C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF) by C. Crane
|
List Price: Our Price: $114.95 You Save: $35.00 (23%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $73.85 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF)
Digital camera Review: Absolutely terrific radio.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just gave up my satellite radio (because it's not really all that different from terrestrial radio), and I wanted a new, really good AM/FM radio. When I heard that the C Crane SW was made by Kaito (not Sangean), I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did.
I live in the shadow of a 50 kW FM tower, and ordinary radios (and some not-so-ordinary ones, like the Sony ICF-2010) overload horribly on the FM signal, making the FM band practically useless. The C Crane SW acts like there is nothing unusual about my location at all--no overload problems. I can receive all the local stations and most of the stations from the next city (about 33 miles) without even extending the antenna. Stations sandwiched in on adjacent channels are not a problem either.
I was even more interested in good AM reception, and I was not disappointed. With this radio I regularly listen to a 1 kW station 32 miles away (rated by Radio Locator as a "weak signal" in my location) with solid, strong reception. The wide and narrow bandwidths are well chosen, and I have none of the "hum" problems other people have written about.
Speaking of other people's complaints in reviews here, I don't understand any of them. Repositioning the radio for best AM reception? You have to do that with any AM radio--ferrite antennas are directional, and this is a good thing, because you can tune out interference as well as tune in your station. Pressing the buttons extra hard or 2 to 3 times? No way! What's different about this radio, though, is that you have to hold in a button for a quarter- or half-second for the press to register. This is also a good thing, to prevent brushing against the buttons from having an undesired effect. Didn't work with D batteries? Did you notice the switch labeled "Battery Size:" AA or D? Out of the box mine was set to AA, which is probably the norm.
The sound produced by this radio is full and rich, much more enjoyable than the Grundig/Eton S350, which I would consider the C Crane SW's closest competitor. The tuning on the C Crane SW is PLL synthesized so there is minor chuffing as you dial up or down, unlike the S350 which has analog tuning with a digital readout. The chuffing is not at all bothersome and the design allows the C Crane SW to remember your position on each band and to provide station memories, 10 for each band.
I use the sleep function at my bedside, although I must say that calling this a "clock radio" is a disservice--both in creating false expectations and in characterizing the radio as something other that what it is: an excellent portable radio. The clock is its weakest part: mine gains several seconds every day, and there is no clock display while the radio is on.
With 4 rechargeable AA batteries installed, the radio keeps them charged when plugged in at bedside. The small batteries keep the radio light in weight when I use it as a portable, and power the radio for more than long enough to suit me. I can't even imagine how long D size rechargeables would last.
All in all, a darn good radio.
Digital camera Review: An excellent general coverage receiver with great audio and sensitivity
Summary: 4 Stars
The C. Crane CCRadio-SW is a solid, well-built general coverage receiver with excellent audio, sensitivity and performance. I really have nothing bad to say about this radio however, it does lack single-sideband and lacks AM synchronous detection. Excellent receiver for AM DX'ing, shortwave and FM. If this radio had single-sideband and AM synchronous detection, I would give it 5 stars.Digital camera Review: At best, a major disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
I ordered the radio from Amazon, and when I took it out of the box I noticed that the plate on the right side that identifies the function of the three buttons there was missing. So I called C. Crane (to ask them to ship me the plate so I could glue it on) and the CSR advised me that I would have to pay for the part and shipping (the plate's about the size and weight of a credit card), or otherwise deal with Amazon. She was a little snippish about it, too.
Two things: (1) how could Crane have placed the radio in a box and shipped it to Amazon (or anyone) without noticing the missing plate? There was even a little round "passed inspection" sticker on the back (that was difficult to remove). It doesn't speak well for the assembly process, quality control procedures, or, obviously, the radio itself. (2) how could Crane offer such poor customer service?
Now, on to the radio itself. I was tired of the AM hum on my little GE, but the Crane has the same AM hum (unless you hold the radio while facing north-by-northwest and the moon is in the 7th house). And, as noted by other reviewers, you practically have to place the radio on the floor and hit the buttons with a mallet to activate them. Yet there's some free play in the knobs.
It does look nice, and the sound is very good for a single-speaker portable. But the $39 RCA RCD160 I bought for my daughter at Brandsmart outperforms the Crane SW and has a CD player (but not the clock radio, short wave, or battery charger). Indeed, my ancient Toshiba RT-80S, when I can coax it to operate, outperforms the Crane.
At $80 the Crane SW would be a good deal. But at the MSRP of $149.95, or even Amazon's price of $139.95, it's a heist. If you want a short wave portable radio, read "Passport to World Band Radio" first, then buy the Grundig the book recommends.
Digital camera Review: Best Radio I've ever owned.
Summary: 5 Stars
I love my new CCradio SW I can pick up my stations loud and clear. I live about 75 miles from the 50 mega watt WTAM 1100 in cleveland ohio and with this radio I can pick up WTAM cystal clear and also FM is realy good on the CCradio SW. Thanks to CCrane Company for such a good product. I will be definitely be buying more product from C Crane Comnpany in the future kudos to C Crane for such a good radio and desbite what some reviewers on amazon.com say this radio is realy good.Digital camera Review: Big and Powerful
Summary: 5 Stars
I own the Chinese version of this radio (Redsun RP2100). This wonderful big portable radio has been sitting on my desk at work for close to a year. On FM it has the best tone of any portable radio I've ever owned. The large speaker puts out sound that is every bit as good as that from my Kloss Tivoli Audio Model One table radio. While I cannot read Chinese, it took little time to figure out the controls. My radio came with a 220v to 110v converter for plugging the included power cord into North American outlets, but, I just run it off 4 AA rechargeable batteries. I don't listen much to AM, but this radio's pull of distant AM stations is impressive. I do wish the backlight that comes on when tuning the radio was brighter (it cannot compare to the Grundig S350DL in this respect). It has a big sturdy telescoping antenna for SW reception and there is no SW drift. The well-designed folding handle is a plus.