Gary writes:
I got my replacement G3 today from Amazon. From the way it was packed, I don't think this was a returned unit as my first one was. Cosmetically, it's much better than the first one. The whip antenna is straight, but there is a slight ding in the base section of the antenna.
There are no scuff marks on the case. The sync locks on frequency with no C113 adjustment needed, and USB/LSB sound very similar. MW AM is still pretty bad, although maybe just a tiny bit better than the first one with respect to sensitivity and internal noise.
Many of the stations I regularly listen to need an external loop to reduce internally-generated hets and other digital garbage, including even 50 kW KNX 1070, which has a strong het around 1066 kHz (on the first unit the het is at 1073 kHz). Normally the sync detector would be useful to reduce this tone, but KNX is an IBOC (HD Radio) station, so using SSB sync causes a rushing noise. On SW it seems as sensitive as the first one, and the sync never seems to lose lock on fades. In sync mode it sounds very nice on SW.
Unlike the first one (after the C113 adjustment), this one sounds best on frequency with non-sync AM, not tuned 1 kHz high. Like the first one, it sounds somewhat raspy and shrill in non-sync AM, but it's not quite as bad. On FM it performs very well, as did the first one. Based on what I know so far, I'll keep it for SW AM and SSB (and perhaps FM), but I'll probably use my other, quieter radios for MW AM.
I also received a replacement G3 for the unit I described last week. This unit was never opened before it arrived, as all seals were intact. However, it has the incorrect 6 volt wall wart supply that Eton had supplied with earlier units. That is easily addressed, and does not warrant a second return to Amazon.com.
So, Amazon did hold their end of the bargain.
Performance of this unit seems to have typical QC and performance for the model, per numerous reviews on other web sites. At least this sample has adequate RF shielding of the display, so the whine present on previously tried samples was not apparent.
The Eton E5 is a real receiver; the successor G3 is a cut above a toy. AMBC quite deaf, audio tailoring is screechy to the point of irritation. The volume control program is quirky.
HF and SSB reception on the whip antenna compare to the old Sangean 909. FM reception is a cut below a second production run GE Superradio III or the E5...RDS is just a plaything from the 8 bit computing era, but still is underutilized by broadcasters. The sync detector feature is a joke, as is LW reception with an appropriate antenna system.
In essence, this G3 was worth the $52 price, but no more. I'd rather have a second used-as-new E5 for that expenditure. No future money will be spent on any new Eton/Grundig product. This is based on over 40 years of experience with broadcasting and receivers.
Ed
Posted by: Ed | April 18, 2013 at 09:32 PM