Customer reviews for HD Radio Portable Player
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HD Radio Portable Player
When you're on the go, listen to your favorite HD and FM radio stations using this portable player that features a belt clip for easy portability.
Overall rating:
3.8
/ 5
(325 reviews)
Rating breakdown 325 reviews
5 Stars
136
4 Stars
89
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
32
1 Star
39
73%of customers recommend this product.
(
238 out of
325)
Customer reviews for HD Radio Portable Player
Review 141 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: BruceS
from Tampa,FL
After reading some of the reviews here and other places, I was not sure if this was the way to go to get HD on my car radio. I already have an MP3 player, but sometimes I enjoy listening to the radio.
I plugged this into my radio and the sound was awesome compared to standard FM. Its easy to push the preset buttons and go to the next HD station.
The battery last 4-5 days using it around 60 minutes a day for my commute.
The only problem I have is reception as a drive away from Tampa, I lose the stations eventually but I think that is an inherent problem with all HD radios since the signal is not as strong as FM. The radio does drop down to FM when the station is simulcasting in HD and FM, and the quality is not bad.
Overall I think I made a great purchase and I really enjoy the sounds.
What's great about it: Works Great, Very Good Sound
What's not so great: Reception
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 142 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: JGardnerIII
from W.Hartford,CT
I bought this radio to check out the HD radio rave...I am disappointed with this radio. this is supposed to be an armband radio so you use it when you are on the move, right? I walk for a living and this radio will not even hold the HD signal of any of the Connecticut stations beyond three or so steps.This is the main reason I decided to purchase it for HD. Needless to say it's going back. Now I may have the "bad" unit so I'll exchange it. It was dead out of the box and had to be charged and the positive reviews I have read here say theirs worked right out of the box...so here's hoping.
What's great about it: Nice price point and size
What's not so great: HD Cuts out and will not decode some stations
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 143 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: mike20866
from MD
I've used this HD radio for 2 weeks now and works great. I live half way between two metro areas so there are plenty of HD stations, many with "secondary/specialty" signals. I use the radio on the commuter bus to work each day. Some HD signals fade during the trip and drop completely, like digital signals are apt to do. The radio automatically switches to analog and continues to pick up stronger stations albeit with less quality. I have used my cell phone chargers, both Blackberry and Motorola, with no problems. The battery appears to have a good charge life. I wish it had an AM band as many sporting events still live only in the AM world.
What's great about it: Good price for entry level HD radio
What's not so great: No AM band
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 144 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: portia17
from grand terrace, calif
no problems like with others radios, i like that it comes with an armband, and the price for me was really good.
What's great about it: no problems like with others radios, i like that it comes with an armband, and the price for me was really good.
What's not so great: nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 145 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: JoeMach
from Lexington, SC
Finally found one of these little guys - is even smaller than I expected! A bit larger than a book of matches. Piano black finish and color LCD are cool.
I have tuned to five presets in my area so far from my house. I am using it as a nightstand radio, plugging into my Klipsch iGroove SXT for iPod speaker system. My wife was impressed with the sound, and the fact the device cost $49.99.
Third Insignia product in this household. Keep it up, BB!
What's great about it: Size, Reception, LCD, Battery life
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 146 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: 06fordhotrod
from NC
This is a great little radio and it sounds great!!! i have had mine since the beginning of summer and I love it except for one thing you can't program an HD 2-3 etc into preset memory the preset will default back to the HD 1 channel. If you are looking for AM this little beuty dosn't offer it ,wich I am glad of that cause I could care less about AM!
What's great about it: compact, lightweight , great sound, price
What's not so great: the only thing is that you can't save HD2-3etc channels into preset memory
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 147 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: jan8j
from Austin, TX
I charged this radio and turned it on,and shuffled through a few stations, but then the buttons quit working. I tried resetting and that didn't help. I couldn't turn the darn thing off, so I finally just let the battery run down. It's cute, but I never got to find out if it works. I'm returning it--and I better get a refund for the full price plus shipping. Value would be great if it worked, otherwise, it's a dud.
What's great about it: It's cute.
What's not so great: Buttons did not work.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
1
Durability
1
Review 148 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: dan507
from Forest Hills, NY
Pros:
By far the least expensive HD receiver at present.
Quite good sound quality.
Extra sub-channels provided on HD frequencies.
Artist name and song title provided on-screen on SOME HD stations.
By far the least expensive HD receiver at present.
Quite good sound quality.
Extra sub-channels provided on HD frequencies.
Artist name and song title provided on-screen on SOME HD stations.
Cons:
First one I got broke after 2 days. Best Buy exchanged it. No problem with new one after about 2 weeks.
Requires plugging into a computer to recharge. Should be rechargeable from an AC outlet. I bought an AC adapter separately.
Cannot preset a sub-channel, only the first channel at a frequency. I don't know whether this is true for all HD receivers, or just this model.
Battery life is OK, but the indicator for charge remaining isn't very useful; it seems to show plenty of charge left then dies soon after.
First one I got broke after 2 days. Best Buy exchanged it. No problem with new one after about 2 weeks.
Requires plugging into a computer to recharge. Should be rechargeable from an AC outlet. I bought an AC adapter separately.
Cannot preset a sub-channel, only the first channel at a frequency. I don't know whether this is true for all HD receivers, or just this model.
Battery life is OK, but the indicator for charge remaining isn't very useful; it seems to show plenty of charge left then dies soon after.
What's great about it: HD radio at a bargain price
What's not so great: Requires a computer to recharge
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
4
Durability
3
Review 149 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: EddieO
from Pittsburgh, PA
I've had it for two weeks and I'm not real happy with it. Ilive 5 miles from downtown so I should always have great signal strength. It drops HD signal quite a bit but I don't know why. Live broadcasts sound horrible. I have it running thru a new Bose Wave radio so sound should be great. I now only listen to 1 HD blues channel,l which was the original reason we got it in the first place...not sure if I'm going to take it back for another yet. I gotta check the return policy. I would love to use the HD thru the Bose all of the time. I do pick up over a dozen HD signals but I havent checked to see if they are better than my favorites...I am hopeful that I can get this figured out...ear buds are real good..went to Radio Shak and purchase adapter to plug into Bose as well as USB to AC adapter
What's great about it: size and analog signal are great
What's not so great: drops hd signals, usb power charger only
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 150 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: dumdshit
from Mobile, Al
Reception is great! In my truck, in my garage and in the glove compartment. All together! Perfect signal from a station over 20 miles away. Sound quality is every bit as good as my desk-top HD receiver. When I use an FM adapter, too many wires and the sound quality goes way down. But that is NOT the receiver.
Glad I have it and will use a headset the majority of the time.
What's great about it: Right out of the box and it works great
What's not so great: Wish it had an RF modulator in it to transmit to the radio in my truck
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Review 151 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: GreenCacher
from Orlando, FL
This radio is great! We've been waiting since 2005 for a portable HD Radio, and here it is! It gets great reception even though it uses the headphone cord as the antenna. I've tried it in areas that are at least 40-50 miles away from the stations in our market, and it still has pretty reliable reception at that distance! One of the surprising features is the ability to see what's playing on both (or all three) multicast channels of the station you are on. They call this the "Station Guide." The included headphones are okay, but I strongly recommend using better ones. The only problem I have with it is that it does not get AM HD Radio. Maybe a second generation model will. It's definitely worth buying, for the price, even if you are unsure about HD Radio. I know I would buy another one. It would make a great gift or stocking stuffer idea!
What's great about it: Very Affordable, Great Reception
What's not so great: FM Only, Cheap Headphones Included
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 152 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: KShady
from New York, Ny
I have HD radio at home I like listening at work and the portable HD radio is the best with any headphone other than the headphones that come with unit. I am glad to know that it is being advertise Thank you INSIGNIA for thinking for the future
What's great about it: The HD radio, reception is great
What's not so great: set up for pre set channels is a little taxing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 153 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Review1967
from Connecticut
Bought this on a Saturday and returned it Sunday. Not worth forty cents, let alone forty bucks. Couldn't hold HD signal, audio output was weak into mp3 input on my car and screen is difficult to see. Plus, I bet if you dropped this thing just once, it would stop working - with a 90 day warranty, there isn't much room for error. If this were twenty bucks or less, I would have kept it; I suspect we'll see these for sale at deep discount very soon.
Still waiting for a decent portable HD radio receiver - this is definately NOT it.
What's great about it: Not much
What's not so great: Everything
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
1
Durability
1
Review 154 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: fmradionut
from Asheville, nc
Very small, quick way to charge with a USB port. Noticed very sensitive- better than my Accurian HD recvr. Good audio but no way to change settings. Wish it had a clock. One good plus is that you can save a HD-2, 3 as a memory channel. I like the unit!!! Thinking about buying another as a spare. I DO recommend this!! It is what it is- a portable FM radio only but DOES show RDS on non-HD stations-NICE! Super-cool display also! I would have given 5 Stars if you could change the battery and change audio settings. Still a very nice unit!
What's great about it: Small, good audio
What's not so great: no way to change audio (bass, treble). no user battery access
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 155 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: Crml1024
from Woodbury, NJ
I purchased two units with excitement to be able to have a better quality radio listening experience vs the old analog way being that I do not have a way to play Pandora or Iheart Radio from my ipod touch at work. So $46-$47 bucks was no issue for me. At home, I could receive all channels clearly, but at work not so much which is where I would need it most. The signals came in fuzzy, and sometimes did not come through at all. I would suggest all who purchase this product to make sure that you are able to get a decent signal for most of the channels you are listening to.
What's great about it: Prices is fairly reasonable
What's not so great: HD signals are not strong; normal radio stations are still fuzzy
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
4
Durability
4
Review 156 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: hdfmfanatic
from Fremont, Ohio
Mine is used mostly around the house. Unbelievable how it can pick up distant stations. Havent used on the go. This is a great way to check out HD Radio. My experience with this HD unit is far better than I expected. Sorry that a few had problemswith their radio. Mine is great, I love HD radio and have been using mine every day.
What's great about it: affordable, great sound, portability
What's not so great: needs a USB port to charge
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
4
Review 157 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: gthomas15229
from Pittsburgh, PA
This has been the greatest product I have ever bought and used. I was amazed by the sound quality of the earbuds that came with it. It sounds great in the car through the MP3 input and receives the HD channels everywhere I drive. I use it now rather than the standard tuner. I am lucky that Pittsburgh, PA has a good selection of HD signals. The HD channels do not come in at work, but it receives the analog portion better than any other radio I have tried to use there. The battery lasts for at least 8 hours and charges quickly. I can even charge it in the car since it uses the same plug as my GPS units. I wish I had found this a long time ago. This should be in the stores, so that more people could discover it. I have shown it to every one at work and they all want one. I was so impressed that I bought one for my daughter and she likes it for the bus ride to and from school.
What's great about it: The best portable radio ever. It is easy to operate and has great reception even in the car. Battery lasts over 8 hrs.
What's not so great: Nothing bad yet.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 158 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: deano93
from Minneapolis,MN
I heard about this I thought it would be great to have an inexpensive HD radio you can put in a pocket and hear a multiple of channels. Even has an arm band holder. However I have found that the reception is off and on. Also seeing that it is from Insignia, It could have a bluetooth reicever.
What's great about it: Portability, easy to use and makes good on finding HD stations
What's not so great: Antenna reception is not very good. Skips like it's a bad cd. Wish it had bluetooth.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 159 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: KHaywood
from Durham, NC
I've had the unit for just a few weeks and so far I've been pleased. Good sound quality on standard and HD FM. There are no audio adjustments, but they are not needed as long as you spring for some quality ear buds or headphones. The AM band would be handy as well. Reception is better than I expected especially on HD. Reception is very hard to predict so what works for me may not work at all where you live. I also would have liked a lanyard attachment. If you don't wear a shirt with a pocket, what do you do with it? I don't do arm bands... I can't really comment on durability and I haven't used it consistently enough to get a handle on the battery life yet - time will tell. I'm very kind to my toys so I expect this little guy will be around for a while.
All things considered, I recommend it without hesitation.
What's great about it: Sound quality and HD reception
What's not so great: Volume control location and lack of lanyard attachment point
I would recommend this to a friend!
Sound Quality
5
Durability
5
Review 160 for HD Radio Portable Player
Posted by: ret5000
from McHenry,IL
I use my radio for 1/2 hour every other day. It only lasts for two workouts. The velcro armband is strong, but to short. The reception is decent, and earphones don't stay in my ears. I found a set that wraps around my head that works better. I would look for one with a better battery if I were to buy another one.
What's great about it: Large choice of stations
What's not so great: Recharge battery every other day, velcro strap short
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Sound Quality
3