The Panasonic RF-SW50S portable radio is the perfect companion for a workout or the commute to work. At only seventy-four grams, the player's low weight is a plus when running or walking. The player comes with an arm belt, offering a nice carrying option and providing hands-free listening. The included stereo headphones connect to the player via the player's output jack. The required AAA battery will operate the player for up to twenty-six hours. Panasonic provides four AAA batteries in the package to make this player ready to go out of the box.
The radio will pick up both FM and AM signals. With twenty presets, the radio offers individual settings, making it easy to switch to a favorite station. With the optional XBS bass boost, it is possible improve the sound quality. The volume control, band selection and station select are rotary dials, allowing for easy use even when wearing gloves. The LCD screen updates you of all pertinent information including station tuning, volume, and battery condition.
What's in the Box
RF-SW50 FM/AM radio, stereo headphones, arm belt, four AAA batteries, user's manual and a one year warranty.
1 VERY USEFUL RADIO
The RF-SW50 is a hot-looking, portable radio, with an XBS bass booster that really works. Every morning, on my way to the train station, I listen to 1010 Wins on AM. Whenever there is a commercial, I would switch to my favorite FM station, Z100, and listen to music. The transition between the stations is extremely easy and convenient. Panasonic made the radio simple to use. One button does it all: turns on the radio, switches between bands, and changes channels. The quality is GREAT on both AM and FM.
However, there is one minor problem with this product. When I purchased my first RF-SW50, after continuouse use for about 6 months, it suddenly broke down. The On button would't work, and there was nothing I could do to fix it. I tried installing new batteries. I knew that the mechanism inside was working, because I could see the "lock" icon on the screen when it was Off. I have read other people's reviews with the similar issue.
You're wondering why I still bought a second radio of the exact same model. I bought it because i believe it is one of the best portable radios out there, considering its price. I noticed that everybody who complained about the radio breaking down said it happened after a few months. When i looked at the specs of the radio, i saw that the radio had a 1-year warranty. I thought ot myself, "if i keep my reciept, and the box, i can be sure that if the product does break down again, i will be able to send it back to Panasonic and receive a new one."
Overall, this is a great product. It is easy to use, stylish, and very useful. Just remember to keep your receipt and box, so that in case of a malfunction within a year, you will be able to send it in to Panasonic and receive a new one.
2 Not a good buy
The radio broke only after a few months of normal indoor use at the gym(8-10 hours per week). Some of the preset buttons stopped working first. Soon thereafter, the unit just stopped working completely. Very disappointed with the purchase.
3 sound not that clear
I bought this because it looks cool and I trusted Panasonic..
but it was pretty disappointing because sound quality of this FM radio is so bad. I used to bring this to gym where I can watch TV and tune in to FM radio but it is very staticky and annoying. I eventually stopped bringing this and I just bring my mp3 player now.
Don't waste your money.
4 Very Disappointed!
(I bought the more expensive SW250, but I also wanted to warn people off because the same issues apply to this version, only without the extra features) I am always listening to the radio on walks and runs. I wanted somthing simple, but I don't mind paying a little more if it's good quality and well designed. I've always had good luck with Panasonic headphones, so I thought I'd try the Panasonic radio when I lost my Sony portable. Well, I am very disappointed.
(1) I have to press a pre-set button 2-3 times before the station will change.
(3) There's no simple on/off switch! You have to cycle through FM1, FM2, AM and just to get to OFF! I can't tell you how many times I've have to push the darn button if I skip over the OFF setting and have to cycle through the whole cycle again. It's the same to turn it on. This is probably the worst part of the radio - all I want is to push one button, have the radio turn on to the last FM station I was listenting to, and then push that same button to turn it off. A very poor design, in my opinion.
(5) I live in DC with strong radio reception, but the tuner never can lock on clearly, even with the local switch. The reception on Sonys I've had are much better.
I'm hoping it dies or I lose it so I can justify buying a new Sony (but I'll stick with Panasonic headphones).
5 Piece of crap
You're wasting your money. Extremely annoying to operate. Not a problem cause it breaks after a couple of months. Take the money and get some dental work, it's way more fun.
6 Panasonic strikes again!
It worked fine for six months. Then, out of the blue, it simply stopped working. The little bugger simply refused to turn on. Yes, I checked the batteries! I foolishly keep buying Panasonic products and it always ends the same way. They just stop working. Isn't this stuff supposed to last or is it all disposable?
7 Okay, but not great
This is the 4th radio of this type I've owned, the last being a Sony SRFM73. After reading the poor reviews of the Sony sucessor version, I decided to give this Panasonic a try. I must say that I' ve been a little disappointed in my first impression. If you're considering this unit you should be aware that the headset is very weak. I don't like the way it fits in my ears, and the minijack doesn't sit properly in the socket, so that when I first plugged in, there was no sound, and I had to fiddle around with it to get a connection. Then I would lose good connection when the cord was bumped. I ended up using the head phones from the Sony, which work better. That said, I don't think the reception is that great. The sound was a little fuzzy. Things I like, are the small size and the price.
8 Must be the CIA interference
These FM tuners must be quirky little things and highly dependent on local conditions. All I can say is I could not receive any of the local FM stations I wanted to listen to in the middle of Washington, D.C. nor the nearby suburb of Arlington, Va., not using the stock headphones nor my good Sony earbuds. Not on the regular or "city" sensitivity setting. Bah! Back to Amazon with these.
9 Overall, worth your money.
Pros:
Incredibly light-weight and small.
Easy to learn and use.
A lot of features.
Only uses one AAA battery!
Cons:
Reception, as with all Panasonics, is not that great (Sony reception is a lot clearer).
Definitely buy different headphones - the ones provided are very uncomfortable.
10 Looking for quality sound?
Sounds terrific! I purchased it based on the reviews. I must say it exceeded my expectations. I've owned my share of portable radios and the RF-SW50 has by far the best quality sound. You will want to replace the headset with one that is more comfortable, but the radio is worth it.
11 As good as they come
I have been using this radio for a very long time. If you are a serious radio listener(especially talk radio), you want to get a radio that has station memory. One of my only complains is that there is a lack of a belt clip. The headphones that come with them are okay, but I ended up getting another set because the original set kind of hurt my ears. If you are worried about the battery use, just do like I did and get a rechargeable battery set. They help anyway if you have some other devices that eat up batteries. I go to school at Georgia Tech and I commute, so I get bad reception in many places, however, it's like that with other radios also. I find that the analog tuners cannot get my favorite AM radio stations. I remember just sitting there tuning forever. It's just a waste of time. This reception is almost as good as my car radio. They are great if you want to go to the stadium and hear the game while watching because some stadiums require small radios that don't get a great signal, but this model has a reception that is just about as good as you can get.
12 I'm happy with this :)
The clarity is excellent. I agree that it does eat batteries, but then again I have this radio on for eight hours, five days a week hooked up to my computer speakers at work.
13 Dont' buy it!
Just after 3 months the on/off button broke down, shortly after the button lock feature stopped working.
Before this, when I put the unit in my coat pocket, at the slightest movment it would turn itself on, if the button lock was not on. So, if you are not consiencious enought to put the button lock on each time, expect to burn through a slew of batteries.
14 Fantastic reception!!! Much better than Sony!
First and most imporantly the reception is AWESOME! Very very stable! 10 times better reception than Sony SRF-M37V radio walkman. The indoor reception is great and outdoor is flawless! I had the sony walkman and when I walk around my neighborhood it picked up a lot of static, very annoying, the reception seems to fade in and out, gets worse if unit is placed in jacket pocket. Then I got this Panasonic and walked the same route, no static! Very rarely this radio gets static, even if there's static(rare) its very faint and only happens indoor. Bad thing about this unit is lack of belt clip but the armband is great. I tooked the armband off the clip and added a small cloth band so I can 'slide' it to my belt, worth the hassle because the reception is just that super solid. Buttons design could be better, the volume dial, dx/local switch, bass switch are located on bottom of the unit, would be better if on top... Too bad there's no TV reception. The size of this unit is not small, its slightly taller and wider than Sony but thinner. Overall this radio is awesome!
15 GREAT RADIO
This radio is super light weight so that it stays on your arm. The controls are easy to learn and use.(even for 50+).The tuner is excellent.This would make a great gift for any male 7-70.
16 Buy yours at Target
Just saw this at Target today, 1/30/04. On sale for $19.99.
Have a nice day!
17 BIG TIME SOUND IN A LIGHT WEIGHT PACKAGE
THIS RADIO IS A MUST FOR ANYONE LISTENING TO THE GAME AT THE STADIUM. IT IS LIGHT WEIGHT AND DOESN'T GET IN YOUR WAY WHILE YOU ENJOY THE GAME. THE RECEPTION WAS VERY SURPRISING. I FOULD I COULD GET SIGNALS FROM STATIONS MILES AWAY. THE CONTROLS ARE EASY TO OPERATE AND THE SOUND QUALITY IS VERY GOOD FOR THIS PRICE.
18 Wonderful
i was going to buy the virgin pulse version of this product, but after reading those reviews, i decided against it. the shockwave was my second choice. very glad i got this one. the reception on all stations with a normally strong signal is fantastic. as a bonus, the plug for my computer speakers at work fits into the headphones jack, so i can now listen to the radio at work! yay!
jess
19 Love the Clarity of Sound
I workout a lot of times in the gym and run on the treadmill all the times.i mostly carry the waist pouch with CD/radio but it's inconvinient all of the time switching the bag left and right in order to avoid hiting something.when i run in the treadmill, the pouch bag also bounch up and down.
I've been looking for armband radio that come with am/fm radio and i think this one solve the problem. the sound is Great with extra bass (XBS) on all station. even my wife try it and love it, now i need to buy another one for myself co'z she got the first one i have.
Overall , Highly recommend
Nat
