Anyone Know the Difference Between the Panasonic RF-1080 and RF-1060?

 

Addressing my praise of the Panasonic RF-1080, Dan writes:

I've got a Panasonic RF-1060 that looks a lot like (actually, exactly like) your RF-1080. Anyone know the difference between the RF-1060 and the RF-1080? No doubt, these are sweet little radios. They receive well on both AM and FM, deliver decent audio quality, and run forever on a set of alkaline C cells. Much more portable than my RF-2200, too!

 

Dan continues:

Just snapped a few pics of my trusty (and dusty) Panasonic RF-1060 radio. Physically, it looks exactly like your RF-1080.

 

 

Perhaps there's a difference in specifications presented on the label on each radio's back cover? I've attached a close-up photo of my radio's label so you can compare my RF-1060 with your RF-1080.

 

 

With the help of Herculodge readers, I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this.

Comments

[Keith]

I agree Dan, "sweet".
This pic is not of my radio, but it does show the only visible difference is the grill.
Can't find any technical info on the web.
Much thanks again to "Paul" who brought this radio to my attention and I snagged a VG example for $25.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://i2.tinypic.com/3ys1c1c.jpg&imgrefurl=http://herculodge.typepad.com/herculodge/2008/12/panasonic-rf1060-buy-now-for-30.html&usg=__kr9Wx18kejmXjs40gjBIOrv6bmU=&h=373&w=432&sz=206&hl=en&start=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=aQjmWDK3uhoG_M:&tbnh=109&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DRF-1060%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

[Dan Somers]

New theory: What I believe to be a Panasonic RF-1060 in my possession is really an RF-1080 with a back panel transplanted from an RF-1060 by a previous owner. Mystery solved.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I read on Radio Museum that the estimated date release of the 1080 was 1980. If that's true, my 1973 model was probably the 1060. Still seems like the same radio.

[D]

stupid site cannot handle ie8. anyway, i have the rf1060. purchased around 1974-1976. it looks exactly the same as the rf1080 except for the speaker grill. so, if you can get the rf1080 for a cheaper price, grab it.

[Keith]

I know the RF1060 was made in Japan. I wonder if the RF1080 was made somewhere else...perhaps Korea?

[Keith]

OK...a little more info. The RF1060 was made in the early 70's and the RF1080 towards the 80's as others have reported. Every RF1060 that I have seen was made in Japan. I have seen the RF1080 made in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It would be interesting to know if there were any differences in quality. There was also a RF1060C. They are nice radios. I am amazed at how thrifty they are on battery power.