PRUNUS J-166 Portable Radio AM FM, Battery Operated Radio with Tuning Light, Back Clip, Excellent Reception, AM FM Radios Portable, Transistor Radios

I've been aware that I need an emergency radio on hand, but have been overwhelmed by the options. This one looked like a minimum viable solution (which is my key criterion for prep stuff). Knowing that a cheap radio might could be so poorly made that it isn't useful, I took a chance and bought one to evaluate.I'm glad I did. I've been testing it now for several days. This little radio was so all-around good that I decided to write a detailed review. This is voluntary, unpaid and unprompted.Summary-I'm convinced so far that this is an excellent emergency radio, better than most of the labelled 'emergency' radios. Here's why I say this:1. Generally, it looks and feels like a well built, simple, functional radio- a pleasant surprise. The case in particular is well fitted and finished. The tuning display and other controls are well placed, feel good and operate properly.2. This runs on two AA batteries- not rare and expensive 9V. Run time is well in excess of 100 hours- I am four days into 'round the clock testing. Solar/crank/lithium rechargeables might suit long-term off-grid use, but add weight, size and cost. One set of AAs should last for months of careful use.3. Not waterproof, but neither are most cell phones. But it fits in a sandwich zip lock- even when it's working. BTW it also fits in a 40 oz peanut butter jar, with room for a candle, lighter, space blanket and small flashlight.4. Usable wrist strap for hanging, securing on a pack, etc. You need this.5. Sensitivity and selectivity are fine. AM stations are getting rare around here, but it pulls the six local stations. FM sensitivity is comparable to my car's radio- it grabs about 20 stations with the antenna folded, and does a good job of separating adjacent stations. The telescoping antenna helps with weak stations, but these antennas are all fragile and probably should be kept stowed. A tuning LED is nice touch.6. Sound quality is surprisingly good. I have been listening to classical music in my garage- and it is fully audible, and pleasant to listen to. It can get buzzy if you turn the volume way up, so don't do that. It's playing right now in the garage, and its loud enough to hear through the door in the kitchen.7. Small size, like a cell phone but thicker- about 25mm. Pocket clip is thoughtful and looks useful, but its plastic and might be fragile.8. Excellent price. Buy two or three, and get radios for sharing, barter etc- for less money than a fancy do-all.9. No aircraft, shortwave or ham bands. These aren't often needed. Ham equipment is a good idea, but 2-way com radios have different requirements, and should be evaluated separately.My bottom line is that I'm buying a couple more of these for the prep stack.

2025 - $10 - Totally worth it. This is actually the best AM/FM portable radio I've ever owned. Sound is clear and a lot better than my $500 phone. Case is tougher than most electronics. I've seen some low ratings, they could happen. But most of it seems to be not understanding "Radio" technology.AM/FM Radio is pre-television technology using radio waves. Not a bit of digital tech happening there. If you use these while moving in any manner, YES your tuning will fade in & out ( similar to phone bars under bridges). Not the radios fault. It's the old technology of the beast. Ditto the reception of specific radio stations. Depends totally on your position and distance in relation to the radio station you are trying for. This little $10 baby picks up a LOT more stations than my car radio, with better clarity. I've had this for 20 days now, used it at least 10 of those days, running at least 10 hours total - have yet to need to change the 2 batteries ( Amazon Basics AA). If you want to listen all day, every day - I suggest a stack of handy rechargeable batteries.Helpful Hint - Tuning is achieved by turning the tuning knob, which is run by a string or cord to make the red station marker move ( quite standard for non-digital ). And my example is every channel from about channel 99 to about 105 is somewhere within the "102" markings on the radio. So 98.1 thru 105.1 can be found inline with the 102 marking on the radio. It's just how it is on all radios. Look at the markings on the radio dial. It jumps( using FM as the example) 87 to 90 to 102 to 108. Why the weird numbering? Don't know. It's been that way for over 100 years for AM and pre-1960's for FM. And "piece of string" marker location vs. Station may vary a little day to day or use to use. Again, I LOVE my new little toy. I like to listen to "The Morning Crews" on various stations as I have my morning coffee out on the porch ( 6 cups).

Es exactamente como los radios antiguos, antes de que los celulares existieran...al comenzar la adolescencia se nos regalaba un radio que debiamos oir con audifonos dentro de casa y podiamos escucharlo sin audifonos, fuera de casa. En los trabajos al cumplir un año..te regalaban un radio chico tambien. Lo compre para recordar esos tiempos. Se escucha muy bien y agarra muchas estaciones, viene sin baterias. Usa 2 que sean AA

I bought this pocket radio with minimal expectations - I wanted it for local talk & sports stations, no DX or high fidelity sound required.The speaker sound quality is surprisingly good - no bass of course, but clear and clean otherwise. The audio over headphones is also good.It's about as simple and functional as it gets - tuner and volume wheels, AM/FM/OFF slide switch, and audio jack. A tuning light comes on to indicate station lock, and the turning works well. It's a little more finicky on AM than FM but once locked in it's fine. The extendable antenna seems sturdy but is not really needed for the local stations. I have not done any extensive testing with weaker stations.Build quality is acceptable, though I wouldn't want to drop it. It's very lightweight. I appreciate that the battery cover is "captured" so that it would be harder to lose than one that completely pops off.I'm very satisfied with it. I rate it at five stars because given the cost, and what it provides, I couldn't ask for more.

Quality radio's can sometime come in small packages. For less than $10 I figure what have I got to lose. I wasn't looking for a big radio just something for the backyard, the beach or around the house. And this little radio delivers. It look very much like the transistor radio that some of us may have grown up with. It looks good, sounds good and is very easy to use. The belt clip is also a very nice add on feature while working around the house or in the garden.