Get your hands on this easy-grip ICF-S79W AM/FM weather band digital shower radio and enjoy your favorite stations while you wash. There are 20 station presets for easy tuning, and the splash-resistant surface of the radio and supplied hanging strap make this shower radio perfect for staying up to date on the latest news and weather as you prepare for your day. A high-quality speaker produces robust sound that you can easily hear over the sound of running water.
$ 51.27
Sony S79W AM/FM/Weather Shower Radio – Reliable Performer With Some Flaws,
UPDATE: June 2011
The Sony ICFS79W AM/FM/Weather Band Shower Radio is well designed for its purpose, but some flaws do show up over time. I spent a long time searching for a shower radio that had more than just AM/FM, like a CD player for example. I eventually gave up that quest and gave this a try. There are few options in shower radios.
I was open minded but skeptical when I got this. The strong reception is really the best feature, and the weather band and auto on / off timers are nice extras. It would be almost perfect if not for a few cons. Still, it’s hard to find alternatives.
After using this unit for several years, the plastic covering the buttons has worn away. This creates openings that water might be able to get into, damaging the unit. However, even with all the humidity that goes along with being used in the bathroom, it’s still going strong. As some have commented, the batteries have indeed lasted forever. Given the fact that over 2 years I’ve only had to change them once, perhaps the larger cell batteries were best for this design.
PROS
++ GREAT reception; it’s actually surprising how good it is
++ Nice simple and intuitive controls
++ Included Weather band reception
++ Convenient timer to get you going
++ Auto-Off feature for easy morning operation
++ Batteries last a very long time
CONS
— Plastic covering the buttons wears away over time
— Button placement makes it difficult to see buttons and the screen at the same time
— Analog volume adjustment provides little control at lower volumes
— Uses large C batteries, that are less convenient than AA
— List price is quite high
— Wire Antenna is difficult to stick up and often comes loose
— Weather band has more static than AM or FM
Some of the cons are minor. Still, this unit could use some improvements. It’s hard to believe that for this price only AM / FM and Weather bands are included. But while the weather band has static from time to time, the AM and FM bands are some of the best I have heard in any radio. Whatever internal antennae and supporting electronics they used, the reception is surprisingly strong and clear.
Having to worry about replacing those large batteries is also a throw-back to 1989. It would have been nice if they used AA batteries. Most people with lots of electronics already have rechargeable AAs, but few people have rechargeable C batteries on hand. Still, the batteries last a really long time in it.
CONCLUSION
If you need a shower radio, this is still one of the better options. There are some that offer more features, like a CD player, but most have less reliability and performance. For the time being, it seems like despite a rather high price this might be the one to go with.
Enjoy.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Simply perfect,
I very rarely write reviews but I love this radio so much I felt inspired. (Actually I own the S79V, but it seems to be identical to this one.) It is simply the perfect shower radio. Reception is excellent and better than some of the more expensive radios in my house. It has a clever suction cup aerial that sticks to shower tile well. The controls are simple and I particularly like the timer function, so I don’t need to worry about turning it off. It goes forever on a set of batteries. I also like that this isn’t equipped with a CD player, which would add bulk for a questionable extra function.
The white plastic has yellowed over time (four years?), and the top control panel membrane has deteriorated slightly, but it’s still going strong. I purchased a replacement just to have a spare handy should I need one and find that Sony has stopped making these gems.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Best portable radio ever,
I love this radio! We own 2, and I’m about to buy 2 more – one more for our home and one for a gift. I keep one with my gardening tools and carry it around with me and listen while gardening. The others travel between the bathrooms and bedrooms. Good sound quality, takes dirt and water abuse, and the preset buttons are great for a portable radio. No playing around trying to tune in favorite stations. The batteries seem to last forever (I don’t even know what kind they take, since I’ve never changed them and we’ve had our 2 units for years). So the time is always right, even with the occasional power outs we have in our area, which messes up all the plug in radio times. The best portable radio ever!
Was this review helpful to you?
|