from San Diego, CA

This has to be the lowest cost HD radio available. I wanted HD because many of the local stations use HD2 and HD3 for other versions of their stations. For example, NPR has talk radio on HD1, classical on HD2, and Groove Salad on HD3, for no extra cost.

Reception for me depends on what stations I am trying to get. Some stations have antennas in the south part of the county, and others in the north. I am closer to the south antennas so I get those stations clearly, but the north antennas are harder to receive from, especially when inside an office building. I have a long 3.5mm headphone extension cable plugged in, which seems to make the indoor reception better, since the headphone cable acts as the antenna.

Everything about it works fine, with one exception. At my desk I like the LCD display to be always on. The display menu allows this option, but every time I turn it off and back on again it forgets that setting. The setting is still always on, but the display turns off after about 20 seconds. In order to get it always on again I must go to the menu, change it to some other value, and then change it back to always on.

If you have large biceps the armband that comes with it doesn't have a long enough Velcro strap. I mostly use it at my desk or just put it in my pocket when walking. Prior to this I used a RadioShark from my desk, and my phone for walking, but there is no RadioShark HD available yet, so this is the next best choice.

What's great about it: Gets HD stations for low cost, small size, good battery life.

What's not so great: Possible reception issues, minor menu issue.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Units do not last

on June 9, 2011

Posted by: Runnerwantsradio

from Minneapolis

Problems
1. Two units failed. First unit lost volume control. Second unit, randomly losses station, volume spikes! and stays loud, will not shut off, initial good reception has recently failed - in short poorly constructed.
2. problems with design
a) charging off a USB port! When past radios died I switched out rechargable AA batteries and unit is ready. NOW I have a radio that requires a running computer, it never charges if the computer is shut off. This Design is is garbage
3. No AM station
4. Carrier makes difficult to get unit out, and operate with unit in carrier.
5. I wish I would have written my issues down. I would have more.
My only regret is the Zune is my only alternative, and I do not know if
$170 is necessary for my needs.

What's great about it: HD radio when it is working

What's not so great: Poor Battery and USB Recharge. AA Batteries that can be replaced better

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Customer Rating

Just consider the $9 extended warranty as "Rent"

on February 5, 2013

Posted by: Gashmore

from Macon, Ga

I have owned 5 of these radios. I LOVE THEM but the Geek Squad guys duck for cover when they see me. I learned to always buy the extended warranty when the first one went quiet at 3 months. Every thing else worked. Just no sound. It was like the mute button was pressed but the mute icon didn't indicate so. Thinking the problem was the earphone jack I performed a little surgery it to try and fix it but the surgery became an autopsy. The problem must be in the firmware or the uC because all the components seem OK. I bought another one with extended warranty. Now I just plan on going back to the store every 6 or 8 months and pay $9 for a new one.

They must cost next to nothing to make because many users have reported the same problem on the Insignia website but the problem continues and is very uniform in nature. Either that or BestBuy is taking a bath on their extended warranty.

What's great about it: Very portable, good reception, good sound

What's not so great: Goes mute within 6 months on average

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Very good quality , great reception

on July 28, 2013

Posted by: railroadrob

from philadelphia

Verified Purchase:Yes

I enjoy listining to static free radio. HD quality is very good

My Best Buy number: 0752656548

What's great about it: small and battery last long

What's not so great: nothing

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

GREAT RADIO

on April 26, 2014

Posted by: LARRY

from ST LOUIS, MO

Verified Purchase:Yes

Great little radio. Great reception. Charges last for at least 8 hours.

However, this radio will croak on you. buy the extended warranty that Best Buy offers. It is well worth the money.

My Best Buy number: 3300203072

What's great about it: PORTABILITY, BATTERY RECHARGES

What's not so great: BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Get good earphones, get SPECTACULAR SOUND!!!

on July 13, 2015

Posted by: LovingTheMusic

OK, so you're about to put down a nice chunk of change for a, well, it's just a RADIO, right? And you're wondering if the "HD" thing is going to make a difference or if it's just marketing hype.
Well, what you get in this package will give you a nice, pleasant sound, but face it, any time you buy a portable radio or mp3 player that includes earphones, they're not intended to give you great sound. Then again, there's Apple, but they really can't afford to give you junk earphones when they're charging hundreds of dollars for their products. Still, they're just "starter" earphones, and they cost $29.95 if you want to buy them separately - and lots of people upgrade them to get better sound.
So, what should you do?
GET A DECENT PAIR OF EARPHONES!!!
Like the Apple buds? No way - just average sound for the price.
Check out Logitech Ultimate Ears 600vi or Rockjaw Alfa Genus #more bass than the Logitech# and the sound will rock your world. Both of these will play loud, but if you just have to have to crank it up every once in a while #for short periods - don't damage your ears# get the Logitechs.
So what about HD? It really works. It gives you a little bit better sound than the station you get the best reception on in regular FM. And the regular FM sound is great - full spectrum, including the BASS.
The downside? If you live in a rural area, there might not be many hd stations near you. Just google "HD radio" to find out. Also, not all hd stations are of equal strength #some are farther away from you# and on the weak stations, you will get occasional drop-outs, and with weak regular FM stations, the signal can drift in and out. Hey, it's RADIO.
Just for reference, I can tell you that the sound quality equals or surpasses my San Disk Sport Clip mp3 player #and crushes it in the bass# Of course it's not as good as my $100 Fiio X1 or my $200 Ibasso DX-50 mp3 players, but if you don't have a whole big bunch of CDs that you can rip to MP3 or Flac, it's really not worth getting one of those players, unless you're prepared to shell out hundreds and hundreds of dollars to buy music online.
And besides, radio has ALL THE NEW MUSIC.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Perfect for jogging

on February 6, 2011

Posted by: sma1tofu

from Dallas. TX

1. Very good reception. When there is not enough signal switches seamlessly to regular FM. Regular FM is better than my other radios. No hissing, noises, interferences.

2. Works with regular headphones.

3. Included armband.

4. Good price.

Little on the negatives:
1. Somehow difficult preset setting.
2. Little functionality beyond radio, clock, stop-watch, mp3 would be great!

What's great about it: Good radio

What's not so great: It could have been more

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Durability

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Customer Rating

moderate performance, bad battery

on March 8, 2010

Posted by: coldsplice

from minneapolis, mn

wanted something to listen to the TV's at the club. really frustrating to have a built in battery that only lasts a few hours after a full (16 hour) charge. reception is fine on some stations at my club, crackles on others. big downside is Best Buy doesnt offer any competition to this item - they only sell their in house brand, Insignia.

What's great about it: not much that i can tell

What's not so great: internal battery died after <3 hours of use.

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Sound Quality

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