Kaito KA200 Pocket AM/FM Radio, Black

I recently left my little Coby transistor radio (that I'd had for over a decade) out in the rain overnight, and needless to say it was Adios for that one. It was the best $5 radio ever, but having heard lots of good things about Kaito I decided to order this one in black to replace the old faithful Coby. I generally listen to oldies and talk radio while I work outside or take my daily walk up the mountain, and figured the Kaito would be a good replacement and would actually be a bit lighter and smaller size, perfect for my shirt pocket. Let me tell you, this little guy ROCKS! The secret of the EXCEPTIONAL sound quality must be the speaker (or DSP circuitry, or both) but it's amazing how clear and loud this little radio is. While the FM antenna is a non-swivel type and kind of short, it doesn't matter on a radio this small because all you need to do is rotate the radio to zero in on your station if needed, and that's always the case with AM. The sensitivity is rather stunning on both bands, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it pulls in stations from many miles away on AM, much better than the old Coby did. FM is also quite good, but the stronger stations do tend to overlap and cross over a bit if they are close together, which is normal for these little guys with DSP. The vernier scale is a bit off, too, but close enough - - who cares on such a small radio anyway? For being no larger than a credit card, this little powerhouse sure packs a punch, and the sound is not distorted and batteries seem to last forever. I simply can't get over how good this thing sounds, and how well-engineered and sturdy it is built. Time will tell how long this little radio lasts (I'll be more careful about not leaving this one out in the rain all night) but if I get as many years from it as I did my old Coby I'll be a happy camper. One thing for sure - - radios have come a long way since my first old Channel Master "All Transistor" model from back in 1961. Kudos to Kaito!!!

First it is NOT an iPod, it is lo-tech and not designed for hi-fi, everyday use, etc. etc. It is small, decently built, fairly good reception and in my opinion perfectly suited for the glovebox, go-bag, backpacking [ultralight], disaster pack etc. If it breaks boo-hoo, it is only $12, it takes AAA x2 which is ok since I already have them in recharagables for our 2way radios. A single A battery would be obviously better. I also have the slightly larger Sony which is also a great unit that I also reviewed last year. It is an inexpensive way to be able to get news, weather etc. in an emergency when your smarty-phone looses a signal. It is also a good first-radio for youngsters to see if they are responsible enough to take care of something. One day someone will get clever and put a rubber-whip type antenna on an inexpensive radio like this, I've looked and have yet to find one. I plan on taking this one on the trails and camp trips this year and will post the results. We frequently take our small Sony to the preserves for day-packs to listen to music while having a picknic break.3/22/13 UPDATE: I gave this one to my 9 year old who is my ranger-buddy in the field. He carries this one in an old digital camera zipper case we already had. I taught him the proper way to raise/lower the antenna and it is still fine. Reception in the field is decent. I will often ask him to find a news/weather station on am before we turn in for the night and it pulls am great. fm depends on your location but is not too bad. It is so small/light it barely adds any weight to his pack.

SUMMARYIt is a terrific "transistor" radio. Turn it on, dial in your station, enjoy memories of a simpler time---particularly these days when you can't set the time on a typical wristwatch without the manual which you lost three years ago. Good manual tuning---the radio won't "forget" your station when you change batteries. There is even a little green diode which helps tuning in exactly on your station. Two AAA batteries have a long lifeSHORTCOMINGNeeds an attachment point for a small split-ring or neckcord on the back center. A split-ring would allow it to be carred on a belt-loop etc. with a small carabiner, or hung at a convenient place. Carabiner Keychain (6 pack)TUNING AND RECEPTIONThe manual tuning is straightforward and easy, albeit sometimes it is hard to exactly tune in a weak station near a strong one. The dial is fairly stiff---a good thing, it isn't easly bumped. Reception is usually very good, even without the telescoping antenna (just leave it collapsed), but it is very much appreciated when you need it. The antenna does NOT rotate.VOLUMEThis is a personal radio, which you need close, not a room radio. The volume may fill a small room without too much distortion if there is no competing noise, but you will usually want it within about 3--5'.SOUND QUALITYThe sound qualtiy is good, not great. This is a radio for listening to news, talk radio, or ball games, not classical music. Music is acceptable, particularly at modest volume.USING HEADPHONESThe radio is mono, so the headphone connection is also mono, but to both ears. Unlike many portable radios, the volume can be turned down to an appropriate level even for very efficicent headphones (such as J-buds). JBuds Hi-Fi Noise-Reducing Ear Buds (Black)CARRYING IT AROUNDTiny, fits easily in a shirt pocket. However there is no neckstrap, and no attachment point for a strap or split-ring. My solution was to loop a strap around a battery, and shut the battery compartment---the radio hangs upside down from my neck---but that is actually ideal. 5 pcs Black Neck Strap Band Lanyard For USB Flash/Pen Drives, Cell phone, mp3, mp4 and other Lightweight (under 50 grams) Electronic Devices When that proved to be a good solution, (using my pocket knife) I cut a tiny notch in the center of the lip of the battery compartment lid to accommodate the cord easier.Compared to Coby CX50---a tiny desk radioThe Coby is only a little larger, and a little louder, and features a rotatable antenna, a wrist strap, and has time and alarm functions. The Coby is not rounded and has a lower center of gravity, so it sits more securely on surfaces, making it a better desk or bathroom radio. The minimum volume of the Coby is so loud that it is can be hard to use with efficient headphones. COBY CX50 COMPACT AM/FM DIGITAL RADIO - CX50Compared to the Panasonic RF-P50--an oversize "shirt pocket" radio, with plenty of volumeThe Panasonic is more than twice the size of the Kaito, but similar in design. However the Panasonic has a wrist strap and rotating antenna. The Panasonic is much louder, and can be used as a small room or "shop" radio--but being tall with a rounded bottom (like the Kaito), it is not as stable as the Coby on a desk. The AA batteries in the Panasonic last much longer. The earphone of the Panasonic is monophonic to only one ear, and it is almost impossible to dial down the volume to a low enough level for efficient headphones. A Sony ICF38 (which I bought for my Dad) is a better inexpensive small room radio than the Kaito, Coby, or Panasonic. Panasonic RF-P50 Pocket AM/FM Radio, SilverCompared to Sony ICF-S10MK2The Sony is the same size, shape, and has the same features (and shortcomings) as the Panasonic RF-P50. Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket AM/FM Radio, SilverCompared to Sony ICF38--an inexpensive AC/DC table radioThe Sony ICF38 is MUCH larger, but runs either AC (cord stows inside) or battery, and is more suitable as a room radio. Sony ICF38 Portable AM/FM Radio (Black)> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.