Sony WM-FX197 AM/FM Cassette Walkman

This is the third Sony Walkman I've owned over the last 24 years, for an average lifespan of 8 years for each. Two were Sports models that were bulky and heavy. This one is lighter and has a much better bass. I use it only when I am walking on the treadmill, but it gets a lot of use and it is holding up very well. Very glad I found this as I have a lot of cassettes that I don't want to give up. I purchased this new on Amazon. It arrived very quickly and was in the original packaging. I highly recommend this model Walkman.

Works fine, WAY overpriced.

It's hard to find a cassette walkman these days with the industry geared toward CDs and ipods. My new car's stereo had no cassette, so I used this walkman unit to play my old cassettes. Many of us have a lot of music on cassette, so this unit did its job. The TV sound part of the unit is horrible, which is disappointing. Reception wise the TV sound should be better. In 2009, the over the air TV signals will be removed anyway when television stations go all digital, so it won't make a difference anyway. I live 7 miles from a major city, so not getting TV sound is disappointing showing that the TV sound reception is disappointing. Otherwise the unit is decent.

This suits my needs for walking outside perfectly. It has fast forward and rewind, is easy to operate, and the buttons are very accessible. The sound is very good--adequate bass, but not overpowering. I was so glad that I was able to find this so that I'm able to listen to my cassettes now that I've started walking every night. It was delivered within days of when I ordered it, which also made me happy.

I've relied on Sony Walkman cassette players for 50 years. I always like to have a new one in reserve. I flipped out after I read that Sony isn't making these any more and immediately bought this one. It still works beautifully for my primary purpose. It gives me a choice not to listen to other people's noise. It also allows me to listen to my favorite tapes without bugging anyone else in turn. Hail and farewell to the hero of my youth and now, preserver of privacy in my age.

I've given it 3 stars because it slows down some times. Not sure if this is because my cassettes are old. When I remove the cassette and bang it sharply on a table the Walkman seems to gain speed. I'm still testing my theory that it is the cassette, not the Walkman. If it is the Walkman, I will return it.

No funciona el cassette y los audifonos tostados y al sacarlo de la caja se rompio el foam que traen. Se le puso un cassette y no corre. Solo funciona el radio! Super maña inversión para lo que costo el apartato.

I was very pleased with my Sony purchase. I have had others and I really like this model best due to where the batteries are placed in .unit. I would buy it again if I see one on the amazon web sight. Thanks so much. I am a cassette person due to fact I have many tapes that I play in them. Alice