Hello all - I am looking for a small (pocket/IPod size max ideally) and reliable FM and digital radio.

The main criteria is battery life and signal/aerial strength. Am I right in saying that most use the headphones as an aerial (would a longer headphone cable be able to get a better signal)? Or are there some with built in aerials? It'll be used mainly in a fairly sheltered by trees area so the signal is going to be the main problem.

Is it a case of: the more expensive, the better the signal quality?

I am not interested in hard drive/recording abilities.

Is there a leading brand of small portable digital radios?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

JRJG

I have a Pure Move 2500

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Rechargeable-Personal-Digital-Radio/dp/B005J3PLXE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1427817590&sr=1-1&keywords=pure+pocketdab+2500

 

It doesn't have a speaker and as you say the aerial is in the headphones or whatever you use. I have even used it in a car without DAB using a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection wire and the reception was better than the Autodab & screen aerial I replaced it with!

 

I have used it in all sorts of places including forested areas and the reception in DAB & FM has been first class.

 

I did try a Roberts one which I returned as it had an incessant buzz.

 

The battery on mine, which is now at least two years old, lasts about 12 hours on DAB. (I think FM uses less power)

Roberts SportsDAB 2 or 5, Pure DAB 1500 & 2500.

 

I have the SportsDAB 5 & it has some Energiser Lithium batteries in it and its still going strong on the first set.

Yep, the Pure Move is the best for your brief. I actually sold one on eBay just a few weeks ago. I didn't find it worked too well in the car though.

I actually find using my iPhone with the TuneIn Pro app FAR more reliable and clearer.

I have a Pure Move 2500

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Rechargeable-Personal-Digital-Radio/dp/B005J3PLXE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1427817590&sr=1-1&keywords=pure+pocketdab+2500

It doesn't have a speaker and as you say the aerial is in the headphones or whatever you use. I have even used it in a car without DAB using a standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm connection wire and the reception was better than the Autodab & screen aerial I replaced it with!

I have used it in all sorts of places including forested areas and the reception in DAB & FM has been first class.

I did try a Roberts one which I returned as it had an incessant buzz.

The battery on mine, which is now at least two years old, lasts about 12 hours on DAB. (I think FM uses less power)

I will let you know what I think of the Pure a Move, it looks to be in the price region I was thinking of spending too.

Roberts SportsDAB 2 or 5, Pure DAB 1500 & 2500.

I have the SportsDAB 5 & it has some Energiser Lithium batteries in it and its still going strong on the first set.

Is the Pure Move a rechargeable battery or a AA/AAA removable battery setup do you know? I can agree with you about the lithium batteries, I came across a whole shelf of Energiser lithium AA and AAA batteries all for sale at £0.80 for a pack of 4.

They are brilliant in terms of power and longevity. Still going strong!

Yep, the Pure Move is the best for your brief. I actually sold one on eBay just a few weeks ago. I didn't find it worked too well in the car though.

I actually find using my iPhone with the TuneIn Pro app FAR more reliable and clearer.

Thanks James it seems the 'Pure Move' is the one most recommended.

I too use the TuneIn app - however I do not have an unlimited data use on my phone tariff and so would be slowly eating up my allowance!

Thanks to you all for your suggestions and advice. I shall have a shop for a 'Pure move 2500'.

JRJG

The Pure Move comes with a rechargeable battery pack. A point to note is the pack is easily replaceable by yourself.

On the battery, I bought mine in March '13 (£70). It sat in a drawer for two years. Sold it on eBay a couple of weeks ago (£40+5 p&p no headphones!). But it still turned on straight away! And showed almost a full battery. It's clearly a decent bit of kit.

Out of interest... My father is thinking of getting one the Pure units and i wanted to ask if you have to use the supplied headphones for the antenna side of things to work or does it work the same way with your own headphones using them as the antenna etc....

I just ditched the earphones that came with the units and replaced them with JVC Xtreme Xplosives earphones which are a bit more robust.