Sony ICF-SW12 World Band Receiver Travel Radio

Rating:
Summary: A pricey little travel radio; good, but with caveats
Review: I got this radio before spending a month in Germany in 1997. (I'm surprised to see it's still around.) Generally, it served me well. It sounds like a small radio, but when you're traveling, that's okay ... usually you want news/information, or just background music. It sounds to me like a quality transistor radio, maybe a bit better (but not much). The sound is very clear, however. The on/off/band control is a sliding switch that can be a nuisance to use. It's very stiff, and easy to slide past the point you want it at. Ditto the volume and tuning controls on the side ... they can take a lot of control to get where you want them to be. I bet that those with limited hand strength or use would find this a difficult radio to use. Sensitivity seems to be good. The clock/alarm clock portion worked fine, with one glaring exception: for some reason, mine keeps going blank, even though the battery is fine. I take out the battery, put it back in, and it works again ... for about a week. Then it's the same drill again. Once I even bought a new battery for the clock (the radio and clock use separate batteries) and it didn't change a thing. I've tried cleaning the contacts, testing the battery voltage, etc. I don't know what's causing it. At this point, I pretty much expect the display to be blank when I open the radio up. That pisses me off given what the radio cost. Otherwise, when all is well, the clock works fine, the alarm works fine, the green backlight is adequate enough for its purpose. The unit is remarkably compact, and makes a nice little package that can slip in a chest pocket. I agree that it is solidly built. I paid $100 for it in 1997 ... my wishes for this radio were (1) that it cost less, especially given its limitations, and (2) that the clock were more reliable (at least on mine). I don't know if there's anything else out on the market like the SW12. If there is, consider it; otherwise, you could certainly do worse than this radio. It lightens your wallet too much, but it won't do the same to your luggage.

Rating:
Summary: A real JEWEL among small World Band Receivers!
Review: I live in Caracas, Venezuela. And it's impressive the amount of stations this little thing can pick up. The speaker sounds so clear and SO STRONG, that it easily reminds you of one of those wonderful BOSE speakers. The design is perfect for travel, but is also neat around the house, or at any of your normal everyday enviroments. The band selector is really easy to manage. The only important thing is to remember to also use it to turn off the radio ('cause the OFF switch is integrated to this band selector). The LCD screen offers an instant view of the time of day at any of the listed big cities. The construction is solid. It has Sony quality, which, of course, means optimal sound, highly usable features, and friendly operativity. I love it. I use it everyday to hear nice and strong FM music when I'm taking a shower (I put it over the WC tank) (and no, the running water sounds cannot drawn it's strong sound). And before I go to sleep I take it to my bed, using the nice "one ear only" earphone that comes as an accesory, and I can go to sleep pretty well informed with details from all over the world, and without bothering my wife. It's a little audio jewel from Sony. Get one for you!
You really won't regret it, I promise!. Carlos Sicilia, Caracas, Venezuela.

Rating:
Summary: An Alarm Clock that also has Shortwave -not a "radio"
Review: I've been a radio buff for many years have a large collection and love to do compares . This unit is an Alarm Clock , not truley a "radio" . And the alarm does NOT interact with the radio, its analog ,therefore it cannot turn the radio on as an alarm . Buzzer only! It does not have a DC adaptor jack . It must run on batteries only. It has an earphone jack .No FM Stereo. If you plug headphones in you will only hear it out of one side . Sony could have easily put a mono adaptor inline so you would hear it through both and should have for the price . The tuner like many Sony products has very good sensativity . But , the controls are so small you need the hands of a brain surgeon to fine tune it . If I was travelling and intended on DXing I would NOT depend on this alarm clock . If you want to listen to SW or DX the broadcast band , buy a real radio . If you want a travel alarm clock , buy one that interacts with the radio . At this price this unit is certainly NOT WORTH IT ! I give two stars instead of one because the tuner is pretty decent , however , pass it by !

Rating:
Summary: An Alarm Clock that also has Shortwave -not a "radio"
Review: I've been a radio buff for many years have a large collection and love to do compares . This unit is an Alarm Clock , not truley a "radio" . And the alarm does NOT interact with the radio, its analog ,therefore it cannot turn the radio on as an alarm . Buzzer only! It does not have a DC adaptor jack . It must run on batteries only. It has an earphone jack .No FM Stereo. If you plug headphones in you will only hear it out of one side . Sony could have easily put a mono adaptor inline so you would hear it through both and should have for the price . The tuner like many Sony products has very good sensativity . But , the controls are so small you need the hands of a brain surgeon to fine tune it . If I was travelling and intended on DXing I would NOT depend on this alarm clock . If you want to listen to SW or DX the broadcast band , buy a real radio . If you want a travel alarm clock , buy one that interacts with the radio . At this price this unit is certainly NOT WORTH IT ! I give two stars instead of one because the tuner is pretty decent , however , pass it by !

Rating:
Summary: limited but functional
Review: No external antenna jack, which for SWL is to be expected. No LCD digital tuning (has analog slide-rule dial), which is necessary for pin-point SWL international broadcasts and domestic (North America or your continent) DX listening to AM or MW stations. The technical data page does not specify the sensitivity. Should you manage to get a hold of the Sony SW1 (mfr discontinued) DO get that instead: just as compact AND is indeed all-digital. SW1 was sold as a kit, so see to it that what you get is as complete as possible. Regarding HOME use, should you wish to upgrade, find a multi-band with VERNIER dial connected to PLL digital: you'll be able to TWIST one dial with minimum effort and get the same results as with a KEYPAD/touch dial. No analog!

Rating:
Summary: Handy for frequent travelers
Review: Not a serious short wave receiver, more of a travel alarm clock w/am/fm that you can monitor some of the stronger (or local) s/w bands with. Pay close attention to the dimensions; this thing is tiny! The controls can be difficult to work if you have large hands. I'm pretty pleased with it.

Rating:
Summary: Handy for frequent travelers
Review: Not a serious short wave receiver, more of a travel alarm clock w/am/fm that you can monitor some of the stronger (or local) s/w bands with. Pay close attention to the dimensions; this thing is tiny! The controls can be difficult to work if you have large hands. I'm pretty pleased with it.

Rating:
Summary: Cute and light, but...
Review: This radio has been a steady companion in my travels to remote areas of Africa and SE Asia during the past 3-4 years. The top portion of the antenna snapped off after 2 years of frequent usage, but this hasn't affected reception significantly. My only wish would be to have a volume control on the alarm, and stereo reception in earphones - to block out bush/jungle noises!

Rating:
Summary: steady global travel companion
Review: This radio has been a steady companion in my travels to remote areas of Africa and SE Asia during the past 3-4 years. The top portion of the antenna snapped off after 2 years of frequent usage, but this hasn't affected reception significantly. My only wish would be to have a volume control on the alarm, and stereo reception in earphones - to block out bush/jungle noises!

Rating:
Summary: Cute and light, but...
Review: This short wave radio also comes with a built in alarm clock. The problem is that it stopped working all of a sudden after just a year. The warranty only lasts for 90 days and Sony will repair it, but the repairs cost more than the radio!