C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF)
by C. Crane
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List Price: Our Price: $114.95 You Save: $35.00 (23%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $73.92 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF)
Customer 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.
Customer Review: The Best FM of Any Radio I've Owned and AM is also Great
Summary: 5 Stars
I live in Los Angeles where 103.1, 89.3, and 88.9 FM stations can cause problems with most radios. This is not the case with the C.Crane CSW, a rebadged Kaito 2100, which I had to return after it went bonkers in first 3 weeks.
After a month, the CSW is still going strong and I hope my previous clone was a rare lemon.
CSW Performance:
The FM is the best I've ever experienced, better than my Eton S350DL (excellent) and Kaito 1103 (excellent). Evidencing its strong FM, it does not even need its telescopic antenna fully extended to grab hard to get stations.
AM is also very strong, much better than my Eton S350DL (very good) and a tad less powerful than my Sangean PR-D5. However, the advantage of the CSW over the PR-D5 is that the CSW has AM filters so you can fine-tune RF grain if you're getting AM overload. I haven't had overload problems on my PR-D5, but my friend who lives 2 miles away did have this problem and he was glad to sell his PR-D5 and replace it with the CSW.
Ergonomics
This is a bit weak in regard to preset memories which are half-baked. A radio of this caliber should have direct key entry. Another annoyance: The preset memory button scrolls upwards only so you have to scroll through all 10 presets before getting to the one you want. You'll get to your station just as quickly using the high-speed manual tuning dial.
Sound
The sound is loud, full, but a little flat and some say "harsh." This is not "high fidelity." If you're looking for warm lush sound and don't need short wave, you should check out the Boston Acoustics Horizon Solo ($90-100) or the Sangean PR-D5 ($80).
While not a great music radio, the CSW has treble and bass controls and I find that turning up the treble helps with music.
I think most radio buyers will be better served getting the $80 PR-D5, which gets better AM (but no filters) and 95% of the CSW's FM strength. But if you want SW and want the best FM I've ever tested, the CSW is well worth the $139 price tag.
Customer Review: Unique radio for the portable radio enthusiast
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a substantial, excellent-sounding AM/FM/SW portable radio that works on 4 D cells and will recharge rechargeable batteries in the radio. Why is that a big deal? It seems to be the only AM/FM/SW portable radio that can do that. There are very FEW substantial (read: not cheap, lightweight junk) AM/FM/SW portable radios out there. The Grundig 350 is a gem, a true winner, but doesn't recharge the batteries. The Eton E1 does a lot, but I've spent as much repairing mine as I paid for the two of them. And it cannot recharge the 4 D cells.
My first Kaito radio died after a month (would no longer turn on or off), but I liked it enough to buy a new one, this one badged from CCrane rather than ebay Kaito dealers. It cost me more, but maybe CCrane will send me a new one if this one dies.
Thirty years ago, one could buy good portable radios made by Sony, Panasonic, GE, RCA, Grundig, and many others. Today, there are dozens of cheap, crappy plastic portables (I just received a cheap Grundig with loose pieces of junk rattling inside of it...I expect it to last 3 months). If you want a substantial, excellent-sounding AM/FM/SW portable radio that works on 4 D cells and will recharge rechargeable batteries in the radio, buy this. Okay, some of the controls are wobbly, but that is how things are these days. Built to last a few years, not a lifetime. I truly wish that electronics were built to last a lifetime, but everyone expects technology to be so fast moving that radios will be made for the next few years, and then you'll buy a better one.
If someone built a $1,000 portable radio and it was built to last, sounded good, and was worth $1,000, I would buy it. There aren't any. I'm 59 years old, so I'll use this radio. And if it dies, I'll buy another one. I hope they keep making them as long as I'm around, but this is pretty much the most portable radio for the buck out there.
Customer Review: Great Purchase!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe I just got tired of looking for an AM radio that would give me what I wanted. I do admit if I would have gotten the CCrane SW, before I tried a few Grundigs, and the GE Superadio III, I wouldnt have wasted so much time and money. Im truly satisfied with this radio. I wouldnt know if it was the best or even near the best, then again you get what you pay for. I do believe for the AM reception, and the FM quality, smooth sound, and beautiful sleek design, you're pretty much getting close to the price of this Radio.
I guess the best thing going for me is I dont have a lot of experience with different brands of am/fm/sw radio, what you dont know wont hurt you. I dont have to beat my brains with comparisons. I love the versatility of the CCrane SW. It helps to know when you pay for something you're getting enough features to feel as though you're getting at least your moneys worth. I can be listen to AM Radio, while look at this beautiful Radio and feel like im listening to an FM soundbite. Not sure with what people are saying about the humming on some of the other reviews. I havent come across station that I was looking for that I couldnt adjust until I got a clear soothing sound.
This Radio is proving another conversationalist companion that accompanys me when im out and about. Though its not a pocketsize, its streamline, and sleek enough to still not be as noticable as the Grundig S350, nor the cumbersome GE Superadio III.
Like I said im not a scholar on am/fm/sw radios, but I truly love this radio (CCraneSW), and would recommend this radio to anyone.
Customer Review: Quality Radio
Summary: 5 Stars
Great radio. The way things are made today, I was surprised at the heft and sound of this radio. Great quality all the way around. It has speaker jacks to use as a stereo, but has great adjustable tone in mono. AM and FM have outstanding receiving. SW bands are dependent on your area of use, I live in the South, so I receive a lot of Cuba, Spanish language transmissions. I also pull in Radio China, Germany, and some Classical Music transmissions from who knows where. Keep in mind, I'm only using the attached whip antenna. A long wired, amplified antenna would improve station quantity, but I use it mainly for AM talk radio. If you put this model in a YOUTUBE search, you'll find a guy in Canada, who gets just about everything on SW, all with only the whip antenna. After a power surge, the power adapter blew and Radio Shack was out of replacements. I called CCrane for a replacement and received excellent customer service. I'll conclude with I should have used the power adapter with a surge protector. Great radio!