Inside JLC Online

texastutt · #1 10-29-2009, 10:07 PM

OK this is trivial. But I spent a lot of money on my Bosh unit and it died in one year, under warenty and then it died two weeks ago, no warenty. SO I've looked into a new unit. I don't need a charger and the two which then come to the front are the Makita and the Milwaukee. I don't use either cordless so I at this time I don't have the batteries. Milwaukee will recharge my cell phone and that's a plus. But an extra $25.

I would like to know what the life span of these creatures are before I lay out hard earned $$ for one again.

David Meiland · #2 10-29-2009, 10:21 PM

I gave up on commercial radio on the job and got a satellite radio boom box. It's not that well made and will probably last a year, but at least I won't throw it off the roof while some jackass is ranting about a sale on cars for the ninth time in two hours.

cniverson · #3 10-29-2009, 10:30 PM

My DeWalt has served me well. I seldom use it for charging batteries, but I like being able to use it off battery power. The aux. port works great for my ipod. My crew mates have the Bosch and Milwaukee and both are very comparable.

Kent Brobeck · #4 10-29-2009, 11:07 PM

Hey, take a look at the Sony. They make a job site quality radio, seals up for dust. Maybe I will ask Santa for it this year!

pablodomingo · #5 10-29-2009, 11:07 PM

I just got a DeWalt this week and I'm kind of disappointed by the sound quality but the aux port and the fact that it uses DeWalt batteries was what swayed me over the Milwaukee. Glad to hear you think the sound quality is comparable.

Kent Brobeck · #6 10-29-2009, 11:17 PM

Here's the link YO!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?ur...adio&x=15&y=21

BGeezus · #7 10-29-2009, 11:55 PM

I recently got the Makita radio and as a radio,it is a POS. I think it would have to be physically placed on the radio tower to receive a station.In an area where 30+ stations should come in,I am lucky to get three. The antenna is also very ridgid,just begging to get broke off.

I have the Dewalt also.I like it,seems sturdy,the antenna seems suited for the jobsite.Now it will probably crap out tomorrow.

tomthetoolman40 · #8 10-30-2009, 12:39 AM

I get the $10 to $20 Goodwill boom boxes. Sure no battery charger or battery power, but when it dies I'm not left crying about the replacement cost. They usually last about a year.

Helps the charity, and the environment too (recycling).

archmolding · #9 10-30-2009, 01:29 AM

The BEST job site radio is the one that comes with Ear buds, so you can listen to YOUR music, without irritating the HO or other subs.
Me I use an iphone now. Its really sweet!

Lavrans · #10 10-30-2009, 02:13 AM

Funny- I picked up the Makita and have been very happy with it. It gets much better reception than my Bosch did, and you can also plug in your iPhone/iPod, whatever, in the back compartment where the battery is, keeping them safe.

I generally use headphones if I'm working in an occupied home, but use the Makita if I'm on a jobsite with other people. I find that, since I'm first on site and outrank other people that it prevents me from having to listen to other people's talk radio. I just stick it on NPR and let it go... :-)

Otherwise the first half of the day is Adam Carolla or some equivalent, and the last half insipid classic rock.

Dick Seibert · #11 10-30-2009, 02:56 AM

And I ban radios on the jobsite, nothing looks more unprofessional than a bunch of hicks blaring rock, country, or rap music. This is serious business, there is no place for radio of any kind, the talk shows slow the men down as they won't pull the trigger on a skilsaw if they are listening to something "important". I had a contractor friend who stopped it by kicking them over or knocking them off painters' ladders.

texastutt · #12 10-30-2009, 06:12 AM

You have a point Dick but for us who work solo in an occupied house with no one around from when the HO leaves to when they get home it's hard to keep track of time. On a large site or with other trades and too many radio's I could see a no radio rule.

As far as ear buds go I wear ear plugs all day w/ the tools and so good idea but my ear holes are occupied. I listened to my MP3's on burned CD's on the Bosh, I don't really listen to the radio much any more now that CBC Radio 2 went to "world music"

hdrider_chgo · #13 10-30-2009, 06:31 AM

I had the DeWalt (older model without digital tuner) for many years and hated it. Terrible reception. Plus WAY too big an heavy. My entire tool rig has to be portable, and this thing took up more space than one of my toolboxes... Although the charger seems like a good idea, I never actually ended up swapping batteries.

I tried for years to come up with something better. My requirements were:
1. Compact
2. Rechargeable
3. Excellent reception
4. Digital tuner
5. Aux-in port for iPhone
6. Rugged

I may have found it. This past Summer I got rid of the DeWalt and started using the Tivoli Songbook. It takes rechargeable batteries and recharges them when plugged in. We'll see about the durability. It's not designed as a jobsite radio, but it supposedly is sealed to some extent. I paid about $129 for it.

The only downside is it does not charge when playing, only when turned off. (Why??)

http://www.amazon.com/Tivoli-Audio-S...6897554&sr=8-6

If you don't mind earphones, the iPhone by itself is an excellent device. You can use it to pick up any radio station via the Wunderadio app, or use it's iPod function.

basswood · #14 10-30-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Seibert

And I ban radios on the jobsite, nothing looks more unprofessional than a bunch of hicks blaring rock, country, or rap music. This is serious business, there is no place for radio of any kind, the talk shows slow the men down as they won't pull the trigger on a skilsaw if they are listening to something "important". I had a contractor friend who stopped it by kicking them over or knocking them off painters' ladders.

I wouldn't work for you then. I dig listening to tunes all day and wouldn't have it any other way. IMO it is the best perk I have at work. I listen to Jazz, Classical, and Blues mostly. I often do historical restoration work and listen to music from the period of the house. This is fantastic fun and most customers really appreciate this... it is part of creating the proper "Gestalt" for the work.

In my shop I listen to mostly Big Band Jazz... because... well this was my shop in 1935:

Hoover · #15 10-30-2009, 06:34 PM

The best for sound is the milwaukee. The chargers that the others have interfere with the signal.

I have the original milwaukee radio and that thing has been flawless for 2 + years now. It has a nice roll cage so get dropped, knocked over, etc. don't bother it. Milwaukee has a newer radio out now that goes with their M12 tools. I have no experience with that at all but if its anything like the larger one its a great radio. I'd like the smaller package if the durability, sound, .... were the same.

At times the milwaukee original gets down to around $50 (heavy duty tools.net and HD) or they'll offer a free battery. That will probably happen again after thanksgiving.
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-49-2...6941575&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-2590...6941575&sr=1-2