the items from them @ 1-816-241-8500 Ext 289. 1 battery $14.95 or 2 for $19.95 charging cup $9.95 (on back order)

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Original post: March 2012

I was looking for a radio that would fill two needs. First, something of my own to have at work so I am not suprised by severe weather. On that count this almost fails. It beeps every time a key is pressed, and it beeps loud. At least the basic radio is quiet enough it won't get unplugged by less understanding folk. Another review suggested a pair of headphones. Let me say, I will likely keep a headphone blank plugged in for the life of the product. Where I can place it will be in good visual range to alleviate the risk of not being properly alerted by a mute radio. Second, I need a radio that travels on road trips in case I should ever again have the misfortune of accidentally driving into a high-risk box :). I wanted a radio which would autotune when the signal is lost as opposed to my last radio which required a little too much attention while driving. This one fits the bill, except for the really loud beeps when the kids are sleeping. If it wasn't for the constant beeps, I would have rated this at least 4 stars if not 5. Oh well.

As some others have noted, it only provides a way to select warnings by county. It does not provide to select warnings by type. For this radio for my intended use, this will work well. As far as a device for the bedroom, I will sleep better with something else. I will add more as the device gets use.

(1) Use a headphone plug adapter to make it shut *beep*. Pun intended.

(2) When changing batteries while unplugged, turn the unit off BEFORE removing batteries. It appears to have some sort of capacitor to supply power to memory for a short period of time. No I'm not going to test just how long, but I have changed batteries while unplugged and not lost settings. Yes, I also tried to turn it on without batteries. Let's just say it's not really a good idea.

(3) Battery back-up implies it needs to be plugged in. When was the last time you left you AM/FM radio LED alarm clock unplugged for a week. Did you make it to work on time?

August 11:

(4) I find the battery back-up to be on the short side. It does not have the power to stay on for a road trip of my distance. Fortunatly I don't tend to leave it on often. This device will now be relegated to generic batteries with a spare on standby (but that is just the same as my old radioshack portable weather radio). No change in rating.

November 12:

(5) So there seems to be an argument over the beep thing. All I can say is my unit beeps. This has also played out on the HH54VP2 (with rechargable battery) reviews. In particular the comments on Kevin Fosler's review show that there are units that have the dreaded beep and others that have menu option. I will check it out on my unit but, as indicated in my comments section, the unit I recieved is probably the former BEEP.

(6) It somehow lost power for a month or so, severe weather season is usually in the winter here, but it still retained its memory. Still not excited about the battery life. Just don't try to turn it on until you know it has good batteries or it's plugged in (see (2)).

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Nice size and weight makes it easy to carry. Battery life seems good thus far. Small speaker can be easily overdriven, but volume level is sufficient.