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March 26, 2013

Brandon Scores a National Panasonic Cougar RF-1010

Just scored this on Yahoo Japan:

http://auctions.c.yimg.jp/img325.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/2/8/5/7/masutani_jetstream-img600x450-1364028868wfhwvp27777.jpg

Cost should be about $110 USD shipped - not bad if it performs anything like the RF-2200. I'll have to post a review in several weeks once I receive it.

Posted at 07:08 PM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (3)

Outdoor Shots of the Orient M-Force First Generation and Seiko Velatura SNDA59

I wasn't happy with this morning's indoor pics of my new M-Force, too muted, too dark, a bit grainy. So let's try outdoors:

Posted at 08:56 AM in Manly Watches | Permalink | Comments (5)

Diver Tool Lume Torch: Orient M-Force First Generation

As I've stated before, my watch tastes have evolved. I've departed from the blinged-out TV brands and moved toward what I call Diver Tool Lume Torch style watches. A great example is the recently acquired first generation Orient M-Force. You can buy this on Amazon, the SEL03001B0, for the price of $283.

Now for the good news: I love the look of this M-Force, torch lume against a black dial. The lume is on par with the Seiko Black Monster's. Wears big. Plays like a 47mm. It's 46mm across the bezel and 51mm case size. I love the power reserve dial, easy to read. I love the hand-wind option. I love the buttery smooth unidirectional bezel.

Not so good news: The bracelet isn't bad but isn't great either. It's not topnotch L316 grade steel.

Worse news: I bought the Japanese-made version, model number WV0011EL, for twice the price of the one sold on Amazon. I assumed it was higher grade, but as far as I can tell (never seeing or holding the other one), the watches are the same. My only consolation is I used money from selling watches I wasn't wearing any more for this purchase. But from now on, it's time to slow down and make sure all my ducks are in a row before making a purchase like this.

Posted at 08:03 AM in Manly Watches | Permalink | Comments (4)

Two New Eton Radios Hit the Market

Thanks, Paul:

New Eton Radios:

http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/zoneguard

http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/zoneguard-0

Posted at 07:36 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 25, 2013

Rob States His Case for Choosing the Tecsun PL-660 Over the Sony 7600GR

Developing ideas from his earlier post, Rob writes:

The 7600GR lacks selectable bandwidths, and the integrated speaker lacks wide frequency response. Sadly, the internals are just too cramped for me to even bother trying to sort out mods for those issues. I did do the sync circuit mod, though, which really helped with holding sync on weak stations.

The PL-660 simply sounds better, offers me two bandwidth choices, and otherwise matches the performance of 7600GR for HF reception. I proudly used and recommended the 7600GR for a long time, but the aging design is being surpassed by later offerings IMO. There could be a QC trade-off comparing to Sony to the Chinese manufactures, but the reality is we talking about portable radios here, not $500+ desktop recovers. ;)

Rob adds in response to Gary:

My portable radio of choice was previously the 7600GR, especially following modification of the sync circuit. It is a good portable with superb build quality, but the negatives for me are the lack of selectable filter widths and the limited frequency response of the speaker. Those two aspects are largely why I now recommend the PL-660 over the 7600GR. It would not take much for Sony to address those two aspects, but I doubt we will be seeing any future shortwave recievers from Sony outside of maybe a Chinese rebrand; if that.

Posted at 07:08 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (6)

March 24, 2013

New Sony Portable Radio from Japan: FM / AM NIKKEI Pocketable ICF-RN931 NEW / s40

Ante has apprised us of this new Sony portable. Anyone know anything about it?

Posted at 10:45 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (3)

Vimal Curious About the Sony ICF-J40

ICF-J40-Transistor Radio

Vimal writes:

A Sony radio still made in Japan-ICF-J40
http://bbs.leowood.net:88/forum_read.asp?id=6543050&page=1&property=0&ClassID=0
Looks neat,and impressive inside pics. Has fine tuning & tone control knobs too.
FM/MW/SW1-2 (4-Band Reception)
Long Battery Life with 2 "D" size batteries
LED Tuning Indicator.Leather Case supplied
http://www.sony-asia.com/product/icf-j40
Would like to know as to how it performs..

Posted at 07:33 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (3)

March 23, 2013

Gary Observes Tecsun PL-660's Advantages Over the Sony 7600GR

Addressing a post recommending the Tecsun PL-660, Gary writes:

As the owner of a Sony 7600GR, I can think of at least two advantages the PL-660 has:

1. A real tuning knob

2. Better sound quality.

If you don't need a direct-entry keypad or SSB capability, the CCRadio-SW (Redsun RP-2100) is a good alternative in a relatively inexpensive SW radio, and has far better sound quality than smaller radios.

Posted at 07:57 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (6)

March 22, 2013

Non-Chrono Watches Have Become My Preference

A reader's recent comment expressing contempt for flashy watches with chrono dials made me think that I have gone through a radical watch taste change in the last year, getting rid of my blinged-out watches and preferring the functional diver "tool" watches. My favorites, including the Seiko Sumo featured above, the Seiko Monster, Seiko SKA427, the Orient M-Force, all versions, and the Seiko Tuna, are all absent a chrono. I'm finding myself far more fond of my Sumo than my Seiko Velaturas, which have chrono dials and which are rather busy on the eyes.