Addressing reports of quality control problems with the PL-606, Heinz writes:
I now have my third TECSUN PL-606 fail on me. Will bring this to the attention of Amazon. Two radios no longer responding to ANY keyboard input; DEAD. The third radio has "hop-skip-and-jump" issues with the frequency selector, meaning after you scan with ETM, you can no longer access some of the stored frequencies.
A shame that the manufacturer of the world's best little radio cannot assure their quality.
I also have a TECSUN PL-380 which will not respond to the "Memory" button. Result, when I go to a new geographic location I cannot change the radio station with which to wake up.
At Amazon,"Tecsun PL-660SLV Portable AM/FM/LW/Air Shortwave World Band Radio with Single Side Band, Silver" selling for $90.00 & FREE Shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-PL-660SLV-Portable-Shortwave-Single/dp/B004P5XW06%3FSubscriptionId%3D0MPWD72HP99X4W90FM82%26tag%3Dctrlqorg-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004P5XW06
Posted by: Vimal | December 01, 2013 at 05:34 AM
PL 660SLV now for $85.00 & FREE Shipping
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P5XW06/ref=s9_simh_gw_p236_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=12CG34QDVHVP9W6EQZFA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846
Posted by: Vimal | December 01, 2013 at 07:36 AM
I love Amazon, but have found them to have a lot of issues as far as radios are concerned. It almost seems as if they (or they're affiliated sellers) end up being the dumping ground for early (or bad) runs of certain radio models. For example, because of the diminutive size and excellent performance of the PL-606 (NOT to be confused with the totally different PL-660), I have purchased a few of these radios. All from a top eBay Chinese seller. And all have performed flawlessly.
On the other hand, I've had hit and miss luck with Amazon. I've received a PL-600 with inferior performance, an RCA "Superradio III" that was sold as a GE, and a bad KA-1103. The latter two were sent back. Yes, to be fair, the majority of radios I've ordered from Amazon were as expected. However, the 'lemon' rate from them is far and away the highest of any retailer that I've bought radios from. For the Tecsun DSP models, I'll stick with either a top-rated Chinese/HK seller who tests each one before it goes out OR a premier radio dealer such as Universal Radio.
Posted by: Bob C. | December 01, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Kaito USA uses Amazon as a dumping ground. I believe Anon on eBay checks out the radios before shipping
Posted by: Tom Welch | December 01, 2013 at 02:44 PM
It may/may not be true of AMAZON being a dumping ground for 'LEMON' early (or bad) runs of certain radio models. I feel digital radios in general are getting a bad name because of glitches of "hop-skip-and-jump" issues with the frequency selector.That has forced me to think in favour of purchasing RS 20-629,as the latest.I faced similar encoder problem with PL 390.
Posted by: Vimal | December 01, 2013 at 09:10 PM
checking out a radio doesn't mean it won't fail after a week
Posted by: mike | December 19, 2013 at 11:03 AM
I find it impossible to believe that everyone uses amazon as a dumping ground for rejects
Posted by: mike | December 19, 2013 at 11:04 AM