ETON Satellite 750 AM/FM Band Radio (Black)
by Eton
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List Price: Our Price: $245.49 You Save: $154.51 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $229.27 (click here) Category: Speakers See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of ETON Satellite 750 AM/FM Band Radio (Black)
Customer Review: Performs well within its class
Summary: 5 Stars
I read numerous reviews of this radio before I made my purchase. It seemed to me that many unfavorable reviews were generated for no other reason than that this unit doesn't look/feel/perform like a $1,000 radio. I own two other radios in the same price range with similar capablities, so it was easy for me to evaluate this radio fairly. My primary use of a radio like this is AM-band DX and some shortwave listening.
I was pleased with this unit from the time I took it out of the box. I like the size and appearance. The profile, ergonomics, fit and finish are all good. The footprint of the case is wide and deep enough that the extended antenna is less likely to cause the radio to lose its balance and fall over. Here's an interesting feature: a small storage compartment in the back that could hold an AC power supply or small parts.
I appreciate the antenna options the Grundig offers. It accepts a "retro" 500-ohm input for balanced or longwire, as well as a 50-ohm BNC, for shortwave. I haven't tried an external antenna yet because I found that the built-in antenna is sufficient. The radio receives some shortwave stations without even extending the antenna. There are also separate inputs for FM and AM. All of these options are important, as they enhance the radio's versatility. I really like the rotatable AM antenna because it effectively orients for optimum reception or to null-out interfering stations without moving the radio itself.
Of course the most important factor is the radio's performance. I read one review somewhere that lamented the fact that the Grundig's four-inch speaker does not have the sound of a nine-inch. However, when I compare this radio to the two similar ones I own, I find that the Grundig has a surprisingly powerful sound that dominates. Most radios in this price range offer sufficient selectivity, sensitivity and all the other technical parameters to bring in the majority of signals that are bouncing around the atmosphere, so I am more concerned with how well I can operate the controls. I have found the radio to be slightly easier to use compared to the others, especially in retrieving frequencies from memory. Although I don't regularly listen to SSB, I tuned in several sideband operators to check on the radio's perfomance. There is a learning curve involved in tuning SSB on most units, but with practice this radio did so on a par with my other radios. The RF gain, attenuator, and bandwidth selector are features I would expect on a radio in this class, and they worked well enough to capture challenging signals. Most important to me was the fact that the radio's reception capability and sound reproduction are quite good, making long-term listening to single stations worthwhile.
In closing, if I were trying to capture the ulitmate DX station or listening predominantly to sideband stations, I would go for a much more expensive and sophisticated radio. I think most of us, though, are looking for a radio that can bring in a majority of SW or MW stations dependably with a sound that is easy to listen to. That being the case, you should consider the Grundig. I really like mine.
Customer Review: Grundig Satellite 750 Great Brand Great Radio
Summary: 5 Stars
I studied all the Shortwave radios online and read all the reviews and I chose this Radio I like the radio very much the sound is very good it picks up AM FM and Shortwave and Single side band stations very well. The battery life is great I have bin using the radio quite a lot and the battery gauge is still reading full battery. I like how you can scan the shortwave band. I am a little disappointed that it does not scan the Aircraft band. The telescopic antenna can get bent pretty east if you are to rough pushing it in. Also my antenna was coming apart from extending the antenna it is ready to pull apart so I called the company and told them and no questions asked they are sending me a new antenna. The radio just may have had a bad one. The antenna swivels I did not know that I was never pulling the antenna out far enough and one screw on top of radio at antenna removes the antenna for replacing it. I like the radio so much I was not going to send it back for fixing. But I don't think I needed to send it for the Antenna swap. The compartment behind the radio it to small to fit the AC adapter but it could fit in there if I can make two slots in there for the prongs of the adapter to push into I don't know why the factory did not do that or make the AC adapter with the plug prongs that swivel to move out of the way. I don't know if there is clearance for the prongs from shorting out anything in the radio if I did that modification. I would think there is clearance for air and stuff. Maybe I would remove the back cover or ask the company first to see if they know the clearance in that area. The cover for the storage compartment has a small cutout like for a small wire to go threw the factory should also have put the power adapter socket inside that storage space so when using the AC adapter plugged into the wall the wire would go into that hole in the cover and plugged inside the storage area and than when done with it it could all be tucked away in there so it don't get misplaced. The radio has many antenna connections for external antennas one for AM one for FM and two for Shortwave. The radio is very fun to use and has many great features. If interested in getting one of these radios read the online manual you will be amazed at all the functions this radio can do. Just to name a few it has dual alarms can wake up to radio or buzzer it has adjustable sleep timer. Squelch adjustment, antenna strength adjustment, receiver strength adjustment, and many more
great features
Customer Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
This radio is excellent, plain and simple. I've had it for 6 months now, and I don't quite understand the negative reviews. I live in cental North Carolina and get outstanding reception on all bands (SW including SSB, MW, and FM). I've tried other Grundig SW models before, ultimately having to return them, so I was skeptical. But I didn't like the look/feel/size/ergonomics of any other radio in this price range, so I took a chance, knowing I could return it. I'm quite glad to report that this radio has exceeded all my expectations. I have absolutely no regrets after 6 months. Caveat: I'm a recreational listener and was not expecting to get or willing to pay for 'professional' quality. So you can't make that kind of comparison (which probably explains most of the negative ratings - that, and maybe user error). But for $300, and with relatively minimal and casual effort, I have logged many dozens of SW stations across the globe, picked up Ham broadcasts on SSB (LSB), and pulled in AM stations from New York to Miami to Chicago with this radio. Just as advertised. Take the time to read the other reviews, experiment with the radios various functions, and its placement, and you seriously will not be disappointed. I have been amazed. As others have said, the radio has a very rich, warm sound. Surprisingly so, such that it's a joy to listen to. It's just big enough to feel substantial on a table, and just small enough to be "portable". Great size. Looks cool too of course. I usually have the radio placed on a table in front of a south-facing window, with a simple 3-meter "random" wire wrapped around the internal antennae. No external antenna (yet), but I've found this setup works great. From my position and listening anytime after 7pm EST, I can tune in the whole globe, including SSB. Headphones do help with weak signals, so buy one. And the various features and filtering do work and do make a significant difference, so take the time to figure them out. But experimenting with it is half the fun. And it's worth it. Again I don't understand the negative reviews. For my casual listening needs, this is more radio than I'll ever need. And I'm very glad I bought it.Customer Review: forget the bad 5 Stars
hesitated to buy this radio because of the few negative reviews ; i bought it anyway.glad i did!!let me address some of the nay sayers complaints.
*dead SW (this is nonsense,there are some settings that need to be set or it will effect your reception on SW ,the "ANT.ATT" button is one of those features , i assume most know to turn up he RF gain as well.
*sensitivity (the radio is actually very sensitive to background RF from lights or PC's.
i tested my radio in 2 houses 3 miles apart and the house with few wireless items and CF lights received almost twice as good .
*the rotating AM antenna(i have found no problem with it and it works very well.
* "the signal meter doesn't seem to work" (this stated by people who have never seen a buffered reaction meter(slow/smooth reaction instead of spikey movement,this is completely normal for a receiver,not so on a transceiver.)
things i like;
*the main tuner knob is very smooth and has a pro receiver feel and feels to be made of REAL METAL!!
*the front "crash bars" seem to be sturdy and actually useful for face plate protection and as a hand rest to steady will pushing buttons.
*the rubber pads on the bottom of unit stop it from sliding on a tabletop.
the radio performs as a table top receiver should and does so in a HQ manner.
the size is about the size of a shoe box.
about me ;i'm a licensed amature radio operator .i mostly just listen nowadays.
similar radios i have owned to this unit.
grundig S350
sony SW07
Kaito KA-1200
Sangean ATS818
this is by far the best set-up for a larger portable. i would set the value at $250
but $300 is about far enough . this will be a classic in the casual SW listener market .
radio hams, stop judging this radio as a pro-communications receiver! it is every bit the radio the sony 2010 was.
I'm not usually a grundig fan but they get it right this time,
you won't be disappointed IMO
Customer Review: If You Get One on an Amazon Sale and Don't Need SW, This Is an Appealing Radio
Summary: 5 Stars
I waited to get my radio used at a reduced price. Sometimes Amazon has a sale of $220 with free shipping. If you're comfortable with that price and want great FM (equal to my C.Crane CSW) and outstanding AM with the rotational AM antenna and don't need SW, you will probably really enjoy the GS750.
Yes, the GS750 has SW, but everyone agrees it falls short in that category. I got mine for 3 reasons: I love its jet cockpit dials and instruments, a great look for a radio lover; I love its rotational AM antenna, so I don't have to move the entire radio to angle it for maximum AM reception, and because I wanted a huge attenuated FM antenna that grabs even the weakest FM stations.
The GS750 didn't disappoint in any of these categories. Another concern I had was the speaker sound coming from such a relatively small speaker. A happy surprise: The speaker produces strong, deep volume. You're not going to get the warm fidelity of a Boston Acoustics Horizon Duo (the best sounding radio I own) but nor are you going to suffer the harsh punishing sound of the C.Crane CSW and its clone the Kaito 2100.
If you like the looks, want the best FM and AM you can get on the radio market, don't need SW, and can get one during an Amazon sale, you should be very happy with the GS750.
Update: I compared AM strength with my $70 Sangean PR-D5, tuning into San Diego and San Francisco from my Los Angeles home. I think the PR-D5 had a better sound so for a lot less money the PR-D5 might meet your needs.