Coby CX789 DDigital AM/FM/NOAA Radio with Dual Alarms

• NOAA weather alert(turns on automatically to broadcast weather advisories)
• Digital LCD display, clock and dual alarm timers
• High-performance telescopic antenna
• Integrated 3" dynamic speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Three-way power with AC/DC operation
• Digital AM/FM tuner
• Digital LCD display
• NOAA Weather Alert (turns on automatically to broadcast weather advisories)

This is a good deal for it's pricedigital tuning with preset buttonsAM/FM/NOAA. There is a problem using the AC power (with supplied AC power cord)when powered with AC the LED panel fades to almost unreadable! I decided to buy a second unit to see if another would have the same problme: yes! Thus, there is a defect when operating on AC power, so I don't recommend using AC power. However, operating on batteries is okno fading of the LED panel. Also, operating on DC adapter also tested and works ok (DC power adapter is not providedI got one at Radio Shack: AC-TO-DC POWER ADAPTER 1.5-15VDC, 300ma and set it for 4.5 DCV)

Everything else works okand this is the style of radio I wanted, and there are no others like this at this price. I now have three units. This has digital tuning with quick change preset buttons and a volume knob on the right side, which is very nice! The LED panel has black letters on a non-lighted background and is hard to readignore the bright LED panel you see in the pic-it does not look like that! However there is a light button that lights up for 6 seconds and helps you read it better. Reception is fine for local stations, which provide good clear speaker sound, with no noise.

It's fine if you are looking for a very inexpensive digital radio, (I found nothing cheaper in this style) but you may have the AC power problem I have, and you will have to get the Radio Shack DC power adapter (4.5v, 300ma), or just use 3 D-size batteries.

UPDATE 4/7/09: Robert Lambert discovered the solution to using the AC power cord. There is an AC switch inside the battery compartment that is set on 220v when I received all three of my radios. Simply set the switch on 110v (for USA) and presto! AC power cord works fine! No need to purchase DC adapter! This power switch is not described in the instructions and I even called Coby support about my problem and they didn't mention the switch! Thankyou Robert for the info! I can't change rating, if I could I now rate this radio 4.5 stars!

Buy Coby CX789 DDigital AM/FM/NOAA Radio with Dual Alarms Now

My husband has to have a radio with him wherever he is working (in the yard, in the tool room, and especially during a Louisville basketball game). He looked everywhere for one that would fit his needs. He wanted a digital readout on his radio so as to know when he was on a particular station. It also has an alarm and clock. The first time we ordered, the radio did not work well. It had a lot of static. We called to return it and instead ordered another to replace it. I am glad we did because the new one is terrific and works great. Amazon.com made it easy to return the one and replaced it the next day with one that works. Thank Amazon.com.

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I was set to buy a more expensive radio, but I ran across this one which had what I was looking for and was inexpensive. Unfortunately, I haven't been happy with it. The reception isn't very good. My little manual portable which finally gave out after a number of years had no trouble, nor do two other radios I tried. The tuning seems "off", like the station I want at 790 only comes in at 760. It loses all presets with taking out the batteries which is inconvenient.

One day, I had it on the floor and it fell over and decided not to work. I am not talking about dropping from a height, it just fell over. On carpet. It beeped and freaked out and would not behave again til I took out the batteries for awhile. Very annoying. When I read in another review about the A/C switch in the battery compartment that they don't even mention in the instructions, well, that is just inexcusable.

Part of the reason to have a portable radio is for emergencies and really, I don't trust this to be able to locate a station or work properly in that circumstance. It's too bad, because it is a nice looking radio and a good size, but it's just too cheap to last long and be reliable. I'm going to get a Sony or Sangean like I originally planned.

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I wanted a radio that is not-so-small radio for better sound, with AC power option for long-time listening, and most importantly, digitally tuning with a bunch of preset buttons for stations. This cx789 seemed fitting the bill well. I ordered mine from Target website when it was on clearance sale. After receiving it, I gave it a quick go-over Here is my impression; the radio basically works fine, all function works. Performance is so-so, the sound is not as great as I was expecting for a radio of this size. But remember, I only paid $20, shipping included. So I can't really complain. Overall, I would say the radio works, and worth much more than what I paid.

update: After few weeks of use, I like the radio better and better. The sensitivity of its FM is OK, picks up local NPR just fine; the AM sensitivity is higher, its internal loopstick antenna is directional, so sometime I need to rotate the radio a little to get better reception. I really like the station preset buttons, 10 for AM, and 10 for FM, which is plenty.

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Noisy reception even on strong stations. Noise free only near the window. Frequency display is off by 100kHz.

I'm returning it to Amazon.