Ken K Says the Sangean DT200X Is Only $20 and You Should Get One

 

 

I really don't know what to make of the new CC Pocket Radio issues. I'm so suspicious of C Crane products after the various debacles that I'm certainly going to hold off on ordering one of these until all the possible defects and shortcomings are noted.

For what it's worth I have all 3 of the similar Sangean radios. I love the DT 400W, it's my everyday walking radio.

I still have The original DT 200X, and although the later models made some improvements (up and down preset scanning, lighted display, etc), the DT 200X is built like a tank, much better than the later models. Until the DT 200VX came out it was my everyday train commuting radio, for at least 7 or 8 years. I must have dropped it on cement at least 5 times and it still works fine.

My DT200 VX is great also. Amazingly it still is for sale on Amazon for a rediculus #20 and change.

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-DT-200X-FM-Stereo-Personal-Receiver/dp/B00006HOKR

If you want to save yourself #40 and still get a reliable headphone radio, this is the radio to buy. You won't get weather band (instead you get the long-dead TV band), but as for AM/FM it's at least as good as the later Sangean and the new CC version.

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Comments

[herculodge]

My Sangean DT200, which I bought for $40 5 years ago or so is my trusty travel radio. I sleep with it when I'm in Berkeley visiting my brother. It's a security blanket, for sure.

For twenty dollars, it's a no-brainer.

[Gary]

I have the DT-200VX (the V is for the TV band, which is no longer useful). It's the predecessor to the DT-200X, and is a great little radio. For $20 the DT-200X is an excellent deal.

[herculodge]

I changed the title of the post to reflect the X. Thanks, Gary.

[Michael Brent]

Is this the one with or without the now useless TV band?

[Bob Balser]

I read with interest comparisons between different brand names but these days does it make much difference? Their all being manufactured in one or two large Chinese factories,even a once trusted name like Grundig is a Chinese model with a Grundig badge!

[JMaffuccio]

That is an awesome value! I wonder if a new version is on the way. I was thinking of getting the CC version but I may just get another one if these.

[Ken K. in NJ]

Just to clarify the different Sangean Models, as there seems to be some confusion:

The DT 200X is the original version, and the one I said was built like a tank. That one is no longer in production.

The DT-200VT replaced it and is the one that is for sale at Amazon for $20 and is highly recommeded by me. That one improved upon the DT200X by adding TV band (at a time when it was still useable), up and down preset scrolling (the DT 200 only went one way) and a lighted dial. On the downside, the build seems to be slighly less robust that the DT-200, but its never been a problem. It's weird that the DT-200VT model is even still being produced, as the TV band became obsolete at least 3 years ago, and there is the newer DT 400W as well.

The DT 400W is the current model, the yellow one. It dropped the TV band and added a very sensitive weather band (the best of all my WB radios). It's the radio I now use every day for walking. I've seen that one for as low as $35 on New Egg but the current prices seem to be around $50.

[herculodge]

I changed the post title to be more accurate and I don't have the 200; I have the 180. Sorry for my errors.

[Ken K. in NJ]

What's also adding to the confusion is that Amazon itself has mislabled the radio. What's for sale is actually the DT200VT, not the 200X. The DT-200VT is what's pictured. The original 200X has not been on the market for several years.

[vimal oberoi]

Amazon reviewer,Shorty,New Zealand says:
It won't tune into stations that require a half number, eg 87.5, I can get 87 or 88, so be advised of this when considering buying it.

[Mark Roberts]

If you are an FM listener, then I would actually steer away from the Sangeans. They are not selective and not particularly sensitive. A Tecsun DSP model or the CC Pocket would be far better choices for FM listeners.

Longer versions:
http://markrobt.posterous.com/tag/sangeandt400w
http://markrobt.posterous.com/tag/sangeandt200vx

[Ian]

I just ordered the CC Crane pocket after having two DT 400W fail in less than 2 years . First one sound would only come out of one ear bud , second would only turn off if batteries were removed then the volume wheel quit working . I'm hoping for better luck from the Crane no more 400's for me .

[Gary]

Ken - I believe you are mistaken. The DT-200X is the current model. The DT-200VX (which I own) and the original DT-200 are no longer available.

http://www.sangean.com/products/product.asp?mid=50&cid=6

[Ken K. in NJ]

Then there must be a 4th (!) variation of the Sangean Series. The one pictured on Amazon looks EXACTLY like mine, and mine clearly says DT200VX.

Yet if I look closely now and tune mine to 100.7 as on Amazon, I do notice now that the display typeface seems SLIGHTLY different. Maybe that's the only difference. Sure is confusing.

[Gary]

I think the main difference is that the DT-200X deletes the TV band of the DT-200VX.

Also, the predecessor to the DT-200VX was the DT-200V, which did look a lot different from the VX or X.