Sangean U3 AM/FM Ultra Rugged Digital Tuning Radio Receiver

• Water resistant
• Auto scan;10 memory presets
• Backlit LCD display
• Selectable auto shutoff timer
• 10 Memory Preset Stations (5 FM, 5 AM)

A reader warned me about the Sangean U3 being too bass-heavy. Listening to talk radio wasn't pleasant. Too muddled. Same complaint about the otherwise well reviewed U3's smaller brother, the very appealing Lunchbox, which will be available in about a month for about $12 less than my $103 U3. The lesser priced Lunchbox has a slightly smaller speaker, no headphone jack, and no tone controls for bass and treble.

Let me say before I delay any longer that the tone controls on the U3 make listening to talk NO PROBLEM. The sound is great on both talk and music. Digital FM, with 5 presets, is crystal clear with no background noise and no need to adjust the FM rubber antenna. The weakest station I listen to 89.3 KPCC comes in with no problem. AM, received from the internal ferrite, has 5 presets and is very sensitive. No ugly birdy noise on 710 AM, a sometimes problematic station on my other radios.

My wife also likes the radio, its bold look and its crystal clear sound. She said she wants to keep it in the kitchen, which means I'll have to move the Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo into the living room. For now the U3 is between my computer and yoga mat inside the office. Like all my radios, my U3 doesn't like the computer. Five feet away from the computer and all my radios suffer a bit of compromised FM. AM doesn't seem to be affected.

Power

You can power up the U3 with the included AC. Not included are the 2 AA batteries to back-up power, clock and presets in the case of a power outage.

If you don't want to use the AC, you power up the U3 with 6 D batteries.

The U3 also comes with dual alarm functions, which I plan on never using. This radio is to produce big clear sound in the house, the garage, or front and back yards. So far as I can tell it is a big winner.

Buy Sangean U3 AM/FM Ultra Rugged Digital Tuning Radio Receiver Now

I started out looking at job site radios, you know, the ones with the battery charging systems. Some of them weren't rated very high and I didn't need that feature. Then I found the U-3. I have a hearing loss so I was worried about the base sounding mudduled like one review. Perhaps they have updated the bass control since that one review. I had no trouble with the base control and I can hear talk radio fine. I live in a rural area and have never been able to get AM reception on any radio, in my shop. Not only does it strong AM no matter where I place it, the U-3 gets crystal clear FM. My favoite FM station has always been fuzzy on other radios. There is plenty of base if you want it. The volume can boom clearly over all my machinery. The controls are eazy to use with dirty hands, and the thing laughs at all the saw dust on top of it. I have not tried the battery thing yet since I am never planning to use it that way. The thing is built to withstand an atomic attack.

Now for my only con........ If it had a remote I could put it on a high shelf. It is a minor inconvienace to put it within reach.

Treat yourself and buy this radio.

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I wanted a rugid, digital, LOUD, yet small radio for my husband to take with us tailgating, camping, and to NASCAR races. This fit exactly what he and I were both looking for. It has a light, can be used while plugged into an AC or DC outlet, or even use batteries. It's digital with memory so he can save all his favorite stations and it is LOUD for only being one speaker.

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The audio is a bit on the bass side, even with tone turned to treble, but I have no problem with it. Someone else might.

My favorite stations come in fine. Switching bands / stations is a breeze with pre-set buttons. The tuner will scan (similar to most car radios). The knobs are well labeled, very smooth, and simple to operate.

Limited testing renders DX'ing with U3 comparable to CC Radio on both bands.

The time / alarm are very easy to set. The clock displays the time when unit is turned off. The 2 AA batteries that just run the clock will probably last a year or more. I do not think the battery indicator reflects the strength of the 2 clock batteries. My guess is that when the clock stops displaying, it's time to change the 2 AA's(?).

The "Sleep" mode is handy and easy to invoke. Using it could save some battery life if one should wander off and forget radio is on.

I'm impressed with the build. The roll cage has rubber feet and the radio is mounted to the cage with rubber mounts. It should withstand rough riding and being moved around frequently. The "rubber ducky" FM antenna functions very well and makes moving / carrying radio much easier.

Having only played U3 on the "D" cells for a few hours, I cannot comment on battery life at this time.

The AC wire is on a spool in the roomy rear compartment. Returning the wire to the compartment is not difficult or "challenging", as with many portable radios. The AC plug is 2 prong; no wall wart.

While operating on AC, the battery indicator disappears as an indication that batteries are not in use.

The AC wire compartment has room for my 12V lighter plug adapter & cord.

Sangean should include this wire/adapter or at least offer one as an option. I was able to make one up, but only by luck of having correct parts on hand.

The display is large and easy to see and read.

Display back light remains on for about 15 seconds in both battery and AC mode. This is a good thing, in my opinion, since my CC Radio back light eventually burnt out after a few years of being on with radio always connected to AC. Pressing any button re-illuminates the back light at any time.

I've made no attempts to charge a cell phone from U3. I do not have the required wire for my phone. (No wires come with radio for cell phones or 12V DC input power.)

I'm also impressed with the door on the battery compartment. It has a screw-knob, is hinged, and not likely to fail.

All the auxiliary receptacles have rubber hinged stoppers in them to add to the water-proof integrity. Hand grip is rubber padded and very comfortable; radio is rather heavy (about 9 lbs),yet still easy to grab & go. It's very good for placing on the ground or floor.

Side-by-side, the audio is just as good (for my ears) as my GE Superadio, which up until now, has provided the best audio of all my portables.

Operating the U3 next to my computer, I get no noise on AM or FM.

I'm very pleased with the U3 radio.

I encourage Sangean to offer accessory connectors or at least links for 3rd party providers. Sangean may also care to re-visit the bass level of this radio.

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I bought this sight unseen or heard. It had all the right features, but it only had one speaker and there where one or two posts complaining about sound quality.

When the box arrived, it is way smaller and lighter than I thought. I plugged it in, set my MP3 player on Foo Fighters, and the box rocks. Nuff, said.

I was looking at the Sony ZS-H10CP Heavy-Duty CD Radio Boombox, and I am so happy I did not buy that. This is a boombox you don't mind carrying 3 miles in the woods. It is tough so you don't have to even think about being careful with the thing.

Two things weird things that have turned out really useful. One, the built in light was really handy. Two, the built in alarm clock proved a life saver.

I honestly think I can beat a bear unconscious with the thing, and not lose radio reception while doing so.