built-in AM/FM/TV/weather band tuner with 25 station presets (10 FM/5 AM/5 TV/5 weather) * 5-key direct preset access * water-resistant S2 Sports design * lightweight, in-ear stereo headphones * arm band with reflector * integrated belt clip * clock with stopwatch and power off timer functions * Mega Bass¨ * up to 50 hours continuous AM playback, or up to 30 hours FM playback, with 2 "AAA" alkaline batteries (not included) * 2-3/4"W x 1-13/16"H x 4-1/2"D * weight: 3.65 oz. with batteries * warranty: 1 year
Sony's lightweight SRFM80V S2 Sports Walkman fits snugly into a supplied wrap-around arm band for hands-free listening during workouts or travel. The radio's ergonomic S2 Sports design places all function controls for easy access, and its LED is conveniently angled for easy reading when you're on the run. Furthering its suitability for athletic training, the SRFM80V includes a stop watch with a single-button split timer. And, if you'd rather not wear the device on an arm, just affix the built-in belt clip to a waistband.
Radio features include drift-free digital tuning across the weather, TV (VHF channels 2 to 13), and AM/FM stereo bands. And with the SRFM80V, weather is no obstacle--its water-resistant design blocks out moisture, and dirt (though do keep in mind that it's not made for submersion in water). A local/distant (DX) switch optimizes reception of both near and distant stations, and a power-off timer shuts off the Walkman at your preset time to conserve battery life. The arm band includes a safety reflector. Five-direct-key preset memory lets you electronically tune in to any five stations set--even in different frequency bands--with the press of a single, easy-to-reach button, while a separate direct weather button offers one-button tuning of weather bands.
You'll also enjoy conveniences like 25-station preset memory (five for TV, five for weather, 10 FM, and five AM), Sony's low-end-enhancing Mega Bass Sound System, and two-AAA-battery operation (batteries not included). Supplied Sony MDR (micro dynamic receiver) vertical-type sports headphones deliver wide dynamic range and clear sound.
1 Plug Problems
I liked my 2 SRF-M80V walkmans (After replacing 1). The problem with this walkman is the internal contacts that meet the headphone plugs become loose and the audio is intermitant. You contact Sony and the service is lets say weak. No extra effort to make-do on a problem that I have had with 2 of these radios.
Guess what the service fee after a year is ahhhhhh $45.00. Guess how much a new radio is $49.00. "gee, great". No more.
I am a Sony fan and I loved this radio while it worked for a year or so. The exterior has held up well but, not the interior engineering.
2 Virtually No Reception
I had to immediately return this walkman to BestBuy because I couldn't get reception for any of the radio stations that I listen to on a regular basis (I tried 5 stations- couldn't get any of them to come in). This walkman is absolutely terrible!!! I can't believe that my walkman from the 1980's had better reception. I ended up buying a Panasonic RF-SW50 today at Target. The sound is incredible and it gets every single radio staion in my area.
3 Headphone jack becomes loose
I too bought one and had the headphone jack become loose. I bought another thinking I had a faulty one, but now I'm having the same issue with this one. The loose jack causes the reception to go in and out...and finally just out completely. I agreed with the previous opinions on this fatal flaw.
4 Just what I was looking for
I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas and he loves it. I read the other comments, but he has no problem with it at all. The armband stays in place and the radio works fine. He changed the earphones, but other than that it is just what he was looking for. I think this is a great product. And he is very happy with it.<br />
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5 Fatal Flaw!
The headphone connection becomes loose on this radio with normal use, leading to in-and-out audio reception. Maddening! It happened on the first one I bought, but I bought another thinking it was a one-time flaw. Not so. It happened on the second one too. Don't waste your money. It's junk.
6 Horrible design
This walkman is at best highly annoying and at worst very dangerous to your ears. For some reason they decided to place the volume dial directly behind the clip and the lock mechanism does not lock the volume. The result is blasted out ears any time you try to clip the walkman on something or keep it in your pocket.
A terrible design flaw - avoid this product if you value your ears.
7 About as good as they get .
I wear these type radios a lot of days for up to 9 hours a day for years had well over 20 different types. I been looking getting one for a long time finally I lost my volume knob off the older sony (sport model) I was using . This model list for around 60 $ found it remanufactured for 24$ on amazon search . I dont use the ear buds (I prefer comfort fit earphones style due to the comfort and also people can see them so they dont think in insane while laughing at comedy radio ). I also dont use the arm band I carry it in a pocket with the earphone wiring under my shirt as not to snag on items . Locking the controls is great I can sit on the radio in my rear pocket and drive with no damage . I thread the earphone cord through the attach point on the radio more or less like a safety chain as to not drop the radio to the ground . The only problem I have is when I handle the radio I always hit the volume knob changing the volume I wish it would lock . I like the battery indicator . The older sony you never knew when it would quit battery wise . This radio is the best I ever used waiting for the next model .
With these type radios lets face it somewhere down the line you are going to drop it really bad and it will break( my personal record is from 32 ft while installing my satellite dish ) As far as repairs to a 24$ item is not worth the time involved and shipping fees I keep it for spare parts and buy another one of the same model . In fact probably should order one now . Kind of feel like I just jinxed myself . It made it 3 months so far have it on now .
8 Nicely designed multiband radio
I particularly wanted a radio that received TV sound, plus FM/AM. This receiver does all that plus a weather band. The design is convenient for exercising since you can wear it either on your belt or on your arm. Sound quality is excellent on FM with a nice bass boost. AM reception is average. Headphones are adequate but not superlative. Lack of automatic tuning is a negative so finding stations that are not on your presets are time consuming. It seems to be tough since I have banged it into the door frame several times while it was on my arm and dropped it a couple of times without any scratches.
9 Manual tuning disappoints
I expected more for a $50.00 radio from Sony. It's difficult to find radio stations, because there's no scanning or automatic tuning. (Two months ago I bought a no-name radio for two dollars and fifty cents that had automatic tuning - I just assumed Sony would offer this feature.) Reception is only OK. Also, the manual tuning is limited. You can only change the frequency by 1/10 (from 98.7 to 98.8). Often, the best reception would be in between (let's say, 98.75) and you can't get the best reception. Cool design. Like the mega bass. But a radio for jogging without automatic tuning/scanning is a bad investment. Don't buy it.
10 Replacement Parts? A Joke!!
I purchased this product because I'm an avid jogger/runner and I like to be entertained while I run. Often, I use an MP3 player, but the MP3 player has a lousy FM tuner. Sometimes, I also like to listen to AM radio. Well, while jogging one day I tripped over a rock and fell on the radio that was strapped to my arm. The radio was built well and was not damaged, but the expandable strap fell apart. For about 2 weeks, I tried to find a replacement armband and there is no place where I can find one. So here I have a real receptive radio that I'd like to use while jogging and I can't find a replacement armband.
What a joke! Maybe this is the time of disposable electronics, but, I still have a little tinny radio that still works as good as the day I bought it 5 years ago. Go figure. Maybe someone will respond with a location that I can use to buy a replacement armband and then I might change my review as to how good the unit operates?
11 Reception is very good for me
I picked up a reburbished (hope that's not a bad sign) one of these for about $20 at the factory store at the San Marcos (TX) Outlet Mall. I've only used it a couple of times so far, but I can address the reception issue. I live about 70 miles from Houston, and my Sony MD/FM/TV player can not pick up a TV signal from there, but this one gets all three stations well.
Headphones are not the best, but good enough for the price.
12 Poor reception
Mine has been dependable enough so far but the reception is very bad as noted by other users. I purchase this radio to replace a very old tape/radio combination unit. The reception on this unit is much worse relative to that of the 10 year old el-cheapo unit.
13 Works fine for me...
I really enjoy using my armband radio. It has worked well for me even on my almost daily three mile runs. It still works even after I got caught in a downpour and got drenched. The earphone cord is a bit long, though. It is hard to find a place for it where it will not be in the way or uncomfortable. Other than that, this is the best product that I have found for myself.
14 Poor quality construction and poor design
I have owned multiple small Sony sports radios. I use them while running and weight lifting. This is by far the worst of the series.
Quality:
1. After less than 6 months one of the tiny metal battery connectors fell out and was lost while changing batteries. Previous similar products have lasted several years.
2. While sound quality was acceptable, the antenna is markedly directional and less powerful than previous slightly larger more oblong Sony units.
Design:
1. Sports radios should have a clear display and buttons and knobs that can be accessed while running, etc. The volume knob is way too sensitive and the tiny buttons with miniscule numbers and characters cannot be readily accessed while running. The unit has plenty of surface area for larger knobs. In addition, only a small portion of the LCD screen is utilized - what were they thinking? Reading glasses should not be required for usage!
In summation, this unit exemplifies poor ergonomics and poor quality - Don't buy one!
15 Very disappointing, as are many Sony products of late
I wanted a radio to use while I was walking my dog or jogging. From a functional standpoint, this unit is a failure. I live a near-city suburban area. Radio stations are not too far away and there are no tall buildings. However, reception is awful and near-station selectivity is a joke. The headphone jack is noisy and produces annoying static with movement. The belt clip is near-useless, as it has almost no tension to it and the radio will slip off and fall to the ground unexpectedly with any sudden movement. I find myself intentionally leaving the house without it because its poor performance and shoddy design make it frustrating to use.
16 Don't buy this piece of garbage
Headphone connection stopped working, like with so many others that reviewed this product before me. I wish I had read these reviews before I purchased. Called Sony and they said that they'd replace it for 40 bucks since the problem happened past my 90 days warrantee time. Considering that so many people are having this same problem and I could buy a new Panasonic for about 40 bucks, I passed.
17 No problems here
I received this Sony for Christmas and have loved it! I have had no problems with the headphones at all. The only thing I don't care for is the location of the volume button , I have hit it more than once while working out and almost gone deaf!
18 Bad Design for a Sony
I bought this walkman because I like to work out and listen to music. I thought I would treat myself to the top of the line walkman. Because it says SONY on it and it costs more then most walkmans, it must be the best..right? Well, I was wrong. First of all the volume control is in a horrible spot making it difficult to adjust. The reception is sub par and I live in the middle of a large city so there is no excuse. The worst part is the armband. The armband just slips down your arm, it never stays put. I know I am not the only one this happens to because I often run in public parks where I see felllow runners wearing the same walkman and it is hung down around their elbow too.
19 Lousy
I agree with all other reviewers who hate this radio. I get passable reception running west along the Charles River in Boston. However, turning around and running the same path home, I get lousy reception, static, station override and every other unpleasantness. I used to have a yellow Radio Shack model that was perfect, but no others I have tried since measure up--and this is advanced technology?
20 waste of money!!!
i bought 2 within an 8 month span - each one lasting no more than 3 months. i think it's mostly the headphone connection. but this is crap! DO NOT BUY! it's not worth the money.
21 Crap!
This walkman radio is HUGE, biggest of all. Its almost as big as cassette walkman. The button layout design is evil especially the volume and dx/local dial/button. The reception is LAME! Overal DON'T BUY THIS JUNK.
22 Headphone Connection
I have had the same headphone-connection issues as other users have stated here. I was about to buy another Sony, thinking the problem was a fluke, but after reading of other users having the same issue, I think I will pass on this Sony product. In fact, I think I will return mine to the store I purchased it and demand a refund, printing off the reviews from this site. I generally like the product, but had already decided to reinforce the headphone connection when I purchased a new one. Now, however, I will not be purchasing a new Sony, and will find another arm band radio for my workouts. It was ok while it lasted, but should have lasted much longer. I'm disappointed in the product, but happy with the armband concept. Avoid this product unless you are buying for a 3 month usage period.
23 Avoid this product - headphone conncection fails!
I just purchased this product and opened the package. Immediatly I noticed that the connection with the headphones either loses sound altogether, or generates lots of static. Then, I read the other reviews here and notice this problem is sytemic in most other units that were purchased. It's going back tomorrow.
24 S2 Sports Walkman Arm Band Radio is more!
I bought 2 of these for my wife and I to use while we work out at the health club. While we use the cardio machines, there are 10 TVs that you can tune your radio to. Exactly the number of presets! The local feature for reception ensures no feedback from adjacent radio stations. I use the arm feature and my wife uses the belt clip. We find it easy to read and use and the hold makes sure it doesn't "bump" off or to another channel while working out. Only complaint is that I wish the earphones, which are very comfortable, had only one wire to one side rather than 2 wires, one to each side. Excellent value and very happy!
25 DON'T BUY IT!!!
I don't usually complain about a gift, especially a Sony, but this product warranted it.
The stations don't come in clearly and/or consistently. The FM antenna seems to be in the headphone jack, so should you move the station will either fade out or become static-y. The volume control is right near the belt clip so that it is constantly, accidentally being turned up, or turned down. And you can't put some sort of a hold on the volume.
The seek doesn't go to to stations that are clear, so you're constantly pressing it down seeking stations manually, which makes walking or jogging hard.
This product is not worth the trouble and just stressed me out.
26 miserable
This walkman, which I received less than 4 weeks ago new, has terrible reception in a good area, the headphone connection doesn't work - you only consistantly get one ear, and the volume is in a terrible place making it too loud or two low.
the armband doesn't stay put and heaven forbid you have thin arms - it doesn't close tightly enough.
It's just a miserable product.. And Sony want me to pay to have it fixed. Can you fix poor design? Steer clear.
27 Still Cannot Get the Connection Right
This is the third iteration I have purchased. Each time the headset connection gets worse and makes it all but unusable. I don't mind paying a premium price for a radio, but at least I would like one that worked.
28 Too unreliable to use
I would like a reliable radio to carry along when I walk. My husband bought me a Sony SRF-M80V S2 Sports? Radio Walkman and it is a piece of junk. I can't get it to stay on. I cannot enjoy using it because it is too undependable. In fact it makes me angry. I thought Sony was a good company but this product is worthless.
Is anyone making reliable radios now? I prefer to pay less than $50 but might pay more if I knew I was getting a good product. It saddens me that reliability and customer service seem to be increasingly rare.
29 i got 3, all broke within 1 year
I got one for myself and two other ones for friends. Initially it worked great, but after about 9 months all got the same problem: the headset no longer connected well to the radio and hence it stopped working (lots of noise). This is definitely a flaw in the design and I do not recommend anyone buying this product.
30 Garbage
This radio has a lot of nice features, but is not built very strong. The belt clip broke off on my unit, and now the head phone jack is going. I expect a radio that is supposed to be used while exercising to be durable. I need a new radio now (less than 1 year), and I am not going to buy another Sony SRF-M80V.
31 I love mine!
I got mine about 5 months ago, when I decided to hit the gym seriously. I haven't been without it since -- it's practically grown into my arm now.
The AM/FM/TV and weather band settings are great. I also like how easy it is to set your favorite stations.
They're right about the volume control, though. It's pretty easy to accidentally turn way up or down. I wish there was a "volume hold" like the key-lock feature.
Also, I wish the face were backlit, so I could read it in the dark.
And get yourself a better set of headphones. All connection issues will end there.
But the battery life is terrific, and the unit is very durable.
32 Piece of junk
I am an avid runner, and I live right in the city of Boston. I can get exactly 2 stations with this product. The worst thing about the product is the connection between the headset and the radio. It is horrible. Slight movement of the connection and you lose some or all of your sound. I brought the first one back, and my second one is just as bad. I'll be returning this one this weekend for a refund, never to buy another one.
33 Nice but with some reservations
I have owned the Sony SRF-M80V for nearly a year.
I bought it for it's compactness and sound quality, because I have owned many Sony products for years and respect their quality and because I needed a radio that allowed me to use it while being very physically active outdoors: (mowing the grass, running, biking, etc.).
It's best attribute is it's sound. I am constantly amazed how good it sounds-when the signal is strong enough, that is. The 'Mega Bass' is definitely a "must have" feature. Sensitivity is fair to good, although I can get much better reception from more distant stations on my home entertainment stereo / tuner than I can on the SRF-M80V,(I live in a suburban area).
It's reception is VERY "directional" (especially when worn on your body, which is 99% of the time), as most small portable radios are. This is aggravating when you are running, walking, riding a bike, or doing just about anything except just sitting around. When you change directions, even slightly, the reception many times fades, drops out completely or you get a lot of static or "interference". However, if you sit in one place,(sit in a chair on the patio, for example), orient the unit well and don't move around a lot, you don't have this problem. It actually works much better when OFF your body. But, for a portable radio, this "directionality" can be very irritating, nonetheless. You are, obviously, going to probably strap it on your arm (as it is designed to be used) and MOVE around when using it!
Also: I am a 53 year old. My eyesight is still pretty good, but I still have a difficult time reading the very small display on this Sony without my mild prescription reading glasses! If I am riding a bike or doing some other "multi-tasking" physical activity, I have to often stop completely just to tune the radio or change one of it's settings. I know this may be a bit unfair, since the design is so small and has benefits because of it's small size, but there is ample physical room for a much larger text display - as well as some bigger keys! I think Sony messed up by not making the text display and keys much larger than they are.
Battery life is excellent. I'd recommend getting some rechargeable nickel metal hydride AAA batteries if you plan on using this radio a lot, (it uses 2 'AAA's and for the $50 bucks purchase price, you DON'T even get batteries included in the box- kinda "cheap" if you ask me!). I bought (4) Sony rechargeables and they have been great. The radio only uses 2 'AAA's at a time, but I always have 2 spares charged up when I need them.
The "key lock" capability is a really great - and you soon realize it is a totally necessary - feature!
The TV sound and weather radio channel capability is great to have also, even if you don't think it is before you buy it. I listen to them both a lot. I can cut the grass or ride my bike and listen to the audio feed for the 'ABC Evening News' news.During the recent power failures, I especially appreciated these features. Not being able to see the video is not that much of a loss, really, I have found.
Lastly, being able to wear this unit on your upper arm is a great feature,(you can also opt to wear it on your belt if you prefer). The headphone cord can be more easily run up your sleeve and under your shirt so it doesn't just hang and get caught on stuff,like the headphones cord on a wear-on-the-belt type small radio does.
I'd recommend this unit to anyone who wants a durable, quality radio receiver for an active lifestyle - but especially if you live relatively close to the broadcast towers, (like in an urban or semi-urban area). However,if you want to use it in the "boonies" a lot, I wouldn't highly recommend it. Too bad it doesn't have a small, pull up antenna (like a cell phone) to improve it's reception in difficult areas.
Bottom line: I am glad I bought it and, despite some annoyances in design, I'd buy another one if I lost or irreparably damaged mine.
34 Don't waste your money, your wallet will thank you...
The product has plenty to offer, TV/AM/FM tuner, weather stations, plenty of presets, etc. I was turned off by the product a few weeks after purchasing it. The volume control is by far the biggest dissapointment. If it is clipped to your belt, bending over or any such movements will cause the belt to turn the volume knob accidentally as the knob is horribly placed on the inner part of the radio, closest to the body. There is an audible hiss even at it's lowest setting. Fine adjustment of the volume to your exact liking is a lesson in frustration most times. At a low setting which I usually like, the sound only comes out of the right earpiece. Unfortunately, I never got around to returning the product and I suffer with it on a daily basis waiting for it to break so I can get a better one. Avoid this product like the plague!!
35 Not very impressed
I have started running and was interested in finding a small radio to bring on my runs. I tried this one out from the local store and was very disappointed. The reception for me was horrible. Stations that I could get clearly on my car radio were barely audible above the static in the headphones. I preferred using the belt clip to the arm band, but the belt clip wasn't very tight so as I was running, it would slip off my shorts and fall to the ground. Also the headphone cord was barely long enough to be able to run comfortably while its at my waist. The final thing that contributed to my dislike of this product was that the volume control was located kind of on the corner of the unit. When it was fastened on my short at my waist, I could easily bump the volume control and the volume would skyrocket. Overall, I thought this model was poorly built, but I could have dealt with all the idiosyncrasies of the product if the reception had at least been fair. Within a week of buying this product, I returned it to the store for a full refund.
36 Poor Reception /Volume knob broken in days
I had the prior Sony model and it was just ok but I liked the armband.This one has worse reception than the old. But worse yet, it is made such that if you snag the radio on something the volume control knob easily breaks off. Don't waste your money. I am now looking for a regular small radio that I can out in a pouch while exercising.
37 I too wish I had read these reviews
I bought this radio primarily for use in my gym. What a disappointment. From the moment I turned it on, I knew it was not a keeper. There is audible background hiss even with the volume turned all the way down. As you turn the volume up, the hiss gets louder. Once the volume is high enough to drown out the hiss, the radio is too loud. Don't buy it.
38 I too wish I had read these reviews
I bought this radio primarily for use in my gym. What a disappointment. From the moment I turned it on, I knew it was not a keeper. There is audible background hiss even with the volume turned all the way down. As you turn the volume up, the hiss gets louder. Once the volume is high enough to drown out the hiss, the radio is too loud. Don't buy it.
39 Not What I Had Hoped For
Although I would never use headphones while running anywhere other than the gym for safety reasons, I agree that this unit is very difficult to change channels and volume while running at a fairly quick pace. Even at a slow run it takes some considerable fiddling to program. I thought this would be less cumbersome than a traditional portable cd player but it looks like I will be forking over the cash to purchase one for my winter treadmill runs!
40 I wish I'd read these reviews before I bought one
The reception is poor, the controls are difficult to operate, the armband is OK but awkward. Fortunately at the gym where I work out they have their own frequencies matched with the six TV screens arrayed at one side of the largest work-out area, and this gizmo works fine there. But when I use the Walkman when I'm running or walking outdoors, I get a delightful variety of staticky stations.
Scott Morrison
41 Good Features but poor reception
I bought this radio to use at the gym. That was a big mistake because it doesn't work at the gym. The reception is so poor that any ...radio will beat it.
so if plan to use it outside is a good choice, but not at the gym
I just returned it to the store and got another one for half the price, and it work fine at the gym.
42 The Best Walkman Ever !!!!
I recently bought the Sony S2 and from the first day I bought it I was amazed!!! I don't know why anyone could give this product a bad review. I have tried over 10 different radios and this one is by far the BEST! I may even buy an extra one just in case soomething happens to this one. I use the walkman when I ride my bike and the battery life is excellent as well as the reception. RECOMENDED TO ANYONE!!!
43 The Best Walkman Ever !!!!
I recently bought the Sony S2 and from the first day I bought it I was amazed!!! I don't know why anyone could give this product a bad review. I have tried over 10 different radios and this one is by far the BEST! I may even buy an extra one just in case soomething happens to this one. I use the walkman when I ride my bike and the battery life is excellent as well as the reception. RECOMENDED TO ANYONE!!!
44 Best Walkman I've owned, but still room for improvement
I went back and forth between the Sony S2 Walkman and the Nike/Phillips Nike Sport ACT100 for a couple of months. I've read plenty of positives and negatives about both on both Amazon and Epinions. After noticing the ratio of Sonys to Nike/Phillips at my local gym (10 to 1 in Sony's favor), and striking up conversations with a few of these Sony wearers at the gym, I decided to take the plunge with the Sony. Sony throws in a free t-shirt to seal the deal (not that it was a deciding factor for me).
Having previously owned a Sony Walkman, the feel and layout of the Walkman was familiar to me. I was skeptical that the radio would actually stay on my arm (and not slide down) - but after 7 weeks of use, it has yet to slide down my arm. I'm very impressed with this part of the Walkman.
I could do without the Weather button on the Walkman. Sony designed and positioned it in such a way that it looks like one of the presets. I've accidentally hit it a few times as I was scanning through channels. One quick hit of the band button switches it back to FM, so it's not that big a deal.
The display is difficult to read while on your arm. You have to position the radio in such a way that the main part won't rub between your arm and your body when doing cardio, so the display basically sits near the back of your arm. I simply count down the places on the dial (when I'm on 94.7 and want to go to 93.8, I count down by .1 each time I hit the +/- button) - it's easier than straining to see the dial.
Reception - my biggest complaint. I don't really know if the problem is with the Walkman or the gym. I go to the gym around 8:30 every morning. My gym has 8-10 big screen tv's built into the wall that faces the cardio area (it's a huge gym - Lifetime Fitness). Each tv has it's own radio frequency so you can tune in. Personally, I like to go back and forth between CNN on the tv and Howard Stern on the radio. I only get reception for the channel Howard Stern is on if I'm in the back of the cardio area (about 15 machine rows back). Of course, by being that far back, the CNN reception is not as optimal as I'd like. It would be nice if I could receive all stations clearly at the front of the area, as that is where the best machines are!
The Walkman has a nice hold/lock feature that you can set to prevent the channel from changing or the power from going on or off. My previous Walkman did not have this, and I went through batteries like crazy because it would always turn on in my gym bag (I didn't remove the batteries because I didn't want to reset my presets every day). Some people here have complained about the fact that the hold/lock button does not lock the volume. I haven't had the volume accidentally change, so it's not an issue for me. It does sound like some people find that their volume wheel rubs against their arms though.
The headphones take some getting used to. They never feel like they're completely in my ear. I'm constantly readjusting them to get a better fit.
All in all, I'm happy with the Walkman. It's a vast improvement over my previous one, and the arm band makes it great for cardio.
45 jogging
I was expecting a little more of this radio. I like the lock feature but I wished it also locked the volume. My old Sony had the AVLS (I believe) that you could not accidentally increase the volume while jogging. Sometimes the radio does not work inside the gym. I like having the armband, and I like the size. (Significantly smaller than my old one)
46 Good radio with flaws
I bought this to replace my previous Sony sports walkman radio. This radio has several deficiencies compared to the old Sony design.
1. The WB (weather band) button looks exactly like the other radio presets. But if you press it, sorry, you're in a new "mode" and you can't get back to your other preset stations without some effort. I would much rather have a sixth preset button.
2. The battery case frequently snaps ajar. The batteries then come loose and I lose all presets.
3. The volume wheel is right next to my arm when I'm using the radio, so I frequently am adjusting the volume inadvertently.
I would really like Sony to redesign this product to make it more useful.
47 SONY - What a disappointment!
I've been a life-long Sonly walkman devotee for during my work outs and travels. This model is, by far, a sorry comparison with the older models I've also had. To begin with, the velcro arm strap looses its "stickiness" with frequent use after less than a year. Secondly, the volume dial (yes, that's right, DIAL) is placed in an awkward place making for constant monitering of the volume to prevent it from accidently being too loud or too soft. This DIAL broke off the first month I had the walkman (I'm not that hard on my electronics, really!). Poor signal reception in my gym doesn't help, and there's something terribly wrong with the headphone connection.
Funny enough, all these problems finally came to be too much almost exactly one year after the walkman was purchased for me as a gift (it comes with a 1 year limited warranty).
Beware! SONY has could have done better, and hopefully will improve their next model of walkman. Until that time, I'm buying the competition to replace this one!
48 Overpriced and mediocre
...This radio not only is designed half-handedly, its ergonomics are faulty - especially using a round switch for the volume - which does not lock - and the quality in general is mediocre.
Reception is ok at best, and noisy normally. The Weather Band barely manages to receive any signal and the TV band gets only 13 channels, instead of scanning.
Before I bought this radio I thought Sony may have something special; with this cheaply made, high priced radio, I am certain it is gone. They are just like any other company.
49 SRFM80V Opinion
Works great. Nice to have so many presets on AM, FM, TV and weather bands. FM is crisp and clear. TV and AM are fine. A note of caution: You'd better plan on purchasing a MNiH battery charger and a couple of pairs of aaa batteries. This thing eats alkaline aaa cells. A nice feature is the sound goes dead and it just starts clicking when the batteries are too weak to power the unit. You don't lose all your station presets right away. ASAP change the batteries at that point.
Happy listening.
50 Good buy
I bought this set to use while jogging. The stations come in clear and the buttons are well spaced so that after a few minutes of practice I can easily hit the buttons from memory. I do get a little bit of static when I'm running between buildings, but 99% of the time the reception is good. The set is very light weight, very comfortable on my arm, and fits well on my pants because of the belt clip. I love that it has a timer for the radio (like a TV it can be set to shut off after a certain amount of time) and it has a stop watch. I also love that it has a weather feature which gives you detailed info on the local weather. All in all, I'll buy this again in a heart beat IF this one busts.
51 Sony user
PRO (principle only, other goodies not listed here):
1. Digital tuning with 5 memory keys like modern automobile radio. Very convient to change channel.
2. Ergonomic in shape and in color: Comfortable to wear. Bright white blending with "warning" orange color make it easy to find if lost in couch or bed or somewhere(I am heavily nearsighted).
CON (principle only, other goodies not listed here):
1. Display and keys are not glowing in the dark.
2. All keys (Key 1 to 5; key "wb"; key "band") are the same shape, same spacing, not glowing, that make wrong key pressing easily. Also, as above, display not glowing. That mean need to turn on the light to see and to make key correction.
3. This radio does make static noise when near computer, near lamp, near TV, near electric stove, near any thing that have electrical frequency.
4. This radio does not have signal stablizer like in automobile radio. That mean need to move around often to catch the signal strength.
Three stars for appreciation of engineering devoting to make this device although it is not a good represent for admirable Sony.
52 The worst!
Without a doubt, the worst "walkman" I have ever purchased. I bought the item on a Friday evening, went for one run on Saturday, and returned it within 24 hours!!!! I found the volume control was placed in a horrible spot, the headphone jack continuously pulled out of the player, and the armband was poorly designed, allowing the radio to keep sliding down. Almost every piece of electronics I own is Sony, but this does not live up to its namesake
I went out a purchased a Philips PSA (the nike one), and it is unbelievable, the right size, the armband is tight, and the volume control is not in the way....
53 ok - not great
This radio has decent reception, which is what I wanted in a small portable radio. I wish it were smaller. It is incomprehensible to me why Sony would provide such poor quality headphones with its radio. Presumably Sony would know how to make good headphones. When I replaced them with my Earhugger headphones, the sound quality improved tremendously as did the comfort. The volume control knob is poorly positioned and often moves with normal arm movement. Before I turn the radio on, I always turn the volume to its lowest level, so as not to be blasted by inadvertent change in the volume control level.
54 Leader of all portable radios.
This is just wonderful! Lots of great features including weatherband and TV tuning. It is water-resistent (let your imagination run wild here), sound is awesome, and very, very portable. It makes working out interesting, and unless you're are wearing the arm band no one will notice that you are wearing it. The head phones that are included are good, but they're not the best. If you don't plan on using the water proof feature you may want to consider getting some better headphones for it. I could tell you how much this product has made my life easier, but I'll just have to let you experience that for yourself.
55 Terrible reception. Terrible purchase.
Worst Sony product I've ever seen!!! ...
I purchased this arm band radio for my wife to do excercise.
I tried to go walking with it. It has the worst reception of any radio I've ever used. It has worse reception than a no-name ... headphone radio I have. Even the strongest stations get a lot of interference. It's too big and bulky for just being a radio. The battery latch often disengages accidentaly. It doesn't have a search function, so you have to go click by click finding a station, or you have to memorize it. It's terribly difficult to get the radio on your arm. The headphones cable is too short. Trying to excercise with this radio is a stressful, hazardous activity. Sony used to be my favorite manufacturer.
56 its da bomb
i love it has good sound the stations are mostly all clear and you get a good buy i think!!
i would recomend this to anyone who walks alot and always is worried about breaking it because this one does not break. it (for me) has lasted a long time,so far.
i also think it looks real awsome and so do my friends!!
57 AMAZING!
I use the walkman for everthing. Unlike other walkmans this is very convienant. It fits around your around very nicely, very user friendly, and has many presets for your needs. BUY IT!!!!
58 Shocked that Sony could make
Bought this so I could use in a gym - but never get a single radio station, and the one the gym provides for its TV stations - just barely hear it. My friend bought a raiod - very similar which has a much better reception.
Other than the fact that this does NOT receive radio waves (???) the headphones are just useless. After a few days of disappointing use - the headphone strted giveing me the static in just one ear! Can't believe SONY would actually let this out in the market without testing it out properly.
The plus side - it looks good....
59 I thought new models were supposed to be an improvement..
Well, the title says it all -- not terribly happy with the new Sony S2 armband radio. Compared to the predecessor model, the new S2 at first appeared to provide several improvements, but upon more use, many flaws were revealed. Most of these comments are geared towards those people who have the old model and are looking to "upgrade" (I use that word loosely...)
Positives:
Sony attempted to address several complaints regarding the prior model but wound up going further in the wrong direction (for the most part.) On the positive side: A "hold" lever was added which means it is far less likely that the radio will turn itself on in your gym bag or when you travel. Nothing worse than getting 5 minutes into your workout/run and realizing the thing turned itself on overnight and drained the batteries. Which brings up another big plus for the new model -- the inclusion of a battery meter, which I have found to be quite accurate and very helpful. Sony has also moved the power button to the side and geared the button so that it needs a firmer push to activate, making it less likely that you will turn it off inadvertently.
Other plusses include the addition of an extra 5 FM presets, TV and weather bands, a stopwatch with lap feature, and a new mega-bass booster. The new headphones are pretty good for working out and provide much fuller sound than the old model. All of these new features work reasonably well, although I do not use the TV and weather bands very often.
Sony has also changed the shape slightly so that is a little larger and more curved to match the curvature of your arm or waist. While it is slight larger, it feels more solid and better shaped to its purpose.
Reception: Although there seem to be many compaints with respect to this, I have found the reception to be comparable to the old model -- nothing stellar but good for a small radio which uses the headset cord for the antenna.
Back to the drawing board...
Now for the not so good. First, and probably the most annoying thing about all Sony Armband radios, THE HEADPHONE JACK IS AWFUL! After only a few weeks of use, it was shot (without dropping it or having the cord yanked out.) I constantly have to jiggle the jack to get clear sound in both ears, and it was the same with each of the prior models I have owned. I attributed this shortcoming to the fact that the headphone jack used to be on the side of the unit and more prone to get wet. Sony tried to improve this by placing the jack for the S2 on the bottom of the unit where it is more protected, but it simply has not helped. I do not understand why they cannot get this most crucial connection to work!
Next, the contrived upside down design is abysmal compared to the old model. I know Sony was trying to make it easier to read/manipulate while running, but it missed the mark by a mile. If using it on either arm and having it mounted so that the face points away from you (the only way to wear it and not have it interfere with your arm movement), there is almost no way to see the display or face of the unit without almost pulling it off your arm. Furthermore, the layout of the buttons makes it very difficult to manipulate the presets by feel. Presets 1-5 are all bunched together, along with the button to activate the weather band (it is the same size and color, as well.) Once pushed, which is easily done when feeling around for a preset button, getting back to your FM or AM station requires seeking out the "band" selector, slightly smaller and right next to all the preset buttons. Very hard to do by feel, and it is not very fun while trying to maintain your pace.
Finally, the position of the volume dial makes it very easy to inadvertently turn the volume to ear-splitting levels, even through normal arm movement if the cord gets caught up in the wheel. I happen to like the wheel design, but its was better positioned on the side as it was on the predecessor model.
In conclusion, if you still have the old version and it is working, or you need a replacement and can still find a "new" old one, I would definitely choose that over this S2. If that is not an option and you must buy a new sports radio, this is still the best sports radio for working out by a mile. If you are looking for a radio/MP3 player suitable for the gym, which has been hard to find for a while, have a look at the Rio S35 Sport.
60 somewhat disappointed
I purchased this basically to use while working out at the gym. It's the only one I know of that has an armband so it doesn't get in your way and is very secure. However I got very poor reception for 2 of my favorite radio stations. They barely came in and there was just too much static no matter which floor I was on. However Circuit City has a very generous 30 day return policy so I'm going to try it several more times. On the plus side, the stations that do come in sound great. They're just not my favorites.
61 Ergonomically worse than prior model
I bought this when my previous Walkman could no longer cope with the beating it took from hitting the ground too often when I fell running. I am very disappointed with this model, which I think is far inferior to the other. The sound is mediocre - often the headset jack needs jiggling to get sound in both ears, and the buttons/dials are placed very awkwardly. The volume dial is at the base of the unit when worn on my left arm, and it is really easy to accidentally increase or decrease the volume when running, just with normal arm movement. The On/Off swith is awkwardly placed, and not easy to use quickly. The unit is even more difficult to place on your arm than the other one was. There are really no improvements I see in this model, only problems. I would recommend the older model over this one, if you can still find one. I don't use the stopwatch features, as I have a good stopwatch. I think adding these was a gimmick - most regular athletes will have a decent stopwatch, and not need their radio to provide this feature.
62 major disappointment...
I bought this to wear working out, thinking that everything else I own that is a Sony is great so this should be too. I was WRONG! the radio feels cheap right out of the box, the battery door doesn't want to stay closed. when I bend and raise my arm to look at my watch the volume gets turned up, LOUD. the reception in the club just [stinks] and I am not talking about normal broadcast stations, I am talking about the stations right in the building for the TV monitors. I had to play with the connection to get the sound to come out of both earphone speakers. so here is my advise if you are considering purchasing the radio....DON'T!!!
63 Best radio for the gym
If you exercise at a gym, this is the perfect radio. Yes, the reception can be lousy at times, but then you're surrounded by many RF noise sources and a metal building that shields the radio signal. The plus side is that buttons are convenient, the locking mechanism means the radio won't accidentally get turned on while it's stored in a gym bag, the TV channels mean you can hear a local station even if you can't get a clear signal from the gym's local FM re-broadcast, and the arm strap works well. Now if Sony could just fit an MP3 player in there...
64 Improvements??
I purchased this to replace my old sports walkman when I forgot to take it with me on a month long overseas trip. I loved my old one (don't have a model number, it's about 10 years old). The reception was great, I could change stations by feel, and it took whatever abuse I gave it, which typically included dropping it on the pavement at least once a week.
I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with the SRF-M80V. When shopping I immediately noticed all the changes, and assumed they would all be for the better, but not so.
Pros: It's lightweight, and the shape fits nicely on my arm. Running with it strapped to my arm doesn't bug me the way I thought it might, and it's a nice change from the radio pulling on my shorts. There is the option to strap it onto your shorts, but since it seems OK on my arm, I haven't tried it yet. The reception equals the reception on my old one, and I've never had any complaints. The headphones are lightweight, and they've shortened the cord, which keeps the excess from flopping around, but limits what you can do with it. I've only dropped this one a couple times, and it hasn't suffered, but the battery compartment does pop open.
Cons: It brags of 25 presets, but you can't really do it by feel since they are numbered, and not just an up/down button. When I'm running, I'm not particular as long as it's music and not talking. Scanning up and down worked pretty well for me. Grabbing my left arm with my right hand and looking slightly down to see what I'm doing while running is a bit awkward. Don't know if it would be better hooked on my shorts or not. The buttons are not recessed, so if you bump anything you get instant station change, or even worse, just a tap up or down on the station you are on. You can use the "hold" feature to avoid this, but then you have to take it off hold if you want to change stations. I should probably purchase different headphones, but I'm trying to avoid spending the money. The headphones are OK, not great, not terrible. The short cord was annoying this morning when I hooked the radio to my camelbak for a bike ride and it kept pulling the phones back because it wasn't long enough to drape over the backpack and up into my helmet. The worst feature is the volume control. For active sports, an up/down button would work best. Surprisingly they stuck with the dial method. And the placement couldn't be worse. Everytime I grab this thing, I inadvertently hit that volume dial. I cannot count the number of times I have almost come out of my skin when I either turn it on and it's been turned up too loud, or when I change the station and accidentally grab the volume dial. A word of advice: don't ever turn this thing on with the headphones on your head, it could damage your hearing.
It's nice that this radio has AM/FM/TV/WB, not that I can use anything but FM right now (living in the outback). Perhaps I will appreciate the 25 presets more when I get back to the states. But for me, since I use this radio exclusively for running and cycling, simpler would be better. A sports walkman designed for a blind person would be perfect for me, as I don't want to look at it when I'm using it. If you're looking for a portable radio with lots of features, you might like this. If you're looking for something simple to use that will provide distraction from your own heavy breathing when exercising, think before buying this one.
65 Poor Reception, Static and Hiss
Purchased for use while jogging as a replacement to an SRF-m70 after 4 years of use. Reception was terrible. All AM and FM stations had background static and hiss. Local/Distance button seemed to have no effect. I live in the DFW area so it is not like distance to the transmitters were an issue.
Also did not like the way the controls were shown "upside down", presumably for when the unit is used with the arm band (I used the belt clip).
66 Warning to anyone outside the US
Digital FM does not work correctly outside the US unless it has a switch to change the way it tunes. Be careful that any FM you order outside your own country is compatible.
67 Warning to anyone outside the US
Digital FM does not work correctly outside the US unless it has a switch to change the way it tunes. Be careful that any FM you order outside your own country is compatible.
68 questions for you
I'm curious about the viability of the waistband/belt clip...does it keep the radio from bouncing around when running? It seems to have more than enough features, but keeping it from jumping off my waistband and smattering on the ground is a key concern to me...
Can anyone enlighten me before I invest this much for a radio for running? Please email me at randysachs@charter.net
I don't think I'd like wearing it on my arm...
69 Solid product; TV feature disappointing
I bought the S2 solely for the TV audio feature. Unfortunately, the unit only receives VHF-range channels (2-13). This limitation wasn't documented anywhere.
Otherwise, I've been happy with the product.
70 Bad interface
I intended to use this radio while jogging, but that's just about impossible. First of all, unlike Sony's older molder that simply had up/down bottons for moving through the pre-set stations, this unit uses a separate button for each station. It's very difficult to select a station without stopping and looking at the unit. The buttons aren't even arranged well so that you could just feel around for them, just look at the picture. In addition to the five buttons for the preset stations, there are 4 or 5 more bottons, all the same size, that can be accidently pressed as well. In short, navigating stations while jogging is about impossible. Too make matters worse, the volume dial is easily bumped, and very sensitive. So, while jogging along, trying to change stations, you're likely to blast your ears out accidently.
71 Best Sports Walkman Ever
When my older Sports Walkman finally died after inadvertent total water immersion, I originally replaced it with a SANGEAN clone from Radio Shack based on the sound quality - The Walkman had been a trooper, but was lacking in this regard. When, after a couple of months, the new radio proved inappropriate for my somewhat rough use, I got the new SONY S2. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE!! I can find nothing to dislike here - design, features, quality are all superior. The sound quality easily surpasses that of the SANGEAN. It is easy to tune and reception of weaker stations is far better than any portable radio I've owned. For my purposes, I also find the volume control much easier to manipulate since the radio is typically out of sight when I'm using it- clipped to my waist in back or in a back pocket. Although I rarely use the armband, it is functional and comfortable. The clip, because of its design, holds better than those on previous models. Since I use it on outdoor treks I also find the weather band button helpful. I did a lot of shopping around before buying this radio and I don't see how you can even come close to the features and quality for the price. The folks at SONY should give themselves a big pat on the back for having provided true innovation in this model. I liken my feelings about it to a commercial tagline for the vehicle I drive - "Everything you need, nothing you don't."
I find eabuds more functional than the headphones supplied, so it might be nice if they were offered as an option.
72 Hiss, Static and a little bit of Music on the side
To be absolutely fair about this, I live in an area of "fringe" reception as far as radio stations go. I forked over about $50. thinking that the digital tuning on this unit would improve the fading and volume loss that I encountered with the cheap radios I was using while running. The first SRF-M80V that I tried would only get one station and even then, the noise:signal ratio was unacceptable. Thinking it was defective, I returned it for another one which worked slightly better, but still had unacceptable reception. The antenna is apparently in the headphone cord and the bouncing around while running does bad things for the sound quality. If you're in a metropolitan area, it might work for you, but stay away if you are rural/suburban.
73 entering all over the world
Well i listen radio every day and i think no matter what SONY is the best name for electronics.The bad thing is i live in LONDON and if i want to order it i can not.It will be a good ideea to distribute all over the world.Is a great product so why not helping every one to have it.
74 Best Portable Radio
I listen to the radio while jogging and my search for the perfect companion has come to an end. This one is it.
Over the years I have tried most of the main brands (Panasonic, Sangean, Radio Shack) and consistently found the Sony's to be surperior in reception and sound. Most recently I was using the Sony SRF-M78 armband radio, the predessor to this one. The SRF-M80V is better in several respects. Let's look at the details:
Design:
The white and orange color scheme is ugly in my mind but who cares. This is a tool, not a fashion statement. The waistband clip is much better than on the M78 allowing carry on both arm and waistband. This finally gives the option to put the radio where it belongs during running: the small of my back.
Button placement is intuitive and clear. However, the numbering on the buttons is starting to rub of and will probably be gone in a few weeks. No big deal, use a Sharpie for re-labeling if it bothers you.
Reception:
In one word: Great. I live in New York City which has notoriously difficult radio reception. Both FM and AM are as good as it gets for a portable unit. In addition this radio offers TV channel reception and weather band, both are coming in well enough to be useful.
Features:
As mentioned the M80V allows you to listen to FM, AM, TV, and WB and has sufficient presets for all channels. In addition you can use the radio as stop watch, split timer, or can set it for automatic power-off, useful if you tend to forget to turn off the unit. The volume control is a small wheel which turns much to easy, the only true flaw of the radio. I slipped a 10 cent rubber O-ring over the wheel to provide the right amount of friction so that the volume doesn't get knocked unintentionally. Works perfectly now.
Head Set:
I don't care for the ones that are provided and replaced them with a good pair of Sony earbuds. The Mega Bass button is useless with my earbuds but may give you more oomph with bigger headphones.
Conclusion:
A small, well designed radio with all the features that you might desire in a work-out companion. Great reception and great sound. Highly recommended.
