from Menlo Park

"Close but no cigar", as they say. I cannot recommend the unit as it is - BUT - it could be 'fixed' to get my recommendation. The Insignia Portable HD Radio does receive HD-FM broadcast stations that are LOCAL and have at least 50KW of power; suburban stations won't lock the HD signal. There is no AM band, no HD-AM; I would expect at least analog AM and even analog AM Stereo (C-Quam) on a tuner like this. I wouldn't mind having special headphones with the AM antenna built into it if that's what it would take to have AM on this radio. I like the RDS feature on the radio but the FONT SIZE for the text on the radio is 6 point or 8 point, and you can't read the small text at the bottom of the screen! They need a "large font" menu option. They should add a 'sleep timer' to shut the radio off after 1 hour of no button presses so you don't run the rechargeable battery down to nothing shortening its lifespan. Any Mini-USB charger works to recharge it, which is good. Audio quality is average at best - you need to add your own earbuds to appreciate HD radio sound. I would like the signal strength meter to be "on" all the time when I move around to find the 'sweet spot' where I can receive the station in HD. RDS info on other FM stations is average, but again, text is too small. If you want 5 stars, update this radio with AM analog, analog stereo or AM-HD, then allow for an external antenna connection, add the sleep timer, allow for larger text font size and increase tuner sensitivity, and keep the price under $50 and I'll be back to buy a dozen as Christmas gifts!

What's great about it: Color Display, Rechargeable Battery, HD from STRONG LOCAL FM stations, RDS on FM

What's not so great: No AM, No AM-HD, No AM stereo, No "Analog-lock" switch, TEXT Font TOO TINY

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Durability

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Customer Rating

Has no AM

on August 8, 2010

Posted by: steelergirl

from Pittsburgh, PA

I was disappointed this is only FM. We have many HD AM stations in my town, I just assumed it would be AM-FM, my bad. I am going to return it and wait for something with AM.

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Customer Rating

Nice Radio Works Great

on July 12, 2009

Posted by: Teerexx52

from Florida's West Coast

I bought this portable HD radio the first day it came out. After reading the directions and setting up my pre-set channels I'm pleased. The radio is small and easily fits into a shirt pocket or jeans pocket. Has plenty of volume and the display is bright and easy to read. The headphones sound fine but are very difficult to keep in your ear. I wouldn't recommend it for jogging. I do believe you have to use these ear phones as they act as an antenna for the unit. For the money its a good buy.

What's great about it: Reception, size, overall sound quality

What's not so great: Ear phones

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Junk

on July 19, 2009

Posted by: Simba1994

from Tampa Bay, FL

I was excited that a portable HD Radio was available (especially at the price point), however this radio really disappoints.

The sound quality (with my own ear-buds -- not the included ones) was good. However, that was only when I could get a decent signal. Inside my house, signal was marginal-to-bad. Many stations would stick to analog, and when they did lock on HD, they would fall back often. There is no AM Tuner, so no AM HD stations.

I tried using the radio while doing yard work. It would get decent reception as long as you held it, or used the armband, but if you put in on your belt or in a pocket, the signal would disappear. Sometimes it depended on which way you faced. I love in a metro-area with plenty of HD channels, so I'm not impressed.

The color screen is washed out. Although still easy to read, for the price point, they could have opted for a better LCD screen.

It also lacks the iTunes tagging function.

This is going back. The Insignia lacks too many HD features and has far too poor reception. For the same price, you can get a nice MP3 player with a decent screen that plays the tunes you want to hear.

What's great about it: Lightweight, small, Easy to use

What's not so great: Reception is horrible, No AM Tuner (not even AM HD), Screen is washed out.

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Sound Quality

Durability

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Customer Rating

Great Concept, Poor Execution

on August 18, 2009

Posted by: AustinGeek

from Austin, TX

I was excited about this radio when I read about it. It was hard to find, but finally found one at local Best Buy. Unfortunately it's going back. It picks up the analog FM stations just fine, but reception of HD channels is sporadic to non-existent. I can see the local radio transmission towers from where I jog, yet it couldn't lock onto over half the HD stations. The ones it does receive are intermittent, even when used at the same location from one day to the next.

What's great about it: Portable HD Radio

What's not so great: Poor HD Reception

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Customer Rating

Great portable HD Radio!!

on September 7, 2009

Posted by: Anonymous

from St. Louis, MO

Great deal for $50!! We've got a batch of new HD2 and HD3 stations in the St. Louis area, and this portable unit does a great job of picking them all up. Nifty readout screen too. If a signal contains HD2 and HD3 stations, it gives you song/artist info for all 3 stations simultaneously on the screen (if the stations are transmitting that info). Very nice! I've let 3 friends borrow mine since I got it last week, and all 3 are buying one for themselves. And 2 of them will drop Sirius/XM because they like this better. But again, it's only great if you live in a city that offers HD stations.

What's great about it: Listening to HD stations; pocket size; portability; station info on screen.

What's not so great: Arm band is kinda awkward.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Good little radio

on May 2, 2010

Posted by: Jorjor

from Miami FL

I love talk radio and I could never get good reception as I travel across the state.
This little gadget is clear as a bell..wherever I am.
Fits in my shirt pocket.
Would not have bothered to write this review if I wasn't thrilled with the product.

What's great about it: A cheap little radio that works well. USB recharge a great feature.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

A great little radio

on June 1, 2010

Posted by: peacerider